During the Russo-Japanese war, all close order formations proved unsuitable under artillery fire, except when the terrain afforded cover. The Japanese infantry recognized very soon that the best protection against artillery fire lay in constant motion (irregular rushes made by small units) and in wide extension. The following procedure, employed at Yoshirei on July 31st, 1904, seems worthy of imitation:[318] The several platoons of the companies followed each other in deployed lines at distances of 200-300 m. When they had to cross open ground in order to reach a designated line, the platoons sought to advance by squads, whose men were deployed at intervals of 5-10 paces and who moved at a rapid gait interrupted by breathing spells. The men invariably assembled when cover was reached. The losses were insignificant. The Russians also made use of a similar procedure after their first disastrous experiences. In many instances the platoons ran forward in single rank. “Change of gait and direction, as well as the use of loose irregular skirmish lines make it difficult for the artillery to hit anything.” (Par. 450 German I. D. R.). [318] SIR IAN HAMILTON, _A Staff Officer’s Scrap Book_, I, p. 337. Formations used by Infantry during the Russo-Japanese War when under Artillery Fire. [Illustration: a. A platoon in route column forms four columns of files.] [Illustration: b. A company in column of platoons, each in line of skirmishers with the men 2-4 m. apart. (It would be better to use sections instead of platoons).] [Illustration: c. The ranks of the sections in each platoon of the company following each other at a distance of 100 m. This formation was taken up from company column (German).]