By far the drill at reenactments is that, once unlimbered for battle line, the limber is moved to the rear of the gun by some yards, spun around and set in position with the limber pole towards the gun. The implication is that the limber chest top opens hinge-front so it somewhat covers the charges and those withdrawing charges from enemy fire, and, when wind direction is from the gun, also protects from embers floating back to the limber.
All well and good, except period war sketches and photographs will at times show the limber pole facing away from the gun, and not always because there are horses still attached. The implication is that the gun can be more quickly limbered up since it only takes a mere roll forward, using less time and maneauvering space. On the other hand, with the limber pole facing away from gun you'd think the men at the limber are now more exposed to enemy fire, and floating embers more likely to enter the chest.
So perhaps it's our fallacy in thinking that the limber men are better covered from enemy fire behind the chest rather than in front of it. Fact is, a penetrating bullet from any direction blows the darn thing up so the men aren't really safer after all. And as far as which way the top hinge on the chest opens; that time is so short that perhaps the embers thing isn't a big deal.
I'd rather be demonstrating all this on the field, it's hard just using words. I hope most can visualize. Anyway, thoughts?
All well and good, except period war sketches and photographs will at times show the limber pole facing away from the gun, and not always because there are horses still attached. The implication is that the gun can be more quickly limbered up since it only takes a mere roll forward, using less time and maneauvering space. On the other hand, with the limber pole facing away from gun you'd think the men at the limber are now more exposed to enemy fire, and floating embers more likely to enter the chest.
So perhaps it's our fallacy in thinking that the limber men are better covered from enemy fire behind the chest rather than in front of it. Fact is, a penetrating bullet from any direction blows the darn thing up so the men aren't really safer after all. And as far as which way the top hinge on the chest opens; that time is so short that perhaps the embers thing isn't a big deal.
I'd rather be demonstrating all this on the field, it's hard just using words. I hope most can visualize. Anyway, thoughts?
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