Faces
of a fortification were sections of parapet or scarp wall that faced the
direction from which enemy action against the fortification would be most
direct and immediate. Most usually two sections of parapet joining to form
a salient angle were referred to as faces. The maximum length of a face was,
for the purposes of covering the face with flanking fire, considered to be
equal to the effective range of musket fire. Prior to the introduction of
rifled small arms this was assumed to stand at about 180 yards. For fire
from a flank to reach the bottom of the ditch in front of a face the face
could be no less than 15 yards, with a greater length perferred so that flanking
fire could cover as much of the ditch in front of the face as possible.
Faces
of a fortification were sections of parapet or scarp wall that faced the
direction from which enemy action against the fortification would be most
direct and immediate. Most usually two sections of parapet joining to form
a salient angle were referred to as faces. The maximum length of a face was,
for the purposes of covering the face with flanking fire, considered to be
equal to the effective range of musket fire. Prior to the introduction of
rifled small arms this was assumed to stand at about 180 yards. For fire
from a flank to reach the bottom of the ditch in front of a face the face
could be no less than 15 yards, with a greater length perferred so that flanking
fire could cover as much of the ditch in front of the face as possible.
