FIELD ARTILLERY, light guns suitable for active opera tions in the field (O.Fr. artiller, to arm). Field artillery forms the bulk of the artillery with an army; its main tasks are to assist the other arms, such as infantry and tanks, to close with the enemy, to give covering fire, to assist in repelling counter attacks, and to carry out anti-tank defence. The British field artillery is organized into brigades of four batteries, of which three are armed with a gun of 3.3in. calibre, firing a shell weighing 181b., and one with a howitzer of 4.5in. calibre, firing a shell weighing 351b. The field artillery of ether armies corresponds fairly closely to this pattern, though the howitzer does not in all cases form part of their armament. (See further ARTILLERY.) United States.—In the U.S. army the field artillery consists of light, horse, siege and mountain artillery. Its purpose is to assist the other branches, especially the infantry, on the field of battle. It is organized into brigades of two or more regiments, composed of two to three battalions containing two to three batteries. For purposes of tactical employment it is divided into division artillery (light), corps artillery (medium), army artillery and GHQ reserve artillery (all types). The primary mission of division artillery is the close and immediate support of the in fantry of its division. The most important function of corps artillery is counterbattery. The function of army artillery is re inforcement of divisional and corps artillery within their respec tive zones, and long range fire deep into the enemy's territory. Army artillery organically contains only a headquarters, an am munition train and one anti-aircraft artillery brigade; but to meet its varied needs, artillery of all types is temporarily allotted from GHQ reserve.