 Complete the following phrase:  By the time of its introduction, the sword was of limited use on the battlefield against rapid-firing rifles, machine guns and long-range artillery. However, the new sword was regarded, when needed, as a very effective fighting weapon. Reports from the Sudan, where it was used in close-quarters fighting during the reconquest of the Sudan 1896-99 were positive. Officers carried swords into battle in 1914 at the start of the First World War, and some were still being used in action at the 