The instructor will stop the watch when _Musketry (.303 and .22 cartridges) Elementary training, visual training, judging distance, fire discipline, range practices, field practices

provided he is satisfied with the aim. _Standard time, four seconds._

(vi) =Rapid Loading.=--The men to be tested will be equipped with

a bandolier, pouch, or cartridge pockets, and six chargers filled

with dummy cartridges. The chargers will be placed in the pouches or

pockets, which will be buttoned over them. The time required to load,

close the bolt, eject the cartridges, the rifle being held in the

correct loading position, one charger being inserted at a time, the

pouch or pocket, whether empty or not, being buttoned up every time a

charger is withdrawn, will be noted. _Standard time, one minute._

(vii) =Rapid Firing.=--This will be a combination of (v) and (vi). On

the command _Rapid fire_, each man will load with dummy cartridges in

chargers from the pouch or cartridge pocket, the pocket being buttoned

up each time a charger is withdrawn, and aim ten rounds at an aiming

disc held to the instructor’s eye. If the aiming is unsatisfactory, the

test will be repeated more slowly. The time required will be noted.

_Standard time, one minute._

(viii) =Eyesight.=--To be carried out in conjunction with Standard Test

(iii). Four fatigue-men as “points” should be placed under cover in

various directions and at different distances, not exceeding 800 yards.

The men to be tested lie down extended to two paces. Each point is

called up by signal.

The fatigue-man stands, kneels, or raises his head, according to

the degree of visibility required, and fires four rounds of blank

ammunition in half a minute, then returning to cover. During the

half-minute the observers adjust their sights and place their rifles at

arm’s length to the front.

At the end of the half-minute a whistle is blown, and those men who

have failed to discern the point are noted, while non-commissioned

officers record the elevations found on the sights in connection with

Standard Test (x).

In every case the point should be signalled to rise a second time in

order that his position may be shown to those men who previously failed

to see him, and half a minute should then be allowed to these men to

adjust their sights for Standard Test (x). Failures must not exceed

one per man, but consideration must be given to the visibility of the

points.

(ix) =Recognition of Targets.=--The men to be tested should each have

an aiming-rest or sandbags for laying aim. A non-commissioned officer

from behind them will describe some difficult aiming-point, such as a

point in a hedge or area of open ground. The men aim their rifles at

the point which they recognize from the description. Four points should

be described for every man tested.

(x) =Judging Distance.=--The distances of four standing fatigue men

should be judged at distances not exceeding 800 yards.

(xi) =Grouping with Miniature Cartridges.=--For regular troops, the

grouping standards for miniature cartridge practice at 25 yards will

be: Marksmen, 1-inch ring; 1st Class, 2-inch ring; 2nd Class, 3-inch

ring.

Section =50=.--Progression of Instruction in Range and Field Practices.

=1.= After the soldier has been trained thoroughly in elementary

instruction in aiming and firing, and has passed the oral inspection

and standard tests of preliminary training satisfactorily, he may be

considered fit to commence range practices, with which his instruction

in individual and collective firing will begin. The progression of this

instruction may be divided roughly into the following stages:

(i) =Individual Firing.=--(_a_) Instruction on miniature ranges and 30

yards ranges.

(_b_) Range practices.

(_c_) Individual field practices.

(ii) =Collective Firing.=--Collective field practices.

=2. Instruction on 30 Yards and Miniature Ranges.=--Instruction on 30

yards ranges is dealt with in Sec. 55. Instruction on miniature ranges

is dealt with fully in Chapter X, which contains directions for firing

elementary and instructional range practices, as well as individual and

collective field practices on these ranges.

3. =Range Practices.=--Range practices consist of the following

practices and stages of instruction:

(i) =Practices.=--(_a_) _Grouping._ (_b_) _Application._ (_c_)

_Snap-shooting._ (_d_) _Rapid Firing._

(ii) =Stages of Instruction.=--The above practices are arranged in

a series of tables for recruits and trained soldiers, demanding a

gradually increasing degree of skill on the part of the firer, and are

divided into the following stages of instruction:

(_a_) _Qualifying Practices._ (_b_) _Instructional Practices._ (_c_)

_Classification Practices._

=4. Field Practices.=--Individual and collective field practices are

dealt with in this chapter and in Chapters VIII and X. The general

programme of field practice should be arranged as follows:

(i) Individual field practices.

(ii) Fire direction practices.

(iii) Collective field practices, divided into--

(_a_) Exercises for sections and platoons in fire direction and

application of collective fire.

(_b_) Standard tests of collective grouping and fire effect.

(_c_) Comparative demonstrations of fire effect and vulnerability.

(_d_) Exercises for companies designed to reproduce service conditions

as far as possible, and to illustrate tactical principles.

(iv) Combined field firing (see _Musketry Regulations_).

Section =51=.--Range Practices.

=1.= When recruits have shown clearly that they have acquired a

satisfactory standard of skill in all branches of preliminary training,

they will commence range practices. _Range practices merely lay the

foundation of musketry in its elementary stages._ They are only a means

to an end--namely, to prepare soldiers for field practices, by which

they are trained to fire under conditions approximating as closely as

possible to those of service.

=2. Qualifying Practices.=--The range practices for the Regular

Army and Special Reserve begin with qualifying practices, for which

standards are prescribed. _If these standards are not attained, it is

a sign that the preliminary training has failed in its object._ After

passing standard tests in miniature range practice, and firing on the

30 yards range, every man should begin his practice on the open range

confident in his own powers, and determined to prove his ability to hit.

=3. Preliminary Training and Range Practices.=--Instructional range

practices need not be continuous. Intervals of time between the

exercises are often beneficial, especially to nervous men; but in any

case, time should be found to continue the exercises of preliminary

training on days allotted to range practices, in order that there may

be no separation between theory and practice.

=4. Scope of Range Practices.=--(i) In range practices the soldier

should attain a high standard of skill in shooting at known distances

under easy conditions and in various positions, at large vertical

targets easy to see, and furnished with scoring or approximation

rings, which enable the error in shooting to be expressed in figures

convenient for comparative purposes.

(ii) He will confirm in practice the lessons learned in preliminary

training, and be thoroughly acquainted with the peculiarities of his

rifle. He will fire in the open and from behind cover in deliberate

and rapid practices, and will learn the rate of fire which, in his

own case, best combines volume with accuracy. In snapshooting he will

realize the necessity for rapid alignment of sights, and the value of

time in taking advantage of targets exposed under service conditions.

=5. Hints to Instructors=--(i) =False Standards=.--Instructors must

guard against the danger of men setting up false standards of musketry

based on the results of their shooting in range practices. Lectures

based on the instruction laid down in Sec. II. may be given to recruits

at the commencement of or during range practices, so that they clearly

understand that the assurance of effect in battle through individual

fire is limited to distances within close range, and that collective

fire is necessary for fire effect beyond close range.

(ii) =Deliberate Practices.=--Instructors must bear in mind that

deliberate practice at bull’s-eye targets tends to inculcate a slow

method of shooting, as minute attention to changes of wind and light,

and fine adjustments of the backsight based on shot-by-shot marking,

are necessary to produce the best results under such conditions.

Therefore, directly recruits have attained a satisfactory degree of

skill at deliberate practices, they must commence snapshooting and

rapid firing. _Instructors must make it clear to soldiers that high

scores in range practices under easy conditions and shot-by-shot

marking bear no relation whatever to the results to be expected from

their skill when firing under service conditions even in peace time._

(iii) =Range Practices and Service Conditions.=--In battle at close

range fire effect depends on snapshooting and rapid firing under

conditions in which the effect of wind and light may usually be

disregarded; alteration of sights is seldom possible, and the result

of fire is frequently impossible to ascertain by observation. Beyond

close range in battle, accurate ranging, allowance for deflection due

to wind, and observation of fire, which are all necessary for accurate

individual firing, are beyond the powers of unassisted individuals,

even when targets are easy to discern and recognize with the naked eye,

which is not ordinarily the case.

(iv) As the conditions of range practices differ in all these important

respects from those of service, it is clear that another and extremely

important stage of training, for which range practices are only a

preparation, must be carried out before the soldier can be considered

fit to perform his duties in the firing-line efficiently. This further

stage of training is known as “field practices.”

(v) =Standard of Accuracy.=--There is no object in establishing a

phenomenal standard of accuracy in elementary range practices and

deliberate shooting. A satisfactory degree of proficiency is soon

attained by the majority of men, and they should then proceed to

snapshooting and rapid firing practices. _It is in snapshooting and

rapid firing up to 600 yards that a very high degree of proficiency is

desired._

(vi) =Faults of Aim.=--Although instruction on the firing-point is an

indispensable form of musketry instruction for young soldiers, if it

leads to continual alterations of sighting to meet errors in shooting,

the firer is confirmed in his errors, and his faults are only obscured.

_During the firing the instructor should watch the recruit, not the

target, and should insist on being told the probable result of the shot

before it is signalled._

(vii) =Firing Positions.=--No departure from correct firing positions

should on any account be permitted. The rifle must be gripped firmly,

the face kept back from the right hand, and there should be no

constraint in the position of the body.

(viii) =Breathing and Let-Off.=--The management of the breathing

and the let-off must be noticed, and the recruit reminded of them

continually, so that his mind may be centred on the more important

details of shooting, and not on changes of wind or light, with which he

will become familiar later.

(ix) =Dwelling on Aim.=--Although care and deliberation are necessary

in elementary firing instruction, recruits must not be allowed to

fall into the habit of dwelling on their aim nor of aiming and

returning to the loading position repeatedly before pressing the

trigger. These errors arise chiefly from taking a fine sight, and

focussing the eye on the foresight instead of on the target. When such

methods are adopted, it is a sign that the object of range practices

is misunderstood, and that the firer is in need of more practical

instruction.

(x) =Shock of Discharge.=--In preliminary training the recruit has

not accustomed himself to the shock of discharge. In some cases there

is extreme difficulty in overcoming the tendency to flinch from this

shock, and this is one of the commonest causes of inaccurate shooting.

Men who flinch should not proceed with firing practice. The cause of

the flinching can be detected, and can sometimes be removed after one

or two rounds only.

(xi) =Important Points for Instructional Practices.=--The following are

important points to remember with reference to range practices:

(_a_) That best instruction available must always be given.

(_b_) One instructor can only watch and instruct one man at a time.

(_c_) No hurry should be allowed. It is better to discuss the reasons

for failure of a few shots thoroughly than to hurry over many.

(_d_) The first shot is the important one, and from the result of it

the others must be applied to hit the mark.

(_e_) A true declaration of the point of aim when the shot was actually

fired must be made immediately after firing.

(_f_) The firer or his rifle should never be touched. He should be made

to correct his position and alter his own sights, etc., as required.

(_g_) The firer should not be told the reason for his faults until he

has first been questioned regarding them, and made to reason out for

himself the causes and remedies for failure.

(xii) =Measures to prevent Faults becoming Habitual.=--It is a common

experience that serious faults become formed habits in recruits before

they are discovered by the instructor, and that they are exposed only

after repeated visits to the range, by which time it will be difficult

to correct them. In order to compel analysis of faults, to indicate

clearly how defects may be remedied, and to remove all suspicion as to

the accuracy of his rifle, preliminary and qualifying practices are

divided into exercises in (_a_) grouping, and (_b_) applying fire.

Section =52=.--Grouping and Application.

=1. Definition of Grouping.=--The term “group” as applied to a number

of shots fired at an objective has previously been explained. Grouping

practices consist of firing a series of shots--usually five--at a

distinct and fixed aiming mark without any alteration of sighting or

point of aim.

=2. Object of Grouping Practices.=--The object of grouping practices is

not to score hits on the mark aimed at, but to develop in men the power

of grouping a series of shots as closely as possible. In other words,

the object of these practices is to teach soldiers to shoot steadily

and consistently as the foundation of their training in rifle-shooting.

When they are able to fire so that their shots are grouped closely

together, their training will be advanced another stage to application

practices, when they will be taught to “apply” their shot groups to an

aiming-mark. That is to say, they will be taught to hit the mark aimed

at, as well as to group their shots closely.

=3. Testing the Value of Groups.=--Thus, in grouping practices, the

position of a shot group in relation to the aiming-point is no test of

its value, which is judged only by the closeness of the shots in each

group. Shot groups are measured by rings, as described in Sec. 56,

para. 2, and in Sec. 49, para. 6 (xi) (Miniature Ranges).

=4. Point of Mean Impact.=--(i) When all the shots in a group are

contained in a measuring-ring, the point where the centre of the ring

falls on the target is termed the _point of mean impact_. The position

of the group in relation to the point of aim is decided by recording

the distance and direction of the point of mean impact from the point

of aim. As already stated, the position of the group in relation to the

point of aim is immaterial, and it does not matter if all the shots

miss the point of aim. Nevertheless, the position of the point of mean

impact in relation to the point of aim is important for instructional

purposes, because it indicates the constant faults of the firer and

errors of the rifle.

=5. Faults of Firer shown by Shot Groups.=--For example, a very small

group well placed shows consistency of aim, trigger-pressing, and

holding. If badly placed, it may show inaccuracy of the rifle, or a

constant error in aiming. A group dispersed vertically on the target

shows vertical variation either of the amount of foresight, or of the

point of aim; whilst a group dispersed horizontally shows incorrect

centring of the foresight in the notch of the backsight, or horizontal

errors in aiming. A group low left may show forward movement of the

shoulder; and one low right may show jerking the trigger, and high

right flinching. These faults, however, can only be ascertained _if the

firer has been watched closely whilst firing_.

=6. Analysis of Faults.=--(i) Thus, grouping practices are valuable for

discovering and correcting the faults of the firer at the commencement

of his instruction on the range. Instructors should carefully note the

positions of good groups as well as bad ones, for some constant error

in aiming or fault of the rifle may thus be discovered, which will

escape notice in application practices when every shot is signalled,

and error is attributed to wind or other causes for which allowance

is easily made in sighting. Such errors are not uncommon even among

marksmen, and often affect their shooting unfavourably in field

practices when the result of each shot is not signalled.

(ii) =Testing Rifle for Faults.=--Should a soldier make a bad group,

and the rifle is suspected, it should at once be fired under similar

conditions by a reliable marksman. Should the marksman also make a bad

group with the rifle, the rifle should be tested according to the rules

laid down in _Musketry Regulations_, and, _if found inaccurate, the man

to whom the rifle belongs should be allowed to recommence the course,

the necessary ammunition being found from the authorized allowances_.

If the rifle is proved accurate, the soldier’s aim should next be

tested by the triangle of error, and his let-off should be tested by

means of the aim-corrector. His eyesight should also be examined.

(iii) =Faults due to Nervousness, etc.=--If no other cause for constant

faults can be discovered, unsteadiness may be traced to illness,

to some habitual excess, such as cigarette smoking, to lack of

determination, or to nervousness due to some natural or exciting cause.

If faults are found to be due to nervousness or lack of will-power,

the best remedy lies in developing the power of nerve and muscular

control through physical exercises which develop these powers.[26]

Rope-climbing is a good exercise for developing nerve and will-power.

(iv) =Faults due to Firing Position, Eyesight, etc.=--Faults may

sometimes be remedied at once by correcting the fire positions, by

allowing time to elapse between the shots, or by snapping practice.

Some men can aim quickly, but lose their power of seeing objects well

defined if the eye is strained by dwelling on aim. Thus, the cause of

the failure may sometimes be due to the firer’s effort to succeed.

By dwelling too long on aim the muscles of the eye become tired,

the vision becomes blurred, and the will-power is impaired. It is

necessary to take time in overcoming difficulties in such cases. In

serious cases the soldier should be examined medically with a view to

discharge, or the provision of proper glasses.

(v) =Record of Analysis of Faults.=--A complete analysis of the faults

of the firer and his rifle should be made before leaving the range, and

a note should be made on the register of the steps decided upon for

remedying defects.

=7. Application Practices.=--(i) When a man has acquired sufficient

skill in aiming and trigger-pressing to make a good group with

certainty, he will commence application practices. These teach the

firers to adjust their sights and point of aim so as to apply the

result of their groups to an aiming mark.

(ii) Application practices should be fired first at bull’s-eye targets

similar to those used for grouping, but when once a man becomes

proficient at these easy targets, figure targets should be used.

Figure targets have been devised to accustom men gradually to the

difficult targets which will be found in war, and also to counteract

the following faults: (_a_) Taking too long an aim; (_b_) taking a fine

sight; (_c_) focussing the eye on the foresight instead of the target

at the moment of firing. _All these are common errors when a bull’s-eye

target is used._

(iii) Grouping standards may in some cases be attached to application

practices in order to emphasize the importance of care and consistency

in shooting. In application practices instruction is given in making

allowance for atmospheric influences, chiefly cross-winds; but it is

not desirable that trifling changes of wind should be met by minute

adjustment of the wind-gauge. The instructor should call upon the

soldier to estimate the wind before firing, and tell him the corrected

allowance which he is to place on his sights. Subsequent alteration

should be unnecessary. _In application, and, in fact, any practice,

small adjustments of sights should be discouraged._ The point of aim

should be varied as may be found necessary to counteract any error of

the rifle.

Section =53=.--Snapshooting, Rapid Firing, and Firing at Crossing

Targets.

=1. Snapshooting.=--(i) Snapshooting means firing an effective shot in

the shortest possible time, and necessitates--

(_a_) Watching the front.

(_b_) Quickness of aim.

(_c_) Observation of the strike of the bullet, when possible.

(_d_) Loading immediately after firing.

Snapshooting may follow application practices, and in the early stages

it is advisable to use the figure-targets used for these practices,

which can be exposed for any length of time to suit the skill of the

firers at different stages of training. Six seconds is sufficient in

the early stages, and this may be reduced to four or three seconds as

progress is made.

(ii) =Snapshooting from Cover.=--In snapshooting practices from cover,

not only the exposure of the target, but also that of the firer, should

be limited. Strict attention must be paid to adapting the firing

positions correctly to cover, and to firing with the least possible

movement and exposure.

(iii) =Snapshooting on Miniature Ranges.=--Practices in snapshooting on

miniature ranges will be found in Chapter X.

=2. Rapid Firing.=--(i) Rapid fire, which has been dealt with in

previous sections, means firing as many rounds as possible with

reasonable accuracy in a given time. This method of firing shows the

best rate of individuals, and brings out the necessity for clean and

quick loading and manipulation of the bolt, with the butt to the

shoulder, combined with quickness of aim. The best rate of fire

depends in every case upon the degree of training of the individual and

the size and visibility of the aiming-mark. In rapid firing a man of

normal temperament should be able to attain the regulation rate with

trifling loss of accuracy, _but it is not desirable to make a great

sacrifice of accuracy to produce even the regulation rate_.

(ii) Dexterity of loading and a habit of rapid alignment of the sights

should be developed in preliminary training. In the range practices the

opportunity is afforded to every man to ascertain his own best rate for

combining accuracy in shooting with rapidity of fire so as to produce a

high average of hits per minute, but there is no obligation to fire all

the rounds allotted in any rapid practice.

(iii) =Rapid Firing on Miniature Ranges.=--Instructions for carrying

out rapid firing practices on miniature ranges will be found in Chapter

=3. Firing at Crossing Targets.=--As already stated, practices in

firing at crossing targets can be carried out economically and with

good results on miniature ranges. Practices in firing at crossing

targets are contained in Chapter X.

Section =54=.--Field Practices.

=1. Scope of Training.=--(i) Field practice consists of firing at

service targets at unknown ranges under conditions approximating as

closely as possible to those of service. In field practice every

care should be taken to develop further the skill already acquired

in snapshooting and rapid firing in instructional practices. The

nerve control gained in deliberate shooting should be supplemented by

vigour and alertness, deftness in loading, the habit of correct action

under distracting conditions, and skilful use of cover, based on the

determination to make fire effective.

(ii) There must be further training in picking up an indistinct

target, such as is likely to be presented in war, in estimating its

range, in rapidly opening fire, and in making the best use of ground.

Every individual must learn to recognize the distances at which

individual fire will be effective, and to act in co-operation with his

comrades.

(iii) Officers and fire-unit commanders must be practised in their

duties of direction, control, and observation of fire, in the use of

ground, and in mutual support. With these must be combined the study of

the results to be obtained from the delivery of concentrated fire at

targets representing troops in different formations, and on ground of

varying character, in order that practical experience may be acquired

of the principles which govern the employment of fire in the field.

(iv) Under the conditions of peace manœuvres with blank ammunition,

fire control may be neglected, targets may be insufficiently described,

and it is not known whether the firers recognize them, distances are

sometimes roughly guessed, sights are not always adjusted, and men

aim carelessly. Unless, therefore, tactical exercises are conducted

sometimes with ball ammunition, there will be a want of realism in

training during peace time.

=2. Individual Field Practices=--(i) =Progression of

Training=.--Training in individual field practices may be carried out

in the following stages: (_a_) Snapping at vanishing figures without

firing; (_b_) practices on miniature ranges, or 30 yards range with

Solano or other figure targets; (_c_) individual field practices on

open ranges.

(ii) In the individual practices each firer will be provided with a

separate target. He will learn to fire at unknown distances, depending

on the observation of a comrade for information as to the result of

his shots. He will fire at targets representing an advancing enemy,

and will advance himself, firing at each halt. He will learn to use

ground for fire effect and cover, to pass all orders and information

received, to recognize the limits for effective individual fire, and

the principles which govern the choice of targets in individual fire.

(iii) It will be well to conclude the individual field practices with

a demonstration of the comparative inefficiency of individual fire

at distances beyond 600 yards. This may be effected by detailing

individuals to fire at low service targets, and noting the time

required to produce any required effect, and then applying collective

fire at the same targets under proper direction and control of fire

leaders, equipped with field-glasses.

(iv) =Points for Criticism.=--Instructors should note the following

points for criticism, besides faults connected with any lessons taught

in the course of elementary training:

(_a_) Correct use of ground and cover, and correct method of resting

rifle when possible.

(_b_) Watching the front and quick location of targets, including

marking down.

(_c_) Accurate judging distance within close range.

(_d_) Quick opening of fire and rate of fire.

(_e_) Instant reloading after firing.

(_f_) Reloading magazine as opportunity occurs.

(_g_) Co-operation when working in pairs, including the following

points: (1) Consultation as to choice of targets; (2) hesitation in

opening fire and settling who shall fire and who shall observe; (3)

whether observer reports results of shots accurately.

(v) =Justification for Opening Fire.=--Men will be trained in

individual field practices to use their judgment as to opening fire.

Tendency to open fire prematurely must be checked, and men must be

taught to watch for favourable targets and good opportunities so as to

enable them to obtain the fullest effect from fire.

(vi) =Choice of Targets.=--Men must also be trained to choose their

targets so as to obtain the fullest effect from fire--that is to say,

they must choose the most favourable target presented at any moment.

=3. Fire Direction Practices.=--(i) Just as the men have been trained

in progressive stages in preliminary training, range practices, and

individual field practices, so fire-unit commanders must be practiced

thoroughly in fire-direction, and make a careful study of it before

undertaking the direction of collective field practices.

(ii) These practices are useful for training officers and N.C.O.’s in

simple problems connected with the tactical application of fire, and to

illustrate clearly that fire effect depends on (_a_) correct estimation

of range, (_b_) fire orders being clearly given, correctly understood,

and instantly obeyed. In other words, these practices serve to prove

that good fire direction and control and fire discipline are essential

for fire effect beyond close range.

(iii) =Progression of Training.=--Fire direction practices may be

carried out in the following stages: (_a_) On the Solano Target, or

landscape targets, without firing; (_b_) on miniature and 30 yards

ranges, with ·22 and ·303 cartridges on Solano Target, or landscape

targets; (_c_) on open ranges at distances beyond 600 yards.

(iv) At the conclusion of the fire-direction practices, all fire-unit

commanders should be familiar with the effects of winds and temperature

in shooting at 500, 1,000, 1,500, and 2,000 yards. The range tables

should be studied, and lectures given on the influence of ground,

ranging errors, and other details of fire direction.

(v) =Concentration and Distribution of Fire.=--Fire-direction practices

will afford opportunities for training fire-unit commanders in the

concentration and distribution of fire (see Sec. 44, paras. 8 and 9).

Fire should generally be concentrated against very vulnerable targets,

or when it is required to produce great effect at a particular point;

it should be distributed when it is required to disturb the enemy’s

aim along a portion of his front in order to assist movement.

(vi) For example, a company commander wants to produce great effect at

a particular point, so he concentrates the whole of his fire on it; or

he wishes to strike the enemy’s line in two, four, or eight places, and

orders: _By platoons_, or _By sections_, when the commanders of these

units each select an aiming-mark for their unit in the enemy’s front

corresponding to the position of their own unit in the company. Should

the company commander wish each man to select his own aiming-mark in

the enemy’s line corresponding to his own position in the company, he

orders: _Distribute fire_.

(vii) The chief guides in deciding on the amount of distribution to be

employed will be the visibility of the aiming-marks, the volume of fire

available, and the range. In the absence of clear aiming-marks service

targets usually consist of large scattered groups, which require a

greater volume for assurance of fire effect. The greatest distribution

of fire occurs when each man selects his own aiming-mark. Such

distribution will not as a rule be employed beyond 600 yards, owing to

the difficulty at longer ranges of finding sufficient aiming-marks.

=4. Collective Field Practices.=--(i) Collective field practices are

primarily intended to afford the commanders of fire units practice

in their duties of direction and control of fire. With this must be

combined the study of the results to be obtained from the delivery

of fire at targets representing troops in different formations, on

ground of varying character, in order that practical experience may

be acquired of the principles which govern the employment of fire in

the field. _Any omission or neglect in fire direction, as well as any

failure to adjust the sights, should, at this stage of training, be

regarded very seriously._

(ii) =Progression of Training.=--Training in collective field

practices will be carried out on the following stages: (_a_) On the

Solano Target, or landscape targets, without firing; (_b_) on the

miniature, or 30 yards range with the Solano Target, or landscape

targets; (_c_) on the open range.

(iii) =Points for Criticism.=--The principal points to be considered in

collective field practices are:

(_a_) The choice of targets.

(_b_) The justification or necessity for opening fire.

(_c_) The volume of fire required to effect the object in view.

(_d_) The method of ranging and error of the day.

(_e_) The orders for fire direction.

(_f_) Timing of movement.

(_g_) Mutual support.

(_h_) Regulation of volume of fire.

(_i_) Concentration or distribution of fire.

(_k_) The description and recognition of target and aiming-point.

(_l_) Skilful use of ground and cover.

(_m_) Reinforcement.

(_n_) Ammunition supply.

(_o_) Mutual assistance.

(_p_) Passing of orders and information.

(_q_) Communication with flanks and rear.

NOTE.--With respect to (_a_) and (_b_), all opportunities for

delivering enfilade, oblique, or converging fire should be seized,

together with opportunities for bringing a crushing volume of fire to

bear on favourable targets and at critical moments. Further important

points which may be considered in collective field practices are the

necessity for searching or distribution in depth and the probable

dispersion of the cone of fire.

(iv) =Tactical Schemes.=--_Section and Platoon Exercises._--The earlier

exercises for the smaller fire units will be carried out under simple

tactical schemes framed by the company commander, and arranged so as

to give a progressive training to all ranks engaged. Schemes will

be so drawn up as to give separate instruction in each phase of the

combat, rather than to combine in each exercise all the operations

included in the execution of a successful attack. They will also be

designed to illustrate the various situations which may be expected on

active service. They should test the proficiency of leaders in making

fire effective on first opening and in regulating the volume of fire

in accordance with the situation. Mutual support and combined action

should be frequently practised, with and without the exercise of

control. (See _Musketry Regulations_, Sec. 98.)

(v) =Company Exercises.=--_Combined Field Firing._--When all the

fire-unit commanders have shown proficiency in fire direction and

control, companies will be trained to fire collectively against

firing-lines at effective ranges. The leaders will be exercised in

judging distance, in describing targets, and in concentration or

distribution of fire. Great weight will be attached to the accurate

passing of orders and information, and to the quickness of the men

in recognizing their targets and applying fire. (See _Musketry

Regulations_, Sec. 101.)

(vi) =Criticism of Collective Field Practices.=--At the conclusion of

a collective field practice, in addition to criticism of the conduct

of the exercise, there should be a conference as to the conclusions to

be drawn from the results. For this reason a complete record must be

made of the targets and conditions; the figures showing results must be

carefully and fully tabulated.

The criticism of the conduct of the exercise should be complete, and

should deal with the application of the tactical principles laid

down in the Training Manuals, as well as with the application of the

principles contained in these regulations. In appreciating results,

chief attention should be paid to the successful or unsuccessful

result of the first application of fire, since surprise effect is

all-important, and correction of sighting by observation is rarely

possible in war.

(vii) =Results of Firing.=--The percentage of hits to rounds fired is

an index to the steadiness of the firing only if the fire direction

has been proved to be satisfactory. If the fire direction fails, the

more accurate the shooting the fewer will be the hits recorded. In

considering the results of fire, the percentage of loss inflicted on

the enemy within a limited period of time is the best means of judging

the value of the fire.

For general comparison of the collective fire results of units, the

average number of hits per man per minute should be calculated if

fire was concentrated, or the average number of figures hit per man

per minute if it was distributed, but due regard must be paid to the

justification of the rate of fire as indicated by the scheme.

CHAPTER VIII

CONDUCT OF RANGE AND FIELD PRACTICES

Section =55=.--Thirty Yards Ranges.

=1.= When no classification range is available, elementary practices

with service ammunition may be carried out on a 30 yards range. Such

practice will render recruits familiar with the discharge of the rifle,

and improve their trigger release under easy conditions. No practice

will take place unless an officer or experienced serjeant is present.

=2. Precautions for Safety.=--All precautions for safety will be taken.

Loading, in all positions except lying, will be carried out with the

rifle held just above the waist, and the muzzle directed towards the

target. _Charging or uncharging magazines is not to be carried out with

the muzzle pointing upwards._

=3. Practices.=--Practice at vanishing, moving, and landscape

targets can be carried out as on miniature ranges, but with service

ammunition. Long-range sighting-targets should be provided as a means

of ascertaining the error of the rifle, and practice may be carried out

with long-range sights.

Section =56=.--Grouping Practices.

=1.= One firer will be detailed to each target, and fire five shots,

maintaining the regulation point of aim throughout. Targets will be

changed, and a second detail of men will fire similarly. Both details

will then proceed to the targets, see their groups measured, and note

the positions of the points of mean impact with reference to the points

aimed at. If it is impracticable to proceed to the targets, the group

may be marked by means of small spotting-discs (see also Appendix, VI,

para. 2, note 3).

=2. Rules for Measuring Groups.=--(i) The groups will be measured with

wire rings, 4, 8, and 12 inches in diameter, counting 25, 20, and 15

points respectively; 10 points will be allowed for a 12-inch group with

one wide shot.

(ii) The ring which will contain all the shots will be recorded as the

measure of the group. A shot-mark is included within a ring when it

cuts the circumference of the largest circle which can be described

within that ring by means of a pencil held at right angles to the

target.

(iii) All shot marks found on a target will be included in the group

to be measured. No points will be allotted to a group unless there are

five shot-marks at least on the target. If more than five shot-marks

are found on the target, there will be no score, and the practice will

be repeated.

(iv) =Point of Mean Impact.=--When the ring is placed to include all

the shots, the centre of the ring will be taken as approximately the

point of mean impact. Its distance from, and direction with reference

to, the point aimed at will be recorded on the register--_e.g._, 7

inches, four o’clock.

(v) On return to the firing-point other details will fire, but steps

will be immediately taken to ascertain the cause of any bad shooting of

men in the first two details.

=3. Third-Class Shots.=--As a rule, third-class shots should not be

allowed ammunition for further training in application practice until a

satisfactory standard in grouping has been attained. This may be fixed

at a ring of diameter equal to one-three-hundredth of the range, but

officers should exercise their discretion as to allowing one wide shot

in five when dealing with young soldiers.

Section =57=.--Timed Practices.

=1. Deliberate Practices.=--In deliberate practices, twenty seconds is

the time limit allowed for each shot, reckoned from the act of loading.

If there is a tendency to exceed the limit, a whistle should be used to

mark the beginning and end of each period, but not otherwise.

=2. Timed Exposure of Targets.=--The timed exposure of targets for

snapshooting and rapid fire practices will be reckoned from the time

when the target is in position and stationary to the time when it is

again moved for lowering. The movements of raising and lowering must

be conducted with the utmost rapidity, but without jarring the target

frames.

=3. Timing in Rapid Practices.=--(i) Timing in rapid practices should

be reckoned from the word of command “_Rapid Fire_,” and fire should

be stopped by the command “_Cease Fire_.” The command “_Rapid Fire_”

should be given as soon as the target appears. The target should

be lowered at the end of the time allowed for firing under orders

of the officer on butt duty, but the officer superintending at the

firing-point should also time the practice and order “_Cease Fire_”

at the end of the time allowed for firing, reckoned from the command

“_Rapid Fire_.” Four points will be deducted for every shot fired after

the order to cease fire has been given.

(ii) =Charging Magazine in Rapid Practices.=--In rapid practices,

unless otherwise stated in the “Instructions for the Conduct of the

Practice,” the magazine will be charged with four rounds, and the rifle

will be loaded before the target appears.

=4. Firing from Cover.=--(i) In firing from behind cover, the position

adopted must be such as would enable the firer on service to obtain the

fullest protection from the cover, having due regard to the efficiency

of his fire. In the prone position, the grip of the left hand must be

maintained on the rifle, and there must be no undue exposure of the

shoulder or legs.

(ii) In firing from behind cover, the butt of the rifle will be in

contact with the ground, and the firer will remain in observation, but

otherwise completely covered, until the command “_Rapid Fire_” is given

in rapid-firing practices, or the target appears in “Snapshooting”

and “Crossing-Shot” practices. When snapshooting or firing rapid in

the open, the rifle may be held in the loading or aiming position, as

preferred.

=5. Jambs.=--In the event of a jamb occurring in a timed practice, and

provided that it is not caused by any fault on the part of the firer,

the time allowed for the practice will be increased to the extent

due to the delay caused thereby. Should, however, a jamb in a rapid

practice be due to a breakage of mechanism or other defect that cannot

readily be rectified on the range, the whole practice will be fired

again.

=6. Missfires.=--In the event of missfires, extra rounds will be

allowed equal to the number of missfires in the practice concerned, a

proportionate part of the time allowed for the whole practice being

given for each extra round.

=7. Extra Time.=--Whenever extra time is allowed for a timed practice,

a report giving the reason, and stating whether the jamb or missfire

was due to the rifle or to the ammunition, will be rendered to Command

Headquarters.

Section =58=.--General Rules for Range Practices.[27]

=1.= Range practices, unless otherwise ordered, will be fired in

drill order. Range practices should be fired, as far as possible,

in favourable weather. It is of the utmost importance that recruits’

firing should not take place in cold and unsuitable weather.

=2. Order of Practices.=--Range practices should as a rule be fired in

the order in which they appear in the tables, but brigade commanders

may vary the order at their discretion. When deliberate and rapid

practices for classification are fired at the same distance, each man

may fire the rapid practice immediately after the deliberate practice.

=3.= In the case of ranges of less than full extent, general officers

commanding-in-chief may frame special instructions, make proportionate

changes in the size of targets, and vary the points for classification.

=4. Distribution of Ammunition.=--(i) _The general distribution

of ammunition laid down in the several parts of Tables A and B

respectively should be adhered to._ In the Regular Army and Special

Reserve not more than fifteen rounds should be fired in one day, except

in classification practices, when twenty-five rounds may be fired, if

necessary. It is always better, when time is pressing, to reduce the

number of rounds fired in instructional practices than to hurry through

them. All available officers should be present at the firing-points

during instructional practices.

(ii) =Forfeiture of Rounds.=--Omission to fire the rounds allotted

and failure to fire during an exposure or run in vanishing and moving

practices will entail forfeiture of the rounds that should have been

fired, and misses will be recorded for them. Ammunition required for

repetition of qualifying practices will, when necessary, be taken from

the surplus.

=5. Firing Positions.=--In range practices the regulation positions

are obligatory, except in firing from cover, when the rifle should be

rested and the position adapted to the ground. This includes resting

the arm as well, if suitable, but the cover is not to be specially

constructed as a rest for the rifle.

=6. Commencing Practice.=--No man will load, or assume a firing

position, until the senior officer present has ordered the practice

to commence. After firing, men will return to the loading position,

but will not open the breech in the deliberate practices until the

last shot has been signalled. If it is necessary to suspend firing,

all men who are in position will raise the safety-catch (or unload if

no safety-catch is provided), until the order is given to resume the

practice.

=7. Important Rules.=--(i) =Loading.=--_Loading will always be through

the magazine._

(ii) =Sling.=--_Dependence on the sling should be discouraged, and it

will not be used for steadying the rifle in range practices._

(iii) =Rifle.=--_No soldier equipped with a rifle is permitted to fire

with any but his own._

(iv) =Sighting Shots.=--_No sighting shots are allowed._

(v) _Men will fire singly, never in twos or threes._

=8. Shots to verify Wind or Elevation.=--Occasional shots to verify

elevation or strength of wind, or to prove the accuracy of a rifle,

may sometimes be fired by an officer or non-commissioned officer,

with the senior officer’s permission. They will not be fired during

classification practices or standard tests. Notification of their

commencement and conclusion will be made to the officer in the butts by

telephone, signal, or bugle-sound. The target in use will be lowered

and checked, and a clean one raised for the occasional shots. When they

are completed, it will be lowered and checked, and the original target

raised for the firer to complete his rounds.

=9. Resting Arm or Rifle.=--A coat or waterproof-sheet may be used to

protect the uniform, but _except when firing from cover, or when rests

are authorized, neither rifle, forearm, wrist, nor hand, is to rest

against anything, or to be supported_.

=10.= No one is allowed at the firing-point, except the men actually

firing, the instructors, and officers. All non-commissioned officers

and men not on duty at the firing-point will ground or pile arms, and

remain not less than 30 yards in rear of the firing-point. No shouting

is allowed; men next to fire will be brought up by signal.

=11. Instruction during Intervals of Firing.=--(i) During intervals of

firing an opportunity should be given occasionally to all ranks for

revising their impressions as to the visibility of the human figure

at short distances, by placing men on the firing-platforms up the

range. The study of visibility under conditions of known distance and

in relation to targets used for practice in shooting is especially

valuable.

(ii) Those men who are not actually engaged in firing should receive

instruction in ground reconnaissance, use of the eyes, use of

field-glasses, range-finding, and description of ground, while waiting

behind the firing-point.

=12. Field-Glasses.=--Field-glasses or telescopes will be carried by

all officers and section commanders. The men should be encouraged to

use them during spare time on the range.

=13. Condition of Sights.=--The sights will be used as issued, without

alteration of any kind. They may not be blackened; the browning is

renewed by an armourer when required. No additions, marking, or

colouring, are permitted, nor are orthoptics allowed.

=14. Observation Practices.=--The change which takes place in

conditions of shooting when there is no signalling of each shot is

not always appreciated, and it is essential that the importance of

the first application of fire should be realized. Troops, therefore,

which are unable to fire field practices should fire some at least of

the instructional practices without signalling. Such practices are

called “observation practices.” The targets should be placed on the

face of the stop-butt or at the foot of the gallery-bank, and may with

advantage be falling or collapsible targets.

=15. Precautions.=--To guard against accidents, the following orders

will be observed:

(i) No firing will take place until a large red danger-flag

is hoisted on the signal-staff at or near the butts, and the

necessary look-out men posted.

(ii) A smaller red danger-flag will be hoisted at the butts as a

warning to cease fire. This flag will remain exposed during the

entire period of cessation of fire, and will not be withdrawn

until the whole of the butt party is under cover. No one will

leave the butts until cessation of fire has been notified from

the firing-point.

(iii) A red flag will be kept raised at the firing-point when no

firing is taking place, and will be lowered only on the order of

the senior officer. This order will not be given until the flag

at the butts has been withdrawn.

(iv) Aiming or snapping during target practice may only take

place from the firing-point after the red flag has been lowered.

Section =59=.--Surplus Ammunition and Computation of Averages.

1. =Surplus Ammunition.=--The rounds shown as “surplus” in Tables A

and B will be distributed primarily by commanding officers for the

following purposes:

(i) Repetition firing, as prescribed in the tables.

(ii) Fifteen rounds per man to be expended by company commanders

for further training of indifferent shots.

(iii) The further training of recruits.

(iv) Fire-direction practices.

(v) The testing of rifles when necessary.

(vii) Occasional shots on the rifle-range (Sec. 58, para. 8).

(vii) Ten rounds per man who commences the course for voluntary

practice.

(viii) Any surplus available after the above requirements have

been fulfilled will be distributed to companies for general

practice. It is not to be used for practice for competitions.

=2. Computation of Averages.=--The best shot of each squadron or

company will be determined by his aggregate score in Part III. Averages

made by companies in each of the classification practices will be

calculated to one place of decimals, and published in regimental

orders. Only the scores of those officers, non-commissioned officers,

and men who completed a practice will be included in the numbers by

which the total points made in that practice are divided. Points made

by casuals (see footnote to Sec. 63) will be included at the end

of the year, and fresh averages struck. The sum of the averages of

the practices of Part III. will be termed the “company average” in

classification practices.

Section =60=.--Conditions of Qualification

=1.= The conditions for qualification in Part I., Table B, are:

A score of not less than 15 in each of Practices 1 and 4, and a

total of not less than 45 in Practices 2, 3, 5, and 6.

=2.= Those who fail to reach any of these standards will, after firing

Practices 7 to 14, repeat those practices of Part I. in which they

failed, until the standard is attained or a third failure is recorded.

They will omit Practices 15, 16, and 17. Those who fail to reach all

the standards after two repetitions of those practices in which they

failed will be classified as Third-Class shots, and will not fire

Part III., but will fire Part VI. if ammunition is available. Special

reports will be submitted in the case of men who are found to be

incapable of reaching the second class standard in Table B.

Section =61=.--Classification Practices and Conditions of

Classification.

=1.= The classification practices should be fired during the most

favourable time of year for individual firing. As a man’s pay is

affected by these practices, every facility should be given for firing

to be carried out under favourable conditions.

=2.= With the exception of those who are exempted from musketry by the

regulations, every man on the strength of his unit on the last of the

four days allotted to classification firing will be classified at or

before the end of the year.

=3.= Trained men, not exempted by the regulations, who for any reason

do not commence Table B will be classified as Third-Class shots.

Those who commence Table B, Part III., but do not complete it, will

be classified according to the number of points obtained in those

practices which they complete.

=4.= A note will be made in the Company and Battalion annual returns of

the number of men (if any) who are classified without having completed

the range practices of Table B.

=5. Cavalry and Infantry.=--(i) Cavalry and infantry soldiers, if

qualified in Part I., will be classified upon their total scores in

Part III. as follows:

Those who obtain 130 points and upwards } Marksmen.

Those who obtain 105 points and less } First-Class shots.

than 130 }

Those who obtain 50 points in Practices }

18 to 22 inclusive, or in the } Second-Class shots.

alternative obtain 70 in Part III. }

Those who for any reason fail to attain } Third-Class shots.

the Second-Class standard }

(ii) Commanding officers will take every opportunity of stimulating all

ranks to take an interest in shooting and judging distance by granting

indulgences to the most proficient, and by giving prominence to the

best shooting company in any manner considered desirable.

(iii) Third-Class shots will not be employed in any capacity which will

interfere with their attendance at all parades and instructional duties.

=6. Royal Engineers.=--The sappers and pioneers of the Royal Engineers

(Regular Forces) will fire the following practices:

(i) _Table A._--_Recruits’ Course Regular Forces (Cavalry, R.E.,

Infantry), and Special Reserve (R.E., and Infantry), Parts I., II.,

III., and IV._ They will not repeat Part I., nor any practices of Part

II., unless they fail to make a total score of 90 points in these

practices. Those who fail to obtain 90 points will, after firing Part

III., repeat Practices 5 to 12, instead of firing Part IV. Surplus

ammunition will be used for the further training of indifferent shots,

for testing rifles, or for occasional shots.

(ii) _Table B._--_Annual Course, Regular Forces (Cavalry, R.E., and

Infantry). Parts I., II. (Practices 7, 9, 12, and 14), and III._

The qualification standard will be the same as for the cavalry and

infantry. Those who fail to qualify in Part I. at the first attempt

will proceed with the prescribed practices of Part II. (twenty

rounds), and then repeat those practices of Part I. in which they

failed. Those who fail twice in any of the standards in Part I. may,

provided sufficient ammunition is available out of the authorized

annual allowance, repeat those practices in which they failed once

more, with a view to qualification. Those who repeat any practices of

Part I. will, if they qualify on first or second repetition, fire the

whole of Part III., or, failing that, Practices 19, 20, 23, 24, and 25,

according to the amount of ammunition available.

(iii) Any man who qualifies in Part I. on the first, second, or third

attempt, and completes the practices of Part III., will be classified

according to the standards of Part III., but not below Second-Class

shot. Those who complete Practices 19, 20, 23, 24, and 25 only will be

classified as Second-Class shots, provided they have qualified in Part

I.; those who fail in Part I., or who, having qualified in Part I. for

any reason do not complete these five practices, will be classified as

Third-Class shots. Any ammunition unexpended will form a surplus for

further instruction.

=7. R.A.M.C. and A.V.C.=--Recruits of the R.A.M.C. and A.V.C. will

fire Practices 1 to 4, Table B (Royal Artillery, etc.). The following

standard will be required:

_Practice 1._--All shots in a 12-inch ring. Those who fail to attain

this standard will repeat Practice 1 until they do so, or expend the

full allowance of ammunition. Ammunition not required for the above

practices is to be expended on preliminary training on the 30-yards

range, as considered necessary.

Section =62=.--Recruits’ Course, Regular Forces, Cavalry, R.E., and

Infantry.

=1. Part I.=--Part I. should be fired intermittently during the latter

part of preliminary training, and may be repeated as often as is

considered necessary. The conditions may be varied, with the object of

removing any particular defects observed in previous shooting.

=2. Part II.=--On the completion of Part II., recruits will repeat once

those practices of Part II. in which they failed to reach the Grouping

Standard, or, if they obtain less than 90 points in Part II., they will

repeat, once, the whole of Part II. before proceeding to Parts III. to

VI.

=3. Elementary Field Practices.=--Recruits who have completed their

course of instruction in range practices will fire elementary field

practices before joining their companies in the trained soldiers’

course in order that they may realize the true function of elementary

shooting as a means to an end and a preparation for field firing--not

as an end in itself.

Section =63=.--Execution of Tables A and B in the Same Year.

=1.= Soldiers of the cavalry, Royal Engineers, and infantry of the

Regular Forces who complete Table A will be exercised in the whole of

Table B (sappers of the Royal Engineers the prescribed practices only),

with their own companies, if possible, in the same year; but their

scores in Part III. will not be included in the company or battalion

averages. In special cases, which should be exceptional, commanding

officers may direct that backward men shall repeat Part II., Table A,

instead of firing any portion of Table B in the same year.

=2.= If Part II., Table B, has been commenced before they are

available, they will begin firing at any practice which their companies

are executing at the time they become qualified, and will then complete

the remainder of the table. If all the companies in the battalion

have completed Part II., Table B, before they are available, the

brigade commander will decide as to whether they shall be exercised

as casuals.[28] They will be awarded marksmen’s badges if they attain

the necessary standard in Table B. In any case, they will receive

such further practice in firing as may be considered by their company

commanders to be necessary.

Section =64=.--Trained Soldiers’ Course.

=1. Object of Range Practices.=--Range practices are fired by trained

soldiers in order that they may revise their knowledge of elementary

and timed shooting before entering upon more advanced practices.

Soldiers who have missed the whole or a portion of the range practices

and have become available to commence the field practices with their

companies may, if they are known to be good shots, be allowed by their

commanding officers to execute the field practices, and fire the range

practices subsequently.

=2. Programme of Instructional Practices.=--Considerable latitude is

allowed as regards the programme of instructional practices. Officers

commanding companies may vary the number of rounds to be fired by

individuals, or they may alter the order of the practices in Part

II. Officers commanding battalions may, with the approval of general

officers commanding brigades, vary the instructional practices in

any way calculated to further instruction; but it is not permitted

to design practices, or to vary the details of practices in Part

II. with the object of assimilating the conditions to those of the

classification practices.

=3. Uncompleted Practices.=--If a man has fired one or more rounds in

any range practice, and is prevented from completing it, the points

made will not count, and the whole practice will be recommenced when

his training is resumed. _Every soldier not exempted by Musketry

Regulations or by the King’s Regulations will execute the full course

of range and field practices yearly._

=4. Correction of Sighting.=--Correction of sighting in individual

firing is rarely possible in war. It is therefore all-important to

estimate the elevation and deflection for the first shot. When a

reasonable standard of skill in trigger-pressing has been shown in

grouping practices, and the principle of application is understood,

further practice in deliberate fire should aim at successful

application of fire from the first shot, and less importance should be

attached to correction of sighting, according to the signalling, of a

series of shots.

=5. Sighting Shots.=--For this reason skilled shots should fire two or

three shots at each of several ranges for sighting practice rather than

long series of shots at one or two distances. Only a few rounds in all

should be devoted in their case to deliberate shooting; a high standard

of snapshooting should be developed. Officers and sergeants may fire

sighting-shots at ranges beyond 600 yards, but as a rule such training

should be reserved for the fire-direction practices.

=6. Allowance for Wind.=--It is convenient to memorize the effect

of right-angle winds at some one distance, as a guide in estimating

deflection allowance for winds of similar strength at other distances.

Five hundred yards is a satisfactory range for this purpose, and the

approximate effect of right-angle winds blowing ten, twenty, and thirty

miles per hour may be studied with advantage. _The use of elaborate

wind-tables, and dependence on flags, telescopes, or sighting-shots, is

prohibited._

TABLE A.

RECRUITS’ COURSE--REGULAR FORCES (CAVALRY, ROYAL ENGINEERS, AND

INFANTRY).

N.B.--Royal Engineers (Sappers and Pioneers) of the Regular Forces will

fire those practices only which are detailed in the Instructions for

Royal Engineers (see Sec. 61, para. 6).

PART I.--INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES (ELEMENTARY).

---+-------------+----------------------+-----------+---------+--------------------------

---+-------------+----------------------+-----------+---------+--------------------------

1 | Grouping | 2nd Class Elementary | 100 | 5 | Lying, with arm or rifle

2 | Application | 2nd Class Elementary | 200 | 5 | Lying, with arm or rifle

3 | Grouping | 2nd Class Elementary | 100 | 5 | Lying.

4 | Application | 2nd Class Elementary | 200 | 5 | Lying.

| | | +---------+

| | Total rounds | | 20 |

PART II.--INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES (REPETITION).

5 | Grouping | 2nd Class Elementary | 100 | 5 | Lying. All shots in

6 | Application | 2nd Class Figure | 200 | 5 | Lying, with arm or rifle

7 | Application | 2nd Class Figure | 200 | 5 | Lying. Five hits within

8 | ” | | 300 | 5 | Lying. Five hits.

9 | ” | 1st Class Figure | 200 | 5 | Kneeling. Four hits at

10 | ” | ” ” | 300 | 5 | Kneeling with arm or rifle

11 | ” | ” ” | 400 | 5 | Lying. Four hits at least.

12 | ” | ” ” | 500 | 5 | Lying, with arm or rifle

13 | ” | ” ” | 500 | 5 | Lying.

14 | ” | ” ” | 600 | 5 | Lying, with side of rifle

| | | +---------+

| | Total rounds | | 50 |

PART III.--INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES (TIMED).

15 | Deliberate | 2nd Class Figure | 200 | 5 | Lying.

16 | ” | ” ” | 200 | 5 | Kneeling.

17 | Rapid | ” ” | 200 | 5 | Lying. 40 seconds allowed.

18 | Deliberate | 1st Class Figure | 400 | 5 | Lying.

19 | Rapid | ” ” | 400 | 5 | Lying. 40 seconds allowed.

20 | Deliberate | ” ” | 500 | 5 | Lying. Taking cover behind

21 | Snapshooting| 2nd Class Figure | 200 | 5 | Lying. Exposure, 6 seconds

22 | Snapshooting| ” ” | 200 | 5 | Kneeling. Taking cover in

| | | +---------+

Total rounds | | 40 |

PART IV.--INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES.

---+-------------+----------------------+-----------+---------+--------------------------

---+-------------+----------------------+-----------+---------+--------------------------

23 | Grouping | 2nd Class Elementary | 100 | 5 | Lying.

24 | Application | 1st Class Figure | 300 | 5 | Kneeling.

25 | Rapid | ” ” | 300 | 5 | Lying. 40 seconds allowed.

26 | Snapshooting| 2nd Class Figure | 200 | 5 | Lying. Taking cover as in

27 | Application | 1st Class Figure | 500 | 5 | Lying.

| | | +---------+ |

| | Total rounds | | 25 |

---+-------------+----------------------+-----------+---------+--------------------------

PART V.--INDIVIDUAL FIELD PRACTICES.

Twenty rounds will be expended in elementary practices, 10 rounds in

an attack practice from 700 to 200 yards, and 10 rounds in a defence

practice against full-length figures representing an advancing enemy.

Total rounds 20

For the Conditions of Individual Field Practices on Classification

Ranges, see pp. 185-188.

PART VI.--COLLECTIVE FIELD PRACTICES.

Twenty-five rounds will be expended, if ammunition is available.

Total rounds 25

Surplus rounds 20

Total rounds for Table A 200

For the Conditions of Collective Field Practices on Classification

Ranges, see pp. 188-192.

TABLE B.

ANNUAL COURSE--REGULAR FORCES (CAVALRY, ROYAL ENGINEERS, AND INFANTRY).

N.B.--The Royal Engineers (Sappers, Regular Forces), including Regular

Establishment of the R.E. Special Reserve, will fire those practices

only which are detailed in the Instructions for Royal Engineers (see

Sec. 61, para. 6).

Trained drivers of the Royal Engineers will fire:

Part I.--Practices 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6.

Part II.--Practices 7 and 9.

Part III.--Practice 19.

They will be classified on the same standard as laid down for the forty

rounds fired in Table B, p. 169.

PART I.--QUALIFYING PRACTICES.

---+-------------+----------------------+-----------+---------+--------------------------

---+-------------+----------------------+-----------+---------+--------------------------

1 | Grouping | 2nd Class Elementary | 100 | 5 | Lying, with arm or rifle

2 | Application | ” ” | 200 | 5 | As in 1.

3 | ” | 2nd Class Figure | 300 | 5 | Kneeling, with arm or rifle

4 | Grouping | 2nd Class Elementary | 100 | 5 | Lying.

5 | Application | 1st Class Figure | 400 | 5 | Lying.

6 | ” | ” ” | 500 | 5 | Lying, with side of rifle

| | | +---------+

| | Total Rounds | | 30 |

PART II.--INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES (TIMED).

7 | Snapshooting| 2nd Class Figure | 200 | 5 | Lying. Taking cover behind

8 | ” | ” ” | 200 | 5 | Sitting or kneeling. Bayonet

9 | Rapid | 2nd Class Figure. | 200 | 5 | Lying. Bayonets fixed.

10 | Deliberate | ” ” | 300 | 5 | Lying.

11 | Rapid | ” ” | 300 | 10 | Lying. Rife unloaded and

12 | Deliberate | 1st Class Figure | 500 | 5 | Lying.

13 | Rapid | ” ” | 500 | 5 | Lying. Taking cover as in

14 | Deliberate | ” ” | 600 | 5 | Lying. Taking cover behind

15 | Snapshooting| Figure No. 3 | 200 | 5 | Lying. Taking cover as in

16 | ” | ” ” | 200 | 5 | Kneeling. Taking cover in

17 | Crossing | Figure No. 6 | 200 | 5 | Lying. One shot at each

| | | +---------+

| | Total rounds | | 60 |

PART III.--CLASSIFICATION PRACTICES.

18 | Grouping | 2nd Class Elementary | 100 | 5 | Lying.

19 | Snapshooting| Figure No. 3 | 200 | 5 | Lying. Taking cover as in

20 | Deliberate | 2nd Class Figure | 400 | 5 | Lying. Taking cover as

| | | | | in 14.

21 | Deliberate | 2nd Class Figure | 300 | 5 | Kneeling. Taking cover as

| | | | | in 16.

22 | Rapid | ” ” | 300 | 15 | Lying. Rifle to be loaded

23 | Deliberate | 1st Class Figure | 500 | 5 | Lying.

24 | Rapid | ” ” | 500 | 5 | Lying. 30 seconds allowed.

25 | Deliberate | ” ” | 600 | 5 | Taking cover as

| | | | | in 7.

| | | +---------+

| | Total rounds | | 50 |

---+-------------+----------------------+-----------+---------+--------------------------

NOTE.--No instruction or assistance of any kind will be given to

any man during the firing of Part III., Table B (Cavalry, R.E., and

Infantry).

The use of the wind-gauge or of the fine adjustment will not

be permitted in any classification practice or standard test

classification practice.

PART IV.--INDIVIDUAL FIELD PRACTICES.

Total rounds 35

For the conditions of Individual Field Practices on Classification

Ranges see pp. 185-188.

PART V.--FIRE DIRECTION PRACTICES.

Short series of shots will be fired at distances beyond 600 yards by

officers and non-commissioned officers for practice in observation of

fire, estimating atmospheric influences, and verifying sighting by

trial shots. Screens, or any visible objects such as might serve as

range marks on service, will be used as targets. About 300 rounds,

drawn from the surplus, should suffice. Special fire-direction

exercises should be substituted for these practices if range

accommodation does not extend beyond 600 yards.

PART VI.--COLLECTIVE FIELD PRACTICES.

Total rounds 50

Surplus rounds 25

Total rounds for Table B 250

For the conditions of Collective Field Practices on Classification

Ranges see pp. 188-192.

TABLE A.

RECRUITS’ COURSE--ROYAL ARTILLERY, DRIVERS ROYAL ENGINEERS

(REGULARS), ARMY SERVICE CORPS (REGULARS AND SPECIAL RESERVE),

AND ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS.

GROUPING PRACTICE FOR THOSE RECRUITS OR TRAINED MEN WHO FAIL IN THE

PRELIMINARY TEST.

---+-------------+----------------------+-----------+---------+--------------------------

---+-------------+----------------------+-----------+---------+--------------------------

1 | Grouping | 2nd Class Elementary | 100 | 5 | Lying, with rest.

2 | ” | 2nd Class Elementary | 100 | 5 | Lying.

| | | +---------+

| ” | Total rounds | | 10 |

ELEMENTARY COURSE FOR FIRST-YEAR MEN AND THIRD-CLASS SHOTS.

1 | Grouping | 2nd Class Elementary | 100 | 5 | Lying. All shots in 12-inch

2 | Application | 2nd Class Elementary | 200 | 5 | Lying, with rest. Five

3 | ” | 2nd Class Elementary | 200 | 5 | Lying. Five hits, including

4 | ” | 1st Class Figure | 300 | 5 | Lying. Taking cover behind

5 | ” | ” ” | 400 | 5 | Lying.

6 | ” | ” ” | 500 | 5 | Lying. Taking cover as

| | | | | in 4.

| | | +----------+

| | Total rounds | | 30 |

---+-------------+----------------------+-----------+---------+--------------------------

NOTE.--The course should be fired in five days as follows:--

Practices 1 and 2, _first day_. Repetition, _second day_. Practices 3

and 4, _third day_. Repetition, _fourth day_. Practices 5 and 6, _fifth

day_.

Practices 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be repeated once each if the grouping

standard is not attained, but not on the same day. Should the firer

have attained the grouping standard in any of the first four practices

without repetition, he may on conclusion of all the practices be given

the option of repeating No. 6 with a view to increasing his score for

qualification.

In all cases of repetition the second score only will count for

classification.

As a rule five days should be devoted to firing the course, of which

the second and fourth would be reserved for repetition and careful

instruction of indifferent shots.

Surplus rounds will be used as the officer commanding the battery or

company may direct on preliminary or further training, testing rifles,

occasional shots, or marksmen’s firing in Part III., Table B, for

cavalry and infantry.

Points required for 2nd Class=65. Grouping standards have no effect on

classification; they govern repetition only.

TABLE B.

ANNUAL COURSE--ROYAL ARTILLERY, ARMY SERVICE CORPS, AND ARMY ORDNANCE

CORPS.

TRAINED SOLDIERS’ COURSE FOR MARKSMEN, FIRST AND SECOND CLASS SHOTS.

---+-------------+----------------------+-----------+---------+--------------------------

---+-------------+----------------------+-----------+---------+--------------------------

1 | Grouping | 2nd Class Elementary | 100 | 5 | Lying.

2 | Application | 2nd Class Figure | 200 | 5 | Lying. Taking cover behind

3 | ” | 2nd Class Figure | 300 | 5 | Sitting or kneeling.

4 | ” | 1st Class Figure | 400 | 5 | Lying.

5 | Rapid | ” ” | 400 | 5 | Lying. 40 seconds allowed.

6 | Application | ” ” | 500 | 5 | Lying. Taking cover behind

7 | Snapshooting| 2nd Class Figure | 200 | 5 | Lying. Taking cover as

8 | Observation | Iron falling | 300 | 5 | Lying. Taking cover as

| | | +---------+

| | Total rounds | | 40 |

---+-------------+----------------------+-----------+---------+--------------------------

NOTE.--Three points will be allowed for every direct hit in Practice 8.

In Practices 5 and 8 there will be no signalling until the firer has

completed his practice.

In Practice 8 there will be separate targets for each firer, and the

firers in each pair will fire alternately, assisting each other by

observation.

Classification:--

Those who obtain 95 points or more 1st Class shots.

Those who obtain 60 points and less than 95 2nd Class shots.

Those who obtain less than 60 points 3rd Class shots.

Section =65=.--General Rules for Field Practices.

=1. Special Instructions.=--(i) (_a_) Not more than twenty rounds

should be fired in field practices in one day.

(_b_) The dress for individual field practices will be drill order, and

for collective field practices marching order.

(_c_) The firing positions will be any that are suited to the ground or

conditions of the scheme.

(_d_) Some practice should be given in snapshooting in the standing

position during rapid advances at short range.

(ii) =Practices on Classification Ranges.=--If it is absolutely

necessary to use classification ranges (see Sec. 66), the practices

should be performed on a flank, if the extent of the danger area will

permit. In this case, or if the actual range is used, the ground should

be broken by means of screens, earth parapets, brushwood, or any other

suitable contrivance, with a view to introducing some realism and

uncertainty as to distances.

(iii) =Allotment of Ammunition.=--The allotments of ammunition to

individual and collective field practices respectively may be varied as

general officers commanding may decide, but the total amount allotted

to field practices is to be fired in field practices, even if a

classification range only is available. Due safety precautions must be

taken (see _Musketry Regulations_, Part II.).

(iv) =Registers and Records.=--Company commanders will keep registers

of all collective practices fired. Ricochets will not be included in

the figures recording results of standard or comparative firing. They

will be shown separately from other hits in the registers.

=2. Individual Field Practices.=--(i) The distances should not exceed

600 yards. Training should be progressive in regard to targets,

distances, and all other respects. _It is essential to give firers full

information as to the object of the practice, and to criticize freely

the good and bad points of their shooting_ [Sec. 54, para. 2 (iv)].

(ii) The firers should be formed into small squads, but there should

be no fire control, nor any orders except such as may be necessary to

regulate fire and movement in the interest of safety and to insure that

the objects of the training are fully carried out.

(iii) Practice will be afforded in acting promptly against targets

appearing suddenly and disappearing after a short period of exposure.

The value of every shot will be ascertained by markers, and notified to

the firer. The men will as a rule fire alternately, working in pairs

for mutual assistance. When a successful shot is observed, the correct

sighting as found will be immediately notified by the firer to the

remainder of the squad.

(iv) Any preliminary information as to the ground and results of

range-finding at long range which might be available on service should

be given in the later practices in order to combine all methods of

ranging.

=3. Collective Field Practices.=--(_a_) Collective field practices, if

ground is available, should be fired almost entirely at longer ranges.

When ground is not available for firing at ranges beyond 600 yards,

practice in collective firing is necessarily conducted at shorter

ranges, but such practice must be supplemented by fire-direction

practices without ammunition at longer ranges.

(_b_) _Arranging Targets._--The practice of requiring units to arrange

targets or positions for others to fire at, or during a skirmish to

place head-and-shoulder targets on the ground to represent themselves

in position at any temporary halt, has been found to stimulate interest.

=Casualty Competitions.=--Falling or collapsible targets are of great

value in all field practices, and may be used with advantage in

casualty competitions designed to test the relative abilities of two

firing lines, which simultaneously fire at separate sets of targets

representing their opponents. Each man is represented by a target

placed in front of the opposing firing-line, and becomes a casualty if

that target falls. In this way superiority of fire is soon established

by one line or the other, and fire ceases.

Section =66=.--Field Practices on Classification Ranges.

=1. General Rules.=--The following are examples of individual and

collective field practices for use on classification ranges, as used

at the School of Musketry, Hythe. They are intended as a guide to

officers who have to frame practices for their units. These practices

and similar ones may be fired on classification ranges on which rapid

practices are allowed if the following points are observed:

(i) =Damage to Gallery.=--It is most important, for the safety

of the range, that any damage done to the gallery-bank should be

made good each day, as soon as the practices are completed.

(ii) =Oblique Fire.=--In practices involving oblique fire, such

as those in which the crossing figure No. 6 is used, the run of

the figure or figures should be confined to a lateral space of

25 yards. The firers should occupy a corresponding space at the

firing-point. These oblique practices must not be fired at ranges

less than 400 yards.

(iii) =Falling Plates.=--Earthenware tiles should be used, as

steel plates give back-splashes which may endanger the markers.

_Tiles_ should be placed about 4 feet below the top of the

stop-butt. If there is no stop-butt, they may be placed at the

foot of the gallery-slope.

=2. Targets.=--Targets will be supplied by R.E. (_vide_ _Musketry

Regulations_, Part II., 1910, para. 141).

(i) =Wood.=--Veneer figures can be supplied, or they can be cut

out of match-boarding. Dimensions will be found in _Musketry

Regulations_, Part II., 1910, Plate 37 _et seq._ For use in a

gallery, the figures must be mounted on poles.

(ii) =Tiles.=--Earthenware tiles can be obtained. Ordinary

roofing tiles are cheaper, and answer the purpose. A useful and

cheap substitute is 3 bricks placed on end on a flat piece of

wood, and tied together with a piece of string or wire.

=3. Markers.=--The success of a practice depends largely on the

markers. They should be rehearsed carefully, but not in view of the

firers.

INDIVIDUAL FIELD PRACTICES.

=No. 1.=

=Object=: To teach the necessity for quick opening of fire with effect

from the first shot.

=Rounds=: 5 per man.

=Targets=: 2 iron falling-plates for each pair of firers.

=Distance=: Unknown--about 250 yards.

=Method=: 2 squads, each of four firers, are extended in pairs, rifles

unloaded and at safe, sights normal, till the command “Fire.” Squads

fire against each other.

Targets represent the firers of the opposing squad.

When a target is knocked down, the man of the opposing team in a

corresponding position ceases fire, unloads, and takes no further part

in the practice; his ammunition is available for the other man of his

pair.

Points are allotted as follows:

For each hit, 5 points; total, 10 points.

If both targets hit within 40 seconds, 5 points; total, 15 points.

=No. 2.=

=Object=: To bring out the dependence of movement on fire.

=Rounds=: 10 per man.

=Targets=: A Figure 3 target for each firer, to be exposed 3 times for

35 seconds at 35 seconds’ interval. Targets to be twirled and lowered

when hit, and not to reappear till the next exposure.

=Distance=: Known--600 to 400 yards.

=Method=: (6) Firers, with rifles loaded and extended behind cover on

the 600 yards’ firing-point; they open fire on the targets appearing.

On the completion of each of the first two exposures the order

“Advance” is given, when the firers double forward 100 yards.

=Scoring=: 3 points for each hit. 1 point for each unfired round handed

in, if target has been hit at each range.

=No. 3.=

=Object=: To test men’s intelligence and marksmanship.

=Rounds=: 10 per man.

=Targets=: 3 Figure 6 targets concealed behind a short length of wall

(built of sandbags on the marker’s gallery), or represented by a

specially prepared screen, which is understood to be bullet-proof. One

of the targets (representing a man observing) looks round one end of

the wall for 10 seconds, and if not fired at moves in quick time along

the gallery, followed by the other two targets at 3 paces interval.

On the first shot being fired, all targets move at the double towards

the nearest cover (either the wall or the end of the gallery). Any

targets which are still under cover when fire is opened do not appear.

Targets to be twirled and lowered when hit.

=Distance=: Known--400 yards.

=Method=: 2 men with rifles loaded are concealed behind cover on the

400 yards’ firing-point, and are told the following:

“You are a patrol; before reaching this point you saw an enemy’s patrol

of 3 men move behind the wall on the marker’s gallery; you have crept

up here unseen by them.

“None of your troops are within a mile of you, and it is unlikely that

the enemy’s patrol is closely supported.

“Your object is to try to shoot all the enemy’s patrol. The marker’s

gallery represents flat ground, with cover at each end of it.”

=No. 4.=

=Object=: A test of rapidity of fire, combined with accuracy after

movement.

=Rounds=: 10 per man.

=Targets=: A Figure 3 target and 5 iron falling-plates for each firer.

The Figure 3 target to be exposed twice for 3 seconds at an interval of

30 seconds.

=Distance=: 200 to 300 yards.

=Method=: (6) Firers are formed up about 50 yards in rear of the

selected fire position (rifles unloaded and at safe).

On the command, “Advance,” they rush to the fire position, load, and

adjust sights. 25 seconds after the order “Advance,” the Figure 3

target is exposed, when fire will be opened. The falling-plates will

then be engaged till the second exposure of the Figure 3 target, after

which fire will cease.

=Scoring=: 2 points for each hit on the Figure 3. 1 point for each

plate knocked down.

(If desired, this practice can be carried out without movement.)

=No. 5.=

=Object=: To teach the necessity for quickness in obtaining effect.

=Rounds=: 5 per man.

=Targets=: 1 Figure 6 target, 1 Figure 3 target, and 2 Figure 4 targets

for each firer, to appear as follows within a given sector at about 5

seconds’ interval:

Figure 6 moving to a flank for 5 seconds.

Figure 3 appears for 4 seconds.

Figure 4 appears for 3 seconds.

2 Figures 4 appear for 10 seconds.

Targets when hit will not be replaced.

=Distance=: Known--300 yards.

=Method=: (6) Firers with rifles loaded are extended behind cover, and

told to watch their front. They open fire on the appearance of the

targets.

=Scoring=: Figure 6 target--3 points.

” 3 ” 2 ”

” 4 ” 1 point.

=No. 6.=

=Object=: A test of rapidity and accuracy of fire.

=Rounds=: 10 per man.

=Targets=: A Figure 4 target for each firer, exposed for 45 seconds,

divided into 3 unequal exposures, at intervals of 5 seconds. Targets to

appear in a different place at each exposure (within certain limits).

=Distance=: Known--200 yards.

=Method=: (6) Firers lying in the open (rifle unloaded and at safe) are

told to watch their front. On the appearance of the targets, they load

and open fire.

COLLECTIVE FIELD PRACTICES.

=No. 1.=

=Object=: To practise section commanders in applying collective fire

from observation.

=Rounds=: 10 per man.

=Targets=: 8 iron falling-plates 1 yard apart, in two groups of four,

on the stop-butt.

=Distance=: Unknown--about 850 yards.

Method: A section (12 firers) is formed up in rear of the 800 yards’

firing-point. Rifles to be unloaded and at safe till warning,

“Commence,” 3 minutes after which fire will cease.

NOTES.--Method of ranging and correction. Point of aim given. Fire

orders.

=No. 2.=

=Object=: To exercise section commanders in giving fire orders and in

controlling fire.

=Rounds=: 10 per man.

=Targets=: (_a_) 3 Figure 3 targets, 1 yard apart.

(_b_) 1 Figure 6 target.

(_a_) and (_b_) are exposed twice separately and once together in any

order for 30 seconds at irregular intervals.

Targets hit will be twirled and lowered, and will not reappear till the

next exposure.

=Distance=: Known--500 yards.

=Method=: A section (12 firers) is extended on the firing-point; on the

appearance of the targets, the commander gives his fire orders.

=Notes=.--Rapidity in dealing with the situation. Fire orders. Volume

employed. Point of aim.

=No. 3.=

=Object=: To bring out the necessity for (_a_) opening fire in full

volume to produce surprise, (_b_) making fire effective from the first

opening.

=Rounds=: 10 per man.

=Targets=: 8 Figure 1 targets, representing men in close formation. On

the first shot being fired, these are replaced by 8 Figure 6 targets

extending outwards; when these are well extended, they are replaced by

8 Figure 4 targets, which remain exposed for 1 minute. Any figure hit

will be lowered, and not replaced by another.

=Distance=: Known--500 yards.

=Method=: A section (12 firers) is ordered to ambush and shoot all of

a small body of the enemy in order to obtain some written information

which is believed to be in their possession. The enemy is expected to

cross a piece of flat ground represented by the marker’s gallery.

NOTES.--Use of cover for concealment. Preliminary arrangements.

Simultaneous and quick opening of fire in full volume at the close

formation. Change of rate to slow fire at the extended line.

=No. 4.=

=Object=: Superiority of fire. A test of rapidity and accuracy of fire.

=Rounds=: 10 per man.

=Targets=: 10 Figure 3 targets, reinforced by 3 more after 15 seconds,

and then every 10 seconds up to 55 seconds.

Targets hit are lowered.

If at any time all targets have been hit, no more will be put up;

benefit of doubt to be given to the firers.

Should the number of targets at any time exceed 10, the firers have

lost superiority of fire, and fire ceases.

=Distance=: 400 yards.

=Method=: A section (10 firers), with rifles unloaded and at safe, lie

down on the firing-point. Sights may be adjusted.

On the appearance of the targets, the commander gives orders to load,

and fire orders. Fire will cease (_a_) should the number of targets

exceed 10, (_b_) if all targets are down, (_c_) one minute after the

first appearance of the targets.

The time in which all targets are hit, or the number of targets left

standing at the end of a minute, should be noted.

NOTE.--This practice may be fired as a competition.

=No. 5.=

=Object=: A practice which brings out rapidity of loading,

sight-setting, movement, and fire, combined with accuracy.

=Rounds=: 10 per man.

=Targets=: 10 iron falling-plates extended to 3 paces.

=Distance=: 600 yards to position.

=Method=: A section (10 firers) lie down on the firing-point, rifles

unloaded and at safe, sights normal, till the warning, “Commence,” when

the commander gives his orders.

One round at least must be fired by each man before an advance of 100

yards is allowed. The whole section must advance together.

NOTE.--Should this practice be fired as a competition, the section

which knocks down all its plates in the shortest time, or that which

knocks down most plates, wins.

It will generally be found that the section which reaches 300 yards

quickest will win. Teams to be disqualified if anyone advances till all

safety-catches are on.

=No. 6.=

=Object=: To bring out the great advantage of ranging by observation,

before the target appears, when circumstances permit.

=Rounds=: 15 per man.

=Targets=: 20 Figure 6 targets. A length of wooden hurdles on the

marker’s gallery represents a bridge.

=Distance=: 800 yards.

=Method=: A section (10 firers). The commander is given the following

information:

“You are placed here to cover that bridge, which is the only way the

enemy can cross.

“They are now 500 or 600 yards from it, and mean to get across.

“You are being supported, and your first duty is to be prepared to

bring a heavy fire on the bridge.

“There is no need for concealment.”

NOTE.--The enemy appears near the bridge 3 minutes after these

instructions are given. Method of ranging. Anticipatory orders.

=No. 7.=

=Object=: A practice to exemplify fire and movement during an advance.

=Rounds=: 15 per man.

=Targets=: A screen 10 by 3 feet at 800 and 700 yards. Both will be put

up together; one will be lowered when hit by 10 shots at 800 yards, the

other will similarly be lowered when hit 10 times at 700 yards.

5 Figure 3 targets extended to 3 paces will be exposed 5 seconds after

the disappearance of the second screen.

Targets to be exposed till hit; they will be lowered when hit.

5 seconds after the last target is hit they will be again exposed till

they have been exposed 5 times.

=Distance=: Known--800 to 200 yards.

=Method=: 2 sections (20 firers) under the platoon sergeant, lie down

on the 800 yards’ firing-point, rifles unloaded and at safe, sights

normal. On the warning, “Commence,” the commander gives his orders, 10

minutes after which fire will cease.

A screen must be lowered before any advance may be made at 800 and 700

yards.

All five targets must be lowered before an advance may be made at the

other ranges.

Advances will each be 100 yards.

No advance will be made beyond 200 yards.

NOTE.--If fired as a competition, the 2 sections who get most targets

down win; if more than one team get all their targets down, that with

the most ammunition in hand wins.

=No. 8.=

=Object=: A practice to show the dependence of movement on fire.

=Rounds=: 10 per man.

=Targets=: 12 Figure 3 targets, extended to 3 paces; each to be lowered

when hit.

5 seconds after the last one has been lowered, the targets will be

again exposed till hit.

=Distance=: Known--600, 500, 400 yards.

=Method=: A section (10 firers) is extended to 3 paces on the 600

yards’ firing-point, rifles unloaded and at safe, sights normal.

On the warning, “Commence,” the commander gives his orders.

No advance will be made from 600 yards till four targets have been

lowered.

No advance will be made from 600 yards till the remaining eight targets

have been lowered.

NOTE.--If fired as a competition, the section which hits all its

targets at 400 yards in the shortest time wins, or the section which

hits most targets.

CHAPTER IX

NIGHT FIRING, HAND GRENADES, AND COMPETITIONS

Section =67=.--Night Firing.[29]

=1. Methods of Night Firing.=--A body of troops in a position

commanding open ground or an approach which may be used by the enemy

may arrange to sweep it with fire by laying rifles in rests constructed

by daylight, by preparing illuminated aiming-marks giving a horizontal

line of sight, or by firing at the flashes of the enemy’s rifles, or

other marks by automatic alignment of the rifle. These various methods

are explained in the following paragraphs. _Firing at night should only

be employed within close range._

=2. Automatic Alarms and Flare Lights.=--(i) Automatic alarms and flare

lights to illuminate the foreground are useful against night attacks.

They should be used in combination with obstacles, if any have been

constructed, and either protected or concealed, so as to prevent the

enemy removing them. _No mechanical signal must be relied upon as a

substitute for the efficient use of the eyesight and hearing._

=3. Fixed Rifle-Rests and Aiming-Marks.=--On a dark night it is

difficult to insure the men’s rifles being aimed in the required

direction. Any device to assist them in this matter is useful. Fixed

rifle-rests may be made, or, failing these, some such device as a

wooden bar can be arranged across loopholes, to prevent a man raising

his rifle-barrel too high. Posts painted white on the defenders’ side

make a good aiming-mark, if the night is not too dark.

=4. Automatic Alignment of the Rifle.=--(i) The automatic alignment

of the rifle is as a general rule the most effective method of firing

at night. Men should therefore be practised in aligning their rifles

automatically for night firing at ranges of about 300 yards and under.

(ii) =Method of Instruction.=--Aiming-marks should be selected just

above the ground-line, and within 100 yards of the squad. The men

should then be ordered to bring their rifles into the firing position

with both eyes shut. The right eye should then be opened, and the

approximate alignment of the rifle verified. After some practice each

man will be able to ascertain his individual tendency, which he should

correct with practice until able to align the rifle with his eyes shut

with approximate accuracy.

(iii) This exercise should be carried out in the daytime until

proficiency is attained, when men should be practised in firing a few

rounds after dark at large screens at a range not exceeding 300 yards.

The position of the screen may be indicated by some rough expedient

to represent the flash of a rifle. Much material effect is not to be

anticipated from night firing except against an enemy in movement, but

the moral effect should be considerable.

=5. Instruction on Miniature Ranges.=--Directions for night firing on

miniature ranges are contained in Sec. 74, para. 7.

Section =68=.--Hand Grenade (Mark I).

=1. General Description= (see Fig. 52).--The grenade consists of the

following principal parts: Cap A, body B, detonator C, cane handle D,

wood block E, tail F, charge G, and cast-iron ring R.

=2.= The body B of the grenade carries the lyddite charge G. The wood

block E is put into the recess in the cup H, and the cup, wood block,

and body are then firmly secured together by means of the three brass

screws J. Attached to the wood block E is the cane handle D, to the end

of which is securely bound the tail F, the cane handle D being for the

purpose of throwing the grenade, and the tail F to steady it in flight

and to assist to make it travel and fall point foremost.

=3.= The upper part of the body has a groove M formed in it for the

purpose of securing the cap A in position. The groove M is provided

with four leads into it, two N.N., to allow of the insertion and

removal of the cap, and two O.O., to allow the cap to move forward upon

the grenade striking the ground or other obstacle. Two projections,

e.e., are made in the groove M for the indent X in the cap A to jump

when the cap enters or leaves the travel position. One projection is

to be made long enough to carry the indent into the _Fire_ position.

The object of these two projections is to give a definite indication of

when the cap is in the _Travel_ and _Fire_ positions. Two indicating

knobs P.P. are secured to the body, and two stop pins Q.Q. are fixed

below the indicating knobs P.P., preventing the cap A being pushed down

too far (except when turned into the _Fire_ position--see later) if by

any accident the safety-pin had been removed or displaced. Fixed to

the top of the body are two holding studs R.R. to secure the detonator

C when in position. The body has also painted on it in red two arrows

L.L. for the purpose of indicating positions of cap A as to the

removing, travel, or firing positions.

=4.= The detonator C is formed with a flange S on which are two lugs

T.T. for the purpose of turning the detonator when in position, so

as to secure it under the heads of the holding studs R.R. On the

face of the flange S is fixed a brass plate spring U, for locking the

detonator into position. The two grooves V.V. in the flange S of the

detonator C are to allow the flange S to pass the holding studs R.R.

during insertion or removal of the detonator.

[Illustration: =Fig. 52=.--HAND GRENADE (MARK I). Scale ⅓]

=5.= The cap A carries a steel needle W for firing the detonator. Two

small indents X.X. are formed on the cap to engage with the groove M on

the body B. The raised lips I.I, are to allow the cap A to clear the

indicating knobs P.P. when the cap is being placed or removed from the

body of the grenade.

=6.= Two raised lips K.K. are to allow the cap A to move forward when

the cap is turned into its firing position, the lips K.K. being raised

sufficiently to clear the stop pins Q.Q., this only being possible when

the cap is in the firing position. The raised portions Y.Y. are for the

indicating knobs to engage with when the cap is turned to the travel

position, and thus give a further indication when the cap A is in this

position. The cap is also fitted with a safety-pin Z, which passes

through the needle and the cap, and prevents the cap moving forward

while the pin is in position. The pin Z is secured by a whipcord becket

passed over the cap A, and is also further secured by a thin leather

strip d passing through a slot at one end, it being necessary to remove

both these safeguards before the pin Z can be withdrawn. The safety-pin

Z is also passed through the cap A in such a position that if by any

mischance the detonator C was not properly secured after being placed

in position, the act of placing the cap A on and turning it to the left

into the firing position causes the pin Z to engage with the two lugs

T.T. on the flange S of the detonator, and automatically locks the

detonator under the heads of the holding studs R.R.

=7.= The hook _t_ fixed to the body of the grenade is for attaching the

latter to the soldier’s belt. The grenade with the stick downward is

hung on to the belt by the hook.

=8. To Prepare the Grenade for Use.=--(i) Turn the cap A on to the body

B to the right until the indicating knobs P.P. are in the raised lips

I.I. formed in the cap A. This can be seen by means of the arrows L.L.

painted on the body B being opposite the words “remove” on the cap A.

Then pull off the cap.

(ii) Place the detonator C in the recess for it. See that the two

grooves V.V. in the flange S coincide with the two studs R.R., then

press down the detonator into position. When the flange S is home, turn

the detonator C to the left, passing the flange under the heads of the

studs R.R., and continue turning until the brass plate spring U is

released, thus locking the detonator.

(iii) Replace the cap A with the raised lips I.I. over the indicating

knobs P.P., and push down into position. After the cap A has been put

on, it must be turned one-eighth of a turn to the left, thus bringing

the indicating knobs P.P. into the raised positions Y.Y. of the cap A.

This is done by pointing the indicating arrows L.L. to “travel” on the

cap.

(iv) The grenade is intended to be carried with the raised portions

Y.Y. always over the indicating arrows L.L.--_i.e._, in the travel

position, whether the detonator C is in position or not.

(v) =To Throw the Grenade.=--The tail is unwound, and allowed to hang

loose at full length.

(vi) The cap is turned from the “travel” to the “fire” position.

(vii) The safety-pin is withdrawn.

(viii) The grenade is thrown by means of the cane D. The latter is

grasped between the end furthest from the grenade itself and the

attached point of the tail--_i.e._, on the grooved portion. The grenade

is thrown in the required direction either under or over hand, care

being taken that the tail cannot entangle itself with the thrower or

with any object near him.

(ix) When throwing, the following points should be remembered:

(_a_) The grenade should be thrown well upwards at not less

than an angle of about 35 degrees. This, besides assisting in

increasing the range to which the grenade can be thrown, renders

its action more absolutely certain by causing it to strike the

ground nearly vertically. This is especially important when

throwing with a following wind.

(_b_) Any obstacle lying between the thrower and the objective

must be cleared, as the grenade will almost certainly act on

anything it strikes during any part of its flight.

(x) =Caution.=--(i) Should the hand grenade not be used, the cap is to

be turned back to “travel” from “fire,” the safety-pin (which must be

retained) is to be replaced in position, care being taken that the pin

passes through the cap, and is secured by passing the whipcord becket

over the cap, and by replacing the leather strip _d_ through the slot

in the end of the safety-pin Z, and the tail rolled up and secured.

(ii) Immediately the grenade has left the hand, the thrower should

lie down or get behind cover to reduce the chances of being hit by a

splinter, as, of course, the explosion sends these in all directions.

Dummy grenades are supplied for practice in throwing.

=9. Use of Grenades.=--In addition to the hand grenade, grenades may

be improvised by filling tins with explosive for throwing by hand.

Grenades are also constructed so that they can be fired from rifles.

Grenades can be used with effect against sap-heads in siege warfare and

in trench fighting at close range.

Section =69=.--Competitions.

=1. Object of Competitions.=--The principles governing competitions

are laid down in para. 102, _Musketry Regulations_. The object of

competitions is to encourage proficiency in service shooting under

practical conditions. This object must not be confined to a few

champion shots, but must include every man in each fire-unit. _A

good average standard of marksmanship, especially in shooting at

service targets at unknown ranges, is the ideal to be aimed at._ Team

competitions in which fire-unit commanders are exercised in their

duties, and in which they work together with their units, are the most

practical and valuable form of competition. The various instructional

practices, together with individual and collective field practices in

Chapters VIII and X of this book, are suitable for competitions.

=2. General Rules.=--(i) The conditions of each competition must be

suited to the rank and skill of competitors, and practise them in the

duties they will perform in the firing-line.

(ii) =Programmes.=--Programmes should as far as possible embrace all

elements of musketry training. Rules for the conduct of competitions

should be the same as those for the conduct of range and field

practices.

(iii) =Individual Firing.=--Individual firing competitions beyond 600

yards have little military value.

(iv) =Targets.=--Bull’s-eye targets should as a rule be used in

elementary competitions only for young soldiers in the first year of

service. Service targets should be used of neutral colours, and of

visibility approximating to that of the targets seen on service.

(v) =Scope of Competitions.=--Specializing in any one kind of shooting

should be discouraged. Competitions for trained soldiers should include

not less than three different forms of shooting, such as snapshooting,

rapid firing, observation, appreciation of fire limits, etc., with

as much variation of targets and conditions as can be conveniently

arranged, according to the facilities available.

(vi) =Rate of Firing.=--Conditions for soldiers with more than one year

of service should never permit of a slower rate than three rounds a

minute for a series of shots, exclusive of time taken for signalling.

In deliberate shooting, the best military shot is probably the man who,

in skirmishing, first applies an effective shot to a target at unknown

range. In rapid firing, the sighting to be used would very often be

communicated to the soldier on service, and a high rate of fire,

combined with reasonable accuracy, would be expected from him.

(vii) =Coaching.=--Coaching should never be allowed, but individual

soldiers in observation and skirmishing competitions may be allowed to

work in pairs, giving mutual assistance.

(viii) =Rifles and Aids to Shooting.=--It is essential that in

competitions open to the rank and file, competitors should be allowed

to fire only with a rifle in charge of their unit, and no departure

from the regulations governing the painting of sights, use of slings,

provision of wind flags, targets, rifle accessories, etc., is to be

permitted in service-rifle competitions.

CHAPTER X

INSTRUCTION ON MINIATURE RANGES, INCLUDING RANGE AND FIELD PRACTICES

Section =70=.--General Remarks.

=1. Instruction on Miniature Ranges.=--(i) Instruction on miniature

ranges is in no sense a final training, but it is a useful and

economical preparation for service shooting--especially useful where

range accommodation is distant or altogether lacking. It should be

commenced during the recruit’s training, when frequent visits should

be made to the miniature range, and the lessons of aiming, pressing

the trigger, declaring the point of aim on discharge, etc., should be

illustrated practically by firing at elementary targets.

(ii) =Object of Instruction.=--Instruction should be carried out on

the same principles as on open ranges. It should be progressive, and

may with advantage precede instruction on open ranges. Instruction

and firing may be carried out throughout the year; but if this work

on miniature ranges is done during the winter months it will prove

a useful preparation for subsequent practice on open ranges and for

field training in the spring and summer months (see _Drill and Field

Training_ of this series, Sec. 29, para. 1).

=2. Scope of Training.=--The instruction, which may be carried out with

the Solano Target and Landscape targets is more or less identical in

scope with that which can be carried out on open ranges. It must be

remembered, however, that the effects of varying light, wind, and other

atmospheric influences are absent on miniature ranges, that instruction

in judging distance is not possible [see Sec. 72, para. 2 (iii)],

that firing with sights adjusted for different ranges can only be

carried out to a limited extent, and that the general conditions under

which training takes place are artificial and easier as compared with

training on open ranges.

=3. Rifles.=--The rifles used should be service pattern, ·22-inch

R.F., or aiming or Morris tubes used in service rifles with regulation

sights. Service rifles must be used, so that the firer may become

accustomed to the weight, length, bolt action, and sighting of the

weapon he will use in war. Unless this principle is adhered to,

practice on miniature ranges cannot be regarded as satisfactory

preparation for service shooting. _Rifles must be “harmonized” both

for firing at targets direct or with elevation in landscape practices

according to the directions laid down in Appendix, V. Rifles must also

be cleaned after every ten to fifteen rounds, otherwise they become

inaccurate._

=4. Windgauge.=--The windgauge may be used to represent wind, and the

firers taught to aim off so as to correct the deflection given, acting

sometimes on their own judgment, sometimes according to orders for fire

direction.

=5. Cover.=--Cover of various kinds can be improvised at the

firing-point with sandbags, screens, or other available material.

=6. Empty Cases.=--Empty cartridge-cases and lead should be collected,

and may be sold at market rates.

=7. Precautions.=--(i) As the ·22 cartridge used on miniature ranges

has considerable power, every precaution must be taken to insure

safety. _Rifles must be laid down at the firing-point unloaded and with

the breech-action open, and firers must stand clear whenever it is

necessary for anyone to be in front of the firing-point._

(ii) A non-commissioned officer will be placed in charge of each range,

and will attend whenever any practice takes place. Firing will take

place only during the hours fixed by the commanding officer.

(iii) No person, except the officer or non-commissioned officer in

charge, or the marker, is to pass from the firing-point up to the

target during practice. Should it be necessary to stop firing, the same

precautions are to be taken as at rifle practice.

(iv) Every possible precaution must be taken to avoid accidents, the

strictest order and discipline being maintained at the firing-point.

When practice takes place on a classification range, the same orders

for safety, etc., are to be observed as when service ammunition is used.

(v) In practices combining firing and movement, the non-commissioned

officer in charge of the range will examine the rifles to see that they

are not loaded before movement is commenced.

Section =71=.--Targets.

=1. Standard Equipment.=--(i) The various targets of the standard

equipment to be used for miniature range instruction are described in

Appendix, VII, the information in which must be carefully noted. It is

important to avoid confusing the Solano Target when used with scenery,

etc., as shown in Figs. 55 and 56, with various Landscape targets when

fixed to the Solano Target for instruction as in Fig. 57. The points of

difference between the Solano and Landscape targets mentioned in the

following paragraphs must also be noted.

(ii) The scenery, scenic accessories, and Solano figures of the Solano

Target are all correctly drawn to scale for 25 yards, and at that

distance give correct impressions of what they represent. Landscape

targets are not all drawn to scale for 25 yards, _but they must always

be used at this distance when possible_.

(iii) On the Solano Target the various features of the scenery,

including background and details, as well as the position of troops,

can be altered quickly to any extent. The features of landscape targets

cannot be altered, therefore they should be changed frequently, as they

lose their value when their features become well known.

(iv) In firing at the Solano Target when fitted with scenery, the

bullets _strike the objective aimed at_. In firing at landscape targets

rifles must be given elevation so that bullets _strike a screen above

the landscape_, not the objective aimed at (Fig. 58).

(v) The Solano Target, with or without scenic effects and figures,

can be used for the whole scope of the instruction in this chapter,

and for all range and field practices. The scope of instruction which

can be carried out on landscape targets is strictly limited, and

does not include important branches of elementary training nor range

and individual field practices. Firing at landscape targets has the

advantage of practising men in the adjustment of sights. On the other

hand, landscape target practice lacks elements of realism and surprise,

as it does not include arrangements for representing the movement

of troops at different distances, and does not afford practice in

watching the front for the appearance of targets representing troops,

discerning and opening fire quickly at such targets, and in marking

down, snapshooting, and rapid firing at moving and disappearing

targets, especially within close range, which has proved of such vital

importance in modern battles (see Preface, paras. 4 and 5).

=2. Elementary Targets.=--(i) The elementary bull’s-eye and other

targets for use in miniature range instructional practices should be

similar to those used on the classification range, but are supplied

reduced to the correct scale.

[Illustration: =Fig. 53.=--SOLANO TARGET, MARK I, ARRANGED FOR

ELEMENTARY PRACTICES. (_See Appendix, Sec. VII., para. 2._)]

[Illustration:

=Fig. 54.=--SOLANO TARGET--CLEAT FITTING WITH CORDS WHICH OPERATE

MECHANISM ATTACHED. (_See Appendix, Sec. VII., para. 2._)]

[Illustration:

=Fig. 55.=--SOLANO TARGET, MARK I, ARRANGED FOR GENERAL

INSTRUCTION OR FOR FIRING FIELD PRACTICES, WITH SCENERY AND

SCENIC ACCESSORIES (TYPE A), AND WITH SOLANO FIGURES REPRESENTING

TROOPS AT DIFFERENT RANGES. (_See Appendix, Sec. VII., paras. 3

to 5 inclusive._)]

[Illustration:

=Fig. 56.=--SOLANO TARGET, MARK I, ARRANGED FOR GENERAL

INSTRUCTION OR FOR FIRING FIELD PRACTICES, WITH SCENERY AND

SCENIC ACCESSORIES (TYPE C), AND WITH SOLANO FIGURES REPRESENTING

TROOPS AT DIFFERENT RANGES.]

=3. Regulation Figure Targets= include those in the list in

Appendix, VII, para. 5. Targets representing troops advancing in

close formations, such as those shown in the Preface, p. ix, may be

improvised by cutting strips of card to the required length. The height

of the card for various distances, scaled for 25 yards, is as follows:

400 yards, 4 inches; 600 yards, 3¾ inches; 800 yards, 2 inches; 1,000

yards, 1 inch. To these measurements ½ inch should be added in every

case for the base held by the clips of the target. Brown or grey card

should be used.

(iii) _It must be noted that if figures are made with card which is

not sufficiently thick, the impact of the bullet will not cause them

to fall when fixed in the falling clips of Tier B of the Target_

(Appendix, VII, para. 2).

=4. Solano Elementary and Instructional Targets.=--These targets have

been officially approved by the Army Council for miniature range

practices (see Appendix, VIII).

=5. Nomenclature of Targets.=--In the subsequent Sections of this

chapter the Solano Target will be referred to as =The Target=, Figure

Targets as =Figures=, and Landscape Targets as =Landscapes=.

Section =72=.--Preliminary Training

=1. Instruction to Precede Firing.=--(i) As already stated, range and

field practices carried out before men have been thoroughly instructed

in preliminary training will merely result in waste of ammunition.

Therefore, before firing on miniature ranges commences men should be

thoroughly trained in the following duties: (_a_) Quick and accurate

adjustment of sights; (_b_) laying an absolutely correct aim from

aiming-rest at easy aiming-mark; (_c_) correct trigger pressing; (_d_)

assuming correct loading and firing positions, including adjustment of

sights, aiming, and release of trigger without disturbing aim.

(ii) Particular subjects of instruction which relate to different

firing practices should precede them as follows:[30]

(_a_) _Before firing from cover_: Adapting the firing position to

different kinds of cover.

(_b_) _Before application practices_: Aiming-off; the extent being

reckoned by the breadth of the aiming-mark as ordered, and aim being

laid from aiming-rest.

(_c_) _Before firing at moving targets_: Aiming-off for movement

at crossing figures on the Solano Target; aim being tested with

aim-corrector.

(_d_) _Before snapshooting practices_: Combining rapidity with accuracy

of aim; aim being tested with aiming-disc.

(_e_) =Before firing at the Target with scenery and figures or at

landscapes=: Marking down an enemy, and aiming at ground and service

targets; aim being laid from aiming-rest at points or targets indicated.

=2. Instruction in Aiming.=--(i) This training can be carried out on

the Target without scenery (Fig. 53), as described in Chapter III.

_Elementary training_ should be carried out as described in Sec. 70,

para. 1. _Aiming at service targets and ground_ can be taught on the

Target with scenery and figures and on landscapes as described in Sec.

19, para. 2 (ii). _Marking down an enemy_ can be taught on the Target

with scenery and figures as described in Sec. 19, para. 3 (ii), a

number of figures representing men at different distances being exposed

from behind cover or in the open to represent the movements of the

fatigue-men.

(ii) _Aiming-off for wind_ can be taught on the Target with scenery

and figures as described in Sec. 20, para. 4, figures representing men

at different distances instead of fatigue-men. _Aiming up and down_

may also be taught as above according to the instruction laid down in

Sec. 21, para. 3, figures representing men at various distances being

exposed on Tiers A and B to represent an advance or retirement in the

place of fatigue-men. _Aiming-off for movement_ can be taught with the

crossing figures on the Target as described in Sec. 22, para. 1.

(iii) _Rapid adjustment of sights_ can be taught on the Target with

scenery and figures by exposing a number of figures representing men

at different distances. The distance of each figure will not be given.

Men will adjust their sights for the distance at which they estimate

it to be. The correct range of the figure will then be given, and the

men will declare their estimate. As the figures are correctly scaled

to size for 25 yards range, this practice will help to accustom the

eye to the appearance of men at different distances, and so help to

some extent to train them in judging distance, though it cannot be

considered wholly satisfactory for this purpose for the reasons given

in Sec. 70, para. 2.

=3. Instruction in Firing=--(i) =Elementary Training.=--This training

can be carried out on the Target without scenery, according to the

directions laid down in Sec. 24 and the rest of Chapter IV.

(ii) =Vulnerability of Different Firing Positions= (Sec. 26, para.

1).--This can be illustrated on the Target with the aid of figures

representing men in the standing, kneeling, and lying positions

at various distances. Figures in the standing and lying positions

respectively are shown at various ranges in Figs. 55 and 56, arranged

on Tier B of the Target.

Musketry (.303 and .22 cartridges) Elementary training, visual training, judging distance, fire discipline, range practices, field practices · 第 12 / 13 章

The instructor will stop the watch when the trigger is pressed,