USE OF TRENCH ARTILLERY.
76.—Use with a purpose.
Whatever trench artillery appliances are provided, bomb-throwers, trench mortars, catapults, etc., they should never be used hap-hazard, but always with great deliberation and forethought.
Have a distinct end in view and watch for the best opportunity to attain it.
Such definite aims may be: to interfere with a relief, a fatigue, a trench construction or repair, to destroy accessory defences, etc.
77.—Keep it ready.
Let the mortars, etc., be kept loaded and trained on the target selected, ready to be fired instantly. The crews should be near at hand and a sentinel posted to watch for a favorable opportunity.
78.—Save ammunition.
Until this opportunity occurs, do not fire.
79.—Have several emplacements.
Several emplacements should be provided so that mortars, etc., may be removed as soon as they have obtained desired results or been located by the enemy.
The trench mortar commander should make it his business to study carefully all possibilities for effective emplacements and should inspire his men to be alert and quick to improve opportunities.
80.—Use of machine guns.
The machine guns should likewise be handled as a mobile weapon and not be used merely from elaborate carefully concealed emplacements commanding otherwise uncovered ground or enfilading communication trenches, etc.[C]
81.—Use of hand grenades.
Hand grenades may be listed as trench artillery. The temptation is to use them too freely. Like other ammunition they should never be wasted and always used with a definite aim.