Machine gun manual

by H. Douglas

FIRE ORDERS.

While in a large number of instances it has been possible to give fire orders by word of mouth, this will, as a rule, be only possible under exceptionally favourable circumstances.

Thus the successful co-operation of the guns working under one leader will very largely depend on the mutual understanding that exists between the Officer and his Gun Commanders.

Therefore the Officer must ensure that all those under him clearly understand:—

1. The part the machine guns are intended to play.

2. The plans of the Machine Gun Officer.

3. The objects in view and the methods by which the Machine Gun Officer hopes to attain them.

In this way, even when individual control by the Officer has been lost, the desired effect will most likely be obtained, for each Gun Commander will be striving to attain that effect, though, perhaps, by different means.