Machine gun manual

by H. Douglas

NATURE OF TARGETS FIRED AT.

Targets have been of all kinds, such as:—

1. Dense masses at all ranges.

2. Extended lines at all ranges.

3. Artillery on the move and in action.

4. Edges of woods, hedges, ditches, etc., where enemy’s firing-line was known to be, but in many cases could not be seen.

5. Enemy machine guns in all manner of positions, usually invisible to the eye or even with glasses.

6. Hollows, wood, and other cover under which the enemy was known to be concentrating.

7. Searching fire to try and locate and beat down hostile fire that was being delivered from concealed positions.

The varied nature of the targets that the machine gunner may have to engage brings out the fact that the machine gunner must be very thoroughly trained, and emphasizes the points brought out under “Ranges, Fire Orders, Indication and Recognition.”