The best method of work will be, then, that which suppresses as quickly as possible one of these dimensions and to conduct the research on a straight line.
Any point can be placed on the terrain or on the map if you know the following elements:
1. Its “direction” or alignment.
2. Its situation on this alignment—that is, its “range.”
In oblique vision, a digression in direction is always much more apparent than a digression of the same size in range. Thus the direction of a point can be identified with more facility and precision than its range. For these reasons, the following methods consider two distinct phases in all spotting operations:
1. Investigation of direction.
2. Investigation of range.
The investigation in direction always comes first, as it is easier, and its result makes the investigation for range easier.
LOCATING ON THE GROUND AN OBJECT SEEN ON THE MAPS.
If it is a question of a very visible point (cross-roads, an isolated house, a corner of woods, etc.), the spotting can be done almost immediately, it was found in the general reconnaissance of the terrain, which was discussed in chapter 1.