(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.