London, 1915.
DEFINITIONS OF TECHNICAL TERMS AND MILITARY VOCABULARY
I. DEFINITIONS.
Aiming-Off.—Altering the point of aim laterally, so as to give deflection to the rifle-barrel without using the wind-gauge.
Aiming Point.—The point in any target at which aim is taken, forming the extremity of the line of sight.
Aiming Up and Down.—Altering the point of aim vertically so as to give more or less elevation to the rifle-barrel without altering the sight.
Angle of Descent.—Angle at which the bullet falls to the ground at the end of its flight (Figs. 4 and 5).
Application.—An elementary musketry practice, designed to illustrate methods of correcting aim or sighting in accordance with observation or signals from the butts.
Approximation of Scoring Rings.—Concentric rings marked on an instructional target and possessing various values which afford a simple means of comparing the shooting errors of individuals, but having no relation to the vulnerable surfaces of the ordinary service targets.
Axis of the Barrel.—The axis of the barrel is an imaginary line following the centre of the bore from breech to muzzle ([Fig. 2]).
Beaten Zone.—Area of ground beaten by a cone of fire ([Fig. 6]).
Bull’s Eye.—A circular aiming-mark of varying size used in elementary training for grouping practice, with the object of eliminating all sources of error other than that of bad holding.
Concentration of Fire.—The directing of fire on one particular portion of the enemy’s line. Its value lies in the demoralizing effect it produces owing to the heavy loss it inflicts at the point at which it is directed ([Fig. 48]).
Covered Approach.—Ground and natural or artificial cover which screens movement towards an objective from the enemy’s view.
Culminating Point.—The culminating point is the greatest height above the line of sight to which the bullet rises in its flight; this is reached at a point a little beyond half the distance to which the bullet travels.
Dangerous Space.—The dangerous space for any particular range is the distance between the first catch and the first graze ([Fig. 4]).
Dead Ground.—Any ground on which troops cannot be struck by missiles fired by defenders of a position owing to the formation of the intervening ground ([Fig. 10]).
Deflection.—The inclination of the rifle-barrel laterally with reference to the line of sight, counteracting the effect of wind, drift, or other influence which tends to force the bullet out of a straight path.
Description Points.—Ground and its natural or artificial features used for indication of targets (Figs. 49-51).
Distribution of Fire.—The method of directing fire so that it may be scattered over several objects ([Fig. 48]).
Elevation.—The inclination of the rifle-barrel vertically with reference to the line of sight, necessitated by the downward influence exercised on the bullet by the force of gravity.
Error of the Day.—A term used to include errors in shooting due to miscalculation of atmospheric influences, such as wind, temperature, etc.
Error of the Rifle.—Any error inherent in a rifle, independent of any error due to the want of skill of the firer.
Fire, Kinds of—
Collective Fire.—The fire of several rifles combined for a definite purpose under the orders of a fire-leader. Such fire skilfully directed and well controlled may produce good effect up to 1,400 yards.
Converging Fire.—Fire aimed at one target from different points.
Covering Fire.—Fire delivered from the rear or flank by a special body of troops to keep down the fire of the attacked during the advance of the attacking body. It also includes fire delivered by portions of a line with a view to assisting the advance of the remainder ([Fig. 48]).
Effective Fire.—Fire which has the desired result upon the target.
Enfilade Fire.—Fire which sweeps a line of troops or defences from a flank ([Fig. 48]).
Frontal Fire.—Fire which is delivered directly to the front.
Grazing Fire.—When the angle of the fall of the bullets (see Trajectory) is the same as the slope of the ground and the missiles sweep along its surface the fire is called grazing ([Fig. 9]).
Individual Fire.—Fire opened without orders from a fire-leader. On account of the difficulty of observation 600 yards may be taken as the limit of effective fire of this nature against small targets.
Indirect Fire.—Indirect fire is fire directed by means of auxiliary aiming-marks at an objective which is invisible to the firer ([Fig. 48]).
Masked Fire.—Troops (guns or rifles) in a position whence they could employ fire effectively against an enemy, but for the fear of causing casualties to their comrades, are said to have their fire masked by these latter troops.
Oblique Fire.—Fire directed on a target in a slanting direction—i.e. not directly to the front ([Fig. 48]).
Rapid Fire.—Fire delivered as quickly as the nature of the rifle admits.
Reverse Fire.—Fire so directed that the bullets strike the target in rear ([Fig. 48]).
Searching Fire.—Searching is the term applied to collective fire when the depth of its dispersion over a beaten zone is increased by the use of combined sights ([Fig. 7]).
Sweeping Fire.—Sweeping fire is fire distributed laterally ([Fig. 48]).
Unaimed Fire.—Unaimed fire is fire directed at a visible objective which strikes another objective to the rear of it ([Fig. 48]).
Fire Control.—Fire control is the duty of junior officers and non-commissioned officers, and consists in giving ranges to and pointing out targets to the fire-units, and seeing that their men adjust their sights to the range given. It further consists in regulating the volume of fire, the accurate passing of all orders and information, and in the cavalry and infantry the collecting of ammunition from casualties and its redistribution.
Fire Discipline.—The training of men so that they will instinctively carry out all orders of fire-unit commanders, and in the absence of orders adjust their sights and fire with due regard to the tactical situation.
Fire Effect.—The effect on the target resulting from the fire aimed at it.
Fire Fight.—The struggle for fire superiority.
Fire Position.—Positions from which fire is opened during the advance of an attacking force; during the early stages of the advance with a view to gaining ground, in the latter stages with a view to gaining a superiority of fire.
Fire-Unit.—A unit, the fire of which is controlled by one commander. The normal cavalry and infantry fire-unit is the troop and section respectively.
Firing-Line.—In extended formations the line of troops from which the main body of fire is delivered.
Firing-Position.—The position, standing, kneeling, lying, etc., adopted for firing, according to circumstances.
First Catch.—The first catch is that point where the bullet has descended sufficiently to strike the head of a man, whether mounted, standing, kneeling, lying, etc. ([Fig. 4], A).
First Graze.—The first graze is the point where the bullet, if not interfered with, will first strike the ground ([Fig. 4], B).
Group, Grouping, or Diagram of Group.—The pattern made on a vertical target by a series of shots fired by an individual or the pattern made on a horizontal surface by concentrated collective fire.
Grouping.—An elementary musketry practice designed to test and standardize holding and the accuracy of rifles, and to expose constant errors in aiming.
Holding.—The form of skill required in order to press the trigger without disturbing the aim.
Inclined Sights.—A common fault in aiming-failure to keep the sights upright.
Line of Departure.—The line of departure is the direction of the bullet on leaving the muzzle—i.e., the prolongation of the axis of the barrel ([Fig. 2]).
Line of Fire.—The line of fire is a line joining the muzzle of the rifle and the target ([Fig. 2]).
Line of Sight.—The line of sight is a straight line passing through the sights and the point aimed at ([Fig. 2]).
Marking Down.—Noting the exact position of an enemy seen to occupy ground or cover.
Mutual Support.—The fire of one unit directed at the enemy to cover and assist the movement of another unit ([Fig. 48]). Also individual soldiers working in pairs to assist each other in firing.
Observation.—Watching the effect of fire on the target with a view to correction or verification of sighting, either by watching for the dust thrown up by bullets or the behaviour of the enemy.
Permissible Error.—Error made in estimating range which does not render fire ineffective.
Ranges, Terms applied to.
Collective Fire.—The fire of several rifles combined for a definite purpose under the orders of a fire-leader. Such fire skilfully directed and well controlled may produce good effect up to 1,400 yards.
Converging Fire.—Fire aimed at one target from different points.
Covering Fire.—Fire delivered from the rear or flank by a special body of troops to keep down the fire of the attacked during the advance of the attacking body. It also includes fire delivered by portions of a line with a view to assisting the advance of the remainder ([Fig. 48]).
Effective Fire.—Fire which has the desired result upon the target.
Enfilade Fire.—Fire which sweeps a line of troops or defences from a flank ([Fig. 48]).
Frontal Fire.—Fire which is delivered directly to the front.
Grazing Fire.—When the angle of the fall of the bullets (see Trajectory) is the same as the slope of the ground and the missiles sweep along its surface the fire is called grazing ([Fig. 9]).
Individual Fire.—Fire opened without orders from a fire-leader. On account of the difficulty of observation 600 yards may be taken as the limit of effective fire of this nature against small targets.
Indirect Fire.—Indirect fire is fire directed by means of auxiliary aiming-marks at an objective which is invisible to the firer ([Fig. 48]).
Masked Fire.—Troops (guns or rifles) in a position whence they could employ fire effectively against an enemy, but for the fear of causing casualties to their comrades, are said to have their fire masked by these latter troops.
Oblique Fire.—Fire directed on a target in a slanting direction—i.e. not directly to the front ([Fig. 48]).
Rapid Fire.—Fire delivered as quickly as the nature of the rifle admits.
Reverse Fire.—Fire so directed that the bullets strike the target in rear ([Fig. 48]).
Searching Fire.—Searching is the term applied to collective fire when the depth of its dispersion over a beaten zone is increased by the use of combined sights ([Fig. 7]).
Sweeping Fire.—Sweeping fire is fire distributed laterally ([Fig. 48]).
Unaimed Fire.—Unaimed fire is fire directed at a visible objective which strikes another objective to the rear of it ([Fig. 48]).
| Terms applied to Ranges. | Rifle. | Field Artillery. | Heavy Batteries. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yards. | Yards. | Yards. | |
| Distant | 2,800 to 2,000 | 6,500 to 5,000 | 10,000 to 6,500 |
| Long | 2,000 to 1,400 | 5,000 to 4,000 | 6,500 to 5,000 |
| Effective | 1,400 to 600 | 4,000 to 2,500 | 5,000 to 2,500 |
| Close | 600 and under | 2,500 and under | 2,500 and under |
Recruit (Musketry).—A man who has not completed Table A (the recruit’s course of musketry).
Sector.—A portion of frontage allotted to a fire-unit for the purposes of observation and fire action.
Snapshooting.—Firing the most accurate possible shot in the shortest possible time.
Superiority of Fire.—The means of pouring a more destructive fire into the enemy than he can bring to bear on you. Under ordinary conditions a necessity prior to the bayonet charge.
Target, Crossing.—A target moving across the front of the firer obliquely or at right angles.
Target, Service.—The various targets of battle.
Trained Soldier (Musketry).—A man who has completed Table A (the recruit’s course of musketry).
Trajectory.—The curved line a bullet or other projectile follows in its flight. This is dependent on the explosion of the charge which drives the bullet forward, gravity which draws the bullet towards the earth, and the resistance of the air which retards the velocity of the bullet ([Fig. 2]).