CHAPTER IX
NIGHT FIRING, HAND GRENADES, AND COMPETITIONS
Section 67.—Night Firing.[29]
1. Methods of Night Firing.—A body of troops in a position commanding open ground or an approach which may be used by the enemy may arrange to sweep it with fire by laying rifles in rests constructed by daylight, by preparing illuminated aiming-marks giving a horizontal line of sight, or by firing at the flashes of the enemy’s rifles, or other marks by automatic alignment of the rifle. These various methods are explained in the following paragraphs. Firing at night should only be employed within close range.
2. Automatic Alarms and Flare Lights.—(i) Automatic alarms and flare lights to illuminate the foreground are useful against night attacks. They should be used in combination with obstacles, if any have been constructed, and either protected or concealed, so as to prevent the enemy removing them. No mechanical signal must be relied upon as a substitute for the efficient use of the eyesight and hearing.
3. Fixed Rifle-Rests and Aiming-Marks.—On a dark night it is difficult to insure the men’s rifles being aimed in the required direction. Any device to assist them in this matter is useful. Fixed rifle-rests may be made, or, failing these, some such device as a wooden bar can be arranged across loopholes, to prevent a man raising his rifle-barrel too high. Posts painted white on the defenders’ side make a good aiming-mark, if the night is not too dark.
4. Automatic Alignment of the Rifle.—(i) The automatic alignment of the rifle is as a general rule the most effective method of firing at night. Men should therefore be practised in aligning their rifles automatically for night firing at ranges of about 300 yards and under.
(ii) Method of Instruction.—Aiming-marks should be selected just above the ground-line, and within 100 yards of the squad. The men should then be ordered to bring their rifles into the firing position with both eyes shut. The right eye should then be opened, and the approximate alignment of the rifle verified. After some practice each man will be able to ascertain his individual tendency, which he should correct with practice until able to align the rifle with his eyes shut with approximate accuracy.
(iii) This exercise should be carried out in the daytime until proficiency is attained, when men should be practised in firing a few rounds after dark at large screens at a range not exceeding 300 yards. The position of the screen may be indicated by some rough expedient to represent the flash of a rifle. Much material effect is not to be anticipated from night firing except against an enemy in movement, but the moral effect should be considerable.
5. Instruction on Miniature Ranges.—Directions for night firing on miniature ranges are contained in Sec. 74, para. 7.