Directions: The above targets, (a) to (e) inclusive, may be arranged on either tier; (f) will consist of features shown on the scenery itself. The firers will represent a firing-line advancing at close range. Firing will be carried out as follows: 2 rounds will be fired; the men will then run 50 yards and fire 2 more rounds, after which they will run 50 yards again and fire the last 2 rounds.
4. Fire Direction Practices (Sec. 42, paras. 8 and 9, Sec. 47, paras. 2 to 4 inclusive, and Sec. 54, para. 3).—(i) Though officers and N.C.O.’s cannot be trained satisfactorily in the important duties of ranging on miniature ranges, much useful instruction can be carried out by fire direction practices on the target and landscapes, the object of which will be to teach fire-unit commanders and men to work together in some of the principal duties of fire direction, control, and discipline before proceeding to fire collective field practices.
(ii) The object of these practices is to train fire-unit commanders to discern targets quickly, describe them accurately, and give clear, correct fire orders (Sec. 46, paras. 1 to 6 inclusive), and to train men to recognize targets, obey and pass fire orders. Both officers and men will previously have been trained to some extent in these duties. In fire direction practices they should be carried out as a whole under a time limit, reckoned from the appearance of the target to the end of firing or aiming in obedience to fire orders. The time limit should be decreased as progress is made. Observers should also be trained in their duties in these practices, which should be devised so as to train both fire-unit commanders and observers to watch for signals and maintain communication with neighbouring units (Sec. 42, para. 8 (ii) (b), and para. 9).
(iii) The target should be arranged before practices with a variety of figures representing various arms and troops in different formations at various ranges (Appendix, VII, para. 5). They should be exposed suddenly for short time limits corresponding approximately to the probable time exposure of such targets on service. Fire-unit commanders should use field-glasses and include ranges estimated by the size of the figures in fire orders. Passing fire orders may be practised by passing them down a line of men to those at the firing-point (Sec. 46, para. 7). This should be done if possible while firing is proceeding. Practices may be carried out with firing or by aiming with rifles on rests for laying aim. Instructors must carefully criticize the work of both fire-unit commanders and men.
5. Collective Field Practices (Sec. 54, para. 4)—(i) Demonstrations.—These practices may be preceded by lectures demonstrating some of the Points for Criticism set out in Sec. 54, para. 4 (iii), and also points in the instruction laid down in Sec. 35, para. 4 (Reconnaissance of Ground in Attack and Defence), Sec. 42 (Organization for Fire Action), Sec. 43 (Effect of Fire at Different Ranges on Various Formations and Objectives), and Sec. 44 (Tactical Application of Fire).
(ii) Arrangement of Target for Demonstrations.—Demonstrations should be carried out on the Target arranged with scenery and figures with or without firing to illustrate instruction. The arrangement of the target for lectures and demonstrations affords scope for skill and ingenuity on the part of instructors, and may be used to give practical instruction to N.C.O.’s and men engaged to help in arranging the scenery and figures to illustrate various principles and tactical schemes. The following are examples of simple lessons which may be demonstrated on the Target.
(iii) Examples of Demonstrations.
No. 1. Need for Collective Fire.—The instruction laid down in Sec. 11 may be demonstrated by arranging figures on the Target as above described in para. 3 (ii), adding figures representing troops in different formations, artillery and transport at ranges up to 2,500 yards. If the demonstration is carried out with firing, a useful object lesson may be provided as follows. A row of 1,000 and 1,200 yard figures can be arranged on the clips so that when exposed their heads will appear over continuous cover, such as low bushes, to represent men firing from a bank or fold of the ground. The figures will be arranged against background which renders them invisible to the naked eye from the firing-point. The firers will be told that they have come under the fire of the enemy somewhere to their front, and that the need for replying to it immediately to minimize its effect is urgent. They will depend upon individual firing for fire effect. When they have realized their helplessness, a fire-unit commander will indicate the target and direct fire, the results of which will be noted.
No. 2. Justification for Opening Fire (Sec. 43 and Sec. 44, paras. 3 to 6 inclusive).—This may be demonstrated by various examples carried out with or without firing to illustrate the principle that fire must not be opened in attack or defence without reasonable assurance of effect in regard to the object for which it is delivered. For instance, a number of rounds may be fired at an extended line of 2,000 or 1,600 yard figures, and an equal number of rounds at an extended line of 1,000 and 800 yard figures, to illustrate the greater effect of fire at closer ranges. It must be explained, however, that exceptionally favourable targets may justify the opening of fire at long and distant ranges [Sec. 43, para. 2 (iii)].
No. 3. Choice of Targets [Sec. 54, Note to para. 4 (iii)].—The principle that the more favourable or important targets should be chosen may be illustrated by various examples, as for instance by exposing a line of 800 yard figures so that the heads and shoulders only are visible above cover affording protection from fire, and exposing a line of the same figures upright in the open to one side. If carried out with firing, a demonstration of the effects of converging fire (Sec. 44, para. 11) may be combined with that of the choice of targets as follows: The firers may be divided into two fire-units of four men each under its own commander. Each unit will deliver deliberate fire for half a minute at a line of 1,000 yard figures on Tier A within its own sector or frontage. A dense line of 800 yards figures will then be exposed in the centre of Tier B to represent a part of the enemy’s line which has taken advantage of a covered approach or dead ground to push forward. Both fire-unit commanders will at once divert the fire of half their unit in a burst of rapid converging fire for half a minute at this favourable target while continuing to keep the enemy’s line to his front under fire with the rest of his unit for the same time. Results of firing will be compared.