(ii) Each soldier, when the officer has passed the file next to him, will, without further word of command, Ease Springs, Order Arms, and Stand at Ease. When the inspection is completed, the squad will be closed on the squad commander’s command Close Ranks—March, when the rear rank will take one pace forward.
4. To Examine Arms—Examine—Arms.—Both ranks, being at the port, will come to the position for loading (Sec. 27, para. 1 (1)), with the muzzle so inclined as to enable the officer to look through the barrel, the thumb-nail of the right hand being placed in front of the bolt to reflect light into the barrel.
The soldier, when the officer has passed the next file to him, will act as detailed in para. 3 (ii) above.
Notes.—(i) If it is necessary to examine arms, the men, when in the position of for inspection, port arms, will be cautioned to remain at the port. Ranks will be closed, as in para. 3 (ii), when the examination has been completed.
(ii) In ordering arms from the examine, the first motion is to seize the rifle with the right hand between the backsight and the band, at the same time bringing the left foot back to the right. With the second motion the rifle will be brought to the order, the left hand being cut away to the side.
CHAPTER II
THE THEORY AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF RIFLE FIRE
Section 8.—General Information.
1. Need of Theoretical Knowledge.—A knowledge of the theory of rifle fire is of great importance in enabling the best use to be made of the powerful and accurate weapon with which the soldier is armed. The next step in the soldier’s musketry training after he has been instructed in the construction, care, and cleaning of his rifle will therefore be devoted to teaching him the theory and application of rifle fire. This instruction will consist of lectures, important points being illustrated by the aid of diagrams or drawings made with chalk on a blackboard, and by practical demonstrations when possible.
2. Difference between Peace and War Conditions.—(i) It is, however, of the utmost importance that the soldier should be taught from the first to apply his theoretical knowledge correctly. The soldier must be made to realize clearly that the moral conditions under which fire is delivered in war are very different from those of peace. Therefore deductions made as to the effect of fire from the theory of musketry applied under peace conditions, when firing takes place on open level ground under good conditions of light and atmosphere at visible targets at known distances with weapons in good condition in the total absence of any strain of excitement or fatigue and of the enemy’s fire, must not be applied to conclusions as to the effect of fire delivered under war conditions.
