(ii) Rules for the Standing Position.—Body turned half right, left foot carried to the left and slightly forward, so that the body is erect and well-balanced, left elbow well under the rifle, the butt well into the hollow of the shoulder, rifle gripped firmly with both hands, eye well back from the cocking-piece, sights perfectly upright.
4. Lying Position ([Fig. 22]).—(i) The lying position will generally be adopted by troops on open ground, or when firing from continuous low cover, or from behind small rocks, trees, etc. Preliminary instruction in firing and firing exercises will, as a rule, be carried out in the lying position as being the most convenient.
(ii) Other conditions being equal, this position has the advantage that its use in firing results in a greater extent of dangerous space than in the case of other firing positions [Sec. 9, para. 2 (ii)].
(iii) Rules for Firing In the Lying Position.—Turn half right, bring the rifle to the right side as when standing, holding it in the left hand. Place the right hand on the ground, and lie down on the stomach with the legs separated, left shoulder well forward, left arm extended to the front, and rifle resting in the left hand in a convenient position, muzzle pointing to the front and clear of mud or dust on the ground. The line of the body may be slightly oblique to the line of fire, but this oblique angle must not be exaggerated, as it will tend to increase vulnerability by presenting a greater surface to the enemy’s fire than when the body is parallel to the line of fire (see [Fig. 30]).
(iv) Adjusting Sights.—To adjust sights in the lying position draw the rifle back with the left hand until the lines on the backsight can be seen clearly. In the case of S.M.L.E. and Charger-loading Lee-Enfield rifles, draw the rifle back through the left hand.
(v) Height of Rifle above Ground.—For the height over which a man in the lying position can fire see Sec. 31, para. 2. If it is necessary for improving the field of fire and obtaining better fire effect to increase the height of the body above ground, this can be done by raising it on the elbows and at the same time slightly retiring it.
5. Kneeling Position (Figs. 23 and 24).—(i) The kneeling position is used mainly when firing from continuous cover, such as a low wall, bank, or hedge, or in long grass, crops, etc., which would obstruct the line of sight if the prone position were adopted. For the height over which a man in the kneeling position can fire see Sec. 31, para. 2.
(ii) Rules for Firing in the Kneeling Position.—The soldier may kneel on either or both knees. When kneeling on one knee the body may be supported on the heel, or not, as desired. The left knee will be in advance of the left heel, and the left elbow will rest on or over the left knee. The left leg, hand, and arm, and the right shoulder, should be in the same vertical plane when firing in the open kneeling on the right knee. When kneeling on both knees, the body may rest on both heels, or be kept upright to suit the height of the cover, the elbows in both instances being unsupported by the body.
Fig. 22.—Prone Position—Side View.