Fig. 26—Sitting Position when Firing—Aiming down Steep Slope.
6. Sitting Position (Figs. 25 and 26).—The sitting position will be the most suitable when on ground falling at a steep slope. In this position the right shoulder should be kept well back, the left forearm supported by the thigh, and the right elbow resting against the right knee, or unsupported, as desired.
Section 27.—Loading and Unloading.
1. To Load ([Fig. 27]).[13]—(i) Bring the rifle to the right side in front of the hip, with the muzzle pointing upwards, small of the butt just in front of the hip, grasping the stock with the left hand immediately in front of the magazine. Turn the safety-catch completely over to the front with the thumb or forefinger of the right hand. (Charger-loading Lee-Enfield Rifle.—Lower the safety-catch with the thumb of the right hand.)
(ii) Pull out the cut-off if closed, first pressing it downwards with the thumb, then seize the knob with the forefinger and thumb of the right hand, turn it sharply upwards, and draw back the bolt to its full extent.
(iii) Take the charger between the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand, and place it vertically in the guides. Then, placing the ball of the thumb immediately in front of the charger, and hooking the forefinger under the cut-off, force the cartridges down with a firm and continuous pressure until the top cartridge has engaged in the magazine. Force the bolt sharply home, turning the knob well down, and, with the thumb or forefinger of the right hand, turn the safety-catch completely over to the rear. (Charger-loading Lee-Enfield Rifle.—Raise the safety-catch with the forefinger of the right hand.) Then button the pouch, seize the rifle with the right hand in front of the left, bring the left foot back to the right and order arms.
(iv) Loading the Magazine.—The magazine will hold two charges of five cartridges each, but should in ordinary circumstances be loaded with one only, as the soldier will thus retain the power of adding another charge at any time should necessity demand. If, when on the line of march, it is desired to charge the magazine without loading the rifle, the top cartridge may be pressed downwards with the thumb and the cut-off closed. After the rifle is once charged the soldier is responsible that his magazine is refilled at once whenever it has been emptied.
4. To Unload.—Carry out the directions in para, 1 (i) and (ii), but after drawing back the bolt, without turning the knob down, work the bolt rapidly backwards and forwards until the cartridges are removed from the magazine and chamber, allowing them to fall on the ground. Then close the breech, press the trigger, close the cut-off by placing the right hand over the bolt and pressing the cut-off inwards, apply the safety-catch, lower the backsight or the long-range sights, and order arms.
5. Rapid Loading.—(i) When he is able to aim and fire steadily in all positions and from various classes of cover, the soldier will be exercised in combining rapid loading with the greatest rapidity of aim consistent with accuracy. Rapid loading will first be practised separately, using dummy cartridges in chargers. When five rounds have been inserted in the magazine, the bolt will be closed and turned over, and the rifle will at once be unloaded and another charger inserted similarly. Rapid loading should be practised in all positions, but especially in the lying position.
