1. Rules for Aiming and Firing.—(i) The rules for taking accurate aim have already been stated. In combining aiming with the movements for firing in the various firing positions the following rules will be observed:
(ii) Direct the eyes on the mark. Then bring the rifle into the hollow of the right shoulder, and press it in with the left hand, grasp the small firmly with the thumb and three fingers of the right hand, place the forefinger round the lower part of the trigger, and exert sufficient pressure to take the pull. In making these motions, the backsight will be kept upright, the left elbow brought well under the rifle, and the right elbow brought a little lower than and well to the front of the right shoulder.
(iii) As the rifle touches the shoulder, bring the cheek down on the butt, keeping the face well back from the right hand and cocking-piece, close the left eye, align the sights on the mark, restrain the breathing, and press the trigger.
(iv) Great care must be exercised to insure that the forefinger is not placed on the trigger before the rifle is in contact with the shoulder, and that a firm grip is maintained with both hands while firing. Unless the butt rests firmly in the hollow of the shoulder, accurate shooting is impossible.
(v) The further the eye is kept from the backsight the more clearly will the sights be defined, the less strained will be the position of the head and neck, and the less will be the effect of recoil.
2. Aiming and Firing Practices.—In aiming and firing practices, the firer should always declare the direction of his aim at the moment of discharge before removing the rifle from the shoulder for the reasons given in Sec. 25, para. 5. The instructor will carefully supervise practices, and will test the accuracy of aiming with the aim-corrector or aiming-disc. Having carried out the motions described in paras, (ii) and (iii) above, the recruit after a pause will bring the rifle to the loading position, and practise the motions again, or he will apply the safety catch and order arms, according to the orders of the instructor.
Section 30.—Firing in the Open.
1. The need for avoiding unnecessary movements in assuming the various firing positions in loading and aiming will have been impressed upon recruits during their instruction in the firing positions and loading. Recruits must be taught that it is especially important to avoid these unnecessary movements when firing in the open [Sec. 72, para. 3 (iii)]. In firing in the open, the head should be lowered in the intervals of firing, but the ground in front must be watched by selected observers ([Fig. 28]).
2. Positions in the Open.—Besides avoiding movements betraying their position, recruits will be taught to select positions in the open so as to avoid as far as possible backgrounds which increase their visibility [Sec. 72, para. 4 (ii)]. They will be taught, as part of their instruction in visual training, to note the effect of different backgrounds upon the visibility of service targets. They will learn that concealment may be possible even in the open without cover, for troops at longer ranges when not in movement may be invisible to the naked eye. Individual men, when motionless in the open, may also be invisible to the naked eye within close range.