Fig. 32.—Firing from Fold of Ground—Unnecessary Exposure.
Fig. 33.—Firing from Fold of Ground—Correct Method.
Fig. 34.—Firing over Continuous Cover.
Waiting to Fire. Centre, correct position; right and left, incorrect positions—unnecessary exposure.
(ii) Adapting Firing Positions to Different Forms of Cover.—The following notes and illustrations lay down general rules as to the correct method of adapting the different firing positions to various forms of cover commonly found in the field.
(iii) Isolated Cover.—Figs. 29 and 30 illustrate the correct and incorrect methods of using isolated cover. [Fig. 29] shows the minimum exposure, the whole body being protected by cover. [Fig. 30] shows unnecessary exposure of the head and body, and also of the legs, owing to the extreme oblique angle of the body to the line of fire. As a rule isolated cover should be avoided even if it affords protection from fire, as in the case of occasional rocks or small mounds of earth, especially at close ranges, because men, if seen occupying such cover, can easily be marked down by the enemy, and hit on leaving it. Rocks may also be dangerous, owing to the risk of injury from splinters.
(iv) Continuous Cover—(a) Ridges and Folds of Ground.—Figs. 31, 32, and 33 show correct and incorrect methods of using ridges and folds of ground as cover. These features commonly provide good cover, especially the latter, which may be difficult to recognize from a distance. If properly used, they may afford concealment and protection from the enemy’s fire, for which as a rule they do not offer well-defined targets. For instance, the fold of ground in [Fig. 33] would be invisible if it were not indicated by the men’s heads.
(b) Low Cover.—Figs. 34 to 38 show the correct and incorrect methods of using low cover. Figs. 39 to 42 show correct and incorrect methods of using higher forms of continuous cover, such as stone and brick walls, banks, etc. As a rule these forms of cover, whether consisting of hedges, with or without ditches, banks, or walls, have the disadvantage of offering well-defined targets to the enemy’s fire and may, in addition, obstruct the advance of troops occupying them. Stone and brick cover, in addition, involves the risk of injury through splinters or demolition if subject to artillery fire.