Folds and ridges of ground could then be indicated in the manner of the following examples: At 900—at fold of ground—centre tree—six o’clock—one-finger. This would mean that fire will be directed at a fold of ground one finger-breadth directly below the centre tree. Another example of this method is: At 800—at ridge—left tree—right—three o’clock—one finger.
10. Instruction in Description of Targets.—Training in description of targets should be carried out under practical conditions, according to the rules laid down in the preceding paragraphs. Training should be carried out on as great a variety of ground as possible under all conditions of light and atmosphere and at all ranges beyond close range. Instruction in the description as well as recognition of targets will form part of the field training, as well as of the advanced musketry training of both fire-unit commanders and men.
11. In commencing an exercise, a front should always be pointed out. At first the aiming-points to be described should be simple, and should consist of targets easily indicated with the aid of description-points alone. Subsequently more difficult targets may be indicated, which will necessitate the employment of either the finger-breadth or clock-face methods of description.
12. Fire-unit commanders may be trained in classes with a number of rifles on aiming-rests in the following manner: The instructor will indicate various aiming-points in different parts of a sector of ground to each member of the class in turn, not verbally, but by aiming a rifle at it, while the class are turned about, with their backs to the instructor. The instructor will next move his rifle from aim at the target and order the class to turn about, when the fire-unit commander will describe the target in his own words, using description-points alone, or combining their use with the finger-breadth or clock-face methods, as may, in his opinion, be necessary. The class will then aim their rifles at the target which they recognize from his description. If they do not recognize any target from his description, they will not aim their rifles.
13. The instructor will next note the target at which each rifle has been aimed, and criticize faults both of description and recognition, pointing out those which caused errors or confusion. Absolute accuracy of aim must be insisted upon, and faults in aiming at targets correctly recognized must be pointed out.
14. Indication of Targets in Strange Country.—As the nature of the ground and its features will vary greatly in different kinds of country, fire-unit commanders and men should be trained in the description and recognition of targets, both before and during military operations in unfamiliar country.
15. Standard of Indication.—A very low standard of indication is one which results in four out of every five in the class recognizing the target from the description given, for it must be remembered that the class will consist of men who should have been thoroughly trained in military vocabulary and study of ground before they commence their instruction in recognition of targets. Fire-unit commanders, therefore, will not be considered efficient in indicating targets until all the members of a class are able with ease to recognize a variety of targets described by him.
16. Instruction in Recognition of Targets.—Instruction in recognition of targets may be carried out on the same method as training in description of targets, the targets being described verbally by the instructor, or by an efficient fire-unit commander. Men aiming at wrong targets, or not aiming because they have failed to recognize the target, will be asked to explain their difficulty, and the instructor must try in each case to explain the cause of errors or failure to recognize targets, with a view to helping men to overcome it. Men will be trained to recognize targets by description-points alone, as well as in combination with the finger-breadth and clock-face methods.
17. Instruction on Miniature Ranges.—Training in description and recognition of targets can be carried out on miniature ranges, as described in Sec. 72, para. 8 (ii).