(a) In collective firing no man will fire until he clearly recognizes the target described by his commander, or without selecting a definite target in individual firing.
(b) In collective firing every man will press his trigger independently. Bursts of independent fire are more effective than volleys.
(c) As a rule fire should be delivered deliberately, but each man must always satisfy himself that every time he presses the trigger he will hit the object aimed at.
(d) If rapid fire is ordered, every man will fire at his own best rate for combining rapidity with accuracy.
(e) Each man will take care to pass orders carefully and accurately.
(f) Each man will make the best use of ground and cover, primarily to increase fire effect, and secondarily for concealment and protection. He must remember that the most important requirement, when firing from behind cover, is the ability of a man to use his rifle to the best advantage, and that his eyes must be kept on the enemy between shots to avoid losing sight of targets.
(g) Each man must watch the front and remain alert and attentive while awaiting orders. He must open fire smartly when ordered to do so on such fleeting targets as troops in movement, and continue firing, unless otherwise ordered, while they present a favourable target during movement.
(h) He must, when employing individual fire on the defensive, especially at shorter ranges, mark down troops by noting their position on the ground or behind cover, and open fire the moment they expose themselves or rise up to advance.
4. Working in Pairs.—Combined action is always more likely to be successful than isolated effort, and so long as control is possible the individual man must watch his leader and do his best to carry out his intentions. When, however, the section is under heavy fire, section commanders cannot always exercise direct control, and in these circumstances men should endeavour to work in pairs, indicating targets and estimating the range for each other, firing steadily, observing the results of each other’s fire, and husbanding their ammunition.
5. Ammunition.—If incapacitated from advancing, the soldier’s first duty is to place his ammunition in a conspicuous place, ready to be picked up by other men, and all ranks must seize opportunities that offer for replenishing their ammunition in this manner.