INTRODUCTORY NOTES
LESSON 68 – DISMOUNTED ACTION AND CEASE FIRING
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES
Aim
1. To teach the personnel of the section to come into action and cease firing.
2. To teach the soldier the machine gun field signals.
Class and instructors
3. Squads under squad instructors, assembled in single rank on a flank between the two carriers and the section position.
Periods
4. One 45-minute period.
Stores
5. Section drill stores, ie, two carriers complete with guns, tripod, condenser cans and tubes, dial sights, spare parts cases, six liners per gun, spare parts box, aiming post. Belts with drill cartridges, and two gun flags.
Preparation
6. The two carriers will be drawn up side by side and about 15 yards apart. The spare parts box will be laid out in between the two carriers, representing its position on the section commander’s carrier.
Gun stores should be loaded on the carriers, and the gun flags planted about 15 yards apart and 15 yards in front of the carriers. If wet, groundsheets should be placed out on the gun positions.
B CONDUCT OF LESSON
Preliminaries
7. Safety precautions.
Approach
8. Give the aim of the lesson (see paras 1 and 2 above).
Field signals
9. Demonstrate the following field signals to the squad:-
| (a) Senior NCO | Right arm at angle of 45 degrees from the side. |  |
| (b) All NCOs to report | (a) above repeated several times | |
| (c) More ammunition required | Right arm extended horizontally |  |
| (d) Carriers to come forward | Right arm at angle of 45 degrees from the side and left arm extended horizontally to the right of the body |  |
| (e) Water required | Right arm at angle of 45 degrees above the horizontal and left arm extended horizontally to the left of the body |  |
| (f) Action | Both arms fully extended raised from the side to a position level with the shoulders and lowered again – repeated several times rapidly |  |
| (g) Cease firing | Arm swung in circular motion in front of the body |  |
| (h) Prepare to fire | Hand raised above the shoulder |  |
| (j) Fire | Hand cut away to the side |  |
| (k) Stop | Arm waved horizontally across the body |  |
10. Practise the squad in recognizing the signals.
“Dismounted action”
11. Tell the squad that the position of the carriers represent the section RV, where the section will be met by the section commander’s driver who will order “Dismounted action” and direct the Nos. 1 up to the section commander, represented by the instructor.
12. Detail two gun teams and drivers and a section commander’s driver, order “Fall in” and “Mount” The section commander’s driver will fall in in front of the instructor, who should stand midway between the gun positions.
13. Explain that on the order “Dismounted action,” the gun teams will act as in Lesson 50.
14. Tell the section commander’s driver to order “Dismounted action” As the Nos. 1 arrive on the position, the section commander should indicate the gun positions and the direction in which the guns are to point.
15. When the guns are in action with two liners each as in Lesson 50, explain that the drivers of the gun carriers will remove all necessary stores and ammunition from the carrier and double forward with them to convenient positions for the Nos. 3. Six liners per gun will always be removed from the carriers unless otherwise ordered. When the drivers have brought up the remainder of the ammunition, the No. 3 of the odd sub-sections (No. 1, No. 3 or No. 5 gun) will carry forward the spare parts box to his position. The Nos. 3 will then take up positions in the rear and to the outer flanks of the positions, keeping two liners with them, the Nos. 3 of the odd sub-section also having the aiming post.
16. Order the drivers and Nos. 3 to carry on.
17. State that the section commander’s driver should now lead the vehicles back to the vehicle positions, where they would camouflage them and then take up a position to watch for signals from the section area.
This will not be necessary in section drill.
“Cease firing”
18. Tell the squad that when the section commander receives the order to cease firing, he will signal for the carriers to come forward and then order “Cease firing”
19. Explain that all numbers will act as in Lesson 50. In addition the respective Nos. 3 will replace the spare parts box and assist the drivers in reloading any unused ammunition.
The drivers will bring forward their vehicles, double to the gun position and bring back any ammunition left by their Nos. 3.
20. Order “Cease firing”
Practice
21. Practise the squad in “Dismounted action” and “Cease firing” If there are any surplus members of the squad, they should be detailed to watch and be prepared to criticize each gun team.
Discuss with the squad after each practice.
Conclusion
22. Questions to and from the squad.
23. Further practice if required.
24. Sum up main points.
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES
Aim
1. To practise the section in coming into a hull-down position.
Class and instructors
2. Squads under squad instructors, assembled in single rank on the flank between the two carriers and the section position.
Carrier drivers are required for this lesson.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period.
Stores
4. Two carriers complete with section drill stores.
Preparation
5. The instructor must select:-
(a) A target.
(b) The two carrier positions.
(c) The position of the enemy.
(d) The section RV.
6. Gun flags should be placed out to indicate the approximate gun position.
Approach
7. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above). State that no new teachings or drill are taught in this lesson. The lesson is intended to follow from Lesson 65 by practising with two carriers forming a section.
Revision
8. Revise, by question and answer, the drill for occupying a hull-down position (see Lesson 65).
Carrier action
9. Paint a simple tactical picture.
Detail two gun teams and a section commander’s driver.
10. Order “Fall in” and “Mount” Send the section back to the section RV, ordering them to prepare for carrier action.
11. Despatch the section commander’s driver back to the section RV to send the Nos. 1 up on foot.
12. The section should now occupy the position.
13. Fall out the gun teams and discuss the occupation.
Conclusion
14. Questions from the squad.
15. Further practice if time allows.
16. Sum up main points.
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES
Aim
1. To practise the section in coming into action and engaging targets.
Class and instructors
2. Squads under squad instructors, assembled in single rank on the flank between the two carriers and the section position.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period.
Stores
4. Two carriers complete with section drill stores. If no natural landscape available, landscape targets can be used, preferably one for each gun.
Preparation
5. The two carriers will be drawn up side by side and about 15 yards apart. The spare parts box will be laid out in between the two carriers, representing its position on the section commander’s carrier. Gun stores should be loaded on the carriers, and the gun flags planted about 15 yards apart, and 15 yards in front of the carriers. If landscapre targets are being used they should be placed just in front of the gun flags.
B CONDUCT OF LESSON
Preliminaries
6. Safety precautions.
Approach
7. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above). Explain that this lesson consists of practice in the whole operation of coming into action and engaging a target. It is, in fact, a combination of Lessons 70 and 55.
Fire discipline
8. Detail two gun teams and drivers and a section commander’s driver; order “Fall in” and “Mount”
9. Exercise the section in “Dismounted action.”
10. Leave the Nos. 1 and 2 at the guns and order the remainder to join the spectators.
11. Organize the arc of fire. The instructor should take post as the section commander on the left of the guns.
12. Split the spectators into two groups, one behind each gun. Order the spectators to watch, and be prepared to criticize the actions of the Nos. 1 and 2 and to check aims.
13. Engage one or two targets. Discuss the actions of Nos. 1 and 2.
14. Exercise the section in “Cease firing.”
15. Practise the squad in coming into action and engaging all types of target, including allowances for side winds.
16. When a satisfactory standard has been reached, exercise the section with the section commander on the right of the guns. Signals should then be passed on by a No. 3 acting as a connecting link.
Conclusion
17. Questions from the squad.
18. Sum up main points.
LESSON 71 – REPLACEMENT OF BREAKAGES
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES
Aim
1. To teach the gun teams the drill for replacing parts that are broken.
Class and instructors
2. Squads under squad instructors, assembled in single rank on the flank between the two carriers and the section position.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period.
Stores
4. Two carriers complete with section drill stores.
If no natural landscape is available, landscape targets can be use, preferably one for each gun.
Preparation
5. The two carriers will be drawn up side by side and about 15 yards apart. The spare parts box will be laid out in between the two carriers representing its position on the section commander’s carrier. Gun stores should be loaded on the carriers and the gun flags planter about 15 yards apart 15 yards in front of the carriers. If landscape targets are being used they should be placed just in front of the gun flags.
B CONDUCT OF LESSON
Prelimaries
6. Safety precautions.
Approach
7. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above).
8. Detail two gun teams and a section commander’s driver, order “Fall in”, “Mount,” “Dismounted action”
9. Engage a target, order “Rest” and move the squad to one gun.
Replacement of breakages
10. Explain the system of replacing breakages:-
(a) Where the spare part required is carried in the spare parts case. The No. 2 replaces the broken part from the spare parts case. If the lock is broken, he calls up the No. 3 and hands it together with the wallet to him. The No. 3 carries out the necessary repair and returns the lock and wallet to the No. 2.
(b) Where the spare part required is not in the spare parts case. The No. 2 calls for the spare part from the spare parts box. The No. 3 takes the spare part from the box and gives it to the No. 2.
11. State that:-
(a) All broken parts must be retained in the spare parts box for examination.
(b) The No. 1 is responsible for seeing that the correct supply of spare parts is maintained.
(c) As spare parts are used up from the spare parts case, they must be replaced from the spare parts box.
12. Practise the squad in replacing breakages. The instructor can do this by engaging a target and exercising the No. 1 in stoppages caused by breakages.
Example:-4th position, 2nd phase, caused by a broken firing pin. Special stoppage caused by a broken feedblock.
Conclusion
13. Questions to and from the squad.
14. Sum up main points.
LESSON 72 – OBSCURATION OF THE TARGET
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES
Aim
1. To teach the section the arrangements necessary to enable it to continue engaging a target which is likely to become obscured.
Class and instructors
2. Squads under squad instructors, assembled in single rank on the flank between the two carriers and the section position.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period.
Stores
4. Section drill stores, ie, two carriers complete with guns, tripods, condenser cans and tubes, dial sights, spare parts case, six liners per gun, spare parts box, aiming post, belts with drill cartridges, two gun flags. If no natural landscape available, landscape targets can be used, preferably one for each gun.
Preparation
5. The two carriers will be drawn up side by side and about 15 yards apart. The spare parts box will be laid out in between the two carriers, representing its position on the section commander’s carrier. Gun stores should be loaded on the carriers, and the gun flags planted about 15 yards apart, 15 yards in front of the carriers. If wet groundsheets should be placed out on the gun positions. If landscape targets are used they should be placed just in front of the gun flags.
B CONDUCT OF LESSON
Preliminaries
6. Safety precautions.
7. Detail two gun teams and drivers, and a section commander’s driver. Order “Fall in,” “Mount” and “Dismounted action” Engage a target. Order “Rest” and order the drivers to join the spectators.
Revision
8. Revise Lesson 42 by question and answer.
Approach
9. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above). Tell the squad that there are two drills required, one when the obscuration is likely to be of short duration (eg, temporary smoke screen), and one when the obscuration is likely to last some time (eg, fog rising or prolonged artillery concentration on the target).
Temporary obscuration
10. State that, when the target is likely to be obscured for a short time, the section commander will order “Stop” and “Pick up aiming mark”
11. Explain that on that order the No. 1 will:-
(a) Re-lay on the target.
(b) Lower the tangent sight.
(c) Record the QE.
(d) Pick up an aiming mark with the lensatic sight. Any clearly defined object at a short range from the gun will do.
12. Order “Position” “Fire” and practise the Nos. 1.
13. Explain that the No. 2 will:-
(a) Set the tripod dial at zero.
(b) Note the aiming mark.
(c) Note the reading on the angle of sight drum.
14. Practise the Nos. 2.
15. Explain that when the target can again be seen, the section commander will order “Stop” “Remove dial sights” The Nos. 1 will do as ordered, and the section commander will then give the necessary orders to continue firing by direct means.
16. Practise the squad in temporary obscuration.
Prolonged obscuration
17. State that when the target is likely to be obscured for a long time and provided sufficient warning is obtained, the section commander will order:-
“Stop,” “Unload,” “Clear gun,” “Out aiming post”
18. Explain that on the order “Out aiming post”:-
(a) The No. 1 will close the rear cover, place on the dial sight, record the QE and align the lensatic sight on the aiming post.
(b) The No. 2 will set the tripod dial at zero and note the angle of sight.
(c) The No. 3 of the odd sub-section will put out the aiming post centrally about 15 yards in front of the guns.
19. Order “Go-on” and then “Stop,” Unload,” “Clear guns,” “Out aiming post” When the Nos. 1 have aligned their lensatic sights order “Load” and “Go-on”
20. Explain that when the target can again be seen, the Nos. 1 will act on the section commander’s orders as in para 15. When the aiming post is in used it will be left out in front of the guns until “Cease firing” is ordered, when “Clear gun” will be ordered before “Cease firing”
21. Order “Stop”-“Remove dial sights”
Conclusion
22. Practise the squad in prolonged obscuration.
23. Questions to and from the squad.
24. Sum up main points.
LESSON 73 – CHANGING FROM DIRECT FIRE TO NIGHT FIRING AND VICE VERSA
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES
Aim
1. To teach the section the preparations required to enable the guns to continue engaging a target by night.
2. To teach the section how to change back to direct fire at daylight.
Class and instructors
3. Squads under squad instructors, assembled on one flank of the gun position.
Periods
4. One 45-minute period.
Stores
5. Two carriers complete with section drill stores, aiming lamp and three hand lamps.
Preparation
6. Stores and carriers laid out for section drill. Aiming lamp and hand lamps with the stores representing the section commander’s carrier.
B CONDUCT OF LESSON
Preliminaries
7. Safety precautions.
Approach
8. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above).
9. Detail a section and get it into action. State that it will soon be getting dark and the section is required to engage a target during the night.
Changing to night firing
10. State that the section commander will lay the guns on the target and send back No. 3 of the odd sub-section to bring up the night firing stores. Send the no. 3 to fetch the aiming lamp and three hand lamps.
11. Tell the squad that the section commander will then order “Prepare for night firing”
Explain that on that order, the No. 1 will lower the tangent sight and record the QE. The No. 2 will zero the tripod dial. The No. 3 of the odd sub-section will hand one lamp to the section commander and one to the other No. 3. Both Nos. 3 will then take post on the left of their guns ready to assist their Nos. 1.
12. Order “Prepare for night firing”
13. Order “Unload,” “Clear gun”
14. Explain that the section commander will order “Out aiming lamp” and on that order:-
(a) Nos. 1 will close the rear cover.
(b) No. 3 of the odd sub-section will put out the aiming post, place on the lamp, secure the box, attach the line to the switch and bring the reel back to the section commander.
(c) Nos. 1 will then align their lensatic sights on the aiming lamp.
15. Order “Out aiming lamp”
16. Tell the squad that the guns are now laid to engage the target by night and that, at the appropriate time, the section commander will order “Load” and “Fire”
Return to direct fire
17. Explain that when day breaks, the section commander will order:-
“Prepare for direct fire,” “Unload,” “Clear guns,” “Remove dial sights,” “In aiming lamp”
The Nos. 1 will unload, clear guns and zero and remove dial sights. The No. 3 of the odd sub-section will bring in the aiming lamp and re-wind the line and replace it in the box, and collect the hand lamps. When an opporunity arises, he will return the night firing stores to the carrier.
18. Practise the squad in changing over to night firing and back to direct fire.
Conclusion
19. Questions to and from the squad.
20. Sum up main points.
LESSON 74 – RELIEF OF GUNS BY NIGHT
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES
Aim
1. To teach the method of relieving a section in action by night.
Class and instructors
2. Squads under squad instructors.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period. This Lesson is bext taught initially in daylight. Later, the practice should be given in darkness.
Stores
4. Two guns, tripods, dial sights, condenser cans and tubes, aiming post and aiming lamp. Two hand lamps, eight liners and one set of night line pegs.
Preparation
5. One gun will be in position, dial attached and laid on its fixed line, lensatic sight adjusted on the aiming lamp, by means of the deflection drums. The other set of guns stores should be laid out a few yards in the rear.
B CONDUCT OF LESSON
Preliminaries
6. Safety precautions.
Approach
7. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above). Tell the squad that on occasion a section which is in action may be relieved by another section. Such relief will normally take place at night, when guns are laid on fixed lines. The relief of each gun is carried out separately to ensure that one gun is always in action. The section commander will indicate which gun is to be relieved first, but the actual relief of the gun is the responsibility of the Nos. 1 as the section commanders will be occupied in handling and taking over stores, information and orders.
8. State that, in this lesson, the relief of one gun only will be considered. The relief of the other gun would take exactly the same form.
Relief of guns
9. Detail a No. 1, 2 and 3 for each gun. Explain, using the members of the squad.
10. The No. 1 of the outgoing gun will check to make sure he is on his fixed line. The angle on the deflection drums and the QE will be noted by the No. 1 of the incoming gun, who will set his dial sight accordingly.
11. The No. 3 of the outgoing gun will remove the ammunition and condenser can to a flank.
12. The No. 1 of the outgoing gun will take off his dial sight and, with the aid of the No. 2, remove the gun and crosshead from the tripod, taking care not to disturb the tripod.
The No. 1 then places a gun peg and collar under the tripod so that the cross on the collar coinsides with the cross-wires at the bottom of the tripod. The No. 3 will assist by shining a shaded lamp on the collar. If the tripod has no cross-wires, the ribs inside the socket must be used as a guide.
The No. 1 of the outgoing gun will then remove his tripod without disturbing the gun peg and collar.
13. The No. 1 of the incoming gun will remove the crosshead and mount the tripod accurately over the collar. He will then stamp in the legs and ensure that the crosswires coincide with the cross on the collar. He will replace the cross-head and tighten the traversing clamp. The Nos. 2 and 3 will mount the gun and bring up the gun stores.
14. The No. 1 of the incoming gun will put on his dial sight, checking that it registers the correct reading, and tap the gun until the lensatic sight is aligned on the aiming lamp. The gun is now laid for direction. When the bubble is levelled it will be laid for elevation. He will then half load and press the thumbpiece.
15. When both guns of the section are laid for elevation and direction, the aiming lamp will be removed. The relieving section will then put out its own aiming lamp. The Nos. 1 will then align their lensatic sights on the aiming lamp using the deflection drums and taking care not to disturb the guns. The andle of switch and the QE will be noted on a piece of paer to be kept in the dial sight boxes.
16. Practise the squad in reliefs by night, one gun relieving the other. The instructor can test the accuracy of relief by checking the laying of the gun with the tangent sight.
Conclusion
17. Questions to and from the squad.
18. Sum up main points.
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