Organization
1. In indirect fire, the fire of four guns is required in order to engage targets effectively. Two of the machine gun sections of the machine gun platoon therefore work together as the machine gun group under an officer or NCO of the machine gun platoon who is referred to as the group commander.
Class and instructors
2. In all indirect fire lessons, three instructors are required to teach and supervise the actions of the gun numbers. One will act as instructor and group commander. The other two will act as senior and junior section commanders and will also assist in supervising the work of the gun numbers.
3. The instructor should normally stand at least 20 yards in front of the guns. Both he and the senior section commander should use megaphones.
Senior and junior section commander
4. Throughout this chapter, duties are allotted specifically to the senior and junior section commanders. The senior section commander will be in charge of the gun line and is responsible for transmitting hte orders of the group commander to the guns. The junior section commander will generally assist in supervising the gun line and transmit the signals of the senior section commander to the guns.
5. At the beginning of each drill, the section commanders will fall in in front of the centre of the gun line facing the instructor. The instructor will then give the following information to them:-
(a) The direction in which the guns are to be mounted.
(b) The number of liners to be off-loaded.
(c) The vehicle position.
The senior section commander will then double to a position in the centre of the gun line and extend his right arm in the direction in which the guns are to point. The junior section commander will signal up the carriers. As they arrive, he will direct them to their respective gun flags and pass on the information in (b) and (c) above. He should not allow the carriers to halt while passing on this information.
6. When the guns are in action the section commanders will take post on the flanks of the gun line and kneel on one knee – senior section commander on the flank of No. 1 gun, junior section commander on the flank of No. 4 gun.
7. Section commanders will acknowledge all orders by raising their hands. If a repetition is required they will keep their hands raised. The senior section commander will repeat back all orders to the group commander.
8. Before each gun drill, the gun line will be prepared as follows:-
(a) Gun positions marked:-
No. 1 gun … … … … Red flag
No. 2 gun … … … … White flag
No. 3 gun … … … … Blue flag
No. 4 gun … … … … Yellow flag
These flags will be 15 yards apart laterally and will be staggered. No. 1 gun will always be on the right.
(b) The four gun carriers to be used will be formed up about 100 yards to the flank and rear of the position.
(c) A vehicle position will be selected in rear of the position.
Practice
9. As proficiency is obtained, the drills should be practised making use of cover. Particular attention should be paid to avoid the exposure of personnel and vehicles on the crest line.
LESSON 75 – “MOUNT GUN” AND “CEASE FIRING”
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTESAim
1. To teach the drill for coming into action in indirect fire and cease firing.
Class and instructors
2. Three instructors and a squad of at least 12 and preferably not more than 24. Carrier drivers will be required. The squad should be assembled in two ranks in front of the gun line.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period.
Stores
4. Four carriers complete with drill stores, four gun flags and two megaphones.
Preparation
5. See Introductory Notes.
B CONDUCT OF LESSONPreliminaries
6. Safety precautions
Approach
7. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above). Explain paras 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8 of the Introductory Notes.
“Mount gun”
8. Detail four gun teams and order “Fall-in” and “Mount” Send the spectators to one flank of the gun line.
9. Issue orders to section commanders. When the carriers arrive behind their gun flags, order the gun teams to remain still.
10. State that when the carriers arrive at the gun flags, the Nos. 1 will dismount, sling the dial sight box over their right shoulders and double forward to their gun flags with the tripods. They will mount the tripods over the gun flags and with the exception of No. 1 of No. 1 gun, stamp the legs in. When the guns are mounted, they will place on their dial sights.
11. Order the Nos. 1 to carry on.
12. State that the Nos. 2 and 3 will act as in section drill. The Nos. 3 of Nos. 1 and 3 guns have the additional duty of planting the aiming posts centrally between 1 and 2 guns and 3 and 4 guns.
13. Order the Nos. 2 and 3 to carry on.
14. Tell the squad that the drivers assist in off-loading the ammunition as in section drill. When their carriers are unloaded they drive off to the vehicle position ordered.
15. Order the drivers to carry on.
16. Order “Stand Clear” and fall in the squad in the centre of the gun line.
“Cease firing”
17. Explain that when the senior section commander receives “Cease firing” from the group commander, he will acknowledge it. He will then signal the carriers forward. The drivers will bring their carriers to a position in rear of their respective guns.
18. Detail fresh gun teams and order “Fall-in,” “Take post” and “Load”
19. Signal “Cease firing”
20. State that as the carriers are on the way up, the senior section commander will order:-“Unload,” “Clear Guns,” “Remove dial sights”
The Nos. 1 will act as in gun drill, reporting their guns clear in order. Tell the senior section commander to carry on.
21. Explain that as soon as the senior section commander sees that all dial-sights are in their boxes, he will order “Cease firing” All gun numbers will then act as in section drill. The Nos. 3 will collect their aiming posts and the section commanders will collect the gun flags and zero posts.
22. Tell the senior section commander to order “Cease firing”
23. Practise the squad in “Mount gun” and “Cease firing.”
Conclusion
24. Questions to and from the squad.
25. Further practice to increase speed.
26. Sum up main points.
A INSTRUCTOR’s NOTESAim
1. To teach the drill of putting the guns on parallel lines for indirect fire.
Class and instructors
2. Three instructors and a squad of at least 12 and preferably not more than 24. Carrier drivers will be required. The squad should be assembled in two ranks in front of the gun line.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period.
Stores
4. Four carriers complete with drill sotres, four gun flags, two megaphones, and two zero posts.
Preparation
5. See Introductory Notes. The two zero posts will be planted in line with No. 1 gun flag.
B CONDUCT OF LESSONPreliminaries
6. Safety precautions.
Revision
7. Revise by question and answer Lesson 40.
Approach
8. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above). State that in indirect fire the lines of fire of the four guns are made and kept parallel. The group commander can thus give one switch for the four guns instead of separate switches for each gun.
9. Detail four gun teams, order “Fall-in” and “Mount” Bring the guns into action and then fall out all except Nos. 1 and 2 of No. 1 gun. Assemble the squad in the rear of No. 1 gun.
Placing No. 1 gun on its zero line
10. State that when the guns are mounted, Nos. 1 will esnure that the dial and deflection drums of the dial sight are at zero and the lensatic sight locked.
11. Explain that directly No. 1 gun is mounted, the No. 1 and 2 will align the gun on the zero posts as Lesson 38. They will then stamp in the tripod and recheck the line of sight. No. 1 gun is now said to be on its zero line.
12. Practise the No. 1 and 2 in aligning the lensatic sight on the zero posts.
Paralleling
13. Explain that the senior section commander will check that No. 1 gun is correctly aligned and then lay the lensatic sight, by means of the deflection drums, on the lensatic sight of each gun in turn, starting with No. 4 gun. The angles to each gun will be read from the front pointer of the dial sight and will be ordered to each gun in turn in the following manner. The senior section commander will order “Zero lines”:-
| “No. 4 left | … degrees | … minutes” |
| “No. 3 left | … degrees | … minutes” |
| “No. 2 left | … degrees | … minutes” |
14. Order the gun teams to “Fall in” and “Take post” The senior section commander will then measure and call out the angles. Tell the squad that when the angle for their gun is called out, the Nos. 1 and 2 will act as in Lesson 40.
The junior section commander will acknowledge each andle in turn and move to each gun, checking and supervising the placing on of the switches.
Checking for parallelism
15. Explain:-
When all the guns are laid, the junior section commander will check for parallelism. Beginning with No. 1 gun, he will double down the gun line, kneeling behind each gun about 15 yards in rear and glancing along the barrel casing. He should then notice is any gun is not on parallel lines. Should any gun appear not to be parallel, he will report “No. … gun not on parallel lines.” If all guns are parallel he will take post on the flank of No. 4 gun.
16. Tell the junior section commander to check for parallelism.
17. When the senior section commander has given out the angle for no. 2 gun, he will return all drums to zero and check that the line of sight of No. 1 gun is still on the zero posts.
18. The No. 1 of No. 1 gun will unlock and adjust his lensatic sight onto the aiming post. No. 2 will zero the tripod dial.
Reporting on zero lineS
19. State that the senior section commander will now report “Guns on zero lines to the group commander. On this order, No. 3 of No. 1 gun will double out and bring in the zero posts, placing them near No. 1 gun.
20. Tell the senior section commander to report on zero lines.
21. Questions from the squad.
22. Order “Load,” followed by “Cease firing”
23. Prepare the gun position again and practise coming into action and paralleling.
Conclusion
24. Questions to and from the squad.
25. Sum up main points and progress made.
LESSON 77 – OBTAINING DIRECTION AND ELEVATION
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTESAim
1. To teach the drill of placing direction and elevations on the guns in indirect fire.
2. To teach the drill for ensuring that guns will clear the crest.
Class and instructors
3. Three instructors and a squad of at least 12 and preferably not more than 24. Carrier drivers will be required. The squad should be assembled in two ranks in front of the gun line.
Periods
4. One 45-minute period.
Stores
5. Four carriers complete with drill stores, two zero posts, four gun flags and two megaphones.
Preparation
6. See Introductory Notes. The two zero posts will be planted in line with No. 1 gun flag.
B CONDUCT OF LESSONPreliminaries
7. Safety precautions.
Revision
8. Revise by question and answer Lessons 41 and 57.
Approach
9. Give the aim of the lesson (see paras 1 and 2 above).
10. Detail four gun teams, order “Fall in” and “Mount” Bring the group into action and parallel the guns.
11. Order Nos. 3 and drivers to join the spectators and split up spectators behind each ugn.
Obtaining direction
12. State that direction will be ordered in the following manner:- “All … … degrees … … minutes right (or left) of zero” THe Nos. 1 will act as in Lesson 57.
13. Order a switch right or left of zero.
Obtaining elevation
14. Tell the squad that elevation will be given out in the following manner:- “All … … hundred (or fifty) plus (or minus) … … degress … … minutes” Or more rarely: “Nos. 1 and 2 guns – hundred (or fifty) plus (or minus) … … degrees … … minutes” “Nos. 3 and 4 guns – hundred (or fifty) plus (or minus) … … degrees … … minutes” Nos. 1 will act as in Lesson 41.
15. Order a suitable elevation.
Checking crest clearance
16. State that it is the duty of the senior section commander to ensure that Nos. 1 check for crest clearance.
The senior section commander estimates the range to the crest and adds 200 yards. Using this range, when the guns have been laid for elevation the senior section commander will order:-
“Check for crest clearance with sights at … …”
The Nos. 1 will then set their tangent sights at the range ordered and see if the line of sight through the backsight and foresight clears the crest. If it does not, they will report to the senior section commander:-
“No … … gun does not clear crest”
The senior section commander will then report to the group commander:-
“Guns ready to load”
He will also report is any gun will not clear the crest.
17. Senior section commander should now of the checking of crest clearance.
18. Order “Load”
19. Order “Cease firing” and then practise the squad in coming into action, paralleling, obtaining direction and elevation, and checking crest clearance.
Conclusion
20. Questions from the squad.
21. Sum up main points and discuss progress made.
LESSON 78 – APPLICATION OF INDIRECT FIRE ORDERS
A INSTRUCTOR’s NOTESAim
1. To teach the squad how to apply the method of fire and to teach the method of reporting “On”
2. To practise the squad in controlled correction (indirect).
Class and instructors
3. Three instructors and a squad of at least 12 and preferably not more than 24. Carrier drivers will be required. The squad should be assembled in two ranks in front of the gun line.
Periods
4. One 45-minute period.
Stores
5. Four carriers complete with drill stores, two zero posts, four gun flags and two megaphones.
Preparation
6. See Introductory Notes. The two zero posts will be planted in line with No. 1 gun flag.
B CONDUCT OF LESSONPreliminaries
7. Safety precautions.
Approach
8. Give the aim of the lesson (see paras 1 and 2 above).
9. Detail four gun teams, order “Fall in” and “Mount”
10. Bring the guns into action. When the guns have been paralleled order the Nos. 3 and drivers to join the spectators and split up the spectators behind the four guns.
11. Give a switch and elevation and order “Load”
Taps
12. State that in indirect fire, the number of taps to be employed will be ordered by the group commander. It will never be more than four or less than one. The guns will tap as they do by sections, ie, No. 1 and 3 guns tap first to the right, No.2 and No. 4 guns tap first to the left.
13. Tell the squad that on the command “Right and left … taps,” Nos. 1 will report “On” Nos. 2 and the junior section commander will indicate that the guns are ready to fire by raising their hands. Similarly, when the guns have reported “On,” the senior section commander will indicate the fact to the group commander by raising his hand.
14. State that on the order or signal “Fire” the section commanders will lower their hands. Taking their time from the junior section commander, the Nos. 2 will shout “Fire” and lower their hands. On the order or signal “Stop” this will be repeated by section commanders and Nos. 2.
15. Exercise the squad in reporting “On,” “Fire” and “Stop”
LESSON 79 – FIRE CONTROL CHARTS
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTESAim
1. To accustom the soldier to the means of controlling a programme shoot by means of a fire control chart.
Class and instructors
2. Three instructors and a squad of at least 12 and preferably not more than 24. Carrier drivers will be required. The squad should be assembled in two ranks in front of the gun line.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period.
Stores
4. Four carriers complete with drill stores, two zero posts, four gun flags and two megaphones. Three prepared fire control charts and three watches.
Preparation
5. See Introductory Notes. The two zero posts will be planted in line with the the No. 1 gun flag. The instructor must prepare three fire control charts for use during the lesson.
B CONDUCT OF LESSONPreliminaries
6. Safety precautions.
Approach
7. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above). Explain that during long programme shoots, it will often be necessary to use fire control charts. When the guns have been paralleled, the group commander will call for section commanders and issue a fire control chart and synchronise watches. These charts contain the necessary data for each section, while that used by the group commander contains the data for all four guns. When using fire control charts, section commanders will supervise the work of their own sections. By night, section commanders will give orders to each gun in turn in order to avoid unnecessary noise.
8. Detail four gun teams, order “Fall In”and “Mount”.
9. Bring the guns into action and have them paralleled.
Fire control charts
10. Order “Prepare for Task I”
Section Commanders should now order:-
“All…….degrees…….minutes right (or left) of zero”
“All…….hundred (or fifty) plus (or minus)…….degrees…….minutes”
The switch and elevation is obtained from the fire control chart. They should then order “Load,” “Right and left taps” and “Rest”. The section commanders report that their sections are ready to fire.
11. At the time laid down on the chart, the group commander orders “Fire.” The rates of fire and lift shown in the fire control chart are controlled by the section commanders.
Conclusion
12. Questions from the squad.
13. Sum up main points and discuss progress made.
LESSON 80 – CHANGING FROM INDIRECT FIRE TO NIGHT FIRING AND VICE VERSA
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTESAim
1. To teach the drill of changing from indirect fire to night firing and for changing back to indirect fire again.
Class and instructors
2. Three instructors and a squad of at least 12 and preferably not more than 24. Carrier drivers will be required. The squad should be assembled in two ranks in front of the gun line.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period.
Stores
4. Four carriers complete with gun stores, four gun flags, two zero posts, two megaphones, two aiming lamps.
Preparation
5. Two zero posts planted in line with No. 1 gun and gun flags in position.
B CONDUCT OF LESSONPreliminaries
6. Safety precautions.
7. Give the aim of the lesson.
8. Detail four gun teams, order “Fall in” and “Mount”
9. Order “Stop”. Split up the spectators, including Nos. 3 and drivers, behind each gun.
Changing to night firing
10. Explain that the change-over will only entail the following duties:-
The Nos. 1 will relay on the aiming post “Unload,” “Clear guns” will be ordered and, after the Nos. 3 have attached the aiming lamp, Nos. 1 will align the lensatic sight on to the lamp.
11. Practice changing over to night firing.
Changing back to indirect fire
12. Explain that to change from night-firing to indirect fire, the Nos. 1 will check their aims on the aiming lamp, “Unload,” “Clear guns,” will be ordered the Nos. 3 will remove the lamps from the aiming posts and the Nos. 1 will then re-align their lensatic sights on to the aiming posts.
13. Practice the squad in changing back to indirect fire.
Conclusion
14. Questions to and from the squad.
15. Further practice as necessary.
16. Sum up main points.
LESSON 81 – COMING INTO ACTION AND CEASE FIRING BY NIGHT
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTESAim
1. To teach the drill of coming into action by night and of cease firing.
Class and instructors
2. Three instructors and a squad of at least 12 and preferably not more than 24. The squad should be assembled in two ranks in the centre of the gun line.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period by day.
Stores
4. Four carriers complete with gun stores, four gun flags, four zero posts, four direction pegs, seven hand lamps, and two aiming lamps.
Preparation
5. See Introductory Notes. One direction peg and one zero post should be plainted in line with each gun flag. Carriers should be drawn up a suitable distance in rear of their respective gun flags.
B CONDUCT OF LESSONPreliminaries
Safety precautions.
Approach
7. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above). Explain that machine gun groups can come into action and engage targets by night if there has been sufficient time in daylight for the group commander to obtain the data required to hit the target and to peg the position.
8. Although this lesson is taught in daylight, noise should be reduced to a minumum and gun numbers should not double.
“Prepare for night firing”
9. State that the loads will be allocated by the section commanders before the group arrives at the point where stores are to be off-loaded.
10. Explain that at the off-loading point, section commanders will order “Prepare for night firing”. Gun teams will then unload the stores as already detailled and sections will fall in, in front of the carrier. Each section commander will check to see that all necessary stores have been off-loaded and then lead his section forward to a position in rear of his gun flags. Each section commander will call up his Nos. 1 and show them their gun flag, the direction of the rear leg of the tripod and the direction of the zero post and direction peg.
11. Section commanders should now order “Prepare for night firing” and act as in para 10 above.
Coming into action
12. Explain that Nos. 1 will order quietly “No. … gun for night firing, mount gun”. On that order, Nos. 1 and 2 will mount their gun over the gun flag. The shoes of the tripod will not be stamped in, and the dial sight will be attached to the gun. Nos. 3, when called up by Nos. 1, will bring all the ammunition up to gun and position themselves on the left of the gun ready to assist the No. 1. In addition, the Nos. 3 of the odd sub-section will bring up the aiming post and lamp. All the Nos. 3 will take over a hand lamp from their Nos. 1.
13. Order the Nos. 1 to get their guns mounted.
14. Order “Stand clear” and fall the squad in in the centre of the gun line.
“Cease firing”
15. State that when the group commander orders “Cease firing”, the section commanders will order:-
“Unload,” “Clear guns,” “Remove dial sights,” “In aiming lamps”
All guns numbers will act as in Lesson 75.
16. Order “Fall in,” “Take post,” and “Load”.
17. Order “Cease firing”.
18. Tell the squad that the section commanders will now order “Cease firing”. The guns will be dismounted and the section commanders will fall in their sections and check stores. The section commander is responsible for the flags, pegs and zero posts. The section will then move back to the carriers, replace stores and mount. Each No. 1 will report for the section commander when his carrier is ready to move off.
19. Tell the section commanders to order “Cease firing”.
Conclusion
20. Questions from the squad.
21. Further practice if necessary.
22. Sum up main points.
LESSON 82 – OBTAINING DIRECTION AND ELEVATION BY NIGHT
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTESAim
1. To teach the method of placting guns on zero lines and of laying them to hit the target by night.
Class and instructors
2. Three instructors and a squad of at least 12 and preferably not more than 24. The squad should be assembled in two ranks in the centre of the gun line.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period by day. Lesson 81 and 82 should be practised as one operation by night when an adequate standard has been reached by day.
Stores
4. Four carriers complete with gun stores, four gun flags, four zero posts, four direction pegs, seven hand lamps and two aiming lamps, three prepared fire control charts.
Preparation
5. See Introductory Notes. One direction peg and one zero post should be planted in line with each gun flag. Carriers should be drawn up a suitable distance in rear of their respective gun flags.
B CONDUCT OF LESSONPreliminaries
6. Safety precautions.
Approach
7. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above).
8. Detail four gun teams, order “Fall in”, and “Mount” and bring the guns into action for night firing.
9. Fall out all expect Nos. 1, 2 and 3 of No. 1 gun and move squad to the read of the gun.
Placing guns on Zero lines
10. State that the zero line for each gun has been pegged in daylight by the group commander.
11. Demonstrate that the section commander will take the No. 3 of the odd sub-section, complete with aiming lamp and post, to the direction peg. He will tell the No. 3 to place the aiming lamp behind the direction peg and switch it on, so that the peg is outlined against the lamp. He will then go back to the gun and order:- “No 1 gun, zero line”
12. On this order, the No. 1 will ensure that the dial and deflection drums are at zero, and the lensatic sight latched. Assisted by the No. 2, he will move the gun until the line of sight through the lensatic sight is aligned on the zero post and aiming lamp. He will then order the legs to be stamped in, re-check the aim and order the No. 2 to zero the tripod dial.
The No. 2 of the even sub-section will assist the No. 1 by shining a hand lamp on to the front of the lensatic sight.
When the No. 1 is satisfied that he has a correct aim, he will report “No. 1 gun, correct,” to the section commander.
13. Tell the squad that the section commander will then repeat the process with his other gun. When both guns are on their zero lines, he will collect the zero posts, and return to his position in between his two guns. The No. 3 of the odd sub-section will plant the aiming post, put on the aiming lamp and unreel the line back to the section commander. When the lamp is switched on, both Nos. 1 will free-wheel their lensatic dights on to it. The Nos. 3 will take up their positions on the left of their guns.
14. Order “Take post” and practice the squad in laying the guns on zero lines.
Direction and elevation
15. State that the direction and elevation are given from fire control charts which are always used at night. Issue the charts and order “Prepare for Task I”. The procedure if now as in Lesson 81.
Conclusion
16. Questions from the squad.
17. Further practice if time allows.
18. Sum up main points.
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