When you are in suitable terrain, watch a projectile
unknown point beyond. If you desire to fire after
strike the ground. If it kicks up dust or other visible
friendly troops advance farther than the point where the
material, follow the same procedure as you would with
line of aim strikes the ground, you must determine this
tracers.
farther point by testing new points until the line of aim
and the selected point coincide.
FIRE DISCIPLINE
RANGE ESTIMATION
Fire discipline is the state of order, coolness,
efficiency, and the obedience existing among troops in
In combat, you seldom know ranges in advance. To
a fire fight. It implies the careful observance of
bring effective fire to bear on the enemy, train the
instructions in the use of weapons in combat and the
riflemen and machine gunners to estimate ranges
execution of the exact orders of the leader. To have
quickly and accurately. Ranges are estimated either by
effective fire discipline, control it by having leaders. The
eye or by observation of fire.
responsibility for fire discipline in the platoon rests with
ESITMATION BY EYE is the usual method of
the platoon commander, assisted by his or her
estimating range in combat. You accomplish this by
subordinates. The squad leader maintains discipline in
mentally applying a unit of measure to the distance to
the squad. There is a tendency for untrained machine
the target. This unit is normally 100 yards. You need to
gunners and riflemen to open fire at night when hearing
be familiar with the appearance of this unit of measure
noises and on seeing imaginary targets. This is
at various distances and over varying types of terrain to
dangerous and wastes ammunition; but more important,
be able to use this method effectively when estimating
it gives the position away. Also, the enemy could stand
ranges by eye.
off and send a couple of scouts into fire several shots or
Eye estimation is difficult to apply for ranges of
to throw some grenades at the defensive positions to
more than 500 yards. When the range exceeds 500 yards,
draw responsive fire. If the fire discipline is poor, the
estimate a point halfway to the target; then, double the
defenders return the fire. The enemy can then plot the
estimate.
locations of the defense positions, plan an attack to avoid
strong points, or direct supporting fire accurately on the
When much of the ground between the observer and
defenders. The squad leader is responsible for
the target is hidden, eye estimation is difficult. In some
controlling these tendencies in his or her squad.
cases, you may overcome this difficulty by the use of a
MENTAL ARC. Move your gaze in a mental arc to the
FIRE CONTROL
right or left of the target. Find a prominent object at
about the same range as the target, and use it to estimate
this range.
Fire control includes all operations connected with
the preparation and actual application of fire to a target.
When none of the previously described methods are
Fire control implies the following abilities of the leader:
feasible, you may possibly estimate the range by the
appearance of objects. Conditions of light, atmosphere,
To have his or her unit open fire the instant he or
color, and terrain affect the apparent distance of objects.
she desires
Accurate estimation of ranges by eye requires
To adjust the fire of his or her weapons on the
considerable practice over all types of terrain and under
target
all conditions of visibility. The use of known distance
ranges, marked off in 100-yard intervals, is
To shift fire from one target to another
recommended for initial training.
To regulate the rate of fire
Range estimation of OBSERVATION OF FIRE is
To cease firing at will
determined by observing the flight of tracer bullets or
by observing the points where projectiles strike.
Lack of proper fire control causes the loss of the
Tracer bullets leave a red trail for about 950 yards
surprise effect, premature disclosure of the position,
misapplication of fire on unimportant targets, and waste
of their flight. The shooter first estimates the range by
eye to determine the initial sight setting. Thereafter, by
of ammunition. DISCIPLINE and CORRECT
watching the strike of the tracer bullets, he or she
TECHNICAL TRAINING are fundamental in ensuring
corrects the sight setting to hit the target.
fire control.
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