3. He or she designates the method of engaging by
for each gun to traverse to a point beyond the
naming the method, such as TRAVERSE. The rate of
suspected position of the flank.
fire is a part of the method of fire. The leader states the
Searching fire covers targets deeper than the
amount of fire to place on the target, such as 75
length of the beaten zone. If the target is stationary,
ROUNDS PER MINUTE or MEDIUM RATE.
has limited mobility, or is moving slowly toward
you, and if the ends are visible, No. l gun lays on
4. The command to open fire is COMMENCE
the near end and searches down. If the estimated
FIRING or FIRE. When a large volume of sudden
depth of the target is 200 yards or less, the leader
surprise fire is desired, the leader may preface the
announces the range for both guns to the middle
command with the preparatory command, On My
of the target. If the estimated depth of the target
Command. The unit leader then waits until all gunners
is more than 200 yards, he or she announces the
have located the target and aimed before giving the
range to the near end for No. 1 gun and the range
command of execution.
to the far end for No. 2. The command for this
Fire control will also include any necessary
type of fire is SEARCH.
adjustment corrections for machine guns, as RIGHT
If the target is moving rapidly toward the guns,
TWO ZERO MILS, ADD THREE MILS.
both guns lay on the near end with the range to that
A fire command for riflemen and automatic
point and search up. If the target is moving rapidly
away from the guns, both guns lay on the far end and
riflemen contains six basic elements: the alert, the
search down. The distribution element of the
direction, the target description, the range, the target
command for covering a rapidly approaching or
assignment, and the fire control.
receding target is ALL GUNS, NEAR (FAR) END,
The ALERT brings the unit to a state of readiness to
SEARCH.
receive further information. If all men or women in the
unit are not to fire, the command also designates those
who are to fire. If all men or women are to fire, the
FIRE COMMANDS
command for the alert is SQUAD. If only certain men
or women are to fire, the names of the men or women
are stated after the word SQUAD.
The leader of a fire unit, after making the decision
The DIRECTION element tells the riflemen the
to fire on a target, must give instructions about how to
target direction. It may be given orally, such as
engage the target. He or she gives these instructions in
RIGHT FRONT or by pointing or firing in the
the form of a fire command. A fire command for
machine guns contains four basic elements: the ALERT,
direction of the target. If the target is not readily
the TARGET, the DESIGNATION, the METHOD OF
visible, a reference point may be used. A reference
FIRE, and the command to OPEN FIRE. Examples of
point is some prominent terrain feature, either
the four elements are given below.
natural or artificial, to use to make the target easier
to locate. The reference point should be well
1. The alert designates the gun crew that is to fire
defined and easily recognized. If possible, the point
and alerts them to receive the command. The alert
should be on a line with, and beyond, the target
includes the following:
because, in this position, it is a more accurate
Gun crew to fireFIRST SECTION
reference for a number of men or women firing
Target alertFIRE MISSION, with STATION-
from separate positions.
ARY TARGET,
For the sake of brevity, the leader designates the
MOVING TARGET, or other additional neces-
reference point by the single word REFERENCE,
sary information
followed by a description of the point, such as FARM
HOUSE ON HORIZON. He or she should give the
2. The leader gives the target designation as
distance right or left. He or she may give this distance
follows:
in FINGER MEASUREMENTS in which the method
Direction-FRONT
to use is as follows:
Target description--COLUMN OF TROOPS
1. Extend your arm full length with the palm up.
RangeFIVE FIVE ZERO (yd)
Point the appropriate number of fingers, beginning
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