enemy-held or hostile area to areas under friendly
DOUBLE ACTION-- An action of depressing the
trigger, as in revolvers, that cocks the hammer and
control.
then releases it to fire the weapon. Both occur on
EXPLOITATION-- The last phase of offensive combat
one pull of the hammer.
that follows the reorganization of the attacking unit
DOUBLE TIME-- Cadence at 180 steps (36 inches in
on the objective. In this phase of combat, the
length) per minute.
attacking unit may be directed to continue the
attack, to pursue the enemy, or to mop up.
DUMP-- An area used for the temporary storage and
disbursing of military supplies.
EXTRACTION-- The phase of operation that deals with
the removal of the empty cartridge case from the
ECHELON-- A subdivision of a headquarters, such as
chamber of an extracting device before ejection.
forward echelon or rear echelon; a separate level of
command; a fraction of a command in the direction
EXTRACTOR-- The part that withdraws the empty
of depth to which a principal combat mission is
cartridge case from the chamber of a weapon.
assigned, such as attack echelon, support echelon,
FEBA (FORWARD EDGE OF THE BATTLE
or reserve echelon; a formation in which the
AREA)-- An imaginary line joining the forward
elements are placed one behind another, extending
edges of the most advanced defensive positions of
beyond and unmasking one another wholly or in
the battle area.
part.
FEEDING-- The mechanical positioning of an
EJECTION-- The process of expelling the empty
individual round for subsequent insertion into the
cartridge case from a weapon through the use of an
chamber of a weapon during the cycle or operation.
ejector.
FIELD FORTIFICATION-- Entrenchments, emplace-
EJECTOR-- The part that expels the empty cartridge
ments, and obstacles constructed in the field to
case from the receiver of a weapon; it maybe fixed,
increase the natural defensive strength of the terrain.
spring-loaded, or movable.
FIELD OF FIRE-- The area that a weapon or group of
ELEMENT-- An individual squad, section, platoon,
weapons covers effectively with fire.
company, or another unit that is part of a larger unit.
FIELD STRIPPING-- Removal of the groups from a
EMBARKATION-- The loading of troops, equipment,
weapon; does not include disassembly of groups.
or supplies into a ship or aircraft.
FILE-- A single column of men or vehicles, one behind
EMPLACEMENT-- A prepared position from which a
weapon executes its fire mission.
the other.
ENFILADE FIRE-- Fire delivered so the long axis of
FINAL PROTECTIVE FIRES-- The "all-out" fires of
the beaten zone coincides with the long axis of the
the defending unit fired as the enemy approaches
target.
close to the front-line positions.
ENVELOPMENT-- An attack made on one or both of
FINAL PROTECTIVE LINE-- A line along which
the enemy's flanks or rear; usually accompanied by
interlocking bands of grazing fire are placed to stop
an attack on his front.
enemy assaults. The line is placed at a pre-
determined distance from all available weapons
EROSION-- The wearing away of the inner surface of a
fixed in direction and elevation that are capable of
gun barrel as a result of mechanical wear and the
delivery under conditions of visibility.
chemical action of powder gases.
FIRE AND MANEUVER-- The close coordination of
EVACUATION-- The process of moving casualties
the movement of a unit with its own fire or the fire
from a battlefield and subsequently of moving them
of supporting weapons. This coordination enables a
along the chain of evacuation, as necessary; the
portion of the unit to move forward, while the
clearance of personnel or material or both from a
remaining portion covers the forward movement by
given locality.
fire.
EVASION AND ESCAPE (E&E)-- The procedures and
FIRE CONTROL-- All operations connected with the
operations whereby military personnel and other
selected individuals are enabled to emerge from an
preparation and application of fire to a target.
AI-5
