Chapter XXVIII: Appendix

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I. NAMES OF THE PARTS OF RIFLES--SHORT M.L.E., MARK III, AND CHARGER-LOADING M.L.E.

(_a_) =Short M.L.E. Mark III= (Figs. 59 and 60).

1. Blade foresight.

2. Foresight block.

3. Band foresight block.

4. Key foresight block.

5. Crosspin foresight block.

5A. Backsight bed.

6. ” ” crosspin.

6A. ” ” sight spring screw.

7. Backsight leaf.

8. ” slide.

9. ” slide-catch.

10. ” fine adjustment worm wheel.

10A. Windgauge.

10B. ” screw.

11. Backsight ramps.

12. Seating for safety-catch.

13. Safety-catch.

14. Locking-bolt stem.

15. Bolt.

16. Bolt-head.

17. Striker.

18. Cocking-piece.

19. Striker collar with stud.

20. Bolt-head tenon.

21. Cocking-piece locking recesses.

22. Locking bolt.

23. ” ” flat.

24. ” ” thumb-piece.

25. ” ” aperture sight stem.

26. ” ” stop-pin recesses.

27. ” ” safety-catch stem.

28. ” ” ” ” arm.

29. ” ” screw threads.

30. ” ” seating.

31. Bolt cam grooves.

32. Sear.

33. ” seating.

34. ” spring.

35. Magazine catch.

36. Full bent of cocking-piece.

37· Short arm of sear.

38.}
} Trigger ribs.
39.}

40. Trigger.

41. Trigger axis pin.

41A. Magazine case.

41B. ” platform spring.

41C. Magazine auxiliary spring.

42. Guard-trigger.

43. Stock fore-end.

44. Spring and stud fore-end.

45. Protector backsight.

46. Handguard front and rear.

47. Spring handguard gear.

48. Lower band groove.

49. Lower band.

50. Nosecap.

51. Protector foresight.

52. Sword bar.

53. Boss for ring of sword-bayonet cross-piece.

54. Swivel seating.

55. ” piling.

56. Nosecap barrel opening.

57. Inner band.

58. ” ” screw.

59· ” ” ” spring.

60. Butt sling swivel.

61. Sword bayonet, pattern ’07.

62. Bridge-charger guide.

63. Cut-off.

(_b_) =Charger-Loading M.L.E.= (Figs. 61, 62, and 63)

1. Backsight bed

2. ” ” ramp.

3. Aperture sight.

4. Dial sight plate.

5. ” ” pointer.

6. Aperture sight peep-hole.

7· ” ” pivot-screw.

8. ” ” spring.

9. ” ” spring ribs.

10. ” sight cross-cut notches.

11. Pivot aperture sight pointer.

12. ” screw.

13. Spring disc.

14. Bead pointer.

15. Screwed boss, fixing dial-sight.

16. Centring-pin dial-sight.

17. Index-point of pointer.

18. Bolt rib.

19. Extractor seating.

20. Bolt lug.

21. Tongue of cocking-piece.

22. Recess for lug of bolt.

23. Body bead.

24. Retaining catch.

25. Resistance shoulder.

26. Cut-off slot.

27. Body socket.

28. ” ” boss.

29. Stock-bolt.

30. Gas escape hole.

31. Bolt-breech.

32. Lever bolt-breech.

33. Lug seating.

34. Long cam groove.

35. Short cam groove.

36. Cam-shaped face.

37. }
} Cam grooves separating studs.
38. }

39. Bolt-head.

40. ” tenon.

41. ” projection.

42. Extractor slot.

43. Extractor.

44. ” axis-screw.

45. ” spring.

46. ” ” pin.

47. ” ” pin-hole.

48. Bolthead hook.

49. Striker.

50. Cocking-piece.

51. Striker collar.

51A. Cocking-piece full bent.

52. ” ” half bent.

54. ” ” seating for safety-catch.

55. Safety-catch.

56. Striker keeper-screw.

57. Recess in striker for the keeper-screw.

58. Safety catch stem.

59. ” ” finger-piece.

60. ” ” locking grooves.

61. ” ” plunger.

62. Seating for plunger and spiral spring of safety-catch.

63. Nipple holes for plunger of safety-catch.

64. Retaining catch spring.

65. Ejector.

66. Sear.

67. ” screw.

68. ” seating in body.

69. ” spring.

70. Trigger.

71. ” axis pin.

72. Magazine box or case.

73. }
} ” platform guides.
74. }

75. ” stop clip.

76. ” stop-clip stud.

77. ” platform.

78. ” clip stop.

79. ” tooth.

80. ” catch tooth.

81. ” catch.

82. ” ” finger-piece.

83. ” platform plate.

84. ” ” plate tongues.

85. ” ” spring.

86. ” ” auxiliary spring.

87. Cut-off.

88. ” screw.

89. ” thumb-piece.

90. ” catch.

91. Guard-trigger.

92. Screw-guard front.

93. ” collar.

94· ” ” rear.

95. Lower band.

96. Sling swivel.

97. Nose-cap.

98. ” band.

99. ” fixing screw.

100. Piling swivel.

101. Diagonal slot in nose-cap to clear the foresight block when assembling, etc.

102. Stock-bolt, plate-keeper.

103. Stock-butt swivel.

104. Oil-bottle, Mark III (latest Mark IV).

II. DIRECTIONS FOR USE OF THE LEGRET AIM TEACHER.

The Legret Aim Teacher.

Aims Chart

For use with “Aim Teacher” Mark 1.

No. 1. Stage I. _Proper relation of fore-sight to aiming mark. Aim taken at 6 o.c. point with fore-sight only._

No. 2. Stage II. _Proper relation of fore-sight and back-sight. Lay on sheet of paper or, sky (just above horizon most convenient)._

No. 3. _Stage III. Proper relation between fore-sight, back-sight, and aiming mark._

No. 4. Stage IV. _Instructor will first lay correct aim as in diagram 3. Rifle is then moved and shutter turned gently to left. Recruit then relays rifle as in diagram 4. Instructor turns shutter gently to right and checks faults. Care must be taken not to move “jointed arm” in this stage._

=Fig. 64.=--DIAGRAMS ILLUSTRATING USE OF LEGRET AIM TEACHER.

III. DIRECTIONS FOR USE OF THE AIM-CORRECTOR.

1. This device is illustrated in Fig. 65. It consists of a small steel box moving freely on a stem, so as to enable it to be made level with the back-sight when the latter is set at various elevations. It is secured to the rifle, behind the back-sight, by a spring clip. A piece of smoked glass is inserted into one of the two cross grooves, so that it forms an angle of 45 degrees with the barrel.

2. In placing the aim-corrector on the rifle, the open side of the box may be turned to the right or left, care being taken that, when the glass is inserted in the box, it is placed in the cross-groove, which will cause it to present to the observer, who is opposite the open end, a reflection of the backsight, the foresight, and the mark at which aim is to be taken. If the glass is placed in the wrong cross-groove, the only image reflected upon it will be the recruit’s eye.

3. The instructor, who may take up his position on either side of the recruit, can see the alignment of the sights while the trigger is being pressed by means of the reflection in the glass, without in any degree obscuring the recruit’s aim. He can see if aim is correctly maintained when the trigger is pressed, or if it is deflected by this act, and can tell whether the recruit has noted and correctly declared any deflection due to faulty trigger-pressing. In certain lights, the image on the glass may be rather indistinct, but with care it is possible to discern it sufficiently clearly for instruction. In correcting errors, the instructor must remember that, when looking in the glass, the reflection, as in the case of an ordinary mirror, is _reversed laterally_, but is _correct vertically_. For instance, if the sight appears upon the glass to the right of the mark, it is actually to the left of it. If, however, it appears high or low in relation to the mark, it is actually above or below the mark.

IV. DIRECTIONS FOR USE OF THE AIMING-DISC.

The aiming-disc is a small rod, bearing a disc of metal or cardboard, painted white, about 1½ inches in diameter (Fig. 66). On the front is a black bull’s-eye ½ inch in diameter, in the centre of which is pierced a hole just large enough to admit the point of a pencil. On the back is a bull’s-eye, also ½ inch in diameter, placed so that the six o’clock line is just above the hole which is in the centre of the bull’s-eye on the front.

The instructor may ascertain the accuracy of the recruit’s aim and his power to press the trigger without disturbing aim by the use of the aiming-disc in the following manner: He should take up his position in front of the recruit at a distance of about 4 or 5 feet from the muzzle of his rifle when held to the shoulder for firing in the lying position, with his eye to the hole in front of the disc (Fig. 19). The recruit is then instructed to bring the rifle to his shoulder for aiming, to aim and press the trigger at the aiming-mark at the back of the disc.

Through the aperture at the bottom of the bull’s-eye at which the recruit takes aim and snaps, the instructor is able to see the recruit’s faults of aim, and to note whether his aim is disturbed when the trigger is pressed. The instructor is also enabled to note the rapidity with which he takes aim and presses the trigger.--This practice is useful to develop in men the power of aiming rapidly and correctly, which is essential for snapshooting and rapid firing, without the danger of their contracting bad or careless habits through hurried movements.

V. “HARMONIZING” RIFLES FOR MINIATURE RANGE PRACTICES.

=1.= Rifles are said to be harmonized when their slight individual differences in shooting are corrected by adjustment of sights. This harmonizing or correction of differences in the shooting of the rifles used in miniature range practices is necessary to obtain satisfactory results. _Rifles must be harmonized for firing direct at targets as well as for firing with elevation_, as in landscape practices. With reference to direct firing at targets, it has been found that with service rifles an elevation of 300 yards is necessary to obtain the greatest possible accuracy. Consequently, rifles must be sighted for 300 _yards_ before being harmonized for firing direct at targets according to the method described in the following paragraph, aim being taken at the aiming-marks on the _lower_ horizontal line, and differences being discovered by the grouping of shots on the aiming-marks--not on the line above. The sighting necessary to correct differences in each rifle will also be recorded on a board hung for reference on the miniature range, as described in para. 3.

=2. Method of Harmonizing Rifles= (see sky screen, Fig. 58).--(i) The following is the method of harmonizing rifles: The rifles selected for miniature range practices must be numbered from 1 on consecutively. Each rifle must be marked with its number. When this is done, a horizontal line must be drawn along the bottom of the blank sky screen. At intervals of about 12 inches along this horizontal line a number of aiming-marks must be painted. The number of aiming-marks must equal that of the rifles to be harmonized, so that there is one aiming-mark for each rifle. At a distance of 26½ inches above the line of aiming-marks another horizontal line must be drawn on the sky screen, which must be visible from the firing-point. This distance has been chosen because it is sufficient to cause shots aimed at objectives at the bottom of the landscape to clear the top of it and strike the sky screen.

(ii) _Harmonizing Rifles for Elevation._--Each rifle will then be adjusted for 1,200 yards. Each rifle, thus sighted, will be fired by a reliable shot with regular aim at one of the aiming-marks. The sights of each rifle will be adjusted until shots which strike above or below the upper horizontal line on the sky screen (when it is sighted for 1,200 yards) strike the line itself. When shots fired from all the rifles strike the line after sights have been adjusted in this manner, they are said to be harmonized.

=3. Record of Sighting.=--The variations of each rifle, if any, from the original sighting at 1,200 yards--or 300 yards in the case of sighting for direct hits--will be noted, and its variations written down for reference against the number of the rifle on a board to be hung on the wall of the miniature range. The following is an example of the record of sighting:

Twenty-Five Yards Miniature Range.

+------+----------------------+-------------------------+
|Rifle.| Elevation for Direct | Elevation for Landscape |
| | Hits. | Targets. |
| 1 | 300 | 1,200 |
| 2 | 300 | 1,200 |
| 3 | 350 | 1,250 |
| 4 | 250 | 1,150 |
+------+----------------------+-------------------------+

VI. SCORING AND SIGNALLING.

=1.= When a shot strikes the target so that the circumference of the mark cuts the outer edge of any ring or figure, it is to be counted as hitting within that ring or figure, as the case may be. No shot is to be counted unless the whole or part of the mark of the bullet is seen on the face of the target. A _ricochet_ usually makes a long, ragged hole or mark.

=2. Elementary and Figure Targets.=--For scoring in Practice 22, Table B, see Note 2 below.

NOTE 1.--The scoring bull’s-eye on second-class elementary targets is a 12-inch invisible ring.

NOTE 2.--In Practice 22, Table B, a hit on the figure or remainder of inner circle will count 3 points and will be signalled as a bull’s-eye. Hits elsewhere on the target will count as in table above.

NOTE 3.--When for any reason it is found to be impracticable to send the firers into the gallery after a grouping practice, the following signals may be used:

Bull’s-eye signal denotes a 4-inch group.
Inner ” ” 8 ” ”
Magpie ” ” 12 ” ”
Outer ” ” 12 ” ” with one wide shot.

When the signal has been made, after a short pause, the point of the pole will be placed on the point of mean impact of the group.

=3.--Figures No. 3 and No. 6= (_Open Range_).

+------------------+-------------------------------------+-----------+
| Signal. | Methods of Signalling. | Value of |
| | | Hit. |
+------------------+-------------------------------------+-----------+
| Hit | The figure will be raised above the | 3 points. |
| | marker’s gallery and twirled. | |
| | | |
| Ricochet or miss | -- | Nil. |
+------------------+-------------------------------------+-----------+

=4. Figures= (_Miniature Range_).--Scores for hits and misses as in para. 3 above.

=5. Scoring in Landscape Target Practices.=--(i) A measuring-rod, 26½ inches long, is required to test the accuracy of both concentrated and distributed collective grouping. The following is the method of valuing groups for scoring. When collective fire has been concentrated on any objective on the landscape, the rod is held vertically against the screen with the bottom of it resting on the point of aim. A mark is then made on the sky-screen at the top of the rod. This mark indicates where the centre of the group of shot-holes should be. For instructional practices the groups may be valued on the principle that the smaller the group the greater the fire effect. For competitions two concentric wire rectangles, 5 inches by 4 inches and 2½ inches by 2 inches respectively, may be used for scoring. The rectangles will be placed over the group, their longest sides being vertical, with their centre placed on the mark indicating where the centre of the shot group should be. Every shot in the inner rectangle will then count two points, and every shot in the remainder of the larger rectangle will count one point. For every shot outside the larger rectangle two points will be deducted.

(ii) When fire has been distributed between two points on the landscape, a mark is made 26½ inches vertically above each point, as already described. These two marks are joined by a line parallel to that along which fire has been distributed. A line 1½ inches above, and another 1½ inches below, this line are drawn parallel to it. The ends of these lines are then joined by vertical lines which pass through the two marks joined by the centre line. The rectangle formed in this manner is divided vertically into equal parts, being either one for each firer or one for each fire-unit. Each group of shots fired by a firer or a fire-unit should be found grouped in the proper part of the rectangle. Each shot in its proper part will count two points. For each shot outside its proper part two points will be deducted. For every part of the rectangle which is empty five points will be deducted.

VII. SOLANO TARGET--MARKS I AND II.

1. =Official Handbook.=--Full directions regarding the Solano Target and landscape targets, together with information as to their use for instruction, are contained in the official handbook--_Standard Equipment for Miniature Ranges_ (40, War Office, 2005)--from which the following short extracts are made. One of these handbooks is supplied to units with each Solano Target, and should be kept for reference.

2. =Framework and Mechanism.= (Fig. 53).--The Mark I Target consists of a framework containing two tiers 10 feet long--Tier A (higher), and Tier B (lower). Tier A is fitted with crossing target mechanism, operating two target carriers from opposite ends of the Tier, and clips for disappearing targets arranged in two separate sections which can be operated simultaneously or separately. Tier B is fitted with falling target clips, which allow targets to fall when hit. Falling clips can be raised and lowered from the firing-point, like the disappearing clips on Tier A. The former can be shifted to right and left, and the latter linked together with coupling clips to facilitate any desired arrangement of targets or figures. All mechanism can be operated from the firing-point by means of cords labelled to show the particular mechanism they operate (Fig. 54).

3. =Scenery.=--There are two types of scenery--A and C--consisting of backgrounds which will serve to represent foreground, middle distance, and distance of almost any kind of country in any part of the world. The scenery is pasted on frames, and can be placed in position on the target in a moment (Figs. 55 and 56). Patching pieces are provided to repair shot-holes which are not visible from the firing-point to the naked eye.

4. =Scenic Accessories=.--The details of a landscape can be arranged on the target by placing the various scenic accessories, consisting of colour-printed representations of various natural and other features, mounted on stiff card, in any desired position on either tier by fixing them in grooves made for this purpose either behind targets or in front to represent cover. The scenic accessories are coloured and scaled for different ranges, the range being printed on each. They may be used to represent the following features:

_Wooded hills._
_Flat-topped hills or kopjes._
_Conical hills._
_Woods._
_Fir-wood._
_Group of houses with church._
_Group of cottages._
_House._
_Cottage._
_Oak-tree._
_Elm-tree._
_Fir-tree._
_Palm-tree._
_Hedgerow._
_Thick hedge or bush._
_Bushes._
_Stone wall._
_Undergrowth._
_Folds of ground._
_Low banks._
_Indian hill fort._
_Sangar._
_Rocks._

5. =Solano Figures.=--The Solano figures are all scaled to size for various distances, and consist of the following brown, grey, or colour-printed figures. Each figure is provided with a base equal in depth to the clips which hold them in position.

+-----------+------------------------------------------------------------+----------+
| Reference | Description. | Distance |
| Number. | | (Yards). |
+-----------+------------------------------------------------------------+----------+
| 42 | Infantryman in kneeling position | 200 |
| 1 | ” ” standing position | 400 |
| 2 | ” ” prone position or firing from open | |
| | trench | 400 |
| 3 | ” firing from behind sand-bag | 400 |
| 4 | ” ” ” loophole in head cover | 400 |
| 5 | ” in standing position | 600 |
| 6 | ” ” ” ” | 800 |
| 7 | ” ” kneeling position | 800 |
| 8 | ” ” lying position | 800 |
| 9 | Mounted cavalryman | 800 |
| 19 | Machine-gun in action | 800 |
| 25 | Infantry line in extended order | 1,000 |
| 26 | ” ” ” ” | 1,200 |
| 27 | ” ” ” ” | 1,400 |
| 29 | Machine-gun in action | 1,400 |
| 30 | Infantry line in extended order | 1,600 |
| 31 | ” ” ” ” | 1,800 |
| 32 | Company of infantry in fours | 2,000 |
| 33 | Infantry line in extended order | 2,000 |
| 34 | Field-gun in action | 2,000 |
| 35 | } {Convoy waggon facing firer’s right | 2,000 |
| 35_a_ | }Crossing-targets{ ” ” ” ” left | 2,000 |
| 37 | } {Squadron of cavalry facing firer’s right | 2,000 |
| 37_a_ | } { ” ” ” ” left | 2,000 |
| 38 | Company of infantry in fours | 2,500 |
| 39 | ” ” ” column | 2,800 |
+-----------+------------------------------------------------------------+----------+

6. =Observation Practices.=--Observation practices may be carried out by heaping a bank of sawdust at the foot of the apparatus below Tier B, with its surface sloping at the same angle as the end-frames. To fix targets in the sawdust, attach to _Observation Practice Holders_ consisting of iron pins grooved at the top to hold targets. _Care must be taken to remove all sawdust and grit displaced by bullets from the falling target clips and other mechanism, or their action may be clogged. A brush should be used to clean the mechanism after observation practices._

7. =Landscape Targets.=--The official handbook above referred to contains information as to fixing landscape targets to the framework of the Solano Target in position for instruction in firing (Fig. 57).

VIII. SOLANO ELEMENTARY AND INSTRUCTIONAL TARGETS.[34]

1. In _Musketry Regulations_, para. 361, it is laid down that in carrying out training on miniature ranges _due regard must be paid to the visibility of service targets, and bull’s-eye targets must be used for the first few rounds only_. In para. 206 (iii) of _Musketry Regulations_ (see Sec. 17, para. 4 of this book) focussing the eye on the fore-sight of the rifle instead of on the object is indicated as a common fault which instructors must guard against in elementary stages of training. This error is common when bull’s-eye targets are used, and unless remedied will adversely affect shooting at service Targets, on which the eye must be focussed, and which must be watched closely when firing.

2. =Elementary Targets= (Figs. 67 and 68).--The Solano Elementary Targets have been designed to counteract the tendency to focus the eye on the fore-sight instead of on the target, and may be used for grouping and application practices after firing at the bull’s-eye target. These targets are coloured green, brown, and grey, instead of white, to accustom the eye to the tints of natural backgrounds against which service targets will be seen. The aiming-mark in No. 2 is less distinct than in No. 1, to accustom the eye gradually to focussing on indistinct targets when aiming.

(Actual size. See footnote, p. 250.)]

3. =Triangle Aiming and Scoring Diagrams.=--(i) Triangles have been substituted in these targets for concentric circles as aiming and scoring diagrams, because they have a truer relation to the shape of the human figure in both lying and upright positions. The triangle on No. 1 target has relation to the human figure in an upright position, and the triangle on No. 2 target to the human figure in a lying position. The _dimensions of the triangles on these targets correspond with the regulation grouping standards of the British Army_.

=Fig. 69.=--A CIRCLE (3 INCHES IN DIAMETER) AND A TRIANGLE
(3 INCHES EQUILATERAL) SHOWING THAT THE TRIANGLE AS AIMING
AND SCORING DIAGRAM INDUCES CLOSER GROUPING THAN THE CIRCLE
BY ALLOWING LESS MARGIN FOR BOTH VERTICAL AND LATERAL ERRORS
REPRESENTED BY THE DOTS.]

(ii) For elementary instruction in aiming the important six o’clock line--the centre of the base of the triangle--is on these targets an indicated instead of an imaginary line, as in the case of the circular bull’s-eye. More consistent grouping is induced by the triangle owing to the fact that it allows a much narrower margin for lateral errors, while its conical shape and straight base considerably curtail the scoring area for vertical errors off the six o’clock line as compared with the circle (Fig. 69). The triangle, moreover, as an aiming and scoring surface puts a premium upon a _low point of aim_ and from the first inculcates in men, as a habit, this vital principle of marksmanship in war.

(Slightly reduced from actual size. See footnote, p. 250.)]

(Actual size. See footnote, p. 250.)]

(iii) The centre triangles are not made smaller, firstly, because it is not desired to encourage the habit of slow aim which is engendered by individual practice at very small marks, and which militates against efficiency in snapshooting and rapid firing; and, secondly, because it is not desired to encourage men to attain a useless and disproportionate degree of excellence in firing at elementary targets which is merely preparatory for practice at service targets.

(Actual size. See footnote, p. 250.)]

4. =Instructional Targets= (Figs. 70, 71, and 72).--(i) These targets are also coloured green, grey, and brown, the colour of the uniform of the figures on them corresponding in each case with that of the target. The figures are accurately scaled down to correct size at 25 yards for the actual distances, so as to help men in judging close range by accustoming the eye to the appearance of men seen at different distances against backgrounds which harmonize with the colour of their uniform. It must be remembered that the figures on these targets, though necessarily depicted in fixed postures as stationary marks, represent men in movement during which they are seldom stationary or seen in a fixed posture, except, possibly, for a few seconds while lying down to fire.

(ii) Accordingly, marks are not given for hits scored on any particular part of the figures depicted in fixed postures, which would usually be seen in movement, but for shots grouped in areas of comparative value as regards probable assurance of fire effect, chosen in the light of experience of war as the best aiming points for firing at figures in movement which frequently and suddenly alternate between the upright and lying positions. The centre triangles, representing the most valuable of these grouping areas, are purposely made fairly large for the reasons stated in connection with the elementary triangles--namely, that they are grouping areas for snapshooting, and not for deliberate firing.

INDEX

Aim corrector, use of, 53, 241

---- teacher, Legret, use of, 240

Aiming and firing, instruction and practices in, 43-46, 72

---- at crossing targets, 58

---- at ground and service targets, 53, 54

---- disc, use of, 52, 243

---- instruction in, 43-61, 208

---- marks, 47, 193

---- off for movement, 58, 59, 217

---- ---- ---- wind, 55-57

---- rules for, 47, 48

---- up and down, xxii, 57, 58

Aircraft, firing on, 112

Alarms, automatic, 193

Alignment, automatic, of rifles, 194

---- of sights, 48, 49

Ammunition, care of, 12

---- Mark VI bullet, 21, 22, 24, 34, 35, 38, 50

---- Mark VII bullet, 21, 22, 24, 34, 50

---- surplus, 166

Annual courses, 177, 181

Anticipatory orders, 128, 227

Application practices, 149

---- tactical, of rifle fire, 112-119, 228

Arms, care of, xii, 10-12

---- cleaning of, 4-10

---- defects in, instructions regarding, 1

Arms, inspection of, on parade, 15-17

---- small, examination of, 12-15, 17

Army Ordnance Corps, courses for, 180, 181

---- Service Corps, courses for, 180, 181

---- Veterinary Corps, classification practices for, 170

Artillery, effect of rifle fire on, 111

Averages, computation of, 167

Background, effect of, on visibility of targets, 73, 83, 211

Backsight, adjustment of, 60, 61

Back-reckoning, range finding by, 97

Barometric pressure, effect of, on shooting, 27

Bayonet, fixed, effect of, on shooting, 24

Beaten zone, 33, 34, 38-42

Bolt, 7, 9, 11

Bore, cleaning of, 9

Cadet competitions, 230

---- muscle exercises, 79, 80

Casualties, ammunition of, 132

Cavalry, classification practices for, 168

---- courses for, 171, 174, 177-179

---- effect of rifle fire on, 111

Classification practices, conditions of, 168-170, 178, 179

Classification practices in judging distance, 94-96

---- ranges, field practices on, 184-192

Cleaning of the rifle, 4-10

Clock-face method of describing targets, 123

Close range, effect of fire at, 110

---- ---- firing without sighting at, 22

Collective field practices, 155-158, 176, 179, 188-192

---- ---- ---- conduct of, 183

---- ---- ---- on Landscape targets, 229

---- ---- ---- on Solano target, 226-228

---- fire, dispersion of, 31-35

---- ---- need for, 29-31, 221

Combined sights, use of, 36-38, 89, 230

Competitions, directions for all, 201, 230

Conduct of range and field practices, 159-192

Cone of fire, 31, 35, 36

Countryside, terms describing, xxvi

Cover, adapting firing positions to, 75, 76

---- firing from, 73-77, 161, 210

---- improvising on miniature ranges, 204

Crossing targets, aiming and firing at, 58, 59, 151

Cut-off, use of, 71

Dangerous space, conditions affecting extent of, 25, 26, 34

Dead ground, 42

Defiladed zone, 40, 42

Deflection, table of, for side winds, 55

Deliberate practices, 143, 161

Demonstrations of individual and collective field practices, 214, 221

Description of targets, 83, 119-127

---- ---- ---- instruction in, on miniature ranges, 212

---- points, 120

Discernment of targets, 82-84, 210

Distant range, effect of fire at, 110

Drift, effect of, 24

Effect of fire at different ranges on various formations and objectives, 110-112

Effective fire, zone of, 35, 36

---- range, effect of fire at, 110

Elementary figure targets, 206, 245, 246

---- targets, Solano, 207, 250-256

Elevation. See Sighting

Error of the day, xxiii, 37

Examination of small-arms, 12-15, 17

Field-glasses, use of, 84, 121, 165

Field practices, 141, 151-158

Field practices, elementary, 171

---- ---- on classification ranges, 184-192

---- ---- ---- miniature ranges, 213-230

Figure targets, 207, 246

Figures, miniature range, 207, 247

---- Solano, 249

Finger, use of, for judging lateral distance, 92

Finger-breadth method of describing targets, 122

Fire, accuracy of, practices in, 187-190, 219, 232

---- action, organization for, 106-110, 224

---- and movement, 114, 186, 191, 219, 224

---- collective. See Collective fire

---- concentrated, 115, 154, 223, 229

---- control, 105-134, 212, 223

---- ---- practices in, 188, 226

---- converging, xxiii, 115

---- covering, xxiii, 116, 223

---- direction, 105-134, 212

---- ---- practices, 154, 179, 220, 226-227

---- discipline, 130-134, 212

---- dispersion of, 31-36

---- distributed, 36, 115, 154, 223

---- ---- practices in, 227, 229

---- effect of, at various ranges, on various formations and objectives, 111, 112

---- ---- relation of ground to, 38-42

---- effective, xxiii, 35, 36, 110

---- enfilade, xxiii, 115

---- grazing, xxiii, 41, 42

---- individual, 29-31

---- oblique, xxiv, 115

---- observation of. See Observation of fire

---- opening of, 113, 114, 153, 222

---- ---- ---- practices in, 185, 189, 216, 217, 228

---- orders, 127-130, 188

---- rapid, 117, 118, 150

---- ---- practice in, 187-189, 219, 227, 228

---- rates of, 117

---- searching, xxiv, 35-38, 115

---- short bursts of, 118

---- superiority of, xxvi, 113, 189

---- sweeping, 115

---- tactical application of, 112-119, 228

---- theory of rifle, 18-42

---- trenches, xi

---- unaimed, xxiv, 41, 42

---- unit commander, duties of, 109, 212

---- ---- composition of, xxiv, 108

---- unsteady, 119

---- volume of, 117

Firing, aiming and, instruction, 43-46, 72

---- elementary, instruction in, 62-80

---- from cover, 73-77, 161, 210

---- positions, 66-69

---- ---- adapted to cover, 75, 76

---- ---- height of cover for different, 68, 74

---- ---- vulnerability of different, 66, 67, 209

---- rapid, instruction in, 150

---- ---- practices in, 187-189, 227, 228, 232

---- up and down hill, 26, 27

Flare lights, 193

Foreground, illumination of, x

---- range sketch of, 101

Foresight, use of, in aiming, 50, 51

Formations, effect of fire on various, 111

Fouling, cause and removal of, 3

Frontages and objectives, allocation of, 107

Gauze, use of, for cleaning, 5, 6

German musketry, vii

---- night attacks, ix

---- plan of attack, viii

Grenade, hand, 194-200

Ground, aiming at, 53, 54

---- dead, 42

---- firing at, practice in, 218

---- relation of, to dangerous space, 26

---- ---- ---- to fire effect, 38-42

---- study of, instruction in, 86, 88, 211

Group of shots, 31, 146, 147

---- ---- ---- rules for measuring, 140, 160, 247

Grouping and application, 146-150

---- practices, 146, 159, 160, 180, 213, 231

Gun-flash, range finding by, 98

Hand grenades, 194-200

Harmonizing rifles, 244, 245

Illumination grenade, x

---- of foreground, x

Indication of targets, 123-126

Individual field practices, 152-154, 176, 179, 185-188

---- ---- ---- on miniature ranges, 214-220

---- fire, limit of, 29-31

Infantry, courses for, 171, 174, 177

---- classification practices for, 168

Inspection of arms, 15-17

Instructional practices, 174-177, 213

---- targets, Solano, 207, 254-257

Jambs, instructions regarding, in timed practices, 162

Judging distance by eye, 91-96

Jump, effect of, 23, 24

Kneeling position, 68

Landscape target practices, 229, 247

Lateral distance, estimating, 92

Lectures, 18, 31, 43, 105, 106, 135, 212, 214, 221

Legret aim-teacher, use of, 240

Loading, instruction and practices, 69-71

Long range, effect of fire at, 110

---- ---- sights, 49, 61

Lying position, 67, 68

Machine-guns, effect of rifle fire on, 111

Map-reading, range-finding by, 97

Marking down, instruction in and practice in, 54, 217

Military vocabulary, instruction in, 84, 85

---- ---- ---- ---- on miniature ranges, 211

---- ---- list of terms, xxvi-xxviii

Miniature ranges, cadet competitions on, 230

---- ---- collective field practices on, 26-30

---- ---- field practices on, 213-230

---- ---- fire-direction practices on, 220

---- ---- improvising cover for, 204

---- ---- individual field practices on, 214-220

---- ---- instruction on, 207-212

---- ---- precautions for safety on, 204

---- ---- preliminary training on, 207-212

---- ---- range practices on, 213

---- ---- rifles for firing on, 204

---- ---- scope of training on, 203

---- ---- targets for use on, 205

Missfires, cause and directions regarding, 12, 162

Movement, avoidance of, in loading and firing, 67, 73, 209

---- effect of, on visibility of targets, 84, 209

---- fire and, 114, 186, 191, 219, 224

Muscle exercises, 77, 80

Mutual support, 116, 223

Nickelling, cause and removal of, 3

Night firing, 193, 194, 230

Observation practices, 165

---- ---- on miniature ranges, 213, 250

---- of fire, ranging by, 29, 38, 89, 96, 97

---- ---- ---- practices in, 188, 190, 230, 250

Observers, duties of, 110

Organization for fire action, 106-110, 224

Pairs, working in, 131

Point of mean impact, 147, 160

Preliminary training and tests, 135-140

---- ---- on miniature ranges, 207-212

Pull-off, 11, 64

Pull-through, use of, 4, 5

Qualification, conditions of, for Part I., Table B, 167

Range-cards and range-marks, 98-103, 212

----- finding, methods of, 96-98, 190

----- practices, conduct of, 162-166

---- ---- instruction in, 141-146

---- sketch of foreground, 101

Ranges, effect of fire at different, 110

---- terms applied to, xxv

Ranging, methods of, 89, 90, 190

Recognition of targets, 126, 212

Recruits’ course, 171, 174-176, 180

Ricochets, 26

Rifles, care of, xii, 10-12

---- cleaning of, 4-10

---- drill purposes, 15

---- examination of, 13-15, 17

---- for firing on miniature ranges, 204

---- inspection of, on parade, 15-17

---- M.L.E., 13, 15-17

---- ---- charger loading, 14, 236-239

---- M.L.M., 13, 15-17

---- parts of various, 233-239

---- selection of, for recruits, 46

---- short, M.L.E., 14, 15, 233-235

Rod for measuring groups, 247

Royal Army Medical Corps, classification practices for, 170

Royal Artillery, courses for, 180, 181

Royal Engineers, classification practices for, 169

---- ---- courses for, 171, 174-180

Safety-catch, use of, 71

Scoring, directions for, 245-247

Searching, 35-38

Sectors, method of dividing Field of Fire into, 107

Service targets, aiming at, 51, 53

Shot group. See Group of shots

Sighting of rifles, 23

Sights, alignment of, 48, 49

---- combined. See Combined sights

---- long-range, aiming with, 49

---- rapid adjustment of, 60, 61, 209

Sitting position for firing, 69

Snapping, 63-66

Snapshooting, instruction in, 150, 218, 231

Solano elementary and instructional targets, 207, 250-257

Solano figures, list of, 249

---- scenery anti scenic accessories, 248

---- target, arrangement of, for practices, 213, 220, 221

---- demonstrations on, 214, 221

---- Marks I and II, 248-250

Sound, location of enemy by, 84

---- range-finding by, 98

Standing position, 67

Surprise, effect of, 113, 118

Tables A--Recruits course, 174-176, 180

---- B--Annual course, 177-179, 181 Targets, choice of, 153, 215, 222

---- figure. See Figure targets

---- for use on miniature ranges, 205-207

---- indication of, 123-126

Temperature, effect of, on shooting, 27

Thirty yards range, practices on, 159

Timed practices, rules for, 161

Trained Soldiers’ course, rules for conduct of, 172-174

---- ---- ---- Tables B, 177, 181

Trajectory, 21, 22, 25

Trenches, fire, xi

Triangle aiming and scoring diagrams, 252

---- of error as a test of proficiency in aiming, 51-53

Trigger-pressing, 63-66

Unloading, directions for, 70

Visibility of targets, effect of background on, 73, 83, 211

---- ---- ---- ---- ---- movement on, 84, 209

Visual training, 81, 82

---- ---- on miniature ranges, 210

Volume of fire, 117

Wear, causes and prevention of, 2

Wind, aiming-off for, 55-57, 227

---- allowance for, 28-29

---- deflection table for, 55

---- effect of, on shooting, 28

---- head, 28

---- judging strength and direction of, 55

---- oblique, 28, 29, 56

---- rear, 28

---- side, 28, 29, 55

Wire gauze, 5, 6

Zone, beaten, 33, 34 38-42

---- of effective fire, 35-37

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FOOTNOTES:

[1] See Appendix, VII.

[2] These paragraphs contain information given by a captured German officer who speaks with authority in regard both to musketry and machine guns. His statements appear to represent the views held in the German Army before the war, on which the training of the German soldier has been based.

[3] See Preface, para. 10.

[4] This precaution will also be adopted when magazines are not charged.

[5] For the maximum penetration of the pointed bullet in various substances see Appendix, _Field Entrenchments_, of this series.

[6] Tables giving the maximum height of the trajectory of the Mark VI and VII bullets at different ranges, together with tables showing the angles of descent for the last 100 yards of each range, will be found in _Musketry Regulations_.

[7] This target is described in para. 152, _Musketry Regulations_, Part II.

[8] For description of and directions for use of Legret Aim-Teacher, the Aim-Corrector, and Aiming-Disc, see Appendix. A list of necessary appliances for aiming instruction, including aiming and firing rests, etc., will be found in para. 6 of this section.

[9] The position for aiming when lying will be taught previously to this practice.

[10] Shooting from the left shoulder is not to be permitted unless it is rendered necessary by defective eyesight in the opinion of the Company Commander.

[11] See Fig. 33 illustrating this point. See also _Drill and Field Training_ of this series, Fig. 41, and _Field Entrenchments_ of this series, Figs. 67 and 68.

[12] For directions for adjusting sights in the lying position, see Sec. 26, para. 4 (iv).

[13] The command _Load_ is only required for drill purposes, or when charging rifles before leaving quarters on service. It is not used in fire orders.

[14] The advantages and disadvantages of different forms of cover, such as hedges, banks, walls, ridges, folds of ground, bushes and undergrowth, knolls and small hollows, buildings and enclosed spaces, rocks, mounds of earth, skyline and continuous cover running diagonally to the line of advance, or which runs or zigzags across the line of advance, are discussed in this section.

[15] Instructions for training both the eyesight and hearing for use by night are contained in Sec. 41 of _Drill and Field Training_ of this series.

[16] See also Sec 72, para 5.

[17] Military features of importance in connection with ground and cover are dealt with in _Drill and Field Training_ and _Field Entrenchments_ of this series.

[18] See also Sec. 72, para. 8.

[19] See Sec. 28 of _Drill and Field Training_ of this series for information as to _communications_, for which, with information as to _ammunition supply_ see also _Infantry Training 1914_. _Infantry covering fire_ is dealt with in Sec. 44, para. 13, of this book. Arrangements for covering fire by machine-guns are dealt with in _Machine-Gun Training_ of this series (see also _Field Service Regulations_ and _Infantry Training, 1914_).

[20] With regard to opening fire, see Sec. 44 paras. 3 to 6.

[21] See Preface, para. 11.

[22] Sec. 13 should be read in connection with this paragraph.

[23] See also Sec. 54, para. 3 (vi).

[24] All subordinate commanders are responsible for keeping their respective superiors, as well as neighbouring commanders, regularly informed of the progress of events, and of important changes in the situation as they occur. All ranks should notice what takes place within their view and hearing, and report anything of importance accurately and at once to their immediate superior, who must pass the information on to the higher commanders and to neighbouring units. This is the foundation of co-operation in war, and is essential not only in battle, but at every stage of a campaign.--_Infantry Training, 1914_.

[25] The methods by which the development of the soldierly spirit is inculcated in men, and their character developed in discipline and other soldierly qualities, are dealt with in Chapter I of _Drill and Field Training_ of this series.

[26] See the _Physical Training_ books of this series.

[27] The range duties of officers supervising range practices, together with directions for signalling hits, etc., will be found in _Musketry Regulations_.

[28] All men not fully exercised in Table B with their companies (except those referred to in the first sentence of the paragraph to which this note refers) will be attached to other companies to carry out the range or field practices omitted; or, if all companies have completed Table B, a party of casuals may be formed to insure that all men qualified are fully exercised in the whole of Table B.

[29] For various arrangements to facilitate night firing, and their combination with automatic alarms, flare lights, and obstacles to increase fire effect and check the enemy, see Chapter VIII., _Field Entrenchments_, of this series (see also Preface, para. 7)

[30] See also Sec. 15, para. 3.

[31] See _Drill and Field Training_ of this series, Sec. 31, paras. 4 to 8

[32] Solano figures representing Infantry Lines consist of strips containing a number of figures at intervals. Lines made of these figures can be crowded together by overlapping two strips and fixing them together in the clips.

[33] This is not necessary on the “Section Fire” Landscape Targets, because the details of each landscape are reproduced in a monotint or shadowgraph facsimile on the sky-screen to be used with it (Fig. 58). Shot-marks are therefore seen grouped on or about the sky-screen facsimile of the objective directly above it.

[34] The illustrations of these Targets in this section only show the aiming-marks and scoring diagrams. These are printed in the centre of square card surfaces of convenient size in the usual manner, the cards being green, grey, or brown, instead of white.

[Transcriber’s Note:

Obvious printer errors corrected silently.

Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation are as in the original.]

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Musketry (.303 and .22 cartridges)Chapter XXVIII: Appendix

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