194 MANUAL FOE NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



The distance to the target must be determined as accu- 

 rately as possible and the sights set accordingly. 



Aside from training and morale, this is the most important 

 single factor in securing effective fire at the longer ranges. 



Except in a deliberately prepared defensive position, the 

 most accurate and only practicable method of determining flie 

 range, in absence of a suitable mechanical range finder, will 

 generally be to take the mean of several estimates made inde- 

 pendently. 



Estwiation of ranges. — Five or six officers and men,^elected 

 from the most accurate estimators in the troop and designated 

 as range estimators, should be specially trained in estimating 

 distances. 



Whenever necessary and practicable, the captain assembles 

 the range estimators, points out the target to them, and adopts 

 the mean of their estimates. The range esimators then take 

 their customary posts. 



When a range is announced, the men at once set their sights 

 to correspond, and whenever practicable an examination of the 

 pieces is made in order to verify the sight setting. 



(C. C. D. R., No. 1, Apr. 26, 1917.) 



Firing is delayed as long as possible for three reasons, viz : 

 (a) At the extreme ranges little damage can be done on the 

 enemy, and ineffective firing always encourages him ; (h) halt- 

 ing to fire delays the advance, and the great object to be accom- 

 plished is to close in on the enemy where you can meet him on 

 better terms; (c) plenty of ammunition will be required at the 

 decisive stage of the fight, and it is very difficult to send extra 

 ammunition up to the firing line. Therefore never fire until or- 

 dered to do so, and then never fire more than the number of 

 rounds designated. Never fire after the command " cease fir- 

 ing " is given. 



Ammunition in the bandoleers will ordinarily be expended 

 first. Thirty rounds in the right pocket section of the belt 

 will be held as a reserve, to be expended only when ordered by 

 an officer. 



Soon, however, it will be necessary to halt and open fire on 

 the enemy in order to cause him some loss, to make his riflemen 

 keep down in their trenches, and to make them fire wildly. It 

 is probable that at this time and until you arrive much closer 



