IV.-GERMANY. 



[From translations of official firing rt'sulations lurnisiicd by Lieut. Col. James B. Kerr, Ninth Cav- 

 alry, United States Military Attache at Uerlin, ami from other official sources, comjiared and 

 arranged by Capt. E. A. Edwards, Twenty-fifth Infantry.] 



INFANTRY. 



The course of instruction for the German infantry soldier 

 comprises preparatory instruction and exercises, range firing, 

 and field (combat) firing. To these may be added instruction 

 or demonstration firing, and examination firing. 



The course is designed to train the infantry soldier in the 

 efficient use of the rifle in battle, and the importance of the 

 subject requires that the exercises be conducted with great 

 exactness, and so directed that at the end of his first year of 

 service the soldier shall be trained to use his rifle in actual 

 warfare. In subsequent years the knowledge acquired is 

 completed and strengthened. 



The captain is primarily responsible for the instruction of 

 his company ; he is assisted by the officers and noncommis- 

 sioned officers, who are expected to have a thorough acquaint- 

 ance with the theory of fire and practical skill sufficient to 

 regulate defective rifles, besides having a theoretical and prac- 

 tical knowledge of the duties of their grades in the direction 

 of fire in action. If convenient, the captain may direct special 

 practice for the noncommissioned officers. 



The battalion and regimental commanders, while respecting 

 the initiative of company commanders, supervise the instruc- 

 tion, more particularly the field and instruction firing. They 

 may direct special practice for officers, and generally snould 

 keep themselves informed of the aptitude and efficiency of 

 the various instructors. 



Higher officers in their inspections see that the instruction 

 has been properly conducted, and by directing special exer- 

 cises can compare the firing efficiency of the various troop 

 units. The results are not published. 



PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 



The instructor first explains to the recruit in simple lan- 

 guage how the shot is fired, the use of the sights, principles 

 of aiming, the different kinds of targets, etc. The recruit is 



