FIELD ARTILLERY FIRE. 
130 
at which the sectional officers and gun-layers fall out to him, dismount, 
and approach him on foot, keeping under cover all the time, the last- 
named bringing with them their telescopic sights. 
To these, battery commanders now communicate the following infor¬ 
mation, in which they will be greatly assisted by the use of a pointer, 
which defines objects much more graphically than any verbal description. 
1. The full extent of the portion of the target assigned to the 
battery. 
2. The ranging point, if any. 
3. The nature and rate of fire and the flank from which it is to 
begin. 
4. Any special orders on the distribution of fire. 
5. Sufficient information to enable them to comprehend quickly, 
from a verbal order, which portion of the target to turn 
their fire upon when their mission is complete against the 
portion first engaged. This will also enable them to grasp 
more quickly what is required of them after advancing to 
closer ranges when the instructions given in a preparatory 
position are impossible. 
6. The elevation for the first round. This is communicated last, 
for, while the previous information is being given, the 
range-takers will probably have had time to take the range 
and make their report. The elevation thus given is imme¬ 
diately set upon the telescopic sights, when used, and can 
be verified if necessary. 
7. The general alignment of the battery. 
They then spread themselves out along the position, keeping under 
cover, in rear of the places that their guns are to occupy when in 
action, approaching the actual firing position in a crouching posture, 
so as to be sure that the objective can be seen over the sights and at 
the same time avoiding being seen by the enemy. When these posi¬ 
tions are selected, they must kneel or lie down in them and examine 
the target through their telescopic sights, thus making known to the 
battery commander that their positions are selected. When satisfied 
that all the positions for the guns have been taken up, battery com¬ 
manders will signify the same to the Lieut.-Colonel by signal, the 
battery commander himself kneeling down is a convenient signal, the 
Lieut.-Colonel will then give the signal for the batteries to advance to 
the firing position. This they will do independently but so as to come 
into the firing position simultaneously, each gun being driven so as to 
come into action on the ground selected for it by its own layer. 
When the ground is suitable it is convenient to reverse and come 
into action rear, and, if possible, and too much labour is not thrown 
upon the detachments, this should be performed under cover and the 
guns run up to the crest of the position by hand. 
The guns are immediately layed at the elevation ordered. All 
instructions having been previously given, no word of command should 
20 
