(2) Drop forward on the outside of the left knee and at the same time extend the rifle, grasped in both hands and held vertically, so that the butt strikes the ground at full arm's length directly in front of the left knee.

(3) Pivoting on the left knee and the butt of the rifle, roll forward into the firing position, with the rifle at the shoulder, or into the prone position, with the rifle on the ground to the front.

(4) To kneel or lie down with the automatic rifle is executed according to the same principles as with the rifle.

FROM THE PRONE POSITION

DRAW THE HANDS BACK

EXTEND THE ARMS

THROW THE RIGHT LEG
FORWARD-

AND JUMP OFF TO THE RIGHT FRONT. THEN RUN BENT OVER WITH THE LEFT SHOULDER FORWARD.

Plate 3.-If lying down, to move forward at a run.

c. When without the rifle, advance the left foot as above. Extend the left arm over the head and roll forward on to the left knee, the left hip, and the left shoulder into the prone position. Care should be taken that the hands do not get under the body. In the prone position, the body is flat on the belly, the left side of the face on the ground, legs extended and apart with heels down, arms to the front and flat on the ground. The piece, if carried, is held to the front grasped in the right hand.

d. In lying down, those required to fire or simulate firing drop to the firing position, others to the prone position.

e. If lying down, to move forward at a run: 1. Cease firing, 2. Prepare to rush, 3. UP or FOLLOW ME (or other command requiring a move forward at a run).

(1) If in the firing position, first take up the prone position and then draw the arms in slowly until the hands are opposite the chin, elbows away from the body and down.

(2) Raise the body by straightening the arms.

(3) Throw the weight of the body to the left arm and leg, and, bringing the right leg forward, jump off to the right front. When running, bend as low as possible, keeping the left shoulder forward. Grasp the rifle in both hands, left hand at the balance, right hand at the small of the stock.

(4) To move forward other than at a run from the position of lying down, the movement is similarly executed at the appropriate command: 1. Forward, 2. MARCH. f. If kneeling or lying down, to stand up: RISE.

If kneeling, stand up, face to the front, on the ground marked by the left heel in the same manner as described for Up.

If lying down, raise the body on both knees; stand up, face to the front, on the ground marked by the knees.

g. If lying down: KNEEL.

Raise the body on both knees; take the position of kneel.

The prone position is the usual position of the skirmisher when in skirmish line and when not advancing. When firing, the prone position is used to better utilize cover. The sitting or kneeling position may be used in firing when necessary to obtain a better field of fire.

13. Instruction of the skirmisher.-a. Use of the rifle.-The instruction of the recruit in the use of the rifle begins at an early period in his training. It is impressed upon him that the rifle and automatic rifle are his principal weapons and the object of all movement is to place him at such point that he can make effective use of them. (See TR 150-5, Chapter XI.)

b. The use of cover.-(1) The skirmisher should be given careful instruction in the individual use of cover.

It is impressed upon him that, in taking advantage of natural cover, he must be able to fire easily and effectively upon the enemy. If advancing on an enemy, he must do so steadily and as rapidly as possible He must conceal himself as much as possible while firing and while advancing. While setting his sight, he should be under cover or lying prone. To teach him to fire easily and effectively, at the same time concealing himself from the view of the enemy, he is practiced in simulated firing in the prone, sitting and kneeling positions, from behind hillocks, trees, heaps of earth or rocks, and from depressions, gullies, ditches, doorways, or windows. He is taught to fire around the right side of his concealment whenever possible, or, when this is not possible, to rise enough to fire over the top of his concealment. He is taught to improve natural cover and adapt it as a firing position by the use of the intrenching tool.

When these details are understood, he is required to select cover with reference to an assumed enemy and to place himself behind it in proper position for firing. Rapid loading, rapid and accurate sight setting, and quick and skillful occupation of the firing position are pacticed.

The skirmisher is instructed in the value of the different forms of cover as protection from both terrestrial and aerial view and from high angle infantry and artillery fire.

(2) The evil of remaining too long in one place, however good the concealment, is explained. He is taught to advance from cover to cover, selecting cover in advance before leaving his concealment. It is impressed upon him that a man running rapidly toward an enemy furnishes a poor target. He is trained in springing from a prone position behind concealment, running at top speed to cover and throwing himself behind it. He is also practiced in advancing from cover to cover by crawling or by creeping.

He is instructed in moving on designated direction points, making use of cover to screen his movements without losing the direction of advance.

(3) He is taught that when fired on while acting independently, he should drop to the ground, seek cover, and then endeavor to locate the enemy.

(4) The skirmisher is taught that, when acting as a member of a fire unit, should he find himself on ground unsuitable for firing because of lack of visibility or poor cover he at once moves to the nearest favorable locality, avoiding, however, such extensive changes as would blanket the fire of others.

(5) The instruction of the skirmisher in the use of cover is continued in the combat exercises of the platoon, but he must then be taught that the proper advances of the platoon and the effectiveness of its fire are of greater importance than the question of cover for individuals.

c. Observation.--(1) The ability to use his eyes accurately is of great importance to the soldier. The recruit is trained in observing his surroundings from positions and when on the march.

He is practiced in pointing out and naming military features of the ground; in distinguishing between living beings; in counting distant groups of objects or beings; in recognizing colors and forms; and in the varying visibility of targets as affected by background and light.

(2) In the training of men in the mechanism of the firing line, they are practiced in repeating to one another target and aiming point designations and in quickly locating and pointing out a designated target. They should be taught to distinguish from a prone position, distant objects, particularly troops, both with the naked ey, and with field glasses. Similarly they should be trained in estimating distancese d. Night movements.—(1) Movements at night or in heavy fog require specia· practice.

1

Order, silence, and skill in maintaining direction are the principal requisites. Practice is had in accustoming the eye and ear to the different impressions which objects and sounds make under night conditions. Estimation of distance by eye and of direction and distance of sounds is practiced.

Exercises are conducted in orientation by means of objects whose location has been observed during the day, by the stars, and by the use of the compass. The soldier is instructed as to the conduct to be observed in case the enemy sets up flares in his vicinity. He is taught to secure his arms and equipment so that they make no noise.

(2) By the use of colored glasses, night conditions may be simulated during daylight hours. This procedure has an advantage in that it permits the instructor to bserve closely the movements of the men under instruction.

e. Special instruction.-The soldier is instructed in the passage of obstacles, wire cutting, and the laying out of panels.

Note. For detailed methods of instruction in the above paragraph, see TR 200-5, Chapter XVI.