c. Method.-Distribution is individual and collective. Each man fires his first shot on that portion of the target corresponding to his position in the squad. Then he changes his sighting point a few yards to the right for each shot until his line of sight arrives at the edge of the target when he switches at once to the extreme left of the target and continues to traverse as before. This procedure is shown in Plate 15.

d. Another element in fire distribution is the manner in which targets are assigned to units. The method used will enable a section to distribute its fire, so as to cause the entire target to suffer therefrom even when the fire of one or more squads is shifted against another target or when a part of the section is advancing. Plate 16 shows an assignment of the squads of a section to the target A-B in which each squad covers the entire target. With such distribution, if squad No. 1 makes a rush forward, the entire target is still covered by squads No. 2 and No. 3.

Distributed fire is habitually used on line targets. There is no special command for its use.

e. When a section target is long and the range very short a slight change is made in the method of distribution. Suppose, for example, that the target is 150

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Plate 15.

yards long and the range is only 100 yards. Under these conditions the covering of the entire target by each man in the section would cause the firer to change position more than is desirable, and would endanger men on his flanks who might be ahead of him.

f. In combat at close ranges, men will instinctively fire on the targets closest to them, which will be the targets to their front. Training in fire distribution conforms to this natural and proper modification.

g. Before the method of covering the whole of a wide target becomes impracticable and unsafe, men limit the distribution of their fire to a portion of the target equal to about one-third of its length and in a position corresponding to that of the firer in the section.

h. The size of fractions rushing should be reduced to four men or two men before the above modification in the method of distribution is made, in order that the entire target may still be covered during an advance by rushes.

i. The need for this change in the method of fire distribution will be exceptional, for the reason that it is required only by the combination of a wide target and very close range.

31. Rate of fire.-a. The best rate of fire in combat is that which will give the greatest number of hits; that is, hits per minute unless failure of ammunition supply makes it necessary to save ammunition. In this case a somewhat slower rate giving a greater percentage of hits or more hits per 100 rounds fired would be better. In exceptional cases fire is used for moral effect rather than for hits. For this class of fire a higher rate is more effective. The fire must be kept on or very close to the enemy position, however, if it is to have any effect at all.

b. In rapid-fire practice the soldier is trained to shoot from seven to ten aimed shots per minute, depending on the range. In battle the difficulty in picking out indistinct targets will generally make a slower rate of fire advisable. Every shot must be carefully aimed and fired by squeezing the trigger as taught in rifle marksmanship or the fire will soon become wild, scattered, and ineffective.

c. Everything is done that will increase the rate of fire without affecting its accuracy. This includes

(1) Keeping the muscles in condition by exercises in bolt operation and simulated rapid fire.

(2) Insisting that rifle bolt works smoothly and easily.

(3) Keeping the rifle and ammunition clean with particular attention to the chamber of the rifle.

Plate 16.

(4) Keeping the bolt and the bearing surfaces of the rifle lightly oiled. (5) Proper firing position including use of the sling.

(6) Reloading rapidly as taught in rifle marksmanship.

d. It is impossible for leaders to prescribe or enforce exactly the most effective rate of fire. It will vary with conditions and with individuals under the same conditions. The rifleman is the best judge of the proper rate of fire. It is the duty of leaders, however, to control the rate of fire to the extent that they will correct men who fire so fast as to prevent careful aim and trigger squeeze, as well as those who waste time by improper reloading or by using poor positions. In the excitement of battle it is the tendency of men to fire too fast. This tendency must be overcome by training and by careful supervision in battle.

32. Fire power.-a. Fire power depends upon the volume, accuracy, distribution and control of fire. The volume of fire depends upon the number of men firing and the rate of fire.

A section advancing by squad rushes will lose one-third of its fire power, while if advancing by rushes of two men will lose only about one-tenth of its fire power. Squad rushes have the advantage of making the advance more rapid.

b. Nearly all musketry training is given for the purpose of increasing the fire power of troops in battle. Nothing is more essential to success in combat than fire

power. It causes most of the enemy losses, and when sufficiently great holds him pinned to the ground when he wishes to advance or drives him from positions he desires to hold. Superior fire power makes the enemy fire less effective, so that our troops are aided in their advance or in holding defensive positions.

c. To produce the greatest fire power of which a section is capable, all members thereof must follow the principles of rifle marksmanship and musketry.

33. Fire of automatic rifle.—The high rate of fire of the automatic rifle makes it very important in maintaining fire power. Every effort will be made to keep the automatic rifles in action. The automatic rifleman distributes his fire in the manner described for riflemen (except that he fires two or three shots at each aiming point before shifting to the next). His most effective rate of fire is from 40 to 60 rounds per minute. Characteristics of the automatic rifle are covered in TR 150-30 (Chapter XV).

34. Effect of fire.-a. Physical effect.

(1) On enemy troops.—The effective range of the rifle is limited by the ability of troops to make hits rather than by disabling power of the bullet. Fire is very seldom effective at ranges over 1,000 yards, due to the difficulty of seeing and hitting enemy troops. At a range of 1,200 yards the bullet will go through 11 pine boards each 1 inch thick and spaced 1 inch apart; at a range of 2,500 yards the bullet will generally penetrate two such boards, which indicates that it still has enough force to disable a man. A ricochet is effective if it strikes a man soon after leaving the ground. Ricochets lose their speed quickly, however, and are apt to be ineffective after traveling a considerable distance.

(2) On enemy materiel.—Rifle fire is seldom used to advantage against enemy matériel. Well-constructed defenses are bullet proof and can not be destroyed by rifle fire. The bullet is often effective against light armor or helmets worn by individuals. Its effectiveness depends on the range, the metal used in the armor, and the angle at which the bullet strikes.

At times rifle fire is effective and should be used against low-flying planes. Airmen say it is very demoralizing to pilots.

b. Moral effect.-At ordinary ranges the sound of a bullet passing within a few yards is a sharp, disconcerting crack. In the field, bullets which fall a little short will usually throw up a shower of dirt or stones and ricochet with a loud whine or hum. If troops under fire have cover but must expose themselves in order to fire, they will have a tendency to fire quickly without careful aim and then to duck down behind the cover to reload. If the fire is very heavy they may keep down altogether and make no attempt to return it. Such action results from fear of being hit and from an unwillingness to take risks, when lying low seems to be the safest plan. Another effect of fire is that some men become excited and are unable to think clearly and act with coolness. Fire sometimes indicates by its volume that the enemy is stronger or by its direction that the enemy has the advantage of position. These are factors which cause discouragement. Fear, excitement, and discouragement, with the resulting loss of will power, are the chief factors in the moral effect of rifle fire. This moral effect can be obtained entirely without hits when the enemy is behind cover, but nothing increases the moral effect of fire so much as hits. Consequently hits are the first consideration so long as the enemy, by exposure, makes them possible. When hits can no longer be made, fire is continued when its moral effect alone is considered worth the effort and ammunition expended. When opposing forces are intrenched and neither side is trying to advance, fire for moral effect alone is of no value.

35. Exercises.-a. Exercise No. 8.

Purpose: To give instruction in the use of assault fire.

Method: The men are given instruction in the use of assault fire as prescribed in paragraph 27 e. The first instruction is given without the use of ammunition, the men simulating firing. They are then given instruction, using blank or ball ammunition. The rate of march is necessarily slow. The squad leaders march in rear of their squads and watch particularly to see that none of the men get too far in rear while firing; likewise they see that none get out in front of the general line. The purpose of the exercise and the use of assault fire are explained to the organization. In carrying out the exercise, an assumed situation is given in order to make the exercise more instructive and more interesting. Since assault fire is aimed fire, suitable aiming points or targets should be provided.

b. Exercise No. 9.

Purpose: Individual practice in firing at field targets.

Method: Individuals fire on individual field targets at known ranges of from 200 to 500 yards. Sight settings are checked by squad leaders. Hits are signaled or the targets are examined by the firers.

c. Exercise No. 10.

Purpose: To show trajectories.

Method: The unit under instruction watches the firing of a few tracer bullets at targets whose ranges are announced. Ranges of 300, 600, and 800 yards are suitable selections. The flatness of the trajectory is called to the attention of the

men.

d. Exercise No. 11.

Purpose: To show method of fire distribution.

Method: A squad equipped with rifles, automatic rifle, and tracer ammunition is in firing position facing a target consisting of a screen or a line of kneeling silhouettes at least 20 yards long.

First, the men in order from the left fire one shot each at the corresponding portion of the target.

Second, the automatic rifleman fires to show the method of individual distribution, as explained in paragraph 30.

Third, the squad fires for about 1 minute, to show the effect of collective distribution.

Fourth, the target is examined.

e. Exercise No. 12.

Purpose: Practice in fire distibution.

Method: (1) The squad or section is placed in firing position, with about 20 rounds of ball ammunition per man. The target consists of a line of silhouette targets, some of which are hidden behind natural concealment, such as tall grass or brush.

(2) The target is designated and the squad or section fires upon it, using distibuted fire.

(3) Targets are examined. If any have escaped because of their concealment, while the visible targets show numerous hits, the distribution was poor. Men have allowed most of their fire to be drawn to the visible targets and have neglected the intervening places of concealment, which are equally important.