CHAPTER VI

OBSERVATION OF FIRE

The time required to adjust, in order to secure an effective fire, and the expenditure of ammunition may both be greatly reduced, if, by reconnaissance, the enemy's positions are well determined and if, by auxiliary observers pushed well to the front and flank, information is obtained which will assist in the adjustment of fire.

The searching of areas is never to be resorted to unless it can be definitely determined that the enemy is actually located within the area selected, and unless he would evidently exercise a material influence upon the progress of the combat if left undisturbed by fire.

The officer conducting the fire should be posted where he can observe not only his immediate target, but as much as possible of the terrain liable to be assigned him to attack. Unembarrassed by details of the service of the guns he should devote himself to observing and correcting the fire and adapting its employment to meet the requirements of the situation. He should train himself to form accurate and quick estimates and to act on them with decision and boldness.

To overlook ground which is visible to the officer conducting the fire, as well as for the purpose of assisting generally in the adjustment of fire, free use is to be made of auxiliary observing parties.

Such parties occupy the most favorable observing stations which the conditions of the combat admit. Preferably they are as near the enemy as possible. If near the guns, they are posted usually on the flanks and in elevated positions, if possible; for example, in the tops of trees, on buildings, on artificial towers, etc.

Their special duties are to signal information which will assist in the adjustment of fire and to keep the artillery commander informed of movements of the targets or of our own troops which would affect the employment of fire.

With respect to the adjustment of fire, they indicate especially whether the range is short, over, or correct, whether the interval of burst (distance of point of burst in front of target) is too great, too small, or correct; whether the direction is right, left, or correct.

If large errors in range are made, an observer on the flank of the guns will not usually be able to separate the errors in range from those in direction; in such a case the observer would ordinarily signal the direction only, as right or left, as it appears to him, and the officer conducting the fire, knowing the position of the observer, would deduce the sense of the salvo, volley, etc., in range. If the observer is to the right of the line of fire, shots striking short of the target appear to be to the left, while those striking over appear to be to the right, and vice versa if he is on the left of the line of fire.

With respect to movements of the enemy, the observer reports especially: If the enemy abandons his position; if he shifts to the right or left, front or rear, to escape effective fire; if additional hostile troops enter the sector assigned the guns.

With respect to our own troops, the observer makes such reports as to their movements and situation as will enable the artillery commander to best assist them with the fire of the guns.

Arrangements should, moreover, be made with advanced troops of the other arms for the transmission of information which will assist in the adjustment of fire and for the indication as to when fire should be commenced or discontinued.

Sure and definite means of communication must be established between the artillery commander, his observing parties,

and advanced friendly troops. If time admits, telephone communication is provided; but visual signaling must always be relied upon to a greater or less extent.

For observation of fire, for study of the terrain, and for the quick recognition of objectives, good field glasses are indispensable. All officers of the artillery, chiefs of section, and scouts must be equipped with suitable glasses.

At the commencement of the fire it is usually best to watch for the burst of the shots with the unaided eyes, for if a large error is made the burst may not appear in the field of view of a telescope or field glass. After the bursts have been located the glasses may be quickly brought into play, if necessary, and the relative position of the smoke with respect to the target noted.

After the fire has been approximately adjusted the points of burst are observed by the aid of field glasses or the telescope, and all the indications carefully noted which assist in the determination of their relative positions with respect to the target.

Much ingenuity may be employed in observation in general. Before any system can be effective, however, a definite set of signals or means of communication must be established. It is surprising how often a word or a movement of the arm will convey an entirely different meaning from the one intended.

Two approved methods of lateral observation are here given, the first when two observers are employed; the second when a single observer is used.

1. The case of two observers D. and K., Figure 1. Each observer (at night each should use two lanterns) faces the battery while at the same time observing the target. Each of them extends his right arm if the shot appears to him to the right of the target, and his left arm if the shot appears to him to the left; both arms if the shot appears to him correct in direction.

Assume that OL is the target.

SHORT SHOTS INCLUDED IN THE ZONE KLOD.

Each shot in the angle KAD is to the left for D, to the right for K. Both extend the arm away from the target.

H

Any shot in the triangle KLA is to the left for D, in line for K. The observer K extends both arms; the observer D extends the arm away from the target.

Any shot in the triangle DAO is in line for D, to the right for K. D extends both arms; K extends the arm away from the target. Thus, when both observers extend an arm in the direction away from the target, or when one extends both arms in that direction and the other extends one arm, the shot is short. SHOTS THAT ARE OVER AND INCLUDED IN THE ZONE FLOI. Any shot in the angle GBH is to the right for D, to the left for K. Both extend the arm toward the target.

FIG. 1.

Any shot in the zone FLBG is in line for D, to the left for K. D extends both arms; K extends the arm toward the target.

Any shot in the zone HBOI is to the right for D, in line for K. K extends both arms; D extends the arm toward the target. Thus, when both observers extend an arm toward the target, or when one extends both arms and the other extends the arm toward the target, the shot is over.

SHOTS NEAR THE TARGET.

Any shot in quadrilateral ALBO is in line for both D and K. Both extend both arms.

DOUBTFUL SHOTS.

Any shot in the angle DOI is to the right for D, to the right for K. One extends the arm toward the target; the other

extends the arm away from the

target. It is the same if the shot bursts in the angle KLF.

Thus, when both observers extend the arm, one toward the target and the other in a direction away from the target, the shot is doubtful.

To sum up: The shot is over when both observers extend the arm toward the target, or when one extends both arms and the other extends the arm toward the target.

B

The shot is short when both observers extend the arm away

FIG. 2.

from the target, or when one extends both arms and the other extends the arm away from the target.

The shot is near when both observers extend both arms.

The shot is doubtful when one extends the arm toward the

target and the other in the opposite direction.

2. The case of a single observer. (Fig. 2):

The captain is at C.

SHORT SHOTS INCLUDED IN THE ZONE CLOD.

Any shot in the angle CAD is to the right for the captain, to the left for the observer D. D extends the arm away from the target.

Any shot in the angle CAL is in line for the captain, to the left for D. D extends the arm away from the target.

Any shot in the angle DAO is to the right for the captain, to the right for D. D extends both arms.