Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917 eBook

United States Department of War
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 376 pages of information about Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917.

Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917 eBook

United States Department of War
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 376 pages of information about Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917.

If kneeling, stand up, faced to the front, on the ground marked by the left heel.

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

131.  If lying down:  KNEEL.

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

132.  In double rank, the positions of kneeling and lying down are ordinarily used only for the better utilization of cover.

When deployed as skirmishers, a sitting position maybe taken in lieu of the position kneeling.

LOADINGS AND FIRINGS.

133.  The commands for loading and firing are the same whether standing, kneeling, or lying down.  The firings are always executed at a halt.

When kneeling or lying down in double rank, the rear rank does not load, aim, or fire.

The instruction in firing will be preceded by a command for loading.

Loadings are executed in line and skirmish line only.

134.  Pieces having been ordered loaded are kept loaded without command until the command UNLOAD, or INSPECTION ARMS, fresh clips being inserted when the magazine is exhausted.

135.  The aiming point or target is carefully pointed out.  This may be done before or after announcing the sight setting.  Both are indicated before giving the command for firing, but may be omitted when the target appears suddenly and is unmistakable; in such case battle sight is used if no sight setting is announced.

136.  The target or aiming point having been designated and the sight setting announced, such designation or announcement need not be repeated until a change of either or both is necessary.

Troops are trained to continue their fire upon the aiming point or target designated, and at the sight setting announced, until a change is ordered.

137.  If the men are not already in the position of load, that position is taken at the announcement of the sight setting; if the announcement is omitted, the position is taken at the first command for firing.

138.  When deployed, the use of the sling as an aid to accurate firing is discretionary with each man.

TO LOAD.

139.  Being in line or skirmish line at halt:  1. Withdummy_ (blankor_ball)_cartridges_, 2.  LOAD.

At the command load each front-rank man or skirmisher faces half right and carries the right foot to the right, about 1 foot, to such position as will insure the greatest firmness and steadiness of the body; raises, or lowers, the piece and drops it into the left hand at the balance, left thumb extended along the stock, muzzle at the height of the breast, and turns the cut-off up.  With the right hand he turns and draws the bolt back, takes a loaded clip and inserts the end in the clip slots, places the thumb on the powder space of the top cartridge, the fingers

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Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.