DEFENCE NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3493, 6 April 1912, Page 3

DEFENCE NOTES.

(Bv “Reveille.”)

One of the most most- important, if not the cardinal qualification of the citizen soldier, is proficiency in the use of the rifle. This phase of military work is to become enormously popular within a very short space of time, and the local units will doubtless turn out some good shots. The accurate estimation of distance is one of the most desirable qualifications of all officers, whether belonging to the staff or a regiment. They must be able to direct a fire, for without .this attribute good marksmanship at their command is sometimes a disadvantage. In this connection the-, following hints should be valuable:

For mysketry purposes, judging must be rapid, since at effective ranges good targets soon disappear, and at deesiive ranges fire-effects against an enemy behind cover depends on skill in snap-shooting. Similarly, the utmost keenness of eyesight- must be developed in all ranks, so that (1) the fire-unit commander may see and indicate targets; (2) the soldier may see and recognise targets indicated. Undoubtedly, eyesight can be improved and adapted by practice in peace time to such purposes. The skill required is that of the shikari. Keen sight and accurate estimation of distance have a close relation to each other, and may well he combined by officers and non-commissioned officers vvith practice in indicating targets, these being the three principal factors "in efficient fire-control. •*--*-■* LIMITS OF TRAINING. In experiments it has been proved that the most expert,shots rarely hit a small target such as a prone figure at distances over 600 yards, even when the range is known, and all conditions are favorable; fire-efFeet beyond 600 var'K io, therefore, not so :ucn result of individual accuracy as of skilful direction of collective fire, which imposes upon unit-fire"commanders the duty of ordering . sighting-elevation, and depends for its success in great measure on the shot-grouping of a number of individuals. It- should therefore be sufficient if the rank and file are trained to judge distance up to 600 yards. Experience has shown that it is not possible to estimate range with even approximate accuracy beyond yards, and in ordinary circumstances it should be possible to use range finding instruments when more than 1,40-0 yards from the enemy. Officers, noncommissioned officers, and seotits should therefore-be trained to judge up to 1,400 yards. These limits ccr. respond with those assigned to decisive and effective'ranges. .

STANDARD .OF ACCURACY. The amount of error permissible depends as regards individual fire ,on the extent of the dangeraus space and ricochets, and, as regards collective fire, on the depth of tile zone. beaten by the group of bullets, which varies according’ to- the range, inclination of the ground, skill of firers, etc. By the regulations- the average error at all distances'is not to exceed 100 yards for men classed, as proficient. In individual firing, with an error of plus 100 yards at GOO yards range, an enemy standing should be hit- near the head by a shot aimed at his feet, and with an'error of minus 100 yards ho should be in danger from a ricochet. ■ By experiments it will be seen that the zones of effective fire 500, 1000, and 1,500 yards-range measure approximately on level ground: At -500 yards—'22o yards by 20ft. U 1,000 * ” - 120 ” 25 ft. ” 1,500 ” 100 ” 35ft, Half the bullets fall short of, and half beyond, the target. ■ This is normal dispersion under favorable conditions. On service, when men are excited and rifles damaged, or at .any time should, the target be ill defined, fire very .rapid, or the objective be constantly' changed, greater dispersion must be expected. It should be the object of squadron and company commanders to train their men to normal grouping of collective fire, which demands quick, .clear, and'precise indication of targets by fire-unit commanders, the ability U> recognise targets.indicated in the rank and file, good average accuracy in shooting,

and the knowledge of any error in his sights by each individual- ** : # THE BEATEN LINEThe beaten zone is not quite identical with what might be termed the “dangerous zone,’’ which includes also the dangerous space, but if it is assumed that in* war the prone position will normally be adopted by troops not in motion, it is that at all but very close ranges they-are of practically equal depth. According to results of experiment*;, .an error of 100 yards in sighting will reduce the percentage of hits at 500 yards to one-third that obtained w.uu correct sighting; at I{J[oo yards to one-seventh, and at 1500 yards to nil. It seems clear that if fire is to be effective, the target must he included in the area swept by the best 75 per cent, grouping-—the zone of effective fire —and to insure this the maximum permissible error in judging distance will be half the depth of the zone — viz., plus or minus 110 yards-at 500, 60, at 1,000, and 50 at 1,500 yards.

It is rumored, as yet without official confirmation, that a number of Territorial officers and non-coms, limited, in the case, of a squadron to 20 men from each district, -and in the case of battallion to 200 from each district, will go into an instructional camp in the south early in July. The hope has been expressed that all who attend the camp will he able to stay for a- whole month, but where they cannot get away for so long they may be taken for any period not less than a week. All' will serve' in the ranks, but will be given an opportunity of exercising command. Special efforts are to be made to induce non-coms, to attendThe 64 new instructors who are being selected will go into camp in June, and will remain until the conclusion of the officers camp.