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Fire Direction, or the Duties of a Company or Squadron Leader in a Fire Fight. He— (1.) Decides the formations to be adopted : (2.) Regulates the pace of the advance : (3.) Orders the first opening of fire : (4.) Gives directions as to targets, sighting, &c. : (5.) Attends to reinforcements of the firing-line : (6.) Attends to the ammunition-supply : (7.) Sees to communications with flanks and rear. Fire Control, or the Duties of the Section or Troop Leader. He— (1.) Carries out orders for fire direction : (2.) Indicates targets and aiming-point: (3.) Orders sighting elevation and deflection : (4.) Regulates volume and movement: (5.) Collects ammunition from casualties, and distributes the same in firing-line : (6.) Passes orders and information : (7.) Sees that men make the best use of cover. Fire Discipline. The duty of the soldier is'to carry out all orders of the fire-unit commander, and, in the absence of orders, to adjust his sights, fire his rifle, &c, in accordance with tactical requirements, independently of control. The Care and Cleaning of Arms. " Officers commanding companies are responsible for the condition of the arms on their charge." (Paragraph 84, Musketry Regulations, Part I, 1909.) The very large number of rifie-barrels ruined in the past through neglect points to the fact that commanding officers have not realized their responsibilities in this direction. It is now impressed on them that they are to take more care in the inspection of arms, and see that their officers and N.C.O.s quite understand how to instruct in the cleaning and care of arms. In the actual cleaning, stress must be laid on having the gauze well oiled, that the oil is well rubbed into the flannel, which must be of the regulation size, and that after firing blank extra care must be taken owing to greater accumulation of fouling, as the firing is in most cases more prolonged, and a great interval elapses before the rifle can be thoroughly cleaned. Section 10, Musketry Regulations, Part I, 1909, on " Instructions and Care of Arms and Ammunition," should be read to the men at intervals. Examination of Small Arms. It is necessary for all company officers and N.C.O.s to possess a competent technical knowledge of the inspection, care, and preservation of small arms. (Section 11, Musketry Regulations, Part I, 1909.) • Standard Tests. Certain standards laid down to enable an officer inspecting a unit to get some idea of its efficiency. Before proceeding to the range all recruits must pass the various tests as laid down in Musketry Regulations, Part I, 1909, paragraphs 296 to 300. Firees' Knowledge of the Sighting Errors of their Rifles. . These errors, up to 600 yards, are discovered on the classification range, and, in spite of their increasing in proportion to increase in elevation, only recently a means has been devised by which a man is afforded the opportunity of determining what the error amounts to beyond close range. Usually, in controlled fire, sights are adjusted to the range ordered. But as at longer ranges there is frequently an error of plus or minus 100 yards in the sighting-elevation of the rifle, it may be fairly concluded that, under this system, the fire of a number of rifles would, in many instances, be wasted. If, on the other hand, each man was aware of any error and made the necessary allowance for it, his rifle would normally be included in the effective portion of the cone of fire, and so assist in bringing about close grouping. The following provides the required means, and is generally given the distinctive title of "harmonization" of sights. By a careful compromise between theory and practice it has been determined at what height a bullet — miniature or service — should normally strike above the aminig-mark when it has arrived at a point 25 yards away from the muzzle. This height varies according to the sighting-elevation used, and is technically known as the " ordinate." These vertical heists or " ordinates " for various distances are measured up on a blank target from the point where the aim is taken, and horizontal lines are marked so as to be visible at the firingpoint. Careful aim is then taken with the muzzle exactly 25 yards away from the target. The position of the shot-hole will show whether the sighting of the rifle is normal or the reverse. Two useful ranges at which to find any error are 1,000 and 1,500 yards. Alteration of sights by less than 50 yards should not be allowed. That amount at 1,000 yards gives an approximate vertical

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