manual for commanders of infantry platoons. - US Army Combined ...

Mi~~~~ANUA IEO~R OO~VIC~~AND;S'P~ERS~~ OFi~ INFANTRYT~1B PLggATOONS. 187
Thepart of the ba~rrage which falls to four grenade firers
posted- at C, calculated -with reference to the front of the company
G J, gives 33 yards for ·each firer to cover. The captain
then marksx the points G, H, B, and J 0 millimneters (one-fourth
inch) -apart. ~He th~en measures wivjth his scale the distances
o G, C H, C B, C A, C J, C D3, and C B and ascertains the azi-.
mnuth angles of their directions. H3e makes in this way a sketch
containing complete firing data for the rifle grenade group at C.
It includes:
(aL) For1 all of the grenade firers, for their first: fire, a common
azimunth C A; all ranges from 100 yards to 150 yards, in
order to bring fire upon the whole line B A.
(b,) F~or the second fire, a common azimluth C BIi; all1 ranges
from13 120 to 175 yards, in order to cover B A.
(c) Foar each firer, an individual barrage ~fire with a given
range; for the firer on t~he left it w;ould~ be azimuth C G aznd
range 1.10 yardrs. For the othcrs, azimuth C H- and ~range 100
yards, azimuuthC A and range 100 yards, azimuth C J and range
80 yards.
The rifles are placed on supports and.laid with a compass
and piniunb in the desir~ed dlirection and elevation. Each 'firer·
should understand clearly what he is to do at the com~maund,
"first fire," " second fire," or "barrage fire."
EM~PLOYM~ENT ON THE OFFiENSIVEI.
The V. ]B. gre~nade is used on the o~ffense to extend t~he radlius
of action of the; hand gr~enadles, in reaching an enemy under
cover at a. greater distance. In many local combats, wTlhere it
is not practicableto obtain artillery support, it; takes the place
of this support by accurately bombarding the strong points of
the hostile line. It; isolates hostile groups attacked with handt
grenadles, cu~tt~ing off their retreat, alnd preven~ting reinforcemlents
from reaching them. It is very eff~ective in repulsing
hostile counter attacks. In any situnFttion, bult especifally on the
offensive, it is better to concentrate the fire of V. ]B. grenades.
D. E. GREINADE.
In compyarison with the V. BT. grenade, the DP.H., grenade or.
shell has twice the range and much greater power; but it is ,a