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

190 MANUvAL FOR COM1d~LANhDERB OF INFANTRYII P]LATOON8S.
line which appear to be neglectedl by our artillery and1 highpower
mortars. After the attack has been launched they aire
used against parts of the enemy's line wihich ourl infantry can
not reach a~nd whiich must be prevented from taking in flankL
portions oi our line wvhich have ndvn~ncecl.
In2 clefen2se.-W~hen the enemy is ex idently prepnring to attalck,
the tr~ench muortars xvhich Ccanno 111:Si~Sit in rep~ul>ing the at~tack;
should~r not he left in exposed positirns ne~zr tbe first line. T~hey
sh~ouldC be takren to the positions ~vhich 1 ii e oeeis prepar~e( for,
them in rear·, wihere they caln homboi~d the tcrinches andc approaches
which the enemy mnnyoccnpl\-
Inz casngcZz losses to th~c ca2eo7.Iy During lulls in thle fightingS
rapid fire should be opened uncxe tedlycllin os des to harass thie
enemy dur~ing the hzeat of the day/3, dnrlling a2 ra~instormll on
clark or still niights, wThenthe enemy is chancLing eifa h
hours for mleals, etc. Flirie for· this purpose maly he combllinedi
wvith that of rifle grenazdes, whrose functions are very similar to
those of trlenulh mortars.
0. 37-CALIB1ER. (1.5-mICen) GUJNS.
The tactical characteristics of the 37 gun ar~e: Its mlobilityy
and the: lightness of its amnliuniti~on permit it to occcomli~ny
infantry in all phlases of the combat. It can he hiddien ci>ilyt,
can be dug into the ground with little labor~, and ccn he usedl
for m-~zasked fire. It ca2n he laid ea~sily. It is very sccur'ste It
ca~n lilt individual targets up to 1,300 yazrds, and has rn ello~ctive
rang~e up to 1,600 yardsx. It is a r·apid firLer·, andcl fos shorti
periods, cazn be fired as fast as 20 round~s p~er miniute Its percussien-exu~losive
shell is used aganinst personnel and maltes liel,
aind its steel shell is used against screens andc shieldls Its die~lftiveness
is simlila~r to that of a gr~enade, but its shell con pies ce,
befor'e bur'sting, two or' three t~hicknaesses of sau~dbags, a wToodlen
balrrier, or a steel shield. Its fire hans ver;y little efinit upon
earthworksx. It canl, by clir~ett fire, dlestr1oyJhost~ile ma~chclinec gunls
wohich showo themi~zselves. Its fire is very efiective algainst; troops
upon which it; can bring an enfiladling fire.
In offensive action.-T~ehe 37 guns azre generhily under thle orders
of the battalion commanders, but in some cases th~ey ar&
krept at the disp~osal of the regimental commander. They are.