the field artillery journal - Fort Sill - U.S. Army

1943 WEAPONS INSTRUCTION AT THE TANK DESTROYER SCHOOL 207
reticle. They have a short review of the technique of
tracking previously given them by the 37-mm. Section,
which is followed by schooling in the service of the piece
with the loader remaining in a crouching position in the
"well," beneath the recoil of the piece. After that comes use
of the mil scale in the sight reticle and in field glasses for
assistance in estimating ranges. They then fire through
practically the same course as that of the 37-mm. Section.
When there is need of artillery support for other troops
the firepower of the Tank Destroyer Battalion should not
lie idle just because there are no enemy tanks in the
vicinity, so students learn the fundamental aspects of
indirect fire for use in this secondary mission. They are
shown the manner of laying the guns by the Lensatic
Compass. Some of our destroyers 1 are equipped with
panoramic sights, and it is expected that the future
destroyer will also have this type of sights; on this
assumption, instruction is also given in the methods of
reciprocal laying and referring.
For indirect fire only the forward observation method of
fire control is taught, as it can be employed regardless of
the size of the angle "T." The few hours allotted for
instruction, plus the fact that students come from all
branches of the service, make the teaching of more refined
types of fire control virtually impossible. Instruction in
computation of firing data is given only on the basis of
laying by compass and by the magnetic azimuth. No
consideration is given to the use of a "Y" or grid azimuth,
or aiming point for computing data, although basic
information is disseminated on the establishment and use
of a fire direction center for coordination of the fire from
several units.
ANTIAIRCRAFT SECTION
In this section students are taught to recognize the more
common types of enemy planes, through maximum use of
such training aids as models, pictures, and training films.
They learn the characteristics and potentialities of their
antiaircraft weapons, and are introduced to the intricacies
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1
The term "destroyer" refers to 75-mm. on motor carriage or
"half-track."
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of the new antiaircraft mount with its power operated turret
and dual .50-caliber machine guns.
They learn the fundamental principles governing
selection and installation of a peripheral defense of a
bivouac area and that the antiaircraft mounts assigned to
each Tank Destroyer Battalion make it possible to employ
a continuous belt of tangent fire zones in this peripheral
defense. They also learn that in a column AA units are
staggered through the weapons companies—emphasis is
placed again on the distribution of AA mounts to provide
the conjunction of the two fire units.
Since defense against aircraft is the primary mission
of Tank Destroyer antiaircraft units, they must become
acquainted with the delicate technique of adjusting the
tracer stream on the target. The method used is to select
that part of the stream which is estimated to be at
approximately the same range as the plane, and then
attempt to place that part of the stream on the target.
This of course requires facility at depth perception, and
it is suggested that tests for this ability be employed in
the selection of AA gunners. Men are taught that it is
considerably easier to get an adjustment on the
incoming part of the course of the target than on the
receding part. In this instruction they fire at gliders shot
into the air by catapults, at hydrogen-filled balloons, and
soon they will be given an opportunity to fire at radiocontrolled
model planes which have a top speed of
approximately 140 miles per hour. Further, they are
taught that they must be selective about the type of
plane at which they open fire, and always to respect the
principle of not revealing their positions unless
absolutely necessary.
SUMMARY
The Weapons Department has made every effort to
conduct its program of instruction along vital and
interesting lines. The fundamental precept is to learn by
doing. Field work and leadership are given equal weight
with recitation and examination. Therefore, in training men
for combat, the Weapons Department has kept in mind the
slogan of the Tank Destroyer Center: "Seek, Strike, and
Destroy."
FIELD ARTILLERY GUIDE—What they say about it:
"It has taken the "Field Artillery Guide" a long time to catch up with me, but I am
delighted to have it available. The Editors and Compilers deserve much commendation and I
believe that it will serve a long felt need because it represents the essentials covered in so
many separate manuals.
"Just as soon as I can get my entire organization together again I am going to
recommend the "Field Artillery Guide" to my officers in a very definite way."—BRIGADIER
GENERAL, U.S.A.