An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 29 FIElDCRAFt – PARt 4 Judging Distance It is important to be able to judge distances accurately, so that fire may be fully effective, and so that observer's reports are accurate in this respect. There are two methods of judging distance, the 'Unit-of-Measure' method and the 'Appearance' method. Accurate judgment of distance is a skill which every soldier must develop, when used with certain aids, can produce accurate ranges. It is important, therefore, that every soldier is skilled in the use of the methods of judging distance and familiar with the aids that can improve his/her accuracy. JuDGinG DistAnCe by usinG the unit-oF-MeAsure Provided that all the ground between the soldier and the object is visible, use can be made of any unit of measure familiar to the soldier. This may be the length of a football pitch, etc, but must be a unit with which the soldier is very familiar. If no particular unit is familiar to the soldier, he should become trained to recognise a unit of 100 metres. Estimate how many units of the familiar length can be fitted in between the position and the object to which the distance is required. A simple multiplication should give a figure which can be used as an estimate of the distance. This method is not reliable at distances in excess of 400 metres. You may be consistently over, or under your estimate and you must take this into consideration when fitting in the 100 metre units. ConDitions AFFeCtinG AppeArAnCe Objects seem closer than they are when: (1) The light is bright or the sun is shining from behind the observer. (2) They are bigger than the objects around them. (3) There is dead ground between them and the observer (4) They are higher up than the observer. Objects seem further away than they are when: (1) The light is dull or the sun is shining from behind cover. (2) They are smaller than the objects around them. (3) The observer is looking across a valley or down a street. (4) The observer is lying down. JuDGinG DistAnCe by AppeArAnCe MethoD The Appearance method of judging distance is based on what an object looks like in relation to its surroundings. A soldier must know what various objects, e.g. trees, gates, houses, soldiers, etc look like at various ranges. The amount of visible detail of a soldier at various ranges gives a good indication of the distance he is away, i.e. (1) At 100 metres - clear in all detail. (2) At 200 metres - clear in all detail, colour of skin and equipment identifiable. (3) At 300 metres - clear body outline, face colour good, remaining detail blurred. (4) At 400 metres - body outline clear, remaining detail blurred. (5) At 500 metres - body begins to taper, head becomes indistinct. (6) At 600 metres - body now wedge- shaped, no head apparent.

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