An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 27 FIELDCRAFT – PART 7 Indication of Targets When a target is indicated, the soldier has to be able to recognise it quickly so that it can be effectively engaged. Also, on occasions, when the soldier is alone and has seen the target, he/she has to be able to indicate it to the remainder of the section. aim: To teach how to recognise and indicate targets. Preparation: Recce the training area and select an arc of fire and reference points and realistic battle targets to use during demonstration and practice in direct, reference point, clock ray and handangle methods of indication. If taking the lesson indoors, position three adjoining landscapes against one wall and mark the section's position not more than 10m from them. Check that the target indicated has been recognised correctly and encourage the use of the word "Again" if it has not. There are two types of target: Point Targets: Which appear to the naked eye to have no appreciable width or depth such as a corner of a field. Wide Targets: Which have width but no apparent depth such as a hedgerow. arc of fire: Explain and demonstrate, that it is easier to recognise a target if the area of ground in which it is likely to be, is known; such an area of ground is called an 'Arc of Fire'. an arc of fire is indicated in the following sequence: a. The Axis, i.e. the middle of the arc. b. The Left and Right of Arc. c. Reference Points (Prominent objects): These should be as permanent as possible, woods, mounds, etc, a reasonable distance apart and easy to identify. A specific point of the object is nominated and given a range and name, i.e. "400 - Mound - bottom left corner - to be known as Mound." Methods of indication: Direct Method: Explain and demonstrate that this method is used to indicate obvious targets. The range, where to look and a description of the target are given. a. 'Centre of arc', for targets on or very near the axis. b. 'Left' or 'Right', for targets 1600 mils (90 degrees) from the axis. c. 'Slightly', 'Quarter', 'Half' or 'Three quarters' and 'Left' or 'Right', for targets between the axis and 'Left' or 'Right'. Reference Points: Explain and demonstrate that to indicate less obvious targets, a reference point may be used together with the direct method and perhaps the words 'above" or "below" as well. Examples: a. "copse" is the reference point, and "small bush" is the target: "300 - copse - slightly Right - small bush" b. "mound" is the reference point, and "gate" is the target: "200 - mound - slightly Right - and below - gate" NoTe: When indicating targets, the range given is the distance to the target.

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