An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 27 FIELDCRAFt – PARt 8 Indication of targets Continued 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 alone and has seen the target, the soldier has to be able to indicate it to the remainder of the section. Aim: To teach how to recognise and indicate targets. Clock Ray Method: To indicate more difficult targets a reference point together with a clock ray is used. During indication, it is imagined that there is a clock face standing up on the landscape with its centre on the reference point. To indicate a target, the range, the reference point and whether the target is to the left or right of it, and the appropriate hour on the clock face are given, e.g. "300 - base of tower - Right - 4 o'clock - small bush". To indicate an extremely difficult target or to indicate a target to an AFV, tracer ammunition is a useful aid. The range and area of the target is indicated, tracer is fired and the strike is used as a reference point. hand Angles: Difficult targets at longer ranges may be indicated by using a reference point together with a hand angle, e.g. "300 - copse - Left 60mils. To read hand angles the left arm should be outstretched from the shoulder and one eye closed. However, individuals vary in their physical measurements and it is essential that every soldier knows his own measurements and it is essential that every soldier knows his own hand angles. Hand angles with the fingers and thumb opened vary greatly and it is best to obtain personal measurements of these in the field, using a compass. The hand Angle scale: Sub-divisions are 100mm apart and, when viewed from 10m, equate to 10mils. binoculars: The binoculars' graticules are spaced at intervals of approximately 10mils across a field of view of about 80mils and these may be used when appropriate to assist in indication, e.g. "300 - copse - Left - 30mils" (or "Left three graticules" ). wide Target: When a wide target is indicated, the Right and Left limits are defined using any of the methods already taught, e.g. "300 - Red barn (reference point) Right - 4 o'clock - small bush - Left limit - Right 60mils along hedgerow - gate - Right limit" (the target extends along the hedgerow from the "bush" to the "gate"). nOTe: When indicating targets, the range given is the distance to the target.

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