Part 48 (1/2)

To fire from the magazine, the command _MAGAZINE FIRE_ may be given at any time. The cut-off is turned up and an increased rate of fire is executed. After the magazine is exhausted the cut-off is turned down and the firing continued, loading from the belt.

_Magazine fire_ is employed only when, in the opinion of the platoon leader or company commander, the maximum rate of fire becomes necessary.

142. _UNLOAD._

All take the position of load, turn the _cut-off_ up, if not already there, turn the safety lock to the left, and alternately open and close the chamber until all the cartridges are ejected. After the last cartridge is ejected the chamber is closed and the trigger pulled. The cartridges are then picked up, cleaned, and returned to the box or belt, and the piece brought to the order.

148. _CLIP FIRE._

Turn the cut-off up; _fire at will_ (reloading from the magazine) until the cartridges in the piece are exhausted; turn the cut-off down; fill magazine; reload and take the position of _suspend firing_.

150. _CEASE FIRING._

Firing stops; pieces not already there are brought to the position of load, the cartridge is drawn or the empty sh.e.l.l is ejected, the trigger is pulled, sights are laid down, and the piece is brought to the order.

_Cease firing_ is used for long pauses to prepare for changes of position or to steady the men.

APPENDIX B.

WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF, _Was.h.i.+ngton, December 2, 1911._

Paragraphs 747, 792, 793, 794, 795, 796, 797, and 798, Infantry Drill Regulations, 1911, apply only to troops equipped with the Infantry Equipment, model 1910. For troops equipped under General Orders, No.

23, War Department, 1906, and orders amendatory thereof, the alternative paragraphs published herewith will govern.

By order of the Secretary of War:

LEONARD WOOD, _Major General, Chief of Staff._

747. If the inspection is to include an examination of the blanket rolls the captain, before dismissing the company and after inspecting the file closers, directs the lieutenants to remain in place, closes ranks, stacks arms, dresses the company back to four paces from the stacks, takes intervals, and commands: 1. _Unsling_, 2. _PACKS_, 3.

_Open_, 4. _PACKS_.

At the second command each man unslings his roll and places it on the ground at his feet, rounded end to the front, square end of shelter half to the right.

At the fourth command the rolls are untied, laid perpendicular to the front with the triangular end of the shelter half to the front, opened, and unrolled to the left; each man prepares the contents of his roll for inspection and resumes the attention.

The captain then returns saber, pa.s.ses along the ranks and file closers as before, inspects the rolls, returns to the right, draws saber and commands: 1. _Close_, 2. _PACKS_.

At the second command each man, with his shelter half smoothly spread on the ground with b.u.t.tons up and triangular end to the front, folds his blanket once across its length and places it upon the shelter half, fold toward the bottom, edge one-half inch from the square end, the same amount of canvas uncovered at the top and bottom. He then places the parts of the pole on the side of the blanket next the square end of shelter half, near and parallel to the fold, end of pole about 6 inches from the edge of the blanket; nests the pins similarly near the opposite edge of the blanket and distributes the other articles carried in the roll; folds the triangular end and then the exposed portion of the bottom of the shelter half over the blanket.

The two men in each file roll and fasten first the roll of the front and then of the rear rank man. The file closers work similarly two and two, or with the front rank man of a blank file. Each pair stands on the folded side, rolls the blanket roll closely and buckles the straps, pa.s.sing the end of the strap through both keeper and buckle, back over the buckle and under the keeper. With the roll so lying on the ground that the edge of the shelter half can just be seen when looking vertically downward one end is bent upward and over to meet the other, a clove hitch is taken with the guy rope first around the end to which it is attached and then around the other end, adjusting the length of rope between hitches to suit the wearer.

As soon as a file completes its two rolls each man places his roll in the position it was in after being unslung and stands at attention.

All the rolls being completed, the captain commands: 1. _Sling_, 2.

_PACKS_.