(g) In combat the platoon is the fire unit.  The fire of the company, battalion or regiment is nothing more than the combined fire of all the fire units.  The enemy can be imaginary, outlined or represented.  The exercise must be conducted under an assumed tactical situation.  The commander must lead his men according to the assumptions made by the umpire.  Signals are used to indicate the enemy’s actions, strength, etc.  The situation should be simple, and after the exercise a critique should be held on the ground.  Combat practice with ball ammunition against disappearing targets, and at estimated ranges, gets excellent results.  The officer conducting the exercise will prohibit the advance if it would be impossible were the enemy real.

Have every man play the game.

A point to be remembered is that for battle sight the sight slide must be as far to the rear as it will go.  If it is part way up the leaf, the drift correction cut in the slot upon which it moves will throw it to the left, and left windage will be taken.

Point blank range is 530 yards.  Battle sight is set for this distance because this is the extreme range at which a bullet would strike a man kneeling between the rifle and the target.

[Illustration:  Plate #4.]

Pistol.

NOMENCLATURE AND CARE.—­The soldier is first taught the nomenclature of the parts of the pistol.  Ordinance Pamphlet No. 1866 gives this information, (See cut of pistol.)

MANUAL FOR THE PISTOL.

1.  The pistol being in the holster:  1.  Raise, 2.  Pistol.

At the command Raise, unbutton the flap of the holster with the right hand and grasp the stock, back of hand outward.

At the command Pistol, draw the pistol from the holster, reverse it, muzzle up, the hand holding the stock with the thumb and last three fingers; forefinger outside of the guard; barrel to the rear, and inclined to the front at an angle of about thirty degrees; hand as high as the neck and six inches in front of the point of the right shoulder.  This is the position of Raise Pistol, and it may be similarly taken from any position.

2.  To withdraw magazine, pistol in any position:  1.  Withdraw. 2.  Magazine.

At the command Magazine, place pistol, barrel down, in left hand and clasp barrel in full grip of left hand, thumb clasped over barrel in front of trigger guard, butt of pistol up, barrel pointing to the left front and slightly downward.  With tip of right forefinger press stud releasing magazine and then place tip of same finger under projection at front of magazine base.  Raise magazine about an inch then close thumb and second finger on sides of magazine, giving a secure grasp with which it can be withdrawn from socket, placed inside belt (in pocket of shirt or otherwise disposed of without throwing it away).  Right hand then grasps stock, back of hand to the left.