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FM 17-12
WAR DEPARTMENT
ARMORED FORCE FIELD
MANUAL
TANK GUNNERY
April 22, 1943
FM i;
ARMORED FORCE FIELD
MANUAL
TANK GUNNERY
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1943
For sale by the Supct-intPndeiit of Dofuinciits, V. S, Government Printing
Office, WnsiliiKtoii, D, C.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, April 22, 1943.
FM 17-12, Armored Force Field Manual, Tank Gunnery,
is published for the Information and guidance of all. con-
cerned.
[A. G. 062.11 (3-11^3). j
By order of the Secretary of War:
G. C. MARSHALL,
Chief of Staff.
Official:
J. A. ULIO,
Major General
The Adjutant General.
Distribution :
D 2 (5) , n (20) ; IR 2 (5) ; Bn & H 17, 18 (10) ; Bn 2
(3) ; C 17 (20) ; IC 2 (20).
(For explanation of symbols see PT^I 21-6.)
II
TABLE OP CONTENTS
Paragraphs Fago
Section I. General 1-4 1
II. Outline of gunnery training 5-24 4
III, Crew drill and simulated ftrtng 25-33 11
IV. Ammunition 33-37 18
V. Adjustment of siglits 38-45 22
VI. Direct laying 46-56 32
vn. Indirect laying 57-71 50
Vn:. Firing 72-76 79
Appendix I. Gunners' proficiency test, tanlc guns 83
II. References 98
Index 102
FM: 17-13
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ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
TANK GUNNERY
Section I
GENERAL
n 1. PtmposE AND Scope. — o. This manual provides the unit
commander and the gunnery officer with a step-by-step out-
line of tank gunnery training and the necessary explanation
and references.
b. The discussion of training methods is limited to tank
guns. Necessary information pertaining to assault guns,
antitank puns, and mortars is found in the references in ap-
pendix n. The plan of training can be adapted to those
weapons.
■ 2. Duties of Gunnery Officers. — a. The duties of regi-
mental and battaUon gunnery officers are to —
(1) Supervise and coordinate the trainlug of antitank gun,
assault gun, mortar, and tank crews in gunnery.
(2) Insure that proper methods of sight adjustment are
employed.
(3) Insure that weapons receive propet care and mainte-
nance.
(4) Supervise the training of officers and tank command-
ers in the preparation and conduct of fire, and in the co-
ordination of fires within the tank battalion.
(5) Supervise all firing.
b. These provisions in no way relieve the unit commander
of his responsibility for training.
■ 3. Importance of the Machine Gun. — ^The ultimate objec-
tive of the armored division is vital rear installations. These
are attacked less with cannon than with the crushing power
of the tank and with its machine guns (figs. 1 and 2) . The
1
2
3
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ASMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
main purpose of the tank cannon is to permit the tank to over-
come enemy resistance and reach the vital rear areas. While
this manual concerns itself with the gunnery of tank cannon,
commanders must constantly emphasize the great importance
of the tank machine guns. Tank crews must be expert in
their use. The gyro-stabilizer is particularly useful for im-
proving the accuracy of the coaxial machine gun when the
tank is moving.
■ 4. Importance of Fire Control. — Battle experience has
shown that when tank crews are permitted to fire without
close control, the firing quickly gets out of hand and precious
ammunition is thrown away wildly. The company com-
mander must control expenditure of ammunition as closely
as possible. The platoon commander can, and must, exercise
even stricter control; except in the closest and most unex-
pected engagements, he should personally supervise the firing
of the whole platoon and keep it in hand. The tank com-
mander must select every target personally, and strictly
control the firing of every round.
SECTI(3N II
OUTLINE OF GUNNERY TRAINING
■ 5. General. — a. Assign a permanent crew to each combat
vehicle and train it as a team.
b. Make every member of the crew a trained gunner and
able to perform the duties of every other member.
c. Accustom the crew to combat conditions by making
training realistic. Use recordings of "battle sounds."
d. F\illy stow the vehicles, including individual equipment,
during all training periods. If all of the stowage items are
not available, construct substitutes.
e. Use blackboard drill. It is extremely useful in explain-
ing all types of laying,
A Keep abreast of new Training Films, Film Strips, and
other training aids and use them. <See PM 21-7.)
g. The park is a poor place to train crews because of noise,
dust, traffic, and other interferences. As soon as the state
of training permits, take the platoon to an appropriate lo-
4
TANK GUNNERY
cation for training. This also affords considerable practic
in selection of ground.
■ 6. Steps in Gunnery Training. — Gunnery training is di-
vided into seventeen steps. Insist on a satisfactory standard
for each step. Give simple tests to determine proficiency In
each step.
a. Basic training period (first fifteen weeks). — (1) Opera-
tion and handling of equipment.
(2) Care and maintenance.
(3) Crew drill.
(4) Simulated firing, direct laying.
(5) Range and speed estimation.
(6) Ammunition.
(7) Subcaliber firing, direct laying.
(8) Proficiency test.
(9) Basic firing, direct laying.
b. Unit training period (.seccynd twelve weeks). — (1) Pla-
toon drill, direct laying.
(3> Platoon firing, direct iaying.
(3) Drill, indirect laying, single tank.
(4) Firing, Indirect laying, single tank.
(5) Drill, indirect laying, two or more tanks.
(6) Firing, indirect laying, two or more tanks.
(7) Combat firing of small units.
(8) Combat firing of large units.
■ 7. First Step — Operation and Handling of Equipment. —
Do not permit the men to operate any item of the tank equip-
ment until they have been given thorough instruction in its
operation and handling. Carelessness is the outstanding
cause of broken and damaged equipment. Therefore, con-
stantly check whether or not proper methods of operating
equipment are being used. Make the men develop a sense
of responsibility for their weapons and equipment. Penalize'
damage caused by carelessness.
■ 8. Second Step — Care and Maintenance of Weapons. —
a. The continued functioning of wea-pons in battle is de-
pendent on their receiving proper care and maintenance.
Make the crews realize that their lives depend on it. Know-
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ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
ing that their guns and sights have been properly main-
tained will give the men confidence in them.
b. To emphasize care and maintenance of weapons, the
platoon commander makes a daily inspection of armament.
He checks the general appearance and spot checks one or
two parts for mechanical functioning, inspecting different
parts each day. In addition to the dally lubricaticm and
cleaning as prescribed in appropriate manuals, armament Is
completely lubricated every 2 weeks or oftener, depending
on the amount of service. Following this lubrication, a de-
tailed inspection is made.
■ 9. Thikd Step — Crew Drill. — When the men have learned
how to operate and maintain their weapons, start crew
drill. Its purpose Is to weld the crew into a smooth -
functioning team. Follow carefully the prescribed drill and
commands for the type of tank used. Maintain strict dis-
cipline and attention to business. (See sec. III for detailed
procedure.)
■ 10. Fourth Step — Simulated Firing — As soon as the men
have become reasonably proficient in preparing for action,
begin simulated firing. Following the initial instruction in
step 3, training In the third and fourth steps is concurrent.
For example, order the crew to prepare for action. Run
through three or four firing problems, then order the tank
out of action, or abandon tank, etc. (See sec. Ill for detailed
procedure.)
■ 11. Fifth Step — Rabge and Speed Estimation. — a. Start
range and speed estimation at the same time as the fourth
step in order to provide practical application during simu-
lated firing. Change the place of instruction frequently and
select a new type of terrain each time. Practice in range
estimation must begin afresh each time the unit moves to
a new region, as every change of climate, vegetation, and
terrain gives a different appearance to familiar distances.
Have some practice in range and speed estimation every day
wherever located.
b. Concentrate on the ranges corresponding to the gradua-
tions in the sight reticle. Place tanks, half-tracks, antitank
6
TANK GUNNERY
a- 12
guns, and other targets at these ranges; view thern with the
naked eye, and through sights, field glasses, and periscopes.
c. Practice under conditions illustrating the following:
(1) Targets appear nearer and the range is underesti-
mated when —
(a) The object is In bright light.
ib) The color of the object contrasts sharply with the
color of the background.
(c) Liooking over water, snow, or a uniform surface such
as a wheat field or in the desert.
(d) Iiooking down a straight road or aiong a railroad track,
(e) Looking downward from a height.
(/) Looking over a depression, most of which is hidden.
(2) Targets seem more distant and range is overestimated
when — ■
(a) Looking over a depression, most of which is visible.
(&) There is poor light or fog, or in the rain.
<c) Only a small part of the target is visible.
(d) LiOoklng from low ground toward higher ground.
d. Train the men to estimate speeds as slou) (below 10
mph), medium (10 to 20 mph), and fast (above 20 mph).
e. The following are good practical exercises; use them
frequently:
(1) Assemble the class at an observation point and have
tanks and other vehicles driven across the line of observa-
tion at various ranges (fig. 3) . Announce at what speed
(slow, medium, or fast) the vehicles are being driven and
the leads necessary at those ranges and speeds.
(2) Have the vehicles appear at various ranges, moving
at prearranged speeds. Require the class to estimate the
speed, range, and lead.
■ 12. Sixth Step — Ammunition. — Instruct the men in the
characteristics, operation, and effect of the different types
of ammunition carried. During simulated firing require the
tank commanders to select the proper ammunition to be fired
fsee par. 33)- Give thorough instruction in care and
handling of ammunition before doing any actual firing. In-
sist that ammunition be inspected for defects before being
stowed in the vehicles.
7
8
TANK GUNNERY
13-17
■ 13. Seventh Step — Subcalibee Firing a. Begin with firing
on the 1,000-inch range. Coordinate this training carefully
with the instruction governing firing on 1,000-inch ranges
as prescribed in FM 23-50 in order to avoid repetition of
preliminary instruction. Courses prescribed to be fired as
subcaliber training for tank guns are found in AR 775-10.
The "parallel hilly" type of moving target course is espe-
cially valuable for instruction in tracking. Provide these
courses abundantly.
b. Next proceed to caliber .30 subcaliber firing on the field
ranges. Beserve tracer ammunition for this firing. Fire
at ranges up to 800 yards. Do not permit the gunner to know
the ranges to targets in advance. The best targets are actual
tanks, both stationary in proper tactical positions and
moving.
■■ 14. Eighth Step — Proficiency Test. — The gunner's pro-
ficiency test in appendix I will be completed prior to firing
service ammunition. Permit no one to fire service ammu-
nition until he has passed the proficiency test.
■ 15. Ninth Step — Basic Piring. — During this period, give
each crew member who passed the proficiency test an oppor-
tunity to adjust on at least one fixed and one moving target,
using service ammunition. Require absolute accuracy.
Limit number of rounds, but make each round count.
■ 16. Tenth Step — Platoon Drill, E>irect Laying. — a. The
platoon commander controls and coordinates the fire of his
platoon. (See pars. 4 and 50.) His tanks should fight
as a platoon and not as individual tanks. Often he con-
centrates their fire on a single target. This is especially true
at ranges over 1,000 yards.
b. Platoon drill combines crew drill and simulated firing
by the platoon as a whole. This develops the ability to
coordinate and concentrate the fire of the platoon. Practice
concentrating the fire of the section and platoon.
■ 17. Eleventh Step — Platoon Firing, Direct Laying. — ^This
provides practical application of a platoon drill training.
This firing may be done with the coaxial machine gun on
combat ranges (not on 1,000-inch ranges), using tracer
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17-23
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
ammunition. Concentrate the fire of several tanks on the
target.
■ 18. Twelfth Step — Drill, Indirect Laying, Single Tank. —
limit this step to indirect laying with a single tank (see
par. 58a).
■ 19. Thirteenth Step — ^Firing, Indirect Laying, Single
Tank — Devote this firing to indirect laying with a single tank
<par. 58a). Inject some direct laying problems to make the
men realize the ease of shifting from direct to indirect laying.
■ 20. FonnxEENTH Step — Dkill, Indirect Laying, Two or
More Tasks, — The objective is to concentrate the fire of two
or more tanks on a target by indirect laying (par. 58b) . Prac-
tice laying the entire platoon or section from the obsei vation
point.
■ 21. Fifteenth Step— Pihing, Indirect Laying, Two or More
Tanks.^ — This firing is with service ammunition. Lay the
tanks from the observation point (pars. 63, 64, and 65) . Ad-
just fire by indirect methods (pars. 69 and 70). Finally lay
the tanks using a staked line (par. 66) .
■ 22. Sixteenth Step — Combat Firinc of Small Units. — a.
Follow the courses in PM 17-15.
b. Tank versus tank firing with M4 medium or M5 light
tanks, using caliber .30 ammunition, is appropriate for this
step. It is excellen-t training. Have the tanks completely
buttoned up. Remove vulnerable accessories such as lights
and sirens. The machine guns are not loaded until the tanks
are buttoned up. Exercise strict control over the firing by
radio. Use single shots with the coaxial machine guns to
simulate the fire of tank cannon.
■ 23, Seventeenth Step — Combat Firing of Large Units. —
This is combined training vifith tanks, mortars, assault guns,
antitank guns, and artillery. Use this firing to show the
capabilities of supporting weapons. Success in battle de-
mands the coordination of the fire of all weapons, The
objective of this training is to develop that coordination.
10
TANK GtTNNERY
24-20
■ 24. Summary. — a. Coordinate gunnery training with the
progress of training as a whole. Conduct the first nine steps,
to Include basic firing, during the basic training period (first
fifteen weeks) . The remaining steps are appropriate for the
unit training period (second twelve weeks).
b. Conduct crew drill and simulated firing constantly. Re-
view previous steps frequently. Have firing as often as am-
munition allowances permit. Even though in an advanced
state of training, always work on improving the marksman-
ship of each crew. After maneuvers, changes of station,
and like periods, go back and review all steps of gunnery,
emphasizing fundamentals. Practice range and speed esti-
mation constantly — it is the key to accurate firing.
c. The most important subject, because it is most easily
neglected, is care and maintenance of weapons. Tliis.must
receive constant thought and supervision, not only by gun-
nery offtcers, but by all commanders.
d. OfBcers' training follows the same phases as enlisted
men, but they should receive instruction in indirect laying
and discuss its possible uses relatively early in troop school
courses.
e. Insist on extreme accuracy at all times.
Section III
CBEW DBIIi AND SIMULATED FIRING
■ 25. Gejjeral. — a. While performing crew drill and simu-
lated firing, crews are at attention,
b. Stress accuracy. Develop it by constant checks and
insistence on minute details. Inaccuracies permitted during
training will multiply in battle, Make the men realize that
"very close" will not do.
c. Develop speed without reducing accuracy. Speed is
always subordinate to accuracy. Do not attempt it before
the state of training warrants. Obtain speed by constant
practice and elimination of lost motion. It cannot be ac-
quired by hurrying nor by nagging.
d. Plan each training period in advance. Unless handled
intelligently, crew drill and simulated firing are a deadly
11
'25-26
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANTJAL
bore. After reasonable proficiency has been obtained, use
stop watch competitions to maintain interest. Crew drill
and simulated firing defeat their purpose if periods sire too
long. During basic training, 2 hours is an absolute maxi-
mum; after that, 1 hour. To maintain proflciencj', hold
drills every day, even though drill periods are short.
e. In all firing and simulated firing exercises, have the tajiJc
commander designate the target and give the proper fire
orders, and have each member oj the crew perjorm all his
duties as prescribed in the service of the piece. Use the
interphone system for commtmds, except when training in
secondary means of intra-crew communication.
f. To obtain accurate fire, sights must be in adjustment.
Adjust sights before each period of simulated firing. This
gets the crew in the habit of checking their sights whenever
the opportunity arises.
■ 26. Sequence of Instruction. — o. Crew drill. — (1) First,
show the crew members their posts and the correct method
of mounting and dismounting from the vehicles.
(2) Second, instruct them in stowing the vehicles. Ap-
propriate stowage lists show the stowage of all items carried
in tanks. Work out a definite procedure. After this instruc-
tion, have vehicles stowed including individual equipment
for all training periods.
(3) Third, train the crew in prepare for action, out of
action, fight on foot, abandon tank, secure equipment.
b. Simulated firing. — (D Begin with instruction in indi-
vidual duties. Then, the duties of teams within the crew
(commander and driver, commander and gunner, gunner and
loader) , and finally, the group composing a single crew. Do
not overlook the importance of the driver in gunnery.
(2) Combine simulated firing with driving instruction and
simple maneuvers. As targets, use tanks and other vehicles
at ranges known to the instructor, but not to the crews.
Start with known, distance targets in order to obtain ac-
curacy. Get away from them soon. "Known distance firing"
is unrealistic.
(3) Begin simulated firing at moving targets by having
the men set oS leads with r<!spect to stationary targets in
12
TANK GUNNERY
26-27
Figure 4. — "Snake board" made from scrap lumber and target cloth,
(Lines are painted about 2 Inches wide.)
order to insure that they understand just what a lead is, how
it is established, and the direction in which a target is led.
The "snake board" (fig. 4) is an excellent device for training
in coordinating elevating and traversing. Lay the gun at the
top of one of the lines and follow it to the other side of the
board.
(4) Firing while moving is employed only at point blank:
ranges (up to 600 yards) . Permit simulated moving fire at
these ranges only.
(5) Training should include simulated firing at stationary
and moving targets, and firing while moving.
■ 27. Pep Drill. — a. Crew drill and simulated firing becomes
dull and lax unless the crews are alerted by unexpected
periods of pep drill. Pep drill is a series of precision move-
ments executed at high speed and terminating at the posi-
tion of attention, either mounted or dismounted. For ex-
ample, the crews being dismounted, the platoon commander
may command, in front of your tanks, PALL IN; MOUNT;
DISMOUNT; on the left of your tanks, PALL IN ; forward.
5l85e9''--43 2 12
TANK GUNNERY
27
27-28
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
Pep drill freshens the interest of the crew. When ex-
ecuted with speed and precision, it aids physical development
and coordination.
b. Change the posts of all crew members frequently.
■ 28. Individuals. — a. Platoon commander. — The platoon
commander strives to secure teamwork and mutual under-
standing. Carelessness and lack of enthusiasm, as reflected
in his manner and commands, will invariably be reflected in
his men.
b. Tank commander. — The platoon commander deals with
the crew as a whole through its commander instead of with
the individuals thereof. During crew drill, the tank com-
mander watches every movement of his men. He must not
interfere with his men, especially those making setting.';,
except when his assistance is obviously required or an error
is suspected. He never permits observed errors to go un-
corrected.
c. Gunner. — Accuracy is the principal quality to develop
in a gunner. Look for and eliminate the following common
faults:
(1) Failure to lay precisely cm the target.
(2) Failure to verify the laying for direction and elevation
for each round after the breech is closed.
(3) In indirect laying, failure to lay always on the same
part of the aiming point or aiming stake,
(4) Failure to take up the lost motion in the traversing
and elevating gears when firing at a stationary target.
(5) Failure to bring pointers into exact alinement with
index marks when using graduated handwheel or azimuth
indicator.
(6) Failure to level bubbles exactly.
d. Loader (assistant gunner). — The loader wipes off the
ammunition with a rag or waste before loading it. Teach
him to Insert the round smoothly Into the breech recess and
push the round home with sufficient Impetus to seat it in the
chamber. Timid loading, caused by fear of getting fingers
caught in the breechblock, results in the breech not closing,
and may cause a jammed round. A fuzed round must not
strike against any portion of the materiel. Hold a round
16
TANK GUNNERY
28-32
to.be loaded well out of the path of recoil. Loaders always
wear gloves to handle the hot cases ejected from the gun.
■ 29. Orders. — a. Enunciate orders clearly. Much time is
lost when a crew member has to ask for a repetition of part of
the data.
b. Develop the voice of command. This is a businesslike,
confident tone of voice which conveys assurance to the crew.
A screaming voice marks the amateur, as do overload com-
mands intended for a single crew.
c. When a crew member asks that an order be repeated, a
source of error may arise. The repeated command is likely
to be taken as a new command by the other men. Possible
errors are eliminated by prefacing the repeated command by
the phrase, "The command was ."
d. When the crews have gained proficiency in the service
of the piece, the tempo of command during drill -periods
should be slightly faster than can" be performed by the
slotoest gunner, thus tending to speed up the slowest crew
to the remainder of the platoon.
B 30. Kttmbers. — Announce numbers as illustrated below:
10 — One zero
25— Two five
300 — Three hundred
455— Pour fJve fJve
1400 — One four hundred
6000 — Six thousand
3925 — Three nine two five
4050 — ^Pour zero five zero
■ 31. Uniformity op Settings and Layings. — Whenever pos-
sible, the final motion in laying the gun is made in the direc-
tion in wnich it is hardest to elevate and traverse. Often
it is necessary to traverse or elevate beyond the target and
then comt> back onto it. This takes up the lost motion (slack,
backlash) in the elevating and traversing gears.
■ 32. Checks op Settings and Layings. — Check settings and
layings frequently. Checking is most valuable when unex-
pected. Instead of giving the command to fire, the platoon
commander commands: CEASE FIRING. After the com-
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ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
mand to cease firing, the laying of the gun is not changed.
When "firing" at a moving target, have the target stop at
the same instant cease firing is given.
Section IV
AMMUNITION
■ 33. Selection of Weapon and Ammttnition. — a. General. —
Conserve the 75-mm and 37-mm ammunition. Do not use
the tank gun against a target when the machine guns can
handle it. When necessary, do not hesitate to use both
machine guns and tank again.st a target. (See FM 17-30.)
h. Machine gun. — Use machine guns against exposed per-
sonnel targets, as infantry, crews of weapons who are not
protected by armor or emplacements, and personnel in un-
armored vehicles.
C. Canister (.37-mm). — Canister is very effective against
exposed personnel at ranges less than 200 yards. It is useless
at greater ranges.
d. Armor-piercing ammunition. — Use armor-piercing or
combination armor-piercing high-explosive ammunition
against medium and heavy tanks. Do not use it at ranges
over 500 yards for 3'7-mm and over 2,000 yards for 75-mm.
e. High- explosive shell. — Use high- explosive shell with
delay fuze against unarmored and lightly armored vehicles,
antitank guns, and artillery pieces. If HE shell is lacking,
use combination AP-HE against these targets. At ranges
over 2,000 yards, use 75-mm HE shell against tanks; a hit
on the track will disable the tank; fragmentation from near
misses harasses the crew.
■ 34. Canister. — Canister consists of a metal case filled with
lead balls. Upon emerging from the muzzle, the pressure of
the balls causes the case to disintegrate, and the balls con-
tinue their fiight in a pattern similar to that of a shotgun. It
is well adapted to fire against personnel,
■ 35. Armor-Piercing Ammunition. — Armour-piercing am-
munition used with tank gun is of three types:
a. Armor -piercing (AP) , — This ammunition is a solid pro-
jectile with a tracer element. 75-mm shot, AP, M72, and
13
TANK GUNNERY
35-36
37-mm shot, AP, M74, are in this class. The projectile is
painted black.
b. Armor-piercing, capped (APC) . — This ammunition is a
solid projectile with an armor- piercing cap, a windshield,
and a tracer element. The cap is of alloy steel, hardened to
insure a very hard face with a tough and relatively soft
core in contact with the projectile. 75-mm projectile, APC,
M61. and^Sl-mm shot, APC, M51, are of this type. The
projectile is painted black.
c. Armor-piercing, high explosive (AP-HE) . — This ammu-
nition is an armor-piercing projectile containing an explosive
charge and a base- detonating fuze. This is the most effec-
tive armor-piercing ammunition because the projectile bursts
after penetration. 75-mm projectile, APC, M61 with BD
(base-detonating) fuze M66 contains a high explosive charge,
and is painted yellow.
■ 36. High-Explosive Shell. — a. 75-mm shell, HE, M48. —
The PD fuze M48 used with 75-mm shell, HE, M48, is a com-
bination superqiiick or delay point-detonating fuz(;. . The
shell comes set at "superqiiick." It may be set to burst .05
PICTJBE a. — Impact burst.
19
36
ARMORED FORCE FIELD M.'.HUAL
second after Impact by turning the slotted key on the side
of the fuze so that the slot points to the word DEIjAY stamped
on the body of the fuze. Always set the fuze at DELAY
before stowing the ammunition.
(1) Superquick action, — The superquick action is so sensi-
tive that the shell detonates immediately on impact. There-
foi-e, when striking armor plate, a gun shield, or a building,
the shell will burst before it can penetrate. The superquick
burst is effective against personnel in the open (fig. 6).
(2) Delay action.— The .05-second delay action results in
the shell penetrating before bursting when it strikes light
FicuBE 7. — ^Ricochet burst.
armor, gun shields, or buildings. If the shell strikes the
ground,, it ricochets, travels 20 to 25 yards beyond the point
of impact, and then bursts about 10 feet in the air (fig, 7).
Because of the downspray from the burst in the air, a ricochet
buvst has devastating effect on personnel without overhead
cover. It Is much more effective than the impact burst
obtained from a superquick fuze setting. When the fuze is
set at DELAY a hit wUl destroy or damage the target and
20
TANK GUMNERY
36-37
kill or injure nearby personnel; a "short" will give a ricochet
which is deadly against personnel (figs. 8 and 9) , Thus with,
the delay fuze, dispersion is in your favor as long as the range
error is not excessive.
FiGUiiE 8. — Firing 75-mm shell, HE. With the fuze set at DELAY,
a hit will destroy the antitank grin ana kill or Injure nearhy
personnel.
b. 37-mm shell, HE, M63. — n^e M58 fuze used with 37-mm
shell, HE, M63, is a base-detonating fuze and does not have
a selective setting. This shell bursts on impact.
PiGURE 9. — Firing 75-mm shell, HE. With the fuze set at DELAY,
a short hursts on ricochet. Klcochet bursts are deadly against
personnel.
fl 37. Smoke Shell. — Smoke shell for tank guns is under
development. The smoke shell now issued for the 81-mni
mortar is very effective for screening. (See PM 17-27.)
21
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ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
Section V
ADJUSTMENT OP SIGHTS
■ 38. Importance of Sights. — A cannon, to hit its target,
must be pointed in the exact direction of the target and
given exactly the right range elevation. The crudest method
of correcting a]I errors at once is to lay the gun as well as
possible. Are, and watch where the projectile hits. Then
try to lay the sight so as to correct the observed error, and
fire again. A target which sits still long enough can be hit
by this method, but since the target is likely to be shooting
back, and cannon ammunition is precious, life may well
depend on previous precautions to make the sighting as
accurate as possible. Careful adjustment of sights before
going into action will greatly reduce the number of rounds
wasted and the time consumed before getting a hit.
■ 39. Cahi; of Sights. — a. Most breakage ol sights is caused
by careless handling. Handle all sights carefully.
&. Clean the exterior surfaces of the lenses whenever nec-
essary, but use only a soft, dry, clean cloth or lens paper.
c. In handling sights, never touch the glass surface with
the hand.
d. Oil the deflection and elevation adjusting mechanisms
frequently with light oil to insure their free movement.
e. The head assemblies of periscopic sights are sealed at
the factory. Do not disassemble them.
/. Do not remove the telescope from the periscope.
■ 40. Principles of Sight Adjustment. — a. To adjust the
sight for direction, the vertical center line (axis) of the sight
and the vertical center (axis) of the gun itself must be ad-
Justed exactly parallel to each other. To adjust the sight
for range, the zero range marking of the sight must be
adjusted exactly parallel to the horizontal center (axis) of
the gun.
b. If a rear boresight is not available, remove the firing
pin and guide assembly and sight through the firing pin well.
If a front boresight is not provided, stretch thin black thread
across the muzzle (fig. 10).
22
TANK CUNNEBY
40-42
c. ESttra sights must be separately adjusted. After ad-
justing each periscopic sight, make a record of the readings
on the adjusting knobs.
■ 41. Adjustment of Sights Using Distant Aiming Point. —
The most accurate method of adjusting sights is by using an
aiming point at least 1,000 yards from the tank. If possible,
Figure 10. — II a Iront boreslglit is not provided, stretch thread
across the muzzle.
select an aiming point which is sharply defined and has
straight edges, such as a building, smoke stack, telegraph pole,
or lone tree. Make use of horizontal and vertical edges of
the aiming point to assure that the sight and gun are laid
on precisely the same point (fig. 11),
■ 42. Adjustment of Sights Using Testing Target, — Testing
targets provide a means of checking sight adjustment when
distant aiming points are not available- Due to construc-
tional tolerances, tanks will vary slightly, but testing targets
will give a reasonably accurate sight adjustment until sights
23
42-43
ARMORED rORCE FIELD MANtTAL
can be checked on a distant aiming point. Place the tank
on level ground. Place the testing target from 80 to 120 feet
in front of the tank, at approximately the same height from
the ground as the gun. Get the correct height by leveling
the gun and then moving the target Into line with the axis
of the bore. The testing target must be perpendicular to
the bore of the gun. Rotate the testing target in a vertical
■ I ■ 1 — ^
2 • 0— c
3 "-r
Figure 11. — WUen adjusting sights, use horizontal and vertical
edges to Insure that the gun and sight are laid on precisely the
Same point.
plane until the dots on the vertical line of that part of the
testing target marked "sights" coincide with the vertical
line of the telescope (fig. 12). Then boreslght the gun on
the appropriate mark for the center of the gun bore. Next
adjust the sight to put the zero range line and vertical line
of the sight on the mark for the sight.
■ 43. Adjustment of Sights for 1,000-inch Firing. — If
offset targets are not used for 1,000-inch firing, the ab-
normally short range and the miniature target make it
necessary to converge the line of sighting and the center
line (axis) of the gun at the target. Explain the reason
24
43-45
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANTfAL
for tills artificial distortion of the line of sighting. Point
out on a blackboard that for a life-size target at a proper
range for service ammunition, the line of sighting and
center line of the gun should always be parallel. Show how
the distortion used on the 1,000-inch range causes increas-
ingly great errors if the gun is aimed at more distant targets.
■ 44. Checking Adjdstmi;nt of Linkage Arm. — The linkage
arm connecting the periscopic sight to the 'elevating mech-
anism may get out of adjustment. To check the adjustment
of the linkage arm, proceed as' foUow.s: first, adjust the
sisht on a distant aiming point, then place the tank on a
steep slope in order to check the sight when the gun is near
its maximum elevation; sight on a distant aiming point as
before. Next, place the tank in a suitable position to check
the gun near its maximum depression; sight on a distant
aiming point again. If the sights were properly ad-
justed with the tank level, yet do not check accurately
when the gun is elevated or depressed, the fault lies in the
sight linkage. The linkage is adjusted only by ordnance
maintenance personnel.
■ 45. Description of Sights and Periscopes. — The sights and
periscopes now used in tanks are described below.
a. Standard equipment. — (1) Telescope M3S with peri-
Scope M4. — This is the present standard periscopic sight for
75-mm M3 in medium tanks of the M4 series. The telescope
MiiS has the present standard armored force reticle (fig, 13),
and is graduated for 75-min gun M3 firing projectile, APC,
M61. The sight diagram in figure 43 shows the settings used
with other types of ammunition. This sight has 1,5 power
magnification,
(2) Telescope M40 with periscope M4. — This is the present
standard periscopic sight for the 37-mm gun M6 in light tanks
M3A1, M3A2, M3A3, and the M5 series. It has the present
standard armored force reticle (fig. 13) and is graduated for
37. mm gun M6 firing shot, AFC, M51. The settings to be
used with other types of ammuniticin are shown in- figure 15.
This sight has 1.5 power magnification.
< 3) Telescopes M54 and M55. — Telescope M54 is the present
standard telescopic sight for the 37-mnj gun M6 in light tanks
26
TANK GTTNNEKY
45
M3A3 and M5A1. Telescope M55 is the present standard
telescopic sight for the 75-mm gun M3 in medium tanks of
the M4 series. These sights are straight telescopes with
3-power magniflcatlon. They have the present standard
armored force reticle (fig. 131 . Telescope M54 is graduated
for 37-mm gun M6 firing shot, APC, M51. Telescope M55 is
graduated for 75-mm gun M3 firing projectile, APC, M61.
The sight diagrams in figures 14 and 15 show the settings to
be used with other types of ammunition.
0 —
YARDS
— AXIS OF SIGHT
600 h5i/i-*«Si/iH
JOOO-
1500 ~
PiGUHE 13. — Standard armored force reticle used with telescopes
M19A1, M32, M38, M40, M54, and M55.
(4) Periscope M6. — This is similar to the periscope M4,
except that it does not contain a telescope. It is purely an
indirect vision device and is not used as a gun sight. It is
the present standard indirect vision, device for light tanks
M3A1, M3A2, M3A3, the M5 series, and medium tanks of the
M4 series.
b. Substitute standard equipment. — (1) Telescope M19 or
M19A1 with periscope M3. — This sight is used with the 37-mm
27
45
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MAITDAL
28
518569 °.
29
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
30
TANK GTIKNERY
45
gun M6 in light tanks M3A1, M3A2, M3A3, and M5 series. It
is substitute standard equipment and will be used only until
telescope M40 with periscope M4 (par. a(2) above) is avail-
able. Neither telescope M19 nor M19A1 has any magnifica-
tion. The reticle of telescope M19 is shown in figure 16. It
Is not graduated for any specific ammunition. The sight
diagram in figure 17 shows the settings used with various
types of ammunition. Telescope M19A1 has the standard
armored force reticle (fig. 13), and is graduated for 37-mm
gun M6 firing shot, APC, M51. The sight diagram in figure 15
shows the settings used with other types of ammunition.
FiGDB£; 17. — Sight diagram 37-nim gun M6, with telescope M19.
(2) Telescope M32 with periscope MS. — This sight is used
with the 75-mm gun M3 in medium tanks of the M4 series.
The periscope M3 is substitute standard and will be used only
until the periscope M4 (par. ad) above) is available. The
telescope M32 has the standard armored force reticle (fig. 13)
and is graduated for 75-min gun M3 firing projectile, APC.
M6l. The sight diagram In figure 14 shows the graduations
to be used with other types of ammunition. This sight has
no magnification.
31
45-47
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
(3) Periscope M5. — This is similar to periscope M3, except
that it does not contain a telescope. It is purely an indirect
vision device and is not used as a gun sight. It is installed
in light tanks M3A1, M3A2, M3A3, the MS series, and medium
tanks of the M4 series. It is substitute standard equipment
to be used only until the periscope M6 is available.
c. Miscellaneous combinations. — The following combina-
tions of telescopes and periscopes may be found in a few
tanks :
(1) Telescope M19 or M19A1 with periscope M4.
(2) Telescope M32 with periscope M4.
(3) Telescope M38 with periscope M3.
(4) Telescope M40 with periscope M4.
Section VI
DIRECT LAYING
■ 46. General. — a. Direct laying occurs whenever the gunner
sights his gun directly on the target.
&. The tank does its most deadly firing from a "hull down"
position in which the mass of the tank is concealed from the
enemy and the tank cominander observes from the turret
and assists the gunner to adjust fire (fig. 18J . Frequently he
can conceal the entire tank by standing on top of it to adjust
the fire.
e. Study appropriate sections of FM 17-30 in conjunction
with this section.
■ 47. Effect op Range, — The range to the target will have a
pyotound effect on the naannev in which the adjustment is
conducted.
a. At ranges under 1,000 yards, the gunner often is able to
put the strike on the largest by means of the reticle. At
lonifer ranges, a hit is best obtained by bracketing.
b, At short ranges, targets are attacked by individual tanks.
At long ranges, the Are power of the platoon often will be
moiit eflective when the commander concentrates the fire
of several tanks on a single target.
32
33
47-49
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
c. At ranges below 600 yards, expert crews can obtain hits
whi;n firing from moving tanks. At longer ranges, It is
always necessary to stop before firing.
■ 48. Determination of Hange. — a. Estimation by eye. — This
is the usual means of determining range.
b- By firing a coaxial machine gun. — Fire the machine gun
with an estimated range and roll the strike into the target.
The point on the reticle at which the strike appears is the
range setting for the machine' gun. Refer to the sight dia-
gram and determine the corresponding range setting for the
tank gun.
e, Improvement of initial range. — If the first round fired
from the 75-mm gun misses the target, the observed error of
this round will give a new range for the second round, and so
on until hits are scored. (See par. 54.) At short ranges, a
good gunner should hit with his first round.
d. By firing a tank gun. — Where a platoon is concentrating
its fire on a target, the platoon commander may determine
the range with one gun and then announce it to the rest of
the platoon.
■ 49. Fire Orders. — a. Before giving fire orders, alert the
gunner. Say "Gunner" (turret gunner) or "Bog" (bow
gunner) . Give the orders in the following sequence :
Sequence Example
(].) Target description ANTITANK
(2) Type of ammunition to fire_, HE
(3) Direction to traverse turret. TRAVERSE HIGHT
(4) Stopping traverse STEADY— -ON
(5) Range ONE, TWO HUNDRED
((I) Lead ONE ZERO
(V) Command to open fire FIRE
b. Use the following words to describe the usual targets:
(1) Any tank TANK
(2) Armored car ARMORED CAB
(3) Any unarmored vehicle TRUCK
(4) Men DOUGHS
(El) Machine gun MACHINE GUN
34
TANK GUNNERY
49-51
sequence Example
(6 ) Any antitank gun or artillery
piece ANTITANK
c. Describe the ammunition as follows:
(1> Armor-piercing SHOT
<2) High -explosive HE
(3) Smoke SMOKE
(4) Canister CANISTER
(5) Caliber .30 machine gun CALIBER .30
■ 50. Coordination and Concentration of Fire. — The Are
power of the platoon is most effective when it is coordinated
by the platoon commander (see par. 4). He indicates when
each section or tank is to open Are or cease fire. He pre-
vents waste of ammunition on unimportant targets or enemy
tanks which are already knocked out. He designates targets
for elements of his platoon by —
a. Dismounting tank commanders and pointing out tar-
gets (tanks usually in defiladed positions).
b. Indicating position of target with HE shell, or tracer,
announcing "Watch my burst (trace)." (See fig. 19.)
c. Designating targets with reference to prominent objects.
■ 51. Laying for Deflection. — a. Stationary targets. — Lay
the vertical center of the reticle on the center of the target
(fig, 20).
b. Moving targets. — (1) Por the first round, lay the vertical
center of the reticle on the target, using the range setting
announced by the tank commander. Track for a short
distance to get the "feel" of the target. Then swing out
ahead with the lead announced by the tank commander.
Establish the lead from the center of the target. When the
correct lead is established, fire. Do not stop traversing when
firing. Do not lay the gun ahead of the target and wait tor
it. Continue to track the target and adjust lead and range
in accordance with observation of the strike or the com-
mands of the tank commander. Fire whenever the correct
lead is established.
(2) The unit of measure for leads is the mil (par. 59),
For practical purposes, the lead in mils for a given target
speed and direction is the same at all normal tank ranges
35
51
ARMORED rOECE FIELD MANUAL
TANK GUNNERY
51
*
1 •
*
— u) —
1 •
z -^<—
3 1
3 1
RANGE, 600 YARDS
3 — 1 —
RANGE, eOO YARDS
'O
1 ^
2 '
- o -
1 •
RANGE, I r 00 YARDS
3 1
RANGE, 1500 YARDS
yidTTRE 20. — stationary targets — laying on the center ol the target.
37
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
(fig. 21). The length of the target does not affect the lead.
The present standard reticle is so designed that the gunner
can set the lead with reasonable accuracy (fig. 13). Skill
is acquired only by practice, and not merely by learning a
lead table. Use lead tables primarily for the first round.
Initial leads are usually announced in multiples of 5 mils.
c. Power traverse. — The present power traversing mecha-
nisms are not sufficiently delicate to make small adjustments
in deflection. Use the hand traverse in the final stages of
laying the gun.
37-miii sruii, MO, firing shot, APC, M51 (29()0 f/s m/v)
Speed of target
traveling
jjerpcndicular
to lino of fire
Target
traveling
at 45° to
line of fite
Slow (0 to ]0 mph) - _
6
10
3
7
10
Medium (HI to 20 tiiph) .
Fast (20 to 30mphl -
iS-mm gvm, MS, firing pvojaMile APC, M61 (2030 f/s m/v)
Speed of target
Target
triivolinp
perpendicular
to line of fire
Target
traveling
at 45° to
line of lire
Slow (0 to JO mph;
Medium (IC to a) mph) _ _ _
Fast (SO to ;iO mph)
5
10
20
■i
15
FiGtjBE 21.— Leads in mils.
■ 52, Laying for Range. — a. Stationary targets. — (1) Gen-
eral. — The gun is laid for a given range when the graduation
for that range is laid on the target.
(2) Armor -piercing ammunition. — When firing armor-
piercing ammunition or combination armor-piercing high
explosive, lay on the center of the taiget (flg. 20) . The de-
sired trajectory is one which, if the projectile were to continue
38
TANK GUNNERY
52-53
through the target, would strike the ground beyond the target
(flg- 22).
(3) High-explosive shell. — When firing HE shell, set the
fuze at DELAY and lay on the center of the target. The
desired trajectory is the same as with armor-plerclng am-
munition.
(4) Smoke shell. — When firing smoke for screening pur-
poses, the burst must be placed so that the wind carries the
smoke between the enemy and the tank. Observe the drift
of smoke from the first burst and then correct your laying.
In a brisk breeze the smoke must be fired some distance from
the point to be screened. In a high wind smoke is ineHective.
(See PM 17-27 and 17-30.)
Figure 22. — Desired trajectory — laying on center of target.
b. Moving targets. — Lay on the center of the target. If
the target is moving toward you, use a range setting 100 yards
less than the estimated range, li the target is moving away
from you, use a range setting 100 yards greater than the
estimated range.
■ 53, Obseeving Piee. — a. Armor -piercing ammunition. —
Sensing fire with armor-piercing ammunition is based on ob-
serving the path of the tracer and not on the strike of the
projectile. Only where impact is on dry, open terrain can
the strike of AP projectile on the ground be sensed.
39
53
ARMORED FORCE JIELD MANUAL
3f;BURsfs"TN THIS "area-j^
5|iARE OVER FOR RANGE.1^
WBURSTS IN THIS AREA^I
ARE SH0f?1F0R RANGE -
(
I
CZl
BURST IS OVER
BURST IS SHORT
FicuBE 23, — Overs and shorts.
40
TANK OUNNERY
53-54
b. Shell. — Sensing a round of smoke or HE shell is com-
paratively easy due to the burst,
e. Sensings. — (1) An observer bases his sensings on what
he sees while the burst is before his eyes, and not on his
recollections.
(2) If the target is clearly defined against the burst, the
range is "over." If the target is obscured by the burst, the
range is "short" (fig. 23).
(3) If the target is obscured and then immediately sil-
houetted by smoke or dust, or vice versa, the range is nearly
that of the target.
(4) Make sensings promptly except when you must wait in
order to see whether the smoke drifts "short" or "over."
(5) When sensing on the drifting smoke from a burst of
HE shell, consider whether the direction of the wind is such
as to give a false or true sensing.
■ 54. Adjusting Pirb. — a. General. — The tank commander
always observes all firing from the turret hatch if enemy
flre permits. Frequently the gunner will be unable to ob-
serve consecutive rounds; that is, he will see one round
clearly but the next will be obscured by dust or smoke.
Therefore, the tank commander gives the gunner proper
orders for the range and deflection change on every round.
If the gunner can observe clearly, he makes his own correc-
tions; if he fails to observe the round clearly, he applies the
corrections indicated by the tank commander. It is evident
that close teamwork and understanding are necessary be-
tween the tank commander and gunner. For example, it
happens very frequently that the tank commander, watching
the tracer, can see that an AP projectile has missed the
target by a very few inches. The command left a hair will
put the gunner exactly on his target with a minimum of
conversation.
b. Automatic correction method. — When visibility is good,
the following system is effective at ranges up to 1,000 yards.
As Soon as the gun is fired, bring the target to the same
point in the sight as it occupied when the gun was flred.
Watch for the base of the burst or strike of the first round.
When you see the base of the burst or strike of the projectile,
41
54
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANTJAt
traverse and elevate so that the target now occupies the
same place in the sight as the base of the burst or strike did
(fig. 24). Mre the next round with this laying. This pro-
cedure applies an automatic correction for both defiection
and range. To be effective, the base of the burst or strike
must be placed on the target. The command to use this
method is: PUT BURST ON TARGET.
- o
Sight realined on target as
it was when gun was fired,
round bursts as shown.
- o
GUNNER MOVES SIGHT (AND GUNt
UNTIL TARGET OCCUPIES SAME
SPOT IN SIGHT AT WHICH THE
BURST APPEARED.
FiGtTBE 24. — Automatic correction method.
c. Bracketing. — (1) At ranges over 1,000 yards (or even
less, when visibility is poor) bracket the target. An "over"
and a "short" in range give a bracket (fig. 25). When you
obtain a bracket, split it and continue to split it until you
get effective fire. Inexperienced men usually under estimats
the distance of a round from the target and make too small
range changes (called "creeping") . . Creeping wastes much
time and ammunition. Avoid it by making bold range
changes. At ranges 1,500 yards or less the first range change
is 200 yards. At greater ranges, the first change should be
at least 400 yards. Announce deflection changes in mils. In
tanks with a graduated elevating handwlieel (par. 61&), also
42
TANK GITNNERY
54
announce range changes in mils (figs. 28 and 27 ) . Memorize
the change in mils for a 100 yard range change for key
ranges (fig. 28) .
(2) Instructors should teach bracketing by blackboard
drill and later on the terrain board or sand table. The in-
structor touches a stick to the terrain board or sand table
at the point of burst and the gunner or tank commander is
required to sense it with respect to the target and give the
proper range and deflection change. The student should
OVER SHORT
1- FIRST HOUND, OVER. FIRED WITH RANGE SETTING OF 1500 YDS
2- SECOND ROUND, SHORT. FIRED WITH RANGE SETTING OF 1100 YDS
TARGET IS BRACKETED.
3- TO SPLIT THE BRACKET, FIRE NEXT ROUND WITH RANGE
SETTING OF 1300 YARDS.
use field glasses. No crew should Are service ammunition,
without having fired many problems on the terrain board.
This type of training is entertaining to the men. It can be
carried on indoors, or equally well during any dull moments
outdoors. Ingenious instructors will devise elaborate indoor
ranges using smoke puffs, air rifles, etc; but the training can
be given equally well with a twig and a bare patch of earth.
The importance of this type of training cannot be exag-
gerated.
Figure 25. — Bracketing the target.
43
64
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
COMMANDS
RESULTS
SENSINGS
(TARGET! ANTITANK GUN)
GUNNER, ANTITANK,
H E, TRAVERSE
RIGHT, STEADY ON
ONE FIVE HUNDRED
FIftE. (100 YARD RANGE,
CHANGE = 2 MILS.)
30 Zp^lO.^ !0 20 30
SHORT
RIGHT 10, UP 8,
FIRE
OVER
DOWN 4,
FIRE
SHORT
UP 2,
Fl R E
HIT
Figure 26. — Tank commander adjusting flre; tank equipped with
graduated elevating hand wheel.
44
TANK GDNNERY
54
COMMANDS
RESULTS
SENSINGS
(TARGET^ ANTITANK GUN)
GUNNER, ANTITANK,
H E, TRAVERSE
RIGHT, STEADY .ON
ONE FIVE HUNDRED)
[. 1 1 ^^"""^
SHORT
FIRE
30 ^^^^^^ 10 eo 30
RIGHT 10, UP 400,
FIRE
-^^^
OVER
DOWN ZQO,
FIRE
SHORT
UP 100,
HIT
Figure 27. — Tank commander adjusting fire; tank not equipped
with graduated elevating handwhee!.
518569°-^ 3 4
45
54-55
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANTJAL
Memorize the following and use for all firing with shell
HE, M48 (supercharge) and projectile APC, M61".
Change in mils (or 100-
yarfl range clianse
UDdCT I.OOO
1,6(10 to 3,000
Over 3,000
1.5.
2.0.
Usu the firing tabk\
FibuBE 28. — Change In mils for 100-yard range change^
■ 55. Firing While Moving. — a. General. — (1) PirinK with
the 75-min gun while moving is inaccurate and causes an
uneconomical expenditure of ammunition. Do it only in an
emergency and at ranges of 600 yards or under. (See FM
17-30.)
(2) Firing while moving requires close teamwork between
driver and gunner. Drive at a constant speed; acceleration
and deceleration upset the action of the stabilizer. Drive in
a straight line, otherwise the gun yaws as the tank turns.
The driver warns the gunner when rough terrain is ahead.
When going over rough terrain, do not "fight" the gun (at-
tempting to keep it on the target by spinning the elevating
handwheel) , but wait until a constant speed is regaintid and
the action of the stabilizer has smoothed out.
(3) The stabilizer will not lay the gun. It merely tends
to keep the gun where it has been laid; that is, it eliminates
extremely jerky movements caused by the movement of the
tank. Even with a stabilizer, the gun does not hold con-
stantly on the target. Watch the swing of the gun through
the target and Are as the proper sight setting crosses the
target.
5. Stationary targets. — (1) Firing to the front or rear. —
When firing to the front or rear, fire when the vertical cross-
hair center of the sight is on the target, and as the 600-yard
dot crosses the top of the target if the gun Is moving down-
ward, or as the 600 -yard dot crosses the bottom of the target
if the gun is moving upward. If the range of the upward
and downward motion is so small that the 600-yard dot does
46
TANK GUNNERY
55
^ ANGLE TO THE TARGE
r. SOLID LINE INDICATES
CAL CROSS HAIR WHEN
) ILLUSTRATES DIRECTIO
TANK MOVING AT A(
S POSITION OF VERTI
GUN IS FIRED, ANt
OF LEAD.
/■ — -V
@)--
In
TANK MOVING STRAIGHT
THE TARGET. NO LEAD 1
NECESSARY.
47
55
ASMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
not Ia.ll below the bottom or above the top of the target, fire
as the 600-yard dot crosses the center of the target.
(2) Firing to the side. — When firing over the corner of
the tank or to the side, use a lead to compensate for the fact
that the tanK is moving at an angle to the target (fig. 29).
Remember that the direction of the lead is opposite from
that used in firing from a stationary tank at a moving tar-
get. When firing from a tank moving to the right, the lead
is established on the left side of the target. In other words,
when firing at a stationary target from a moving tank, estab-
lish the lead on the side of the target opposite the direction
in which the tank is moving.
e. Moving targets. — If the target is moving, its fire will
be inaccurate. Therefore, halt the vehicle, destroy the tar-
get, then continue the advance.
d. Gyro-stabiliser. — The accuracy of moving fire depends
on the gyro-stabilizer. This is a delicate mechanism, so a
thorough understanding of its operation and adjustment is
necessary. Watch for the following common mistakes:
(1> The gyro -stabilizer turned on and allowed to run in-
definitely when not in use runs down the battery.
(2) The gyro -stabilizer not turned on soon enough to
allow the gyroscope to attain its maximum speed before using
the stabilizer,
(3> "Stiffness" not properly adjusted, thereby causing
either a continuous hunting when adjusted too stiff, or a lack
of pressure when not stiff enough,
(4) Guns not properly balanced.
(5) Recoil adjustment not made. This results in air en-
tering the system which adversely affects the action of the
stabilizer.
(6) Gunners using the elevating handwheel too much,
thereby offsetting the effect of the stabilizer.
(7) Homelite charging systems not in operation. Drivers
will insist that the tank battery is fully charged from normal
running, yet in many cases it will be low. This materially
affects the action of the stabiliser. Correct the reluctance
of drivers to run the Homelite by making them aware of the
importance of a fully charged battery.
48
TANK GUNNERY 6o~56
(8) Improperly lubricated trunnions which cause too much
friction and affect the operation of the stabilizer.
(9) Air not bled from the system.
■ 56. Examples of Fire Orders. — a. Tank gun, stationary
target.
GUNNER
ANTITANK
HE
TRAVERSE RIGHT
STEADY ON
ONE TWO HUNDRED
FIRE
b. Tank gun, moving target,
GUTTNEr
TANK
SHOT
TRAVERSE LEFT
STEADY ON
EIGHT HUNDRED
LEAD ONE ZERO
FIRE
e. Coaxial machine gun, stationary target.
GUNNER
TRUCK
CALIBER THIRTY
TRAVERSE RIGHT
STEADY ON
FIVE HUNDRED
FIRE
d. Bow machine gun, stationary target.
BOG
DOUGHS
EIGHT FRONT
FIRE
e. Platoon commander concentrating fire of section on sta-
tionary target.
FIRST SECTION
ANTITANK
WATCH MY BURST
49
56-58
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
The platoon commander's tank then fires until the tariret is
plainly indicated to the others, after which he commands:
FIRST SECTION
ONE EIGHT HUNDRED
FIRE
Section VII
INDIRECT LAYING
■ 57. GENERAL. — a. Indirect laying occurs whenever the gun-
ner cannot see the target. Battle experience has shown that
indirect laying is extremely common with modern medium
tanks. Antitank guns are often attacked at ranges of 3,000
to 4,000 yards, and even, higher, with the tanks defiladed
from enemy view.
b. The first step in indirect laying training is clear cut ex-
planation that indirect laying requires only that someone who
can see the target transmit to the gunner changes the eleva-
tion and in direction which he applies to the gun in order
to hit the target. Make the men realize that indirect laying
is easy to understand and to use.
c. Before training the men in any type of indirect laying,
explain Its employment (par. 58). Drill the crews in indirect
laying by means of simulated firing exercises. After the men
understand the mechanics of indirect laying, have simulated
firing from tactical positions. Conduct terrain walks and
have the crews select defiladed positions. Comment on their
selections, keeping in mind the problem of minimum elevation
{par. 60) .
■ 58. Types. — Three types of indirect laying employed in
tank units are:
a. One tank in defilade. — The tank is placed In a defiladed
position. The tank commander places himself where he can
observe the target. He then lines in the gun and target, and
adjusts fire on the target. Communication between the tank
commander and the gunner is ordinarily by voice. The
purpose of placing a tank in a defiladed position' and firing
by indirect laying is to enable it to destroy targets Without
exposing itself to enemy fire.
50
51
58
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
b. Ttm or more tanks in defilade. — Where two or more t anks
are placed in a defiladed position, each tank commander may
line in his tank and the target. Usually, where there are
more than two tanks, an observer (the platoon commander
or platoon sergeant) lays them parallel. (See fig. 30 and
par. 63. J One observer (usually the platoon commander or
platoon sergeant) always adjust the fire of all the tanks.
Communication may require voice relay or radio.
3200K
PiQDHE 31. — Measuring gunnery angles in mils.
A platoon commander might use this method of indirect
laying to establish a base of fire with part of his platoon
while the remainder outflanks the target. A company com-
mander might use it to establish a base of fire with one
platoon while the remainder of his company maneuvers to
attack the objective.
c. Tanks as auxiliary artillery. — The most advanced type
of indirect laying occurs when tanks are used as auxiliary
field artillery. Examples; forcing a river crossing, passage
of defiles, passages of defended mine fields, and like opera-
tions. One or more companies of tanks are placed in posi-
tion and their fires massed on a target. The division artil-
52
TANK GUNNERY
58-59
lery command selects the positions, completes the survey,
and prepares data for each tank platoon so employed (con-
sidering the tank platoon approximately equivalent to a
battery of 75-mm artillery). Extra ammunition required
is supplied at the firing position by truck. The organic
ammunition load of the tanks is left intact for use in later
stages of the operation.
■ 59, The Mil. — a. In gunnery, angles are measured in
"mils." The lull circle contains 6,400 mils. That is:
360° =6,400 mils
1°=18 mils approximately (actually 17.8)
Gunnery angles are measured clockwise (fig. 31).
FlGUHE 32. — ^Relation of mils to widtn (in yards) and distance {in
1000s). (Not drawn to scale.)
53
59
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MAHTTAt
b. It is also true that 1 mil is subtended by 1 yard at a
distance of 1,000 yards (flg. 32) . That is—
1 mil is subtended by 1 yard at 1,000 yards
is subtended by I'/a yards at 1,500 yards
is subtended by 2 yards at 2,000 yards
is subtended by 5 yards at 5,000 yards, etc.
Similarly —
150 mils is subtended by 150 yards at 1,000 yards
is subtended by 225 yards at 1,500 yards
is subtended by 300 yards at 2,000 yjirds,
etc.
These relationships are accurate enough for gunnery calcu-
lations for any angle less than 400 mils.
c. Knowing any two of the Sgures involved, the third can
be computed by the mil formula as shown in figure 33.
uliuii <;i W (WIDTH)
R (RANGE IN THOUSANDS)
EXAMPLE I: COMPUTE THE 'ANCLE.
30ipO
^ ANS; ANGLE IS 50 MILS
EXAMPLE 2: COMPUTE THE BASE VIIDTH.
ANS: BASE IS eO YDS
t40 = 60 YDS )
1.5
EXAMPLE 3: COMPUTE THE RANGE.
?
ANS; RANGE IS 5000 YDS
(15 75 YDS .
5
FtGTTRE 33. — Using the mil formula.
54
TANK GUNNERY
60
■ 60. Placing Tanks in Defiladed Positions. — a. To insure
clearing the crest determine minimum, elevation. Elevate
the gun until the line of sight along the bottom of the bore
clears the crest or mask. Measure this elevation by placing
the gunners quadrant on the breech ring. Center the bubble
by moving the quadrant arm. Add to the measured eleva-
tion the elevation for the ammunition to be used correspond-
ing to the range to the crest plus 4 mils. This sum is the
minimum elevation.
®
FiauBE 34. — Do not place tanks on a reverse slope behind a crest.
You may not be able to hit the target. Go a little farther back
in order to get on a forward slope.
b. Using the firing table for the ammunition to be fired,
convert the minimum elevation into range. This range is
the shortest at which the gun can be fired from that position.
c. Do not place tanks close to a mask of trees or on a
reverse slope behind a crest (fig. 34) . When either of these
things is done, the range corresponding to the minimum
elevation required to clear the crest is so great that you may
not be able to hit the target. As soon as each tank is placed
in position, determine the minimum elevation and announce
it to the observer. Do not fire at an elevation less than your
minimum elevation.
d. To facilitate adjusting fire, number the tanks, starting
from the right flank (No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4). Thus,
55
60-61
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
the tank on the rlffht, facing in the direction of fire, is always
designated No. 1 when using indirect laying, regardless of
its permanent number in the platoon.
M61. Instruments for Indirect tiAYTwc. — a. Gunner's quad-
rant.— Each medium tank is equipped with a gunner's quad-
rant (figs. 35, 36) . This device contains a bubble and a mil
scale which permits the gun to be laid accurately for eleva-
tion.
(0-MO MILS)
Figure 35. — Gunner's quadrant.
b. Graduated elevating handwheel. — Medium tanks M4
are equipped with a graduated elevating handwheel (fig. 37).
Each graduation represents a change of 1 mil in the eleva-
tlon of the gun. The elevating handwheel has 25 one mil
graduations.
Note. — When using the graduated elevating handwheel it is essen-
tial that the gunner hold on to the wheel throughout an adjust-
ment. If he does not, the~wheel wilt turn and the accuracy of the
adjustment will be lost.
56
61 ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
FiGTjHE 37. — Graduated elevating handwheel, medium tanlc M4.
c, Azimuth indicator, — The medium tanK M4 is equipped
with an azimuth indicator (figs, 38 and 39). This is a dialed
instrument with two systems of pointers. The first system
indicates the number of mils which the turret has been trav-
ersed from the longitudinal axis of the tank. Thus, when
the gun points straight forward, the bottom pointer reads
zero; at right angles to the right, 1,600; straight to the rear,
3,200; at right angles to the left, 4,800, The second system
(top set of pointers) can be set at zero for any position of
the gun and thereafter reads the number of mils which the
gun has been traversed right or left from this position.
58
TANK GUNNERY
61
Figure 38. — Azimuth indicator.
59
61
ARMOHED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
PiGDBE 39. — Position of aEiiuutli indicator in medium tank M4.
d. Panoramic machine-gun sight. — This instrument con-
sists of a low power telescope mounted on a horizontal turn-
table graduated in mils (fig. 40). Each M4 medium tank
platoon will be equipped with two of these sights mouiited
on tripods to be used like aiming circles for laying the guns.
SO
TANK GUNNERY
62^63
MICROMETO* INDEX
I
ELEVATION
KNOB AND !
SCALE
MICROMETER
RED ARROW
AZIMUTH
KNOB'
BLACK
THROW
OUT
^^^^^^ BUTTON
AZIMUTH INOeX
AZIMUTH SCALE
PANORAMIC SIGHT- MACHINE 6UN M.IQIS
Figure 40. — Panoramic machine-gun sight M1918.
■ 62. Lining in Tank and Target. — To line in his tank and
the target, the tank commander places himself on the line
between gun and target and commands: LAY ON ME. The
gunner then traverses the gun as indicated by the tank com-
majider.
■ 63. Laying Guns Parallel. — a. The observer sets up his
machine-gun sight and tripod where he will not be seen by
the enemy.
518569°— 43 5 61
63
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
TARGET \~2
3200-0 LINE OF
OBSERVER'S
MACHINE GUN
SIGHT.
EZD TARGET
GUNNEF?'S LINE OF
SIGHT AND THE
LINE OF BORE
WHEN GUN IS LAID.
MACHINE
GUN
SIGHT
GUNNERS LINE OF SIGHT AND THE LINE OF BORE,
WHEN GUNNER LAYS ON OBSERVER'S MACHINE GUN
SIGHT.
1 -"A" "ANGLE READ BY OBSERVER FROM TARGET TO
SIGHT OF N0.1 TANK.
Z-B"' THE DEFLECTION.
3-"A"="B"
Figure 41. — Laying tanks parallel,
b. With the sight scales set at 3,200, lays the vertical cross-
hair on the target.
62
TANK GUNNERY
63-65
c. Tightens the lower locking screw in order to lock the
sight and mount in this position.
d. Commands: AIMING POINT, THIS INSTRUMENT.
Each gunner then lays on the machine-gun sight and sets
the pointers of his aaimuth indicator at zero.
e. Using the upper motion, the observer rotates the head
of the sight until the vertical crosshair is laid on the center
of the gunner's periscope on No. 1 tank.
/. Reads the setting on the sight scales. (Always read the
black numbers on the "tens" scale.) This is the deflection.
g. Commands: DEFLECTION NO. ONE (so much).
ft. Determines and announces the deflection for the other
tanks in the same manner.
i. Each gunner sets the announced deflection on his azi-
muth indicator and traverses the turret until the azimuth
indicator reads zero.
j". The guns are now laid parallel (flg. 41).
k. One tank can lay the others parallel by use of the azi-
muth indicator. Lay one tank on the target. Set the indi-
cator pointers at 3,200. Then traverse until the sight is laid
on one of the other tanks. Read the azimuth indicator.
This is the deflection for that tank. Proceed as above.
■ 64. Refebring Tanks to Aiming Stake. — If the observer
expects to move from the position from which he laid the
guns parallel, the gunner uses an aiming stake as an aiming
point. The command is: AIMING POINT, AIMING STAKE,
REFER. Without disturbing the position of tfie gun, the
gunner sets the azimuth indicator at zero and has the aiming
stake lined in with his sight.
■ 65. CoRBECTiNG FOB POSITION OF OBSERVER. — If the observer
is on the line of fire, laying the tanks parallel lays them on
the target. If the observer is not on the line of fire, it is
necessary to correct for his position. He estimates 'his
distance from the line of fire. Next he- estimates the distance
from the observation point to the target. By means of
the mil formula, he determines the amount necessary to
shift the guns (fig. 42). He shifts the guns as soon as he
has laid them parallel. The shift is right if the observer is
to the right of the tanks, and vice versa.
63
60
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
[b-3200 LINE OF
-»^observef's machine
[gun sight
R=2000 YDS-
-•-(OBSERVER
(1) TANKS LAID PARALLEL TO O-iZOD LINE OF OBSERVER'S
MACHINE GUN SIGHT.
(2) S= SHIFT KECeSSARY TO LAY TAMKS OM THE TARGET.
(3) S= M
(4) M=W/R(MIL FORMULA)
M= 1^. 100
DISTANCE, OBSERVER- LINE OF FIRE
DISTANCE, OBSERVER- TARGET/ 1000
200
2
(5) THE COMMAND TO LAY THE GUNS ON THE TARGET IS RIGHT.
ONE HUNDRED.
PiGUHE 42. — Correcting lor position of observer.
■ 66. IjAYing for Direction Using a Staked Line, — When
tanks are used as auxiliary artillery, the artillery command
TANK GUNNERY
66
65
66-69
ARMORED FORCE PIELD MANUAL
win frequently stake out a line on the ground near the firing
position. The artillery ofBcer then gives the platoon com-
mander an angle to use in laying the tanks for direction.
The method used is as follows (fig. 43) :
a. Set up the machine-gun sight or aiming circle accurately
on the line.
&, Set off on the sight or aiming circle the angle' supplied
bythe artillery officer.
c. Sight down the line at the most distant state. The
3,200-0 line of the instrument now points either to the front
or the rear. If it points to the front, it is laid on the target.
d. If the 3,200-0 line points to the rear, leave the angle set
on the Instrument but sight down the line in the opposite
direction. Sight on the most distant stake in the new direc-
tion. The 3,300-0 line is now laid on the target.
e. The instrument is now laid in the direction of fire. Lay
the tanks parallel to it by method already learned.
■ 67. Laying foe Range. — The observer estimates the range
from the tanks to the target. Using the firing table, he
converts the range into mils. Use the gunner's quadrant for
initial laying. Use the graduated handwheel for range
changes.
■ 68. Changing Deflection. — If the command is right two
ZBKO, the gunnner merely traverses the turret to the right
until the top pointer of the azimuth indicator has moved 20
mils. Shift to the left by traversing to the left.
■ 69. Adjusting Fire. — a. Oeneral. — (1) The observer stays
as close to the line of fire as the terrain permits. Moving
to the flank distorts his sensings of range and deflection
errors.
(2) First, have the gunner fire a round where you can see
It burst. Then, measure the deviation of this round from
the target and give commands for changes in direction and
elevation which will bring the next round on or near the
target for deflection and which will bracket it for range.
Split your bracket until the correct range is obtained. Then,
flj'e a salvo (par. 70e) with all guns to check the deflection
of each. When effective fire Is obtained, change to volley
fire (par. 70e).
66
TANK GUNNERY
69
(3) When firing one tank in the preliminary adjustment
of a section or platoon, the other tanks must follow the
deflection and elevation changes given to the adjusting gun.
b. Direction. — (1) In correcting direction, measure the
deviation of the round from the target by means of the mi)
scale in the field glasses, or else by measuring it in mils
using the hand or finger, the hand being held an arm's
length from the eye (fig. 44) . Everyone must determine and
memorize the width of his hand, fist, and finger in mils.
Having determined the deviation, have the gunner traverse
his gun the proper number of mils. When adjusting two or
more guns, measure the deviatiop of the center of the group
of bursts.
(2) The "sheaf" consists of the planes of fire of several
guns handled as a group (fig. 45) . A converged sheaf is one
in which the fire is converged at the target. A -parallel sheaf
is one in which the guns are laid parallel. An open sheaf
is one which is spread beyond parallel. Any gun badly out of
place in the sheaf is corrected individually.
(3) Use a converged sheaf for point targets (antltanli
guns, pill boxes) accurately located. When firing at area
targets use a sheaf approximating 100 yards. The burst of a
75-mra shell covers an area 30 yards wide. Therefore, the
maximum front which can be covered with fire with four
tanks is 120 yards, the distance between flank bursts being
100 yards.
c. Range. — These principles have been outlined in para-
graph 54e. They are repeated here because of their great
importance.
(1) When the first round is sensed for range, change the
range in the proper direction by an arbitrary amount of 400
yards, unless you know the round was near the target. When
the round is far from the target, the change Is greater than
400 yards. Make range and deflection changes bold enough
to insure the next round appearing in the opposite sense.
"Creeping" is an error of all inexperienced observers and is a
thief of time and ammunition. After a bracket is obtained,
further adjustment consists in splitting the bracket succes-
sively until effective fire is obtained. If you obtain a salvo
giving both overs and shorts, change to fire for effect (volley
67
69
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANTJAL
TANK GUMNEHY
69
I
//'
/ / '
/ / /
' I I
I I
I I
PARALLEL SHEAF
CONVERGED SHEAF
1*1 H H
OPEN SHEAF
Figure 45. — Types of sheals.
(2) Fire for effect is generally conducted at a single range.
Range dispersion gives depth to the beaten zone. Fire sev-
69
69-70
ARMOBED FORCE FIELD MANTTAL
eral volleys initially. ' If this range gives a decided pre-
ponderance of overs or shorts, make an appropriate range
change to center Are on the target.
■ 70. Fire Oeders. — a. General. — The sequence of orders is
the same as for direct laying. Necessary additional informa-
tion is shown below.
(1) Target description. No change.
(2) Type of ammunition to fire. No change.
(3) Direction to traverse turret. See b below.
(4> Stopping traverse. Not used.
(5) Range. See c below.
(6) Guns to fire. See d below.
(7) Method of fire. See e below.
(8) Fire. See / below.
b. Direction. — Initial orders are lay on me or, for example,
AIMING POINT, THIS INSIRDMENT, DEFLECTION NO. ONE, THREE
ZERO NINE ONE. Subsequent commands are the deflection
shifts, as RIGHT FIVE or left one zero.
c. Range. — The command for using the gunner's quadrant
is, for example, quadrant three zero. The orders for range
changes are, for example, up four or down six.
d. Guns to fire. — To fire all the guns, preface the method
of fire by "Platoon" or "Section." If you desire to fire one
gun, say, for example, no. one, one round, fire.
e. Method of fire. — When more than one gun is to fire,
there are two methods of fire:
(1) Salvo fire. — The command is: platoon right (lefd,
FIRE. This indicates the flank from which the guns fire
successively. Fire Is opened bj' the tank commander cin the
designated fiank eis soon as he is ready. Each gun follows
in sequence 2 seconds after the adjacent gun has fired. If
the wind Is from the right, use salvo left, and vice versa.
(2) Volley fire. — Change to volley fire as soon as you get
effect. The order is: platoon (so many> rounds, FIRE. Each
gun fires the specified number of rounds as soon as it is
ready without regard to the other guns.
/. Command to fire. — The command fire, given by the
ijbserver, is the authority for the tanks to open fire.
70
TANK GUNNERY
71
■ 71. Examples of Indirect Laying. — a. Single tank. — Target:
Antitank gun. Range: 2,000 yards. Ammunition: HE, M48
(supercharge). c=2.
71
71
ARMORED FORCE FlEtD MANUAL
TANK GUNNERY
Commands
Results
Sensings
S E C O K D SECTION,
ANTTTANK. HE, AIM-
ING POINT THIS IN-
STHTTMENT, DEFLEC^
now NO. ONE SIX
ZStO THREE ZERO.
DEFUECmON NO. TWO
nVE NINE NINE FIVE
(When using indi-
rect laying, the
tank on the right
Is always desig-
nated No. 1, par.
60d). RIGHT ONE
FIVE ZERO (Correct-
ing for position of
the observer, par.
65) . QTTADKANT
THREE NINE, NO.
ONE, ONE ROUND,
PIEE.
RIGHT THREE ZERO.
REPEAT RANGE, FIBE.
I I 1 I I I I I I ■ 1
50 40 10 20 10 0 10 20 30 10 50
50 40 50 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 50
Three zero
left, doubtful
Short
FlGITRE 48.
f). Two tanks. — Target: 88-mm AT gun accurately located.
Range: 2,500 yards. Ammunition: HE, M48 (supercharge).
c=2.
71 ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
Commands Results Sens [rigs
NO. TWO, RIGHT TWO
ZERO (Accurately i
located point tar-
get, use converged
sheaf. Tanks are
about 50 yards
apart and laid par-
allel. Therefore
there will be about
50 yards between
bursts. 50 yards =
20 m at 2,500
yards.)
Figure 49,
74
TANK GUNNERY
71
Commands
Results
I Sensings
VP ONE, SECTION
EIGHT (Splitting a
2-mll or 100-yard
braclcet, effective
fire will probably be
obtained on next
round. Therefore,
fire both guns. Use
salvo fire to che( k
the deflection).
FIRE.
NO. TWO, RIGHT FTVE,
EEPEAT RANGE, SEC-
TION, ONE HOUND.
<Fire volleys to
completely destroy
the target)
FIRE.
"(Senses each
burst as it
appears.)
Range
correct.
Five left,
doubtful.
Figure 50.
75
71
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
c. Platoon. — Target: Antitank guns located along edge of
■wood. Range: 3,500 yards. Ammunition: HE, M48 (super-
charge). c=2 Distance from observer to target, 3,000 yards.
Width of a 100-yard sheaf at 3,000 yards. iM==33 ^
Commands
PLATOON, ANTITANK,
HE, AIMING POINT,
THIS INSTRTJMETJT.
DEFLECTION NO. ONE,
TWO ONE TWO FOUR,
DEFLECTION NO. TWO.
TWO ONE SIX SIX,
DEFLECTION NO.
THREE, TWO TWO
^;EBO ONE, DEFLEC-
TION NO, FOUR, TWO
TWO FOUH SEVEN.
LEFT TWO HUNDRED
(Correcting for po-
sition Of observer)
QUADRANT, SIX TWO.
NO. TWO, ONE HOUND,
FIRE.
Besults
SO 40 SO 20 10 O 10 20 30 40 so
Sensings
Four zetro
left,
doubtful.
PlGURE 51.
76
TANK GUNNERY
71
Commands
Results
Sensings
51856" ---43 6
77
71 ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
Commands Results
Senslngs
DOWN TWO, PLATOON
RIGHT (Target not
accurately located
point, splitting
200-yard bracket
places flre in area
Where target is
thought to be.
Therefore, flre all
guns). FIRE.
no. one, left four,
no. three, hight
Four. no. four,
RIGHT EIGHT (Cor-
recting deflection
to close sheaf to
100 yards) . up one,
(majority of rounds
short; Increase ele-
vation) PLATOON,
ONE ROUND, FIRE.
40 30 20
10 ZO 30 40
to 30 20 10
10 20 30 40
Over
Short
Doubtful
Doubtful
Deflection
correct
(Deflection
of salve
sensed els a
whole) .
45 mils be-
tween flank
burst.
(Measured
to detei'-
mine if
sheaf is
more than
100 yds,
wide.)
Figure 53.
78
TANK GUMNERY
72-73
Section VIII
FIRING
■ 72. General. — a. Study PM 17-15 in conjunction with this
section,
b. Plan all firing in every detail in order that officers and
men will obtain the maximum benefit from it.
c. Use tactical firing positions and simulate battle con-
ditions.
d. Carry out care and maintenance of weapons during
and after firing in order to accustom crews to performing
these duties in the field. Whether the weapons are in the
field or in garrison the bores must be cleaned with sal soda
and boiling water on each of the three days immediately
following firing.
e. Men must know the results of their firing if they are
to acquire confidence in their weapons and improve their
technique. Massed firing at unmarked targets accomplishes
nothing toward improving individual marksmanship. Dur-
ing individual marksmanship firing, only one gun will fire
at a given target at one time. Score the target before
another gun is permitted to shoot at it,
/, Hold a critique on each problem immediately after it
has been flred,
g. Keep unessential personnel, both officers and men, at
least 25 yards from the vehicles.
h. Do not permit unnecessary talking in the immediate
vicinity of the vehicles.
■ 73. Targets and Ranges for Field Firing. — Represent
tanks by full-size silhouettes painted field-gray or brown,
and placed both in the open and in "hull down" positions.
Often it will be impracticable to have full-size silhouettes
for moving targets, but whatever is used paint it gray or
brown. Represent personnel by standard drab silhouette
targets, E, F, and M (commonly called "bobbing" targets).
Represent antitank guns by small panel targets, painted olive
drab and placed in camouflaged positions. Ranges on which
targets move continuously over the same path have limited
value for training gunners; first, because the men soon learn
79
73-75
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANT7AL
where to ambush the target, and second, it is rarely possible
to mark the targets properly.
■ 74. Check List for Firing, — Before leaving the park, do
the following:
a. Obtain all the necessary information about the firing.
In particular, this includes location of firing positions, obser-
-vation posts, if any, type of firing, amount and kinds of am-
munition, and safety limits.
b. Leave the park in time to permit the guns to be in
position and ready to fire at least 15 minutes ahead of the
scheduled time.
c. Check recoil mechanisms. Test firing mechanisms,
breech mechanisms, elevating and traversing mechanisms for
proper operation and functioning.
d. Adjust the sights. In every park, have a convenient
place where the sights can be adjusted with precision. Check
the sight adjustment again on reaching the firing position.
e. Check the gunners' quadrants. These get out of ad-
justment, owing to rough handling and failure to keep them
clean. The quadrant is the basis of all adjustments of I'ange
scales, range quadrants, and bubbles; it must, therefore, be
right.
/, Check range quadrants, elevation scales, and bubbles, if
installed on the materiel. Check other sighting equipment.
g. Inventory ammunition to see that it meets the require-
ments as to quantity and type. Also, spot check it for
condition.
h. Check tools and accessories for completeness.
L Fully stow the vehicles.
■ 75, Safety Measures. — a. Responsibility. — ^The officer in
charge of firing is responsible for all safety measures. He
is assisted by an officer called the safety officer, who has no
other duty than that of safety officer.
b. Safety officer. — The duties of the safety officer are to —
(1) Verify that the safety limits are established on the
ground and are understood by all tank commanders and
gunners.
(2) Verify that the red fiag is displayed at the control point
before firing.
80
TANK GTJSNERY
75
(3) Check that the visible portion of the range is clear
before firing,
(4) Notify the officer in charge of firing when he is satis-
fied that it is safe to fire.
(5> Be familiar with local range regulations.
c. Safety data. — Prior to firing, the safety ofBcer is pro-
vided with data pertaining to safety by the officer in charge
of firing. Data should include the date of firing, gun position,
right and left limits of fire, minimum and maximum ranges,
and any special information necessary to insure safety,
d. Safety precautions. — (1) Unnecessary accidents are as
harmful in battle as in training. The purpose of safety
precautions is to prevent them.
(2) The officer in charge or safety officer should have radio
communication with the platoon commanders in order to
control the firing.
(3) An overheated machine gun will often fire itself with-
out intention of the gunner, due to heating of the cartridge
in the gun. Always have tank cannon and coaxially mounted
machine guns elevated after firing, in order that any acci-
dental discharge of the machine gun will go above personnel
moving about outside the tank. This procedure does not
remove the necessity for clearing the guns.
(4) Do not permit smoking in the vicinity of ammunition,
(5) Caution crew members to stay clear of the path of
recoil,
(6) When tanks are firing on maneuver areas rather than
on prepared ranges, the platoon commander, before giving
the command to open fire, will take time to note whether any
tank is liable to fire into a tree, fence post, or other
obstruction.
(7) Firing will not begin until the officer in charge has
ascertained that the range is clear and given his authority
to commence fire.
(8) In emergencies, anyone may give the command CEASE
FIRING. Firing will cease immediately, regardless of the
source of the command.
(9) Place a red flag on each vehicle firing. Remove the
red fiag and raise a white one to indicate that firing has
ceased.
81
75-76
ARMORED rORCE FIELD MANTTAL
<10) Prior to permitting personnel in front of vehicles
or to moving any vehicle from firing line, weapons will be
unloaded.
e. To remove a jammed fuzed round from gun. — Whenever
possible, remove a round from the gun by shooting it out.
When this cannot be done, the round may be removed by
forcing it from the chamber. 'ETiis operation must be under
the direct supervision of an officer. Use great care not to
strike the fuze and that personnel do not place portions of
their bodies in front of the bore. Use a rammer with head of
such a shape that the fuze is not touched.
■ 76. Advance Planning foe Combined Weapons P^riing. —
Draw up all tactical and firing problems to simulate battle
conditions. Take reasonable precautions to avoid unneces-
sary or foolhardy risks, but the first consideration is battle
training. Firing over the heads of troops from a moving
vehicle is dangerous and will not be done. In order to tafee
full advantage of firing problems, thorough advance plan-
ning and supervision is necessary. Where there is to be
firing over the heads of troops, all gun positions and observa-
tion posts must be surveyed in, limits of fire computed, and
individual safety cards or graphical sketches made witti the
data checked by a competent officer before issuing these
cards to the safety officers. Prior to the problem, a careful
reconnaissance of all positions must be made by the problem
director, safety officer, and safety noncommissioned officers.
At this time, instructions for the control of the problem are
issued. The detailing of competent safety personnel and
their instruction ahead of time, is the responsibility of the
problem director. With so many dangerous factors involved,
precautions to avoid serious accidents cannot be shuffl«:d off
at the last moment on junior lieutenants.
82
TANK GUNNLRY
Appendix I
GUNNERS' PROFICIENCY TEST, TANK GUNS
Introduction
■ 1. Object of the Proficiency Test. — The object of the test
is to —
a. Provide a means of determining the proficiency of the
individual crew member in gunnery.
b. Provide the men with an additional incentive to excel
in their work.
■ 2. Responsibility for Test. — The determination that a
high standard of training has been attained before the crews
are permitted to Are service ammunition is a command re-
sponsibility. The gunners' test is the means of determining
the state of training. Training for gunners* test is an im-
portant part of Unit training.
■ 3. Conduct. — The test will be conducted as prescribed by
regimental and separate unit commanders. Conducting a
test and preparing his men to take it is the finest type of
training for a junior officer,
■ 4. Record. — The organization commander is responsible
that a record is kept of the results of the examination.
■ 5. Other Weapons. — Similar tests should be conducted for
machine guns, mortars, antitank guns, and assault howitzers.
Part I — Practical
■ 6. General. — a. The time for any trial is the time from the
last word of the command to the soldier's report or signal
"Ready."
b. To obtain maximum credit, trials must be performed
promptly and without hesitation. The size of the cut for
time should be proportional to the amount of the delay.
83
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
■ 7. Disassembly of Breech Mechanism (One Trial), — a.
The soldier is in the turret. The examining ofiicer com-
mands: DISASSEMBLE BREECH MECHANISM. The sol-
dier performs the operations as described in —
(1) FM 23-81.
(2) FM 17-66.
b. Mark the soldier on the general merit of his work.
■ 8. Assembly of Breech Mbchanism (One Trial) . — a, The
soldier is in the turret. The examining officer commands:
ASSEMBLE BREECH MECHANISM. The soldier performs
the operations as described in —
(1) FM 23-81.
(2) FM 17-66.
b. Mark the soldier on the general merit of his work.
■ 9. PiTNCTiONiNG (One Teial) . — The examining officer se-
lects at least five groups, or parts, such as the firing pin guide
assembly (percussion mechanism). He then asks, for exam-
ple, "Explain the functioning or operation of the flrinij pin
guide assembly." The soldier explains the functioning as
described in —
a. FM 23-81.
b. FM' 17-66.
■ 10. Care and Maintenance of Weapons (One Trial). — a.
The piece is prepared for action. The examining officer com-
mands: DAILY LUBRICATION TEST INCLUDING PILL-
ING RECOIL CYLJNDER(S) . The soldier selects the proper
lubricating devices and lubricants. He demonstrates the
lubrication of each place requiring daily lubrication, but does
not perform the actual operation. The soldier (and assist-
ant) demonstrate filling the recoil cylinder (s) as described
in—
(1) FM 23-81.
(2) FM 17-66.
b. Assess a penalty of Vz point for — ■
(1) Each place missed or improperly lubricated.
(2) Each time the proper lubricating device or proper lubri-
cant is not selected.
(3) Each Improper procedure in filling the recoil
cylinder (s) ,
84
TANK GUNNERY
■ 11. Crew Drill (Five Trials). — Conduct the test by crew.
Assign each crew member a position. The entire crew exe-
cutes five of the movements prescribed in the appropriate
crew drill. Have some of the movements executed through
the hatches and some through the bottom escape hatch.
After each trial assign each man a new position. Grade the
crew as a whole in its performance of each trial. The grade
given each individual is the crew grade less cuts for indi-
vidual deficiencies. Examples of movements for the test are
as follows;
a. Action.
b. Fight on foot.
c. Abandon tank.
d. Out of action.
e. Secure equipment.
/. Engine fire.
g. Hull fire.
■ 12. Direct Laying (Twelve Trials) . — a. General. — Place
targets at ranges of 300, 500, 800, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, and 3.000
yards. The gun is prepared for action. The examining
officer checks the laying for range and deflection after each
trial. Allow no credit if the laying is not precisely correct.
b. Stationary targets (four trials). — (1) The soldier takes
his position. The examining officer commands, for example :
GUNNER GUNNER GUNNER
TANK ANTITANK MACHINE GUN
SHOT HE CALIBER THIRTY
TRAVERSE RIGHT TRAVERSE BIGHT TRAVERSE RIGHT
STEADY ON STEADY ON STEADY ON
FIVE HUNDRED TWO THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED
FIRE FIRE PIRE
(2) On the command fire, the soldier lays the gun, calls
"Ready," and moves his head clear of the sight.
c. Setting leads (four trials). — (1) Use stationary targets.
85
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
The soldier takes his position,
mands, for example:
The examining officer com-
gunner
TAMK
SHOT
TRAVERSE LEFT
STEAPY ... ON
EIGHT HUNDRED
LEAD FIVE
FIRE
GUNNER
ARMORED CAR
HE
TRAVERSE LEFT
STEADY ... ON
ONE FIVE HUNDRED
LEAD ONE ZERO
FIRE
GUNNER
TRUCK
CALIBER THIRTY
TRAVERSE LEFT
STEADY ... ON
FIVE HUNDRED
LEAD FIVE
FIRE
(2) On the command fire, the soldier lays the guns, calls
"Beady," and moves his head clear of the sight.
d. Tracking motiwg targets (four trials) . — The soldier
takes his position. On signal from the examining officer, a
vehicle starts across the line of observation. The examining
officer gives appropriate orders. On the command fire, the
soldier lays with the prescribed range and lead and tracks
the target. On signal from the examining officer, the sol-
dier stops tracking and the target halts. Blow a whistle to
stop the tracking and at the same time wave a flag to .stop
the target. Have a man in the target vehicle constantly
watching for the flag. This insures the target halting at the
instant the signal is given.
■ 13. Range, Speed, and Lead Estimation (Five Trials) .-—a.
Select a varied piece of terrain. Place tanks, half-tracks,
antitank guns, etc., at various unannounced, predetermined
ranges (300 to 3,000 yards) from the observer. When com-
manded, vehicles are driven across the range at prearranged
speeds, at right angles to the line of observation.
&. The soldier takes his position. The examining officer
designates one of the moving targets and asks:
(1) What is the range? (Wt. 2 points.)
<2) What is the speed? (Wt. 2 points.)
(3) What is the lead? (Wt. 1 point.)
e. The soldier records his estimates for range, speed, and
lead for each trial. This test can thus be conducted for a
considerable group. Cut one point if the error in range esti-
86
TANK GUNNERY
mation is over 10 percent; two points if it is over 20 percent.
Cut two points if the speed is not estimated correctly as slow,
medium or fast. Cut one point if the lead is not correct for
the estimated speed.
■ 14. Selection op Weapon and Ammunition (Three
Trials). — o. Select a varied piece of terrain. Place tanks,
half-tracks, antitank guns, etc., at various ranges (300 to
3,000 yards) from the observer.
b. The soldier takes his position. The examining officer
designates one of the targets and asks:
(1) Which weapon is to be used?
(2) What type of ammunition is to be used?
c. The soldier records the weapon, and type of ammunition
to be used.
Part II— Written
Note. — For crews using other sights, the appropriate reticle will
be Used.
Question
1. If your gun and sight are
perfectly adjusted, where will
the hnes through the sight
and gun cross each other?
(Circle the correct answer).
At 500 yards
1.000 yards
10,000 yards
Never Cthey are par-
allel)
2. To adjust the sight and
gun accurately, what is the
minimum range to a distant
object which will give satis-
factory results? (Circle cor-
rect answer) .
500 yards
1.000 yards
10.000 yards
Infinity.
Answer
1. Never (they are paral-
lel).
2. 1,000 yards.
87
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
Question
Answer
3. In the sight picture fflg.
54) , show which ranges cor-
respond to each line (or dot) .
Figure 64.
4. When laying a gun on
a stationary target, on what
part of the target do you
put —
o. The range line (or dot)
corresponding to the gun-
target range?
b. The center (deflection)
line or dot?
5. You are adjusting your
sight, using the target shown
in figure 55. Mark in the
sight picture where the tar-
get will appear when the gun
and sight are correctly ad-
justed.
o. On
target.
b. On
target,
5.
the center of the
the center of the
83
TANK CUMNERY
FiGBBE
Question
6. In direct laying, what
two methods do we have for
adjusting fire on the target?
7. Which of the above
methods is best when the
range is short and the target
is clearly visible?
8. Why is the foregoing
method best?
9. At what ranges may
this method be successfully
used?
10. Which method of ad-
justment is best when the
target is at a great range
and/or is not clearly visible?
U. What is the usual Ini-
tial range change when ad-
Justing by the bracketing
method?
( A TARGET )
B5.
Answer
6. a. Put the burst on the
target.
b. Bracket the target.
7. Put the burst on the
target.
a. It is faster and saves
ammunition.
9. Generally at ranges less
than 1,000 yards.
10. The bracketing meth-
od.
U. Four hundred yards at
ranges greater than 1,500
yards. 200 yards at ranges
less than 1,500 yards.
89
ARMORED FORCE TIELD MANDAL
Question
Answer
12. While adjusting by
bracket methods, you get a
short at 1,200 and an over at
1,400. The burst at 1,200
appears much closer to the
target than the one at 1,400.
a. What is your next
range?
b. Why?
13. You are a platoon
commander. A German 88-
mm AT gun is visible under
three low trees to your right
front. Your position is un-
der cover 50 yards to your
rear. Two of your tank
commanders are with you.
You estimate the range as
1,500 yards. Give your com-
mands as necessary to em-
ploy the fire of two tanks.
14. You are a tank com-
mander. A German AT gun
is clearly visible to your right
front. Your tank is under
cover. You estimate the
range as 800 yards. Give
your commands.
15. Show how the AT gun
appears in the sights when
your gun is laid and ready to
fire.
12. a. 1,300.
b. Always split brackets.
13. ANTITANK RIGHT FRONT,
THREE LOW TREES, UNDER MID-
DLE TREE ONE FIVE HUTIDRED
TANK POSITIONS THERE (POINT-
ING) UNDERSTOOD.
14. GUNNER
ANTITANK
HE
TRAVERSE RIGHT
STEADY ON
EIGHT HUNDRED
PUT BURST ON TARGET
FIRE
15.
90
TANK GUNNERY
FlGUBE
Question
16, The burst appears as
shown in the sight picture
(fig. 57). What does the
gunner do?
( AT. GUN-D )
56.
Answer
16. Immediately relays the
gun, then picks up the base
of the burst in the sight,
traverses and elevates the
gun until the target occupies
the same place in the sight
as the base of the burst did.
PlauRE 37.
91
ARMOHED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
Question Answer
17. How does the target 17.
appear in the sight when
your gun is laid for the sec-
ond round?
FlaTJHE 58.
18. The smoke from the 18. No. This rounc, is
second burst completely certainly short,
hides the target, as shown in
the sight-picture (fig. 59) .
Was the target hit?
PlGUilE 69.
92
TANK GUNNERY
Question
19. When can you be cer-
tain that you have hit the
target?
20. How should the target
appear when your third
round is fired?
FlOUEE
21. You are a tank com-
mander. Your tank has
halted in a good firing posi-
tion. Prom the turret you
see a Japanese self-propelled
gun go into position to your
left front. You estimate the
range as 2,500 yards. Give
your commands.
22. Your first burst is be-
yond and 10 mils to the left
of the target. Assume that
the elevation change for 100
yards range change is 2 mils.
Give your commands.
Answer
19. When the strike of the
projectile or the explosion of
the shell moves any part of
the target,
20.
60.
21. GUNNER
ANTITANK
HE
TRAVERSE LEFT
STEADY ON
TWO FIVE HUNDRED
FIRE
22. RIGHT ONE ZERO
DOWN FOUR HUNDRED
or
DOWN EIGHT (gradu-
ated handwheel)
FIRE
518569°— 43 7
93
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANTIAL
Question
23. Your second burst is
"line-short." Give your com-
mands.
24. Your third round is
"line-over." Give your com-
mands.
25. Your fourth round
knocks a wheel oil the target.
a. Give your commands.
b. Explain why.
26. You are tank com-
mander and are opening fire
on a German scout car trav-
eling at medium speed from
left to right across your
front at a range which you
estimate as 1.200 yards.
Give your commands.
27. How does the car ap-
pear in the sight when your
gun is laid? Assume gun
with M/V 2,000 f/s.
Answer
23. UP TWO HTDNDRED
or
UP FCDK
FIRE
24. DOWN ONE HUNDRia)
or
DOWN TWO
FIRE
25. a. REPEAT BANGE
FIRE
b. I want to finish that gun
and its crew with fewest
rounds possible.
26. GUNNEHl
ARMORED CAR
HE
TRAVERSE LEFT
STEADY OH
ONE TWO HUNDRED
LEAD ONE ZERO
FIRE
27. Lead is 10 mils.
(CAR C»)
Figure 61.
94
TAKK GUNNERY
Question Answer
28. The first round strikes
ahead of and a little below
the target, as shown in the
sight-picture (fig. 62). Give
your commands.
FlGtTKE 62.
29. How should the target 29.
appear when the second
round is fired?
FiGTJHE 63.
28, UP TWO HUNDRED
or
UP FOUR
LEAD riVE
FIRE
95
ARMORED FORCS FIELD MJ^NVAL
Question Answer
30. The second round ap- 30. repeat range
pears to strike Just to the lead seven
left of the target, as shown nRE
on the sight-picture. Give
your commands,
-0-
FlGUEE 64.
31. a. What is the best
unit of measure for leading
a moving target?
t>. What initial leads are
used if the target is moving
at right angles to line of fire
at slow, medium and fast
speeds? -(TS-mm gun, M3>.
32. What is meant by the
expression, "Adjustment of
sights"?
31. a. The mil.
b. Five mils.
Twenty mils.
Ten mils.
32. Placing the line of
sighting and the center line
(axis) of the gun parallel.
TANK GUNNERY
Question
Answer
33. a. You have correctly
adjusted your sight. Then
you lay accurately and Are
on a target which you esti-
mate as 1,000 yards distant.
The shot falls short. Why
is this?
b. In direct fire at a sta-
tionary target, what single
element of the initial data do
we not generally know?
c. In firing at a moving
target what two elements
must we find out in order to
hit it?
33. a. The range is greater
than 1,000 yards.
i>. The exact range.
c. The
speed.
range and the
TABtTLATIOX
PRACTICAL TEST
Xo. of triKlsf
T'oinls
oach
Maximiijii
creiiit
Opt^ration and runclkminfr
Oari! and maintenance
Crow drill
(Stationary targeta. . .
Sotting loads _ . . .
TrackinB targets ...
Kaiiiic,sp™i, and li^ad estimation
^^'t^aix)!!.'^ and arnuiunition
'I'otnl
3
9
10
ly
4
20
4
16
3
12
4
l(i
«
25
3
9
117
WRITTKN TEST
No. of I^oiiits Mrtxiiiuini
ques^Lions I each credit
ORANU TOTAT.
97
ARMOEED FORCE FIELD MANITAL
Appbkiox II
REPi^RENCES
■ 1. Description. — o. Field Manuals (FM) . — Field Manuals
pertaining to partievilar weapons cover duties of crew raem-
bers in the service of the piece, mechanical training, opera-
tion, and maintenance. Field Manuals are obtained by requi-
sition direct to The Adjutant General of the Army. Dis-
tribution is governed by FM 21-6.
b. Technical Manuals CTilf). — Technical Manuals are of
two general classes:
(1) Manuals containing all the essential technical infor-
mation required by the using arms for the use and care of
the particular equipment described. These manuals are dis-
tributed to companies using the equipment. Requisition is
the same as for Field Manuals.
(2) Manuals containing detailed instructions for mainte-
nance and repair by ordnance personnel. These manuals
are distributed only to ordnance units.
c. Table of Basic Allowances (.T/BA) and Tables of Equip-
ment (.T/E) — T/BA (T/E) No. 17 contains the allowances
of all types of equipment to which units of the Armored^
Force are entitled. Ammunition allowances for mobilizsition
are also shown in this table. The T/BA or T/E is the au-
thority for the requisition and issue of all items shown herein.
d. Ordnance standard nomenclature lists CSJVD. — SNL
supplement the T/BA. The SNL for a particular weapon
shows the tools, spare parts, accessories, sighting equipment,
and articles for instructional purposes which an organization
armed with that weapon should obtain. It is the authority
for the requisition and issue of these items,
e. Monthly digest of War Department directives. — This
shows Field Manuals and Technical Manuals issued during a
particular month and not shown in FM 21-6. To obtain
complete coverage of training publications, check the digest
for each month since the date of the latest edition of FM
21-6 and 21-7. The digest is distributed to headquarters
of regiments and separate battalions.
98.
TANK GUNNERY
/. Index to Ordnance Publications for Supply (OPSI) . —
The OPSI lists the SNL's and Is used to determine whether
the SNL for a particular Item of ordnance equipment has
been published. It Is distributed to all organizations receiv-
ing SNLs.
g. War Department circulars. — Changes and amendments
to the Army Kegulations governing range regulations, train-
ing ammunition allowances, etc., are published in the War
Department circulars which are distributed to headquarters
of regiments and separate battalions.
ft. War Department training circulars. — These supplement
the Field and Technical Manuals. Recently issued Train-
ing Films and Film Strips, not shown in PM 21-7, are listed
in training circulars which are distributed to headquarters
of regiments and separate battalions.
i. Lubrication guides. — Ordnance Field Service Bulletin,
6-series, Instructions for Lubrication of Materiel, will be dis-
tributed. War Department Lubrication Guides, which are
lubrication check charts printed on heavy cardboard and
metal bound may be obtained by requisition through the
local ordnance officer, on the basis of one per weapon.
j. Ordnance field service publications. — Ordnance field
service bulletins, ordnance field service technical bulletins,
and ordnance field service circulars often contain technical
information of value to gunnery officers. These publica-
tions are distributed to division ordnance officers and
ordnance maintenance personnel.
■ 2. General References. — a. AR 35-6620, Expendable Prop-
erty.
b. FM 9-5, Reports of Accidents, Prematures, etc.
c. AR 750-10, Range Regulations tor Firing Ammunition.
d. AR 775-10, Qualifications in Arms and Ammunition
Training Allowances.
e. FM 17-5, Armored Force Drill,
/. FM 17-15, Combat Practice Firing, Armored Force Units.
g. FM 17-62, Fire Control and Coordination.
ft. FM 21-5, Military Training.
i. PM 21-6, List of Publications for Training.
J. SNL F-69, Firing Tables.
99
ARMORED rORCB FIELD MANUAL
k. SNL K-1, Cleaning, Preserving and Lubricating Mate-
rials.
1. IM 9850, Cleaning, Preserving and Lubricating Materials
m. TM 9-1900, Ammunition, General.
n. TM6-220, Fire Control Instruments. (Includes compass
M2 and field glasses.)
o. Vehicle Stowage Lists.
■ 3. 37-MM ANiiTflNK Guns. — a. PM 23-70, 37-mm Gun,
Antitank, M3.
b. SNL-A44. 37-mm Antitank Gun, M3.
c. SNLF-184, Telescope, M6, and Telescope Mount, M19. .
d. SNL R-1, Ammunition, Fixed, All Types, for Tank, L,ight
and Medium Artillery.
e. TM 9-1245, 37-mm Gun M3, and Carriage M4, Ordnance
Maintenance.
/. TM 9-1940 (when printed) , Tank and Antitank Cannon
Ammunition, General.
■ 4. 37-MM TANK Guns, M6.— a. FM 23-81, 37-mm Gun,
Tank, M6.
b. Firing tables and Sight Diagrams for 37-mm and 75-mm
Tank Guns, published by Ordnance Department.
C. SNL A-45, 37-mm Gun, M5 and M6.
rf. SNL Gf-103, Light Tank, M3, M3A1, M5.
e. SNL R-1, Ammunition, Fixed, All types, for Tank, Light
and Medium Artillery.
/. TM 9-725, Light Tanks.
g. TM 9-732, Light Tank M5.
h. TM 9-1940 (when printed). Tank and Antitank Cannon
Ammunition, General (being published).
■ 5. 60-MM MoRTAE. — a. FM 23-85, 60-mm Mortar, M2.
b. SNL A-43, 60-mm Mortar, M2.
c. SNL F-148, Sight, M4 (for 60-mm and 81-mm Mortars).
d. SNL R-4, Ammunition, Trench Mortar, Including Fuzes,
Propelling Charges and Other Components.
e. TM &-1535, Sights, M4. M3 (for 60-mm and 81-mm Mor-
tar Materiel) , Ordnance Maintenance.
■ 6. 75-MM AssAtTLT Gun. — a. PM 17-25, Assault Gun, Section
and Platoon.
b. Field Manual — Crew Drill, 75-mm Howitzer Motor Car-
riage, M8.
100
TANK GUNNERY
c. FT 75-1-2, Firing Tables — 75-mm Ammunition.
d. SNL C-26, 75-mtn Howitzer (Pack) . Ml and MlAl.
e. SNL F-214, Panoramic Telescope, M12 Series.
/. SNL R-1, Ammunition, Fixed, All types, for Tank, Light
and Medium Field Artillery.
6f. SNL R-3, Service Fuzes and Primers, for Tank, Light
and Medium Artillery.
h. TM 9-320, 75-mm Howitzer Materiel.
!. TM 9-7 32B, 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage, M8.
J. TM 9-1320, 75-mm Howitzer, Materiel, Ordance Main-
tenance.
k. TM 9-1551, Panoramic Telescope, M12 Series, Ordnance
Maintenance.
I. TM E>-1945, 75-mm Howitzer Ammunition.
■ 7. 75-MM Tank Guns, M2 and M3, — a. FM. 17-66. 75-mm
Tank Gun, M3, Mounted in Medium Tank, M4.
b. Firing Tables and Sight Diagrams for 37-mm and 75-mm
Tank Guns, published by the Ordnance Department.
c. SNL C-34, 75-mm Gun, M2 and M3, and Recoil Mecha-
nisms (Tank).
d. SNL G-104, Medium Tank, and M4 Series.
e. SNL R-1, Ammunition, Fixed, All Types, for Tank, Light
and Medium Field Artillery.
/. SNL R-3, Service Fuzes and Primers, for Tank, Light
and Medium Field Artillery.
6f. TM 9-1940 (when printed) , Tank and Antitank Cannon
Ammunition, General.
■ 8. 81-MM MoRTAK. — a. PM 17-27, 81-mm Mortar Squadron
and Platoon.
b. PM 23-90, 81-mm Mortar. Ml.
c. PM 23-91 (when printed), 81-mm Mortar, Mounted in
Combat Vehicles.
d. SNL A-33, ai-mm Mortar, Ml.
e. SNL F-14a, Sight, M4 (for 60-mm and 81-mm Mortars) .
/. SNL G~102, 81-mm Mortar Carrier, M4.
g, SNL Rr-4, Ammunition, Trench Mortar, Including Fuzes,
Propelling Charges and Other Components.
h. TM 9-1535, Sights, M4, M3 (for 60~mm and 81-mm Mor-
tar Materiel) , Ordnance Maintenance.
101
i>;dex
Adjustment: Paragraph Page
Bracketing 54 41
Direct laying 54 41
Indirect laying 69 66
Of sights 38-^5 22
Aiming:
Checks on 32 17
Far range 52 38
Uniformity 31 17
Ammunltian:
Armor piercing 33, 35. 52. 53 18, 38. 39
Canister 33, 34 18
General 12, 33 7, 18
High explosive 33, 36, 52, 53 18,
19,33, 39
Machine gun 33 18
Smoke 37. 52 21,38
Aziinnuth indicator:
Description and use 61 56
Bracketing 54,69 41,66
Canister 33, 34 18
Care and maintenance 8, 24 6,11
Combat firing 22, 23 10
Ctew drill 9, 35-32 6, 11
Deflection :
Changing 68 66
Laying for 51 35
Lining In tank and target 62 61
Direction;
Correction for position of observer 65 63
Deflection, direct laying 51 35
Laying for direction with staked line 66 64
Laying guns parallel 63 61
Lining in tank and target 62 61
Direct laying:
Commands^ 49,56 34,49
Definition 46 32
Effect of range 47 32
Platoon drill 16 9
Platoon firing 17 9
Range estimation ll,48 6,34
Speed estimation 11 6
Drill :
Commands 29 17
Cfrew 9, 25-32 6, 11
In adjustment of fire 64 41
Pep 27 13
Platoon, direct laying 16 9
Two or more tanks, indirect laying 20 10
Single tank, indirect laying 18 lo
102
INIIEX
Paragraph Page
Duties oi gunnery officers 1 1
Estimation of range and speed 11,48 6,34
Equipment:
Care and maintenance 8, 24 5, 11
Operation and handling 7 5
Pirtng:
Adjustment direct laying 54 41
Adjustment Indirect laying 69 68
Basic 15 9
Combat i 22, 23 10
Concentration 50 35
Ooordlnation 24,50 11,35
Direct laying (See direct laying)
Indirect laying (See indirect laying)
Machine guns 3,48 1,34
Marksmanship 13 9
Minimum elevation In 60 55
Moving tank 47,55 32,46
Moving target 51, 52 35, 38
Observation of 53 39
Orders, direct laying 49, 58 34, 49
Orders, indirect laying 70,71 70,71
Sensings 53 39
Simulated 10, 25. 26 8, 11, 12
Subcaliber 13 9
Graduated handwheel, description 61 58
Gunner, common faults committed 28 16
Gunnery officers, duties 1 1
Gunnery training
General 5 4
Steps in 6-24 5
Gyro-stato!Iizer 55 48
High explosive shell , 33, 36, 52, 53 18,
19, 38, 39
Indirect laying:
Adjustment of fire 89 66
Auxiliary artillery, tanks as 58 50
Azimuth indicator 81 56
Changing deflection 68 66
Check list V4 80
Commands 63, 70, 71 61,70,71
Corrections for position of observer 65 63
General 57 50
Graduated handwheel, use of 81 56
Gunner's quadrant 61 56
Instruments 61 56
Laying for direction, staked line 66 64
Laying guns parallel 63 61
Lining in tank and target 82 61
Panoramic sight 61 56
Placing tanks In defilade position 60 B6
Planning for 76 82
103
ISDKX
indirect laying — Continued. Paragraph Page
Ranges 73 79
Referring the guns 64 63
Safety measures 75 80
Salvo 69 66
Sensing 69 66
Sheaf 1 69 66
Single tanks 18, 19, 44 10, 26
Targets 73 79
The mil relation 59 53
Two or more tanks 20, 21, 58 10, 60
Types 58 50
Instruments ^ 61 56
Laying :
17
Checks on .
32
For direction, staked line ,
66
64
38
63
61
df
61
31
17
51
35
Loader, duties of _
28
16
Machine gun:
33
18
Employment of- -- -
3
1
Panoramic sight, description and use
61, 63, 66
58, 61,64
o%
13
6\
Mils:
61
35
Relation- _ . . _ _ ^ _
59
63
Minimum elevation _ _ _ -
60
55
Moving target;
52
38
51
35
Numbers, pronunciation of
30
17
53
39
Operation and handling of equipment- -- -
7
5
Orders :
49, 56
34, 49
For laying guns parallel
63
61
Indirect laying _ - --- - .. -- -
70, 71
70,71
Methods of giving
29
17
30
17
Panoramic machine gun sight .. - -
61,63, 66
56, 61, 64
Platoon :
Concentration of fire _ _ --
50
35
Coordination of flre .
50
35
Drill, direct laying- - --..„-- ^
16
9
20
10
51
36
Proficiency test-
14, App 1
9,83
104
INDEX
Paragraph Page
Quadrant, gunner's 61 56
Range:
Effect on direct laying 47 32
Estimation 11,48 6,34
Firing ranges 73 79
Laying ror 62 38
References i App II 98
Safety measures 15 80
Salvo 68 66
Sensings 63, a9 39, 68
Settings and layings;
Checks on 32 17
Laying for range 52 38
Uniformity 3I 17
Sheaf 69 66
Sights:
Adjustment 38-45 22
Care of 39 22
Description of 45 26
Importance 38 22
Panoramic 61, 63, 66 56, 61, 64
Testing target 42 23
Smoke shell 37, 52 21, 38
Speed estimation 11 6
Suticaliber firing 13 9
Tank commander, duties 28 16
Target:
Designating SO 35
Firing while moving 51, 55 35, 46
For firing 73 79
Lining in tank on - 62 61
Moving 51, 52 35, 38
Testing 42 23
Test, proficiency 14, App I 9,83
Traverse, power 51 35
Volley fire gs 66
Weapons;
Care and maintenance 8,24 5,11
Selection of 3 1
o
105