1 pick-axe, 1 shovel, and 1 billhook are carried with each machine gun tripod as part of its equipment. 60 sandbags per infantry battalion are carried for use with machine guns. NOTES FROM THE FRONT. Points to Remember. Conceal guns and men. Select best position to achieve the object you hope to achieve. Have alternative positions prepared. Provide effective obstacles. Keep guns and belts free from dirt. Give out any preparatory orders necessary. Be always ready to fire when wanted. Study the ground all round the position. Remember the value of cross fire. Keep your fire for the proper moment. Choice of Gun Positions. The choice of a gun position must be governed by the following considerations:— Enfilade fire, against the enemy and against ourselves. Overhead fire, to support our own troops. Long-range fire, against enemy’s supports. Fire against houses, etc., in rear of enemy’s line. Fire against likely places for enemy’s machine guns. Concealment from enemy’s artillery. Alternative positions. Lines of advance and retreat. Covered approach for ammunition carriers, etc. Facilities for control of guns. Avoid:— Obvious positions. Positions easy to describe. } Either from surroundings Positions easy to arrange upon. } or maps. Positions near prominent objects or aiming-points. Ground which will facilitate observation of fire by the enemy. Employment of Machine Guns. The fire of well-concealed machine guns may often be directed against:— Windows, doors, roofs, etc., of houses thought to be occupied. Areas of bush, crops, etc. Open spaces across which the enemy are dribbling in small parties in order to concentrate at another point. The enemy’s firing-line. It may happen that machine guns are forced to open fire in self-defence, or to assist the advance of the infantry in spite of the target offered not being a suitable one for machine guns. Any tendency, however, to open fire with machine guns without good reason must be suppressed. Machine Guns and Artillery. Every effort must be made to prevent machine guns being located by artillery. If guns are shelled they must either:— =Change their Position at once.=—This would be the usual proceeding. A movement of quite a short distance—say 50 yards—is quite sufficient in many cases; or— =Cease fire while detachments take cover until the shelling stops.=—If this be done, the hostile artillery may think that the machine guns have been put out of action. Good targets may then present themselves, and the guns may be able to reopen fire with good effect from the same position. There have been several cases of machine guns firing against artillery with great success. The following instances are quoted:—