Thus the successful co-operation of the guns working under one leader will very largely depend on the mutual understanding that exists between the Officer and his Gun Commanders. Therefore the Officer must ensure that all those under him clearly understand:— 1. The part the machine guns are intended to play. 2. The plans of the Machine Gun Officer. 3. The objects in view and the methods by which the Machine Gun Officer hopes to attain them. In this way, even when individual control by the Officer has been lost, the desired effect will most likely be obtained, for each Gun Commander will be striving to attain that effect, though, perhaps, by different means. METHODS EMPLOYED IN CONTROLLING FIRE OF SECTION. The following have been the usual methods:— 1. Fire orders by word of mouth. 2. Signals (including flashlights, etc.). 3. Telephones (in one or two cases in trenches). 4. Orderlies. But whatever method is employed, a thorough understanding between the Officer and those under him is essential. NUMBER OF GUNS UNDER ONE COMMAND. One Officer to a 4–Gun Section is not sufficient. Whether the guns are grouped under the supreme command of one Senior Officer, or whether they work in sections, there should always be one Officer to each pair of guns. ALTERNATIVE POSITIONS ARRANGED FOR. The great importance of alternative positions being arranged for cannot be overestimated. The best way of moving the gun from one position to another without being seen should be studied. If guns are located and shelled, either:— 1. Move guns at once to an alternative position or right away. 2. Let the gunners cease fire and get under cover until the shelling ceases. The first will be the more useful proceeding, but success has been obtained several times with the second. For example:— On one occasion, after shelling for some time, the artillery ceased, thinking, no doubt, that they had “knocked out” the machine guns. Massed enemy infantry then advanced, the machine guns opening fire again from their old position with great effect. The great importance of concealed approach in occupying positions must be impressed on Machine Gun Officers. GENERAL REMARKS OF INTEREST. 1. Lack of any organised method of using machine guns. Young and inexperienced Officers are left in many cases to do what they think best with their sections, without any previous consultation or plan as to how guns can be most usefully employed. 2. Lack of any attempt at co-operation between the sections of the units working together in any particular action. 3. Lack of initiative and push. This is usually due to want of knowledge. Though the machine gun is a weapon of opportunity, opportunities seldom occur to those who passively await them. A good Machine Gun Officer, by keeping himself thoroughly in touch with the situation, must have an opportunity to use his guns with effect.