9. A machine-gun commander should be given definite orders as to his action, but should be allowed full liberty, within the limits assigned to the commander of the body of troops with whom he is co-operating, in carrying out his orders. He should be kept informed of all changes and developments of the situation which may affect his action. Initiative and enterprise are essential to the effective handling of machine guns. 10. Machine guns will usually be sufficiently protected by the dispositions of the troops with whom they are acting. Should a machine-gun commander find himself in an exposed position, he should consult the nearest infantry commander, who is responsible for providing a suitable escort, if in his opinion one is necessary. 11. When a machine gun is in action only those numbers required to work the gun should be with it. Spare numbers, when not employed as range-finders, ground scouts, ammunition-carriers, or on similar duties, should be in covered positions in the vicinity. Groups of men close to machine guns do not facilitate the working of the gun, and make a vulnerable target. The limbered wagons will be unloaded in positions where they are screened from the enemy’s fire and observation. The commander of the machine-gun section will select a covered position for his small-arm ammunition cart, as close to his guns as possible. (see Section 174). _Choice of Fire Positions_ 1. Reconnaissance is of special importance in the handling of machine guns. Before bringing his guns into action the brigade machine-gun officer if the machine guns are brigaded, or the battalion machine-gun officer if the sections are working independently, accompanied by range-takers and orderlies, should usually be well in advance of his guns, where he can observe the action of the body of infantry with which he is co-operating. He should carefully reconnoitre suitable fire positions and make all preparations for bringing his guns rapidly into action. During this reconnaissance the machine guns should normally be placed in concealed positions. In any case they should not follow the machine-gun commander so closely as to expose their movements. Alternative positions to which the guns may be moved to meet changes in the situation or to avoid artillery fire should always be prepared. 2. The choice of a fire position must depend upon the tactical requirements of the situation, and upon the object in view; for example, it must depend upon whether it is desired to use covering enfilade or flanking fire, or to act by surprise. A commanding position is favourable for the development of covering fire, while for other purposes the gun should be sited as low as is compatible with obtaining the necessary field of fire.