=11. Conclusion.=--(i) Up to the present the tactics of the enemy and the conditions of warfare of the campaign on the Continent have resulted as a rule in giving the infantryman fairly short fields of fire and more or less visible targets. This has accentuated the value of rapid, accurate fire within close range, to which particular attention should be paid in training men. On the other hand, when opportunity has afforded, the value of fire direction and control has been demonstrated by the effect of British rifle fire beyond close range. (ii) The principles of training laid down in the _Musketry Regulations_ and in this book as a whole should, therefore, be adhered to and carried out systematically. Above all, the sound principles that troops should be trained to make the best possible use of their weapons, not only at one but at all ranges of the battlefield, and that they should be trained to adapt their instruction to a variety of conditions, and not to any given conditions, should be observed faithfully. The correct application of general principles to the ever-varying circumstances of warfare should be the object of any sound system of military training. (iii) The following subjects of training may be mentioned as being especially important in relation to the present campaign: 1. Rapid fire. 2. Entrenching, especially in the dark. 3. Cover from view of artillery for the trenches. 4. Bringing enfilade fire to bear on enemy’s trenches whenever possible. 5. Skilful use of machine-guns. Infantry must be careful when advancing that an enemy’s machine-gun is not hidden on the flank ready to open enfilade fire. Some regiments have lost very heavily from being caught in this way. O’M. CREAGH. LONDON, 1915. CONTENTS PREFACE PAGE NOTES ON EXPERIENCE GAINED AT THE FRONT vi DEFINITION OF TECHNICAL TERMS AND MILITARY VOCABULARY I. =Definitions= xxii II. =Military Vocabulary for Indication and Recognition of Targets= xxvi CHAPTER I THE CARE AND CLEANING OF ARMS SECTION 1. =General Remarks= 1 2. =Wear and Fouling= 2 3. =Materials used for Cleaning Arms= 4 4. =Instructions for Cleaning Arms= 7 5. =Instructions for Care of Arms and Ammunition= 10 6. =Examination of Small Arms= 12 7. =Inspection of Arms on Parade= 15 CHAPTER II THE THEORY AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF RIFLE FIRE 8. =General Information= 18 9. =Dangerous Space--Ricochets--Firing Up and Down Hill= 25