Fire Discipline Part 1

Fire Discipline Is the language of fire control. It consists of words, phrases, rules and conventions
which have specific meanings and which result in some definite actions at the guns.
The Aim of Fire Discipline Is to ensure that in response to fire orders, appropriate action is taken at
the guns, strictly in accordance with the intention of the originator and with the minimum of delay.
Why Fire Orders Are Given in a Specific Sequence To minimize delay and to ensure that mistakes
or omissions are readily detected.
Stages of a Fire Mission
I Initial call for fire An initial call for fire is sent, indicating the guns that are required to take
part in the fire mission, and where and when the opening round or rounds are to be fired.
A Adjustment, If Required Adjustment, if required, is carried out to the degree appropriate for
the type of target and the time available.
F Fire for Effect Fire for effect (FFE) is opened, adjusted if necessary, and continued for as long
as circumstances warrant.
T Target Is Recorded The target is recorded if required.
F Fire Mission Is Terminated

Orders to the CP
Call for Fire The set of orders sent by an originator to carry out a fire mission is referred to as a call for
fire. A call for fire takes precedence over all communications traffic on artillery nets and will be acted
upon immediately.
Basic Elements of a Call for Fire
O Observer Identification
W Warning Order
L Location of Target
D Description of Target
M Method of Engagement
M Method of Fire and Control

1. Observer Identification

The observer will identify himself during the establishment of communications at the beginning of a fire
mission, 2 This is 21.



2. Warning Order

The warning order is Fire Mission. The order Fire Mission is normally coupled with the number of guns
or the size of the fire unit to engage the target. If less than a battery is required, the number of guns is
specified by the observer.

If the observer does not name the specific fire unit to be used, it will be designated by the RCPO or
GPO/CPO based on target description and the number of guns available. Examples are:
a. Fire Mission
b. Fire Mission One Gun/Two Guns/Three Guns
c. Fire Mission Left Section/Right Section
d. Fire Mission Battery
e. Fire Mission Regiment (or Battalion when dealing with specific allied artillery)
f. Fire Mission __ Batteries (Observer will indicate number of batteries he requires)
g. Fire Mission Division
h. Fire Mission Corps
i. Fire Mission All Available

When an observer wishes to conduct two fire missions simultaneously with a battery, he may specify
the guns to be used for each mission by ordering, 1, This Is 11, Fire Mission Left Section for the first
mission and Fire Mission Right Section for the second mission. If only Fire Mission Three Guns is
ordered by the observer, the GPO/CPO will designate three guns and send a message to the observer,
e.g. Right Section.

3. Location of the Target

This element of the call for fire gives the location of the target and, if adjustment is to be carried out, the
direction of the line along which the observer will adjust the fire.

Location of the Target Will be indicated by:
a. Grid Coordinates - Grid 482 642, Altitude 125
b. Target Number or Known Point - ZP 1242, Registration Point 1 or Laser Point 6000
c. Reference From a Known Point - using a direction, target grid correction and an alteration in
altitude if any, From ZT 1234, Direction 1220, Right 400, Drop 200, Up 20
d. Polar Coordinates direction, distance and an alteration in altitude, if any, measured from the
observers location. For this type of target location, the alteration to altitude is understood to
be in mils unless meters are specified. This method of target location will only be used when the
position of the observer is known by the CP. Direction 3170, Distance 2800, Down 25 or
Direction 2860 Distance 3000, Up 30 Meters or Direction 3320, Distance 3500, Altitude 175
Meters

Altitude The altitude may be ordered by the observer. If it is not, it is determined at the CP from the
map. For missions utilizing more than one battery, the adjusting battery is responsible for determining
the altitude and circulating it to the other batteries and the RCPO if applicable. Meters are understood
unless another unit of measurement is specified or polar coordinates are used.

Direction
a. The direction ordered is normally the grid bearing and is sent as accurately as the instrument
will permit (to a minimum of 1 mil) from the observer to the target; Direction 1240
b. If the observer wishes to use the line GT as a reference line he shall order it as Direction GT
c. If direction is not ordered by an air observer, Direction GT is understood. If a direction is
ordered in degrees by an air observer, the CPO shall perform the necessary computations to
convert it to mils. However, when using this procedure only magnetic degrees shall be sent;
130 Degrees Magnetic
d. If the observer wishes to use an arbitrary reference line other than line OT or GT, he shall order
it in the normal way, Direction 1440
e. If direction GT is ordered for missions utilizing more than one battery, the adjusting battery is
responsible for determining the direction and circulating it to the other batteries and to the
RCPO as applicable.

4. Description of Target

The observer shall send a brief informative description of the target. This description is sent primarily
for intelligence use by higher HQ. On occasion, it is used at artillery HQ and CPs to assist in determining
the relative importance of the target and the type of ammunition and amount of FFE to be applied. The
amount of detail included in the target description should be sufficient for such an assessment to be
made when necessary. The description should be as accurate as possible and indicate any or all of the
following target features;

a. Target Type The number of men, number and types of vehicles or the kind of material,
Infantry Company, Eight APCs, Three Tanks
b. Degree of Protection Company in Open, Concrete Pillbox
c. Size The size of the target is described in the following manner;
I) A Circle The radius is given Radius 100. This method is also used for irregular shaped
targets which are equated to a circular measurement which approximates their size.
II) A Line The total length and attitude of the target are reported. The attitude is the grid
bearing of the target as accurately as possible, Attitude 1855
III) A Rectangle The length and width of the target in meters is reported, 200 By 50.
The attitude is the grid bearing of the longest side as accurately as possible.
d. Target Activity Advancing, Preparing To Move, Withdrawing

Some complete examples of target descriptions sent by the observer are as follows;
a. Three Tanks In Open, Radius 150, Advancing
b. Company Digging In Along Ridge, 800 x 200, Attitude 1500

The firing unit shall send a target engagement report including the grid reference and description to the
next higher artillery HQ without delay.

Once a target has been recorded, the target description may be omitted from the initial sequence of
orders.

5. Method of Engagement

Method of engagement is a collective term encompassing four items which shall either be
specified in the fire orders or be the subject of a convention, (a certain action automatically
taken at the gun position in response to an observers orders. The four items and their use is
described below.

Type of Engagement When a type of engagement is not given, the convention is that Area
Neutralization (AN) is required. The other types of engagement that may be ordered, some of
which indicate the use of a special procedure, are as follows;
a. Registration Mission conducted to determine the total correction to Map Bearing and
Map Range to compensate for non-standard condition(s).
b. Destruction The target shall be engaged for the purpose of destroying it.
c. Mark Rounds shall be fired for the purpose of identifying the zone of observation or
indicating targets to ground troops, aircraft or fire support ships.
d. Danger Close The target is within 600m of our own troops and special measures shall
be taken to ensure troop safety.
e. Adjustment for Future Engagement To indicate that the fire mission is being adjusted
for future engagement. Any of the following may be specified; Adjusting ZQ 5691 or
Adjusting Witness Point, ZQ 5679 or Adjusting laser Point, 5400

Trajectory targets are engaged at low angle unless high angle is ordered by the observer.

Ammunition The ammunition order shall specify the type of ammunition to be used in
adjustment and in FFW and shall normally include an estimate of the volume required at FFE.
a. Type The type of the projectile and fuze required in adjustment and in FFE is indicated
as follows:
i) Projectile, (HE, Illuminating, WP, DPICM, APICM or Smoke, include color if other
than white).
ii) Fuze, (VT, Time, Delay, or Concrete Piercing).

The following conventions apply with respect to the observers ammunition orders:
i) When a type of ammunition is not specified, the GPO/CPO shall order HE Quick
to be used during adjustment and during FFE.
ii) When the type of ammunition required for adjustment differs fromt hat to be
used at FFE, it shall be ordered by specifying the type of ammunition in
conjunction with the term In Adjustment or In Effect as applicable, e.g. WP
In Adjustment, VT In Effect. When HE Quick is to be used in either phase, it not
need be specified.
iii) When extended range ammunition is required, the GPO/CPO shall cause it to be
fired without further reference to the observer.