Copyright 2006 T. Sheil & A. Sheil All Rights Reserved
There are many techniques that soldiers use in combat. Here are two that deserve a look. We will be covering many more in my forthcoming book.
When soldiers are shooting ,they hold the rifle to their shoulders. When entering a room or danger area where they see no target, they hold rifles high, poised to shoot if necessary. In modern television and movies, the soldiers and police SWAT personnel are depicted entering with rifles at the shoulder. They look right over the sights. Prior to 1985, soldiers were taught to hold the rifle against the body, between the armpit and hip. They swiveled from the waist to aim. It takes very little practice to make this work. Where the soldier looks, his weapon points. He can blaze away at ranges under 25 yards with a likelihood of hitting his target.
The other technique was "quick fire." Soldiers learned to raise their rifles, aim and shoot rapidly. It took a split second to raise a rifle held at the waist, aim and hit a target at 25 yards. A man only raised his rifle to his shoulder when he had a target in sight.
Looking at the pictures below, you can see the stance described above. It used to be called the "assault position." You can also see the newer shoulder position, depicted with an M79 grenade launcher. Consider when making miniatures that the assault position was taught and used until the mid-80s. It was used prior to World War II. The new shoulder pose was only used with the M79 in the 70s.
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A low crouch was taught during World War II. This was a quick fire method. |
Rifle poised for close range "Instinctive firing." The rifle is poised so that it points where the body points. This is a quick shooting method that was used until the mid-1980s. Troops in close quarters, such as clearing a house, would hold the rifle under the arm. Movement was from the waist. Neck was kept stiff. As the soldier moved to look, the weapon moved with him, ready to shoot. |
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The "instinctive" position with the M16. |
Originally meant for the M79, the "shoulder" pose is what we see modern SWAT teams use. They keep the weapon at the shoulder. It is a modern technique. Back in the 1970s, a rifle was shouldered during the walking assault, but not in house clearing or similar things. The walking assault was used against an enemy position. |
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this is the instinctive pose for the submachine gun. It is the pose used most often by submachine gunners. |
G.I. is ready to raise that carbine and shoot, if necessary. |
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The instinctive grip is used by these men checking out an abandoned enemy position. |
This G.I. has shouldered his rifle because he has a possible target in sight. Prior to the mid-80s, soldiers did not shoulder their weapon unless a target was visible. |
Soldiers use cover to protect themselves. They also get low to make themselves less of a target. Here are examples for you to consider..
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Firirng poses are meant to make the most of cover. |
A wary approach. Men stay behind the wall while investigating what is behind it. |
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Marines at Hue during Tet offensive. The lower the cover, the lower the men will go. |
Even though behind a wall, men crouch. Staying low means less likelihood of getting hit. |
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Here men are staying very low to take advantage of terrain |
This fellow is taking a chance. He is making himself a better target. |
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Infantry crouch behind the tank. Infantry must accompany tanks to protect them from enemy infantry ambushes. |
Here is what happens when tanks roll into town without infantry support. Ambush! |
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