How should a gun crew adjust fire when the target is behind a range obstruction?

• A. Immediately cease fire and abandon the target.
• B. Move the gun to another position.
• C. Use alternative data and corrections (e.g., back azimuth or indirect-fire corrections) to compensate for the obstruction.
• D. Fire directly at the obstruction.

Answer: (C)

When the target can’t be seen because of a range obstruction, you can’t rely on a direct-fire solution. The way forward is to engage using indirect-fire data and corrections. This means you derive a firing solution from alternative information—such as the target’s location expressed through a back azimuth or coordinates relayed by an observer—and apply indirect-fire corrections to place rounds on the target area behind the obstruction. You account for range, wind, temperature, and other ballistic factors just as you would in indirect fire, and you adjust the aiming point based on observed impacts or spotting from the observer. This lets you hit the target area without a direct line of sight.

Ceasing fire and abandoning the target isn’t appropriate when you can still engage indirectly, and firing at the obstruction serves no useful purpose and risks harm. Moving the gun could be done in some situations, but the recommended approach here is to compensate with alternative data and corrections so the target behind the obstacle can still be engaged.