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"Target down range, sabot"

M1 fire commands must have changed. Aren't all targets down range? Back in the Pleistocene era of diesel-engined tanks it was "GUNNER, SABOT, TANK!" or "GUNNER, HEAT, BMP!" or GUNNER, COAX, TROOPS!"

"target! Load HE, repeat.

Sounds like Redleg talk. "Target, right tank, FIRE!" is what we would have said, if we said anything at all. At that range the TC would likely have shot the second T-72 himself, using his TC Override.

"target! Load HE, repeat.

Sounds like Redleg talk. "Target, right tank, FIRE!" is what we would have said, if we said anything at all. At that range the TC would likely have shot the second T-72 himself, using his TC Override.

If the TC is ordering a change of ammunition type, as for instance, a round of HE or canister into a disabled or destroyed vehicle to nail any escaping crew members, he has to order the ammunition change to the loader so he can change ammo type, and so the gunner can enter the ammo designation into the ballistic computer if the shot is other than a point-blank one where the correction won't matter. Alternately, he can use his gun control override to make the shot himself, or use his .50, or order *hose 'em down* [Gunner, co-ax, escaping crew] with the co-ax machinegun.

I'll admit I've been tainted by exposure to fire commands from forces other than US. But most of those with whom I've dealt, including the Israelis, are pretty similar. The Israeli M48A5/Magach crew with which I spent a few interesting days worked in the German language, [German Jews, resident in the BRD] BTW. All had served in the German Bundeswehr, as panzersoldat treadheads, the commander as a Jagdpanzer Kanone-90 TC.

-archy-/-

Ok, for all you who fired 105s, and some 90s, on your tanks, here are samples of M1 120mm fire commands.

Remember we now have Sabot, HEAT, MPAT (Multi-Purpose Anti-Tank: A heat round that penetrates bunkers and flys faster, but can be used as an anti-aircraft round vs helos). There is a cannister round on the way too.

Here is a single Tank v Tank fire command and what it means with morning levity added:

TC: "Gunner Sabot Tank": Hey Gunner, wake up! Shoot this tank with a sabot. Loader, ensure sabot is loaded.

Gunner: "Identified": Hey, I am awake and I see the target.

Loader: "UP!": Round loaded, safety off, and I'm out of the way.

TC: "Fire!": Self Explanitory....

Gunner: "On the way": I am pulling the trigger, get ready for the boom! He pulls the trigger just as he says "way".

TC: (depending on effect)
"Target, cease fire!": You hit the tank and I see nothing else you can shoot at...for now.
"Lost, reengage": I have no idea what you THINK you were shooting at, but THIS is the target.. Now do it again!
"Short/Over/Left/Right, reengage": You missed and the round hit here.... Either it's you or the computer that's screwed up, but I'm betting on you.. Do it again!

The commands are similar for other rounds and the COAX machine gun.

For multiple engagements commands encompase all the targets by type and what target has priority.

TC: "Gunner sabot Tanks! Right/Left/Near/Far tank first!"
or
TC: "Tanks!! Right/Left/Near/Far tank first!": Obviosly, unless the TC is going to overide the gunner's controls (or he doesn't have a gunner), the command "gunner" is considered redundant.

There, that SHOULD alleviate some confusion.

Remember, give a man a duck and he lives for a day. Teach a man to duck and he may live longer.