wn and to the rear from the firing line
forming the target, the supports must be posted at a greater distance
in rear, unless the slope is so much greater than the angle of fall of
the hostile bullets that a defiladed space is created in which no
bullets strike, in which case the supports may be brought up close to
the crest.

3. On ground rising with respect to the line of sight, column targets
(i. e., having depth) will suffer greater losses than lineal targets.

4. On ground falling with respect to the line of sight, the reverse
slope of hills or the level grounds of plateaus, line targets will
suffer the greater losses.

=1425. Ricochet shots.= When a bullet strikes any surface and is
deflected it is called a _ricochet shot_.

Not only do bullets that ricochet usually tumble after striking, but
they are also mutilated, so that wounds inflicted by ricochet hits are
usually severe.

The most favorable ground for ricochets is a smooth, hard, horizontal
surface, the aim being low, the chance of ricochets in sand is very
slight.

=1426. Occupation of ground.= The question of the occupation of ground
presents these two aspects:

1. What firing positions may be chosen which will tend to increase the
losses of the enemy?

2. What positions may be chosen and formations adopted to minimize our
own losses?

The selection of a defensive position presents this question: _Shall
it be near the crest or well down the slope?_

A position well down the slope

_Advantages:_

1. The depth of the beaten zone for fire delivered from the position
is increased and the upper portion of the cone of fire will include
the supports and reserves advancing to reenforce the hostile firing
line. That is to say, the fire will be a _grazing fire_.

2. It eliminates dead spaces that might otherwise exist at the bottom
of the slope.

3. The hostile fire being directed against a point well down the
slope, the high ground in rear will interpose as a defilade and
intercept the upper portion of the cone of fire which might otherwise
take effect on the supports and reserves behind the crest.

_Disadvantages:_

1. It makes withdrawal difficult in case it becomes necessary to fall
back.

2. It is difficult to reenforce the firing line.

A position near the crest

_Advantages:_

1. It favors observation of the enemy.

2. It makes withdrawal easy in case it becomes necessary to fall back.

3. It is easy to reenforce the firin