What does proper mechanical manipulation of T+E refer to?

Proper mechanical manipulation of T+E refers specifically to the elevation and traverse controls in machine gun operation. This involves adjusting the machine gun to ensure it can accurately aim at targets by raising or lowering the weapon's angle (elevation) and moving it left or right (traverse). Mastery of T+E controls is essential for effective fire support and precision targeting on the battlefield, as it allows the operator to adapt to changing conditions and targets quickly.

Understanding this skill is fundamental for infantry units that rely on machine guns, as even slight misalignments can significantly affect the impact of rounds fired, making precise manipulation critical for both effectiveness and safety in combat scenarios. Each adjustment in elevation and traverse directly correlates with the machine gun's ability to deliver accurate fire on target, which is why this aspect of mechanical manipulation is pivotal for infantry training.