What are the planning dimensions (width by depth) of an FPF for a 105 mm, 6-gun battery?

• A. 210 meters by 35 meters
• B. 180 meters by 60 meters
• C. 240 meters by 20 meters
• D. 200 meters by 40 meters

Answer: (A)

Planning dimensions describe the footprint a battery needs to deploy so it can fire safely and effectively. They account for the number of guns, how they’re arranged, and the space required for gun crews, ammunition, observation, and command elements, plus safe margins for muzzle blast and maneuvering.

For a 105 mm six-gun battery, the standard footprint is 210 meters wide by 35 meters deep. The width provides enough spread across the front to accommodate the six guns with proper spacing while keeping their firing arcs aligned with the target area. The depth of 35 meters gives room behind the guns for crews, ammo handling, and the forward observer/command elements, while still maintaining the necessary safety margins from the blast effects. Other dimensions either exceed or fall short of these practical safety and deployment needs, making them less suitable for a typical FPF setup.