When adjusting an FPF using a manual FDC, after the first rounds have impacted, which gun is adjusted first?

• A. Center Gun
• B. Closest Flank Gun
• C. Farthest Flank Gun
• D. Rear Gun

Answer: (B)

In a multi-gun final protective fire handled by a manual fire direction center, you want the first adjustment after hits to come from the gun closest to the target. The closest flank gun has the most direct line to the target, so the error you observe from the first impacts is most clearly tied to that gun’s alignment. Correcting that gun first gives a clean, straightforward corrective shift and provides a solid reference for aligning the rest of the guns. Once the closest flank is brought onto target, you can proceed with adjustments for the other guns in sequence, preserving the intended fire distribution.