AFOVA New Letter 2 of Year 2021

Section 5 – War Diary CV 2 No. 02 / 2021 Page 78 of 332 bearing to Jubar Hill was about 40 degrees and the gun target distance was about 08 nautical miles. There were two medium guns too deployed onto one flank on a roving role. Some glitches were that our technical range tables to deduce elevation (Range to target) were factored for gun positions only up to 12000 feet while we were at 14000 feet-(Not a stumbling block for my gallant and blooded Technical Command Post staff who offset the variables by some smart extrapolation). We worked out the Corrector of the Moment (offsets to Weather inconsistencies to improve accuracy of engagement) both by rough and ready methods as well as by applying theMET data received from the survey and target acquisition batteries. We also randomly cross checked our data from the neighboring medium guns’ fire controllers too. The targets on Jubar were enemy defended positons (Bunkers) - spread on the ridge lines and covering the possible approaches. These were registered and on divisional grid. To me visual observation was difficult as the Observer target distance from my location to Jubar feature was about 13000 meters. Luckily the forenoon sun was behind me and my skills acquired as an Air observer pilot came to my aid. The sector anchor OP who was close to the target vicinity also synchronized with me on radio when I engaged three target to cross check my fix. The anchor OP too observed the fall of shot and aided me my closing corrections to get the fix on the grid. As such we were to pound the general area and not get onto specific or precision shooting. Last minute rechecks on the technical work was done. We opted for brake rings and had them fitted onto the rockets for tighter concentration. Fuses were mismatched for instantaneous delay and short delay. Tube lock assemblies of all 120 tubes of the three launchers were calibrated to be within limits of 600/800 plus kg/cm2 release pressure so that the ranges would be dead on accurate and the fall of shot concentrated. The Dance of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse (H minus 01) The time of reckoning was going to arrive in a couple of hours. 120 Rockets were loaded onto the three launchers and 176 prepared and ready onto a flank for subsequent engagements. The farther ridge is Jubar – The venue of the dance of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse