Which class of fire is defined by situational positioning rather than targeting orientation?

The class of fire defined by situational positioning rather than targeting orientation is Free Gun. This type of fire allows the crew to engage targets based on their position and the immediate battlefield conditions, rather than focusing solely on a predetermined target orientation or a fixed point.

In Free Gun, gunners have the flexibility to adjust their fire based on the needs of the situation, which is essential in dynamic combat scenarios where targets may appear unexpectedly or need to be engaged quickly in response to changes in the battlefield. This adaptability is crucial for maintaining effective fire support and maximizing the impact of machine gun fire against enemy forces.

Other classes of fire focus more on specific aiming points, such as Fixed Fire, where the weapon is aimed at a predetermined point, or Traversing Fire, where the firing is limited to a horizontal sweep aimed at multiple targets within a designated area. Searching Fire also emphasizes movement but in a more structured pattern aimed at interrogating an area for targets.