Lt.-Col. H.E.C. Weldon, himself a coastal artillery gunner, describes seeing Maltese officers at the mess in Sliema being trained on “the mysteries of anti-aircraft artillery”. It was, in-fact, confusing (to say the least) for the un-initiated, let alone the outsider. Combined with readings from the height * range-finder and the predictor team previously discussed, the gunner had the task of executing the commander’s orders, loading, and firing their guns.

Once the guns are on the target bearing requested by the GPO the gunners would audibly declare their readiness to fire. By the time the order to fire was heard, or even permission to engage reached the battery from the AAOR, the shell would have already been rammed into a specific hole where the ‘fuze setter’ could pull or push a crank to the desired position according to the time, and therefore height, the gunner wanted to set their fuze at. However, on the 3.7”, a battery operated automatic fuze-setter, placed just underneath the gun (but directly connected to the predictor) was also issued. Doing so each gun team’s ‘Fuze dial operator’ and ammunition NCO would prepare the shell’s fuze as required. After doing so, the shell would be placed onto the shell lift and breech as quickly as possible to be rammed and shot (also automatically). However, this was done only after the ‘fuze setter’ yells ‘fire’ and is confirmed by the gun sergeant immediately after. The whole procedure could keep going on independently of the direct order to ‘engage’ by the GPO, or at predetermined quantities, through rain or shine, day or night. 

Every man was, essentially, an extension of the delicate instruments. Therefore it was imperative to attain precise coordination between the height & range finder, the predictor and the gunners. Back at the command post, located in between all three, the firing sequence (for the 3” 20 cwt) would be heard as follows: