Which fire involves changes in both elevation and direction for oblique targets?

The correct choice is associated with targets that require movement both up and down (elevation) as well as side to side (direction). In the context of machine gun employment, a swinging traverse refers to the technique used when engaging targets that are not directly in front of the gunner but rather at an angle, necessitating changes in both elevation and direction to effectively engage the target.

This method allows for a more comprehensive field of fire and enables the gunner to adjust quickly to the changing position of the target without having to reposition the machine gun itself.

Other techniques like searching and free gun or traversing and searching do not incorporate the simultaneous adjustments in elevation and direction in the same way. Overhead fire, while involving elevation manipulation, typically does not require lateral movement to engage a target effectively. Thus, for oblique targets requiring both types of adjustments, the swinging traverse is the most suitable and effective firing method.