What does the term QE refer to in artillery?

The term QE in artillery refers to "quadrant elevation." Quadrant elevation is a critical aspect of targeting and firing artillery as it involves the angle at which the weapon's barrel is elevated to hit a designated target at a certain range.

Using quadrant elevation allows the artillery crew to adjust the gun's angle based on various factors, such as the distance to the target and the ballistic characteristics of the round being fired. This adjustment is essential to ensure accuracy and effectiveness in artillery operations.

The importance of quadrant elevation is underscored by the need for precise calculations and measurements to achieve the desired impact on the target. This makes it a fundamental concept for all artillery crew members to understand and apply in the field.