In the Army, we were taught to scan at night and close our shooting eye. Less disciplined troops have more trouble at night. Although the fear level is higher, there would be special problems for conscripts.
The two types of flares are gound and air. Air flares increase counter-battery risk. You may wish toabstract which types are used,and just have an area illuminated. That is, unless there is to be some counter-battery play.
Remember, machinegun tracers look higher than they actually are. Tracers are made by applying luminescent paint which burns off and rises from the round. The hot paint rising in the air is especially prominent with machineguns.
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