Artillery preparation

Artillery preparation is a coordinated bombardment intended to weaken enemy defenses before an assault, disrupting troops, weapons, communications, and fortifications.

Creeping barrage: An artillery barrage that advances in timed steps ahead of attacking troops. A moving barrage can carry the preparation forward as infantry approaches enemy positions.
Battle of the Somme: A major First World War campaign fought by British and French forces against Germany in 1916. Its prolonged bombardment became a famous test of whether artillery could destroy defenses before an infantry assault.
Surprise attack: An attack designed to catch an opponent unprepared through concealment, speed, or unexpected timing. A lengthy bombardment can sacrifice the surprise that an unannounced assault seeks.
Battlefield clearance: The removal or reduction of obstacles and hazards that impede movement across a battlefield. Bombardment may clear obstacles, but it can also leave craters and debris that slow the assault.
Rolling barrage: A barrage that moves forward according to a schedule, keeping fire ahead of an assaulting force. Its planned progression links preparatory fire to the assault’s advance.
Battle of Vimy Ridge: A 1917 First World War battle in which Canadian forces captured the Vimy Ridge position. Detailed artillery planning and a moving barrage supported the infantry advance.
Coup de main: A sudden attack intended to seize a position quickly before its defenders can respond effectively. Its speed and surprise differ from the warning and disruption created by preparation fire.
Military deception: Actions intended to mislead an adversary about one’s plans, capabilities, or intentions. Concealing the assault’s timing or direction can offset the warning created by bombardment.
Counter-battery fire: Artillery fire directed against enemy artillery positions and supporting systems. Suppressing opposing guns helps prevent them from disrupting the assault.
Battle of Cambrai: A 1917 First World War battle noted for the large-scale use of tanks and surprise tactics. Its opening relied on surprise and a predicted artillery bombardment rather than a prolonged preliminary bombardment.

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