Creeping barrage

Definition

A creeping barrage is a military artillery tactic used during World War I where artillery fire is directed ahead of advancing infantry to create a protective screen and suppress enemy positions. This strategy aimed to provide cover for troops as they moved closer to enemy lines, ensuring that soldiers could advance with reduced risk from enemy fire. The effectiveness of the creeping barrage was crucial in trench warfare, where static positions often resulted in heavy casualties.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The creeping barrage tactic was developed and refined by British forces, particularly during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
2. This strategy required precise coordination between artillery units and advancing infantry to ensure that the barrage moved at the correct pace.
3. Creeping barrages aimed to keep enemy troops suppressed while also obscuring the attackers' movement, thus reducing their visibility to the enemy.
4. Artillery shells were timed to explode just ahead of the advancing soldiers, creating a wall of fire that made it difficult for enemy forces to retaliate effectively.
5. The success of a creeping barrage often depended on communication and technology, such as the use of telephone lines and later wireless radios for coordinating the attack.

Review Questions

• How did the implementation of the creeping barrage affect tactics and strategies used by infantry during World War I?
  • The creeping barrage significantly altered infantry tactics by allowing soldiers to advance under cover of artillery fire. This tactic reduced exposure to enemy machine gun fire and allowed for more coordinated assaults on fortified positions. The ability to suppress enemy defenses while moving forward helped infantry units achieve objectives that were otherwise challenging in the static trench warfare environment.
• Evaluate the impact of technological advancements on the effectiveness of the creeping barrage during World War I.
  • Technological advancements played a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of the creeping barrage. Improved artillery pieces, better shell designs, and innovations in communication allowed for more precise targeting and timing of artillery fire. The use of telephone lines for coordination and later wireless communication systems enabled real-time adjustments, increasing the likelihood that infantry could safely advance behind a protective screen of artillery fire.
• Assess how the concept of creeping barrage represented a shift in military strategy during World War I and its implications for future conflicts.
  • The creeping barrage exemplified a shift from traditional combat methods to more modern, combined arms tactics that integrated artillery support with infantry maneuvers. This approach emphasized the importance of coordination between different military branches, setting a precedent for future conflicts where artillery would be utilized not just for bombardment but as an integral part of ground assaults. The lessons learned from its use influenced military strategies in subsequent wars, where similar tactics continued to evolve.

Related terms

Artillery: Large-caliber guns used in warfare on land, including cannons and howitzers, which played a key role in supporting infantry during battles.

Trench Warfare: A type of combat in which opposing troops fight from trenches facing each other, characterized by stalemates and difficult living conditions.

No Man's Land: The area between opposing trenches that was highly dangerous and often left unoccupied, as it was subject to heavy artillery and sniper fire.