Artillery support is a military term used to describe the use of artillery to provide support to ground forces. The pronunciation of this term can be broken down phonetically using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable, "ar," is pronounced /ɑr/, and rhymes with "car" or "bar." The second syllable, "til," is pronounced /tɪl/, as in "pill" or "still." Finally, the third syllable, "lery," is pronounced /ləri/, which rhymes with "merry" or "very."
Artillery support refers to the use of heavy firearms, commonly known as artillery, in providing assistance and firepower to ground forces during military operations. It involves employing large-caliber guns, howitzers, or rocket launchers to deliver devastating firepower against enemy targets, fortifications, or personnel. This support is typically provided from a distance, allowing artillery units to engage targets beyond the direct reach of the infantry.
Artillery support plays a crucial role in various military strategies, including offensive and defensive operations. It helps to soften or destroy enemy defenses, disrupt their movements, or create a protective screen to cover friendly troop movements. By launching high-explosive shells or rockets from a distance, artillery units can inflict significant damage on enemy positions without direct engagement, reducing the risk to ground troops.
The success of artillery support relies heavily on accurate target acquisition, precise calculation of firing solutions, and effective coordination between artillery units and ground forces. Forward observers, who are embedded with infantry units, play a critical role in directing artillery fire by relaying target locations and adjusting fire. Artillery support may include concentrated barrages, saturation or area fire, interdiction against enemy supplies or reinforcements, or counter-battery fire to silence or neutralize enemy artillery positions.
Overall, artillery support is a vital component of modern warfare, contributing to the effectiveness and overall combat power of military operations. Its ability to deliver long-range and high-impact firepower makes it a crucial asset in achieving military objectives while minimizing risk to friendly forces.
The word "artillery" originated from the Old French word "artillerie", which referred to military equipment or engines of war. It is derived from the medieval Latin term "artillaria", meaning "art-war equipment". The Latin word "artillarius" referred to an artillerist or artilleryman.
The word "support" comes from the Latin word "supportare", which means "to carry" or "to bring up". It is formed from the combination of the prefix "sub", meaning "under" or "below", and the verb "portare", which means "to carry".
Therefore, the term "artillery support" combines the words "artillery" and "support" to describe the act of providing assistance, backup, or reinforcement to the artillery unit during military operations.