The word "box barrage" is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /bɒks bəˈrɑːʒ/. The first part of the word, "box", is pronounced with a short "o" sound, followed by the "ks" consonant cluster. The second part, "barrage", is pronounced with a neutral "schwa" sound in the second syllable, and a stressed "a" in the final syllable. A box barrage is a type of military tactic where artillery fire is directed to a specific area or target.
A box barrage refers to a military tactic employed during warfare, particularly in the context of artillery operations. It involves the coordinated and concentrated firing of multiple artillery pieces within a defined rectangular area, creating a barrage or curtain of explosive firepower against enemy positions.
Typically, a box barrage is executed by setting up a line of artillery guns or mortars at various points along each side of the rectangle, with one or more artillery pieces placed at each location. These guns are then synchronized to fire at a predetermined time and at a specific azimuth or elevation to form a box-like pattern of overlapping explosions. This pattern is strategically designed to cover a particular ground area with intense and continuous firepower, inhibiting or destroying enemy troops, equipment, or fortifications.
The primary objectives of a box barrage are to suppress enemy fire, disrupt their movements, and create a protective cover for friendly forces advancing or maneuvering in the target area. It aims to deny the opponent any mobility or breathing space by subjecting them to a relentless barrage of artillery shells. A box barrage allows for immense destructive power, as the concentrated bombardment can inflict severe damage on the enemy's defensive positions and degrade their ability to counter-attack or launch an effective defense.
The term "box barrage" is derived from the geometric shape it represents when plotted on a map or aerial reconnaissance imagery. Its effectiveness lies in the ability to saturate a specific region, encasing it within a figurative box, where enemy forces find themselves trapped or incapacitated due to the overwhelming and continuous artillery fire raining down upon them.
The word "barrage" originated from the French language. It comes from the Old French word "barrer", meaning "to bar" or "to block". In military terminology, a barrage refers to the intensive artillery fire towards a specific area to hinder enemy movement or to create a defensive barrier.
The term "box barrage" combines the word "barrage" with the word "box", which here refers to the geographical area being targeted. It was commonly used during World War I to describe a tactic where artillery fire would be concentrated over a specific square-shaped area, referred to as a "box". The purpose of this tactic was to suppress and keep the enemy forces within the defined boundaries of the box, preventing them from advancing or escaping.