air-barrage

A soldier watches the air-barrage from a trench.

Definition

1. Noun (Military):
   • A concentrated artillery or gunfire attack from aircraft, typically used to suppress or destroy enemy positions on the ground. This term specifically refers to a coordinated series of bombs, rockets, or strafing runs delivered from the air over a defined area.

Usage Examples

• (A sustained aerial attack to block ground movement.)
• (A focused bombardment from aircraft against logistics.)

Advanced Usage

• "to lay down an air-barrage": to execute a planned aerial bombardment.
  • The commander ordered the squadron to lay down an air-barrage over the beachhead. (To initiate a structured attack from the air.)

Variants and Related Words

• Barrage (n): a concentrated artillery bombardment.
  • The ground troops faced a heavy barrage from enemy guns. (A dense artillery fire.)
• Air raid (n): an attack by aircraft, often involving bombs.
  • The city experienced an air raid last night. (An aerial assault.)
• Bombardment (n): a continuous attack with bombs or shells.
  • The continuous bombardment weakened the fortress walls. (Sustained explosive attack.)

Synonyms

• Aerial bombardment: a military attack from the air using explosive weapons.
• Air strike: a single or series of attacks by military aircraft.
• Carpet bombing: a large-scale, indiscriminate bombing of an area.

Related Idioms

• "a barrage of something": a large number of questions, criticisms, or attacks delivered quickly.
  • The politician faced a barrage of questions from reporters. (An overwhelming series of queries.)