Definition

1. Noun:
   • Fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations: A military tactic where one unit uses weapons fire to suppress enemy forces, thereby protecting friendly forces that are moving, attacking, or withdrawing.

Usage

• Covering fire is a military term used to describe protective fire. It is typically provided by one unit to support the actions of another.
• It is an uncountable noun. You use it to describe the or of providing such fire, not individual shots.
• Common verbs used with it: , , , , .

Examples

• Noun:
  • The machine gunner provided covering fire while his squad advanced across the open field.
  • Our retreat was successful thanks to the accurate covering fire from the hilltop position.
  • The plan called for artillery to lay down covering fire at dawn.

Advanced Usage

• "To lay down covering fire": This is the most common collocation, meaning to start shooting in order to provide this protection.
  • The lieutenant ordered the team to lay down covering fire.
• "Under covering fire": Describes the state of being protected by such fire.
  • The infantry moved forward under heavy covering fire.

Variants and Related Words

• Suppressive fire (n): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably in modern military contexts. It emphasizes the act of suppressing enemy fire.
• Cover (n/verb): The broader concept. As a verb, "to cover" someone means to protect them, often with fire.
  • You move, I'll cover you.
• Base of fire (n): A tactical term for a unit that provides sustained fire to support a maneuver.

Synonyms

• Suppressive fire: Fire that inhibits the enemy's ability to return fire effectively.
• Protective fire: Fire used for the protection of friendly forces (a more general term).

Related Phrases

• Cover and move / Cover and maneuver: A fundamental infantry tactic where one element provides covering fire so another can move.
  • We used the classic tactic of cover and move to approach the compound.
• Fire support: A broader term for fire from supporting arms (artillery, aircraft, naval guns) used to assist ground units. Covering fire is a type of fire support.

Noun

1. fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations
   • artillery provided covering fire for the withdrawal