fire
Quick Summary
Fire, the rapid burning of combustible material with heat and flame, has been a crucial tool for humanity since early hominids first controlled it, possibly as early as 1.4 million years ago. Initially used for warmth, cooking, and hunting, fire also played a role in warfare and land management. The ability to manufacture fire, through methods like friction drills or striking flint against pyrite, was a significant advancement.1
In warfare, flammable substances known as incendiaries have been used since antiquity. True Greek fire, a petroleum-based mixture invented in the 7th century CE, was particularly effective at sea and could not be extinguished with water. Modern warfare utilizes incendiary bombs, which contain agents like jellied gasoline designed to start fires at their targets. An incendiary can also refer to a person who incites conflict or commits arson.234
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military technologyFortress design…the ramparts and for enfilade fire from flanking towers. By classical Greek times, fortress architecture had attained a high level of sophistication; both the profile and the trace (that is, the height above ground level and the outline of the walls) of fortifications were designed to achieve overlapping fields of…
Read More…the ramparts and for enfilade fire from flanking towers. By classical Greek times, fortress architecture had attained a high level of sophistication; both the profile and the trace (that is, the height above ground level and the outline of the walls) of fortifications were designed to achieve overlapping fields of…
Read More- military technologyThe bastioned trace
…uninterrupted fields of view and fire. Another benefit of the polygonal bastion’s long, straight sections of wall was that larger defensive batteries could be mounted along the parapets.
Read More…uninterrupted fields of view and fire. Another benefit of the polygonal bastion’s long, straight sections of wall was that larger defensive batteries could be mounted along the parapets.
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logisticsSupplyThe great increase in firepower in the 20th century upset the historic ratios. In World War II the average ammunition requirements of Western forces in combat zones were 12 percent of total needs. In the mainly positional Korean War, ammunition expenditures climbed higher, and a late-1980s U.S. Army planning…
Read MoreThe great increase in firepower in the 20th century upset the historic ratios. In World War II the average ammunition requirements of Western forces in combat zones were 12 percent of total needs. In the mainly positional Korean War, ammunition expenditures climbed higher, and a late-1980s U.S. Army planning…
Read More- logisticsStaged resupply
…be concentrated on sustaining the firepower of forces that were stationary or retiring slowly toward their bases, instead of on the expensive effort required to support a rapid forward movement.
Read More…be concentrated on sustaining the firepower of forces that were stationary or retiring slowly toward their bases, instead of on the expensive effort required to support a rapid forward movement.
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warshipThe Byzantine EmpireAs the composition of Greek fire was improved, tubes shaped into the mouths of savage monsters were placed in the bows of war galleys and the flaming substance, which water merely spread, was hurled on the enemy. Greek fire was an important factor in terrifying and repelling the Muslim fleet…
Read MoreAs the composition of Greek fire was improved, tubes shaped into the mouths of savage monsters were placed in the bows of war galleys and the flaming substance, which water merely spread, was hurled on the enemy. Greek fire was an important factor in terrifying and repelling the Muslim fleet…
Read More- warshipThe age of the guided missile
…be distracted easily by defensive fire. The main defense now is to provide the fleet with its own guided missiles capable of destroying either the missile or its launching platform.
Read More…be distracted easily by defensive fire. The main defense now is to provide the fleet with its own guided missiles capable of destroying either the missile or its launching platform.
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