Which battlefield tactic, first used at the Somme, coordinated artillery with advancing infantry?

• A. Creeping barrage.
• B. Blitzkrieg.
• C. Flanking maneuver.
• D. Amphibious assault.

Answer: (A)

The tactic being tested is about a rolling, coordinated attack where artillery fire moves forward with the infantry. A creeping barrage works by the artillery lifting its bombardment just ahead of the advancing troops, creating a moving curtain of shells that suppresses and distracts the defenders as the infantry follows close behind. This setup gives soldiers a safer path across no-man’s-land, because enemy defenders are kept under pressure right as they try to respond, and the timing helps the infantry know exactly where to go next.

This approach was developed and first effectively used at the Somme in 1916, as commanders looked for a way to break through entrenched positions without suffering massive casualties from enemy machine-gun fire. It relies on precise timing, reliable observers, and clear communication between the guns and the advancing units.

Other options don’t fit the scenario: Blitzkrieg is a WWII rapid, integrated strike concept; a flanking maneuver is a broader movement around the enemy’s side rather than a moving artillery shield for a frontal advance; and an amphibious assault involves landing from the sea, which isn’t characteristic of the Somme’s trench warfare.