Encyclopedia - Creeping Barrage Although considered as a
battlefield tactic as early as 1915 (and initially deployed by
Bulgarian artillerists during the Adrianople siege of March
1913) the so-called 'creeping barrage' was not actually deployed
until August 1916 by the British (Sir Henry Horne) during the
Battle of the Somme on the Western Front. Until this point
artillery barrages preceded infantry attacks for periods ranging
from hours to days. Once the infantry attack began in earnest
supporting artillery would typically be promptly switched
against pre-determined secondary targets. A creeping barrage
however was designed so as to place a curtain of artillery fire
just ahead of advancing infantry, a barrage which would
constantly shift - or creep - forward directly ahead of
attacking troops. The innovation was successful, although
chiefly against sharply defined and localised targets.
Subsequently the combined use of artillery, infantry, tanks and
aircraft would greatly assist the efficacy of larger-scale