Enfilade and defilade

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French frigate Poursuivante firing raking fire in enfilade on a British ship of the line

French frigate Aréthuse and English frigate Amélia exchanging defilade fire on the shores of Guinea, the 7th of February 1813

Enfilade and defilade are military tactical concepts used to describe a military formation's exposure to enemy fire. In addition, enfilade fire is used to describe gunfire directed against an "enfiladed" formation or position.

Enfilade

A formation (or position) is "in enfilade" if enemy fire can be directed parallel to the long axis of the formation. For instance, a trench is enfiladed if the enemy can fire down the length of the trench. A column of marching troops are enfiladed if fired on from the front such that the gunfire travels the length of the column. A rank of advancing troops is enfiladed if fired on from the flank.

The benefit of enfilading the enemy is that, by firing along the long axis, it is relatively easy to hit a target (or several targets). Raising or lowering the aim of a weapon merely directs the fire to a different point along the axis of the position, though any rotation of the weapon is more likely to result in a miss. Enfilade fire takes advantage of the fact that aiming at a target is relatively easier than correctly estimating the range to avoid shooting too long or short. The less desirable alternative is to fire from an oblique angle which requires precise aim to hit a target. Raising or lowering the aim when firing obliquely results in the target being straddled, while rotation redirects fire towards an alternate target. Finally, shells that miss the target are more likely to hit a different enemy if firing down a line of troops rather than across their position.

Defilade

A unit or position is "in defilade" if it is protected from direct exposure to enemy fire. For an armoured fighting vehicle, defilade can be synonymous with hull-down.

Enfilade and defilade

Enfilade

Defilade

See also