covering fire

noun

military firing intended to protect an individual or formation making a movement by forcing the enemy to take cover

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He was right, of course, and their chances of retirement were likely to be improved by the heavier covering fire.

Captain Pike's squadron manned our outpost, and brought covering fire to bear on the enemy's right.

They kept up an excellent covering fire, with the result that a good many of our own men were shot.

They kept on for the bank, and their own men behind them opened a covering fire over their heads.

Covering fire, he shouted, at four hundred—slam it in, and disappeared.

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