covering fire

noun

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

Example Sentences

Les Budding, 97, was 18 years old when he served on board Landing Craft Flak 34, charged with providing covering fire for the first wave of troops who stormed Sword Beach on 6 June 1944.

From BBC

They radioed back, saying they were receiving artillery and small-arms fire, and needed covering fire to return.

From Washington Post

He was mentioned in dispatches after being shot while providing covering fire to allow two comrades to get to safety.

From BBC

In another round, I placed a turret mine around the corner of a debris field, just in front of our frigate, providing covering fire that would hit enemy bombers in their blind spot.

From The Verge

At the edge of Phnom Penh an artillery battery is providing covering fire for an infantry attack against the invisible jungle enemy.

From The Guardian