Artillery Books

About Artillery

Artillery refers to large-caliber weapons designed to launch munitions over long distances and is a key element of battlefield firepower. Traditionally encompassing cannons, howitzers, mortars, and rocket systems, artillery has evolved to include highly mobile, precision-guided, and automated systems. Its primary role is to provide indirect fire support—bombarding enemy positions, disrupting logistics, and softening defenses ahead of infantry or armored assaults. Artillery can be deployed in static emplacements or as mobile units capable of rapid relocation. It includes field artillery, self-propelled guns, coastal defense systems, and anti-aircraft artillery. Historically, artillery was decisive in wars such as World War I—where it caused the majority of casualties—and continued to shape warfare in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and modern conflicts in Ukraine and Syria. In modern combined arms doctrine, artillery serves not just as brute force but also as a precision tool. With GPS-guided shells and real-time targeting, artillery can now strike targets with remarkable accuracy. Artillery is often described as the 'king of battle' due to its destructive power and strategic impact. It remains indispensable in shaping the battlefield, providing suppression, area denial, and psychological dominance.