Time on target facts for kids
Time on Target (often called TOT) is a clever military strategy. It's a way for different artillery units to work together. Their goal is to make sure all their shells or projectiles hit a specific target at almost the exact same moment. Imagine many different cannons firing, but all their shots land at the same spot at the same second! This makes the attack very surprising and effective. Military rules usually mean all shots must land within three seconds of the planned time.
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What is Time on Target?
Time on Target, or TOT, is a method used by armies to coordinate their artillery fire. Artillery includes large guns like cannons that shoot shells over long distances. With TOT, many of these guns, even if they are far apart, calculate their firing times very carefully. They aim to have all their projectiles arrive at the chosen target at the same time. This creates a powerful and sudden impact.
When we talk about the target area, historically, the goal was for most of the shells to land within a certain zone. This zone is called the circular error probable (CEP). The CEP is like a circle around the target where most of the shots are expected to hit. Hitting within this area helps make the attack more impactful. Newer technologies, like "smart" shells and more accurate aiming systems, mean that artillery can be even more precise today.
The History of Time on Target
The idea of Time on Target was first developed by the British Army. This happened during the North African campaign in late 1941 and early 1942. It was especially useful for firing back at enemy artillery and for other concentrated attacks. The technique became very popular because it helped keep plans secret.
To make TOT work, officers needed to synchronize their watches perfectly. They used time signals from the BBC radio to set their watches to the exact second. This was a smart move! It meant they didn't have to use military radios to coordinate. Using radios could have given away their plans and surprised the enemy less. It also meant they didn't need to set up extra field telephone lines in the desert.
Why is Timing So Important?
You might wonder why hitting a target at the exact same time is so important. When artillery shells start landing, people naturally try to find cover or lie down. Most of the impact from an artillery attack happens in the first few seconds. During this short time, soldiers might still be out in the open.
Studies have shown how quickly soldiers react. For example, in the 1970s, the U.S. Army did tests. They found that within just two seconds of the first shell hitting, many soldiers had already found some protection. After about eight seconds, almost everyone had found good cover.
Because of this, armies like the U.S. Army train their artillery units to fire in a very precise way. They use massed fires, meaning many guns fire together. The goal is for all the shells to hit the target at the same moment. This sudden, combined impact is much more effective than shells landing one by one. It gives the enemy less time to react and find safety.
Related Concepts
- Aerial bombing of cities
- Aerial warfare
- Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- Strategic bombing
- Time on target
