strafings

Low-flying gun assaults

Strafings are attacks in which aircraft fly low and fire weapons at ground targets.

The term comes from World War I, when German forces would strafe enemy trenches.

By extension, any sweeping attack—verbal or physical—can be called a strafing: The candidate endured repeated strafings from the press.

ground-attack

machine-gun

Rapid-fire automatic firearm

bulletsFirearm projectiles
gunfireDischarge of weapons
volleysShots taken mid-flight

bursts · columns · convoys · positions · trenches · infantry · vehicles · targets · civilians · refugees

aerial

fighter jets

Armed military aircraft

bombersAircraft designed for airstrikes
air raidsAttacks by military aircraft
sortiesMilitary attack flights

flyby · swoop · dive-bombing · cockpit · pilots · squadrons · gunships · helicopters · passes · runs

verbal

criticism

Judgment of faults

attacksAggressive hostile actions
barrageSustained, overwhelming attack
bombardmentSustained projectile assault

onslaught · tirade · broadside · salvo · roasting · grilling · lambasting · excoriation · denunciation · harangue

Opposites

military action type

strafingsartillery barrages

Sustained heavy weapons fire

carpet bombings · bombardments · shellings · ground fire · anti-aircraft fire

protection vs. attack

strafingsair cover

Aircraft defending ground operations

escort missions · sheltering · shielding · evacuations · rescues

aggression vs. protection

strafingsair cover

Aircraft defending ground operations

air defense · air support · escort missions · interceptions

Phrases

strafing runLow-altitude aerial assault

Family

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Rated PG-13