The preliminary bombardment began on 23 September in poor visibility and mist rose morning and evening for the next few days.

Our lead fleet elements have now reached Caern and begun the preliminary bombardment.

Because it was hoped that the French would not resist, there were no preliminary bombardments.

The preliminary bombardment began, and Union forces maneuvered for position.

At around 0400 hours the German attack commenced with a preliminary bombardment.

It was found that a moving barrage immediately followed by the infantry assault could be far more effective than weeks of preliminary bombardment.

Nonetheless, they had been startled by the weight of the attack and preliminary aerial bombardment.

Protests to division were ignored and the attack went ahead at 9 a.m. after half an hour of preliminary bombardment.

After a preliminary bombardment with their mountain artillery the Japanese scaled the walls and broke into the city.

The preliminary bombardment would also have two phases.