In the context of machine gun employment, what does searching fire aim to achieve?

Searching fire in the context of machine gun employment is designed to shift rounds in depth. This tactic is employed when engaging targets that are not stationary or when the exact location of enemy forces is not known. By adjusting the fire pattern to vary the depth, the machine gunner can effectively cover an area where enemy personnel might be positioned, making it difficult for them to move or find cover. This technique is particularly useful in a dynamic battlefield scenario where the enemy may be moving or repositioning. The goal is to create a lethal area of fire that forces the enemy to stay in cover or disrupts their movements, thereby providing a significant tactical advantage.

In contrast, targeting multiple stationary objects refers more to a different tactic that focuses on fixed positions rather than dynamic movement, while distributing fire in width emphasizes horizontal coverage which is not the primary function of searching fire. Cover fire in all directions would typically involve a broader defensive posture, rather than the targeted depth shifts that searching fire employs.