What occurs in plunging fire?

In plunging fire, the trajectory of the bullets creates a vertical descent towards the target, which leads to a loss of grazing fire. Grazing fire occurs when the bullets strike the ground just before reaching the target, allowing for a more direct engagement with targets at a given elevation. However, in plunging fire, the bullets travel along a steep angle and impact the target from above, meaning they do not maintain the horizontal distance needed for grazing fire.

This type of fire is particularly effective for engaging targets that are behind cover or at varying elevations because it can bypass obstacles that would otherwise block a horizontal line of fire. Understanding the dynamics of plunging fire is crucial for effective machine gun employment, as it allows for the maximization of fire effectiveness in various terrain and target situations.