What defines plunging fire?

Plunging fire is defined specifically by the angle at which the projectile is delivered, which involves firing from a higher elevation downwards toward a lower area. This technique is particularly effective when engaging targets that are located in a valley or on rising ground from the perspective of the shooter. The elevation helps to increase the effectiveness of the fire, as the bullets follow a steep trajectory and strike their targets at an angle that can maximize impact.

Understanding this concept is crucial in field situations since it allows for strategy enhancement when utilizing terrain to one's advantage. The other options do not capture the essence of what plunging fire entails. For instance, a large beaten zone typically relates to the spread area of fired rounds and is more indicative of particular types of fire patterns rather than the trajectory itself. Fire focusing at short ranges emphasizes distance management instead of the elevation factor central to plunging fire. Lastly, while plunging fire can be effective against moving targets, its primary defining characteristic remains the firing position and trajectory, rather than target movement considerations.