The job of counter-battery artillery is to attack and destroy the enemy artillery before it has a chance to attack our positions, killing our troops and knocking out our armored units and artillery pieces. For this purpose, long range and field artillery can be used. Howitzers used in the counter battery artillery role are fitted with a number of high-tech devices in the form of range-finder instruments and radars. Today, drones equipped with powerful cameras are also employed to find out exactly where the enemy guns are hidden. The war in Ukraine is the first armed conflict in which howitzers crews make extensive use of drones to discover the enemy positions.
On a battlefield, artillery pieces are very carefully concealed by camouflage or by the local trees and vegetation. However, when the guns are fired, they can be spotted. The flash that is generated upon firing is a telltale signal that betrays the position of the attacking howitzer, especially at night. Well-established computerized methods for detecting artillery using the flash and the sound of the ignition explosion have been developed by most armies. As mentioned above, nowadays, radars and drones are also used. As the shell sails through the air, radars can detect it as computers work out the shell's path back to the position from which it is coming. Enemy howitzers positions can be detected as soon as artillery begin to fire. It is then that a counter-battery attack must be set in motion.
To carry out the counter-battery mission, self-propelled artillery has a much greater advantage over traditional towed artillery, for it can quickly change position, moving away out of sight, and the crew is protected by armor. On the other hand, it takes a rather long time to either set up a towed artillery piece or break it down to pull it out of place. Usually, self-propelled howitzers are used to fire a few rounds and then they drive away on their tracked chassis as quickly as possible to find another firing position. Ground-attack aircraft have also been used to perform the role of counter-battery offensive. During World War II, the German Luftwaffe employed the Junkers Ju 87 'Stuka' as a flying artillery piece to attack the enemy howitzers and guns positions. This allowed the infantry spearhead to keep moving. Helicopter gunships can also fulfill this role.
Below, the 2S19 Matsa self-propelled howitzer, a dreaded artillery piece.
