What is the aim of reconnaissance by fire?

The aim of reconnaissance by fire is indeed to provoke a reaction from the enemy. This tactic involves using indirect fire to assess enemy positions and capabilities. By delivering fire into a suspected enemy location, forces can observe the enemy’s response, including how they react to the attack, which can provide valuable intelligence about their strength, disposition, and possibly the presence of hidden units.

The goal is to provoke movement, return fire, or other indicators that reveal information about the enemy forces. These observations help commanders make informed decisions about future operations or strategies against the enemy. This method of gathering intelligence can be particularly effective when direct observation is difficult or not possible.

Other options presented, such as gathering intelligence through aerial surveillance or coordinating fire to support friendly troops, while important aspects of military operations, do not align with the specific objective of reconnaissance by fire. Disengaging from a compromised position is also not relevant to this tactic, as the focus is on testing enemy defenses rather than avoiding confrontation.