Why is supportive firepower essential in an ambush?

Supportive firepower is essential in an ambush because it maximizes the ambush's impact. In an ambush scenario, the primary goal is to catch the enemy off-guard while applying sustained and effective fire to inflict maximum damage. Supportive firepower serves multiple functions; it not only disrupts the enemy's ability to return fire but also helps to suppress their movements, ensuring that the ambushing force can operate with greater effectiveness.

By utilizing supportive firepower, the ambush can concentrate its effects on the target, increasing the likelihood of achieving surprise and overwhelming the enemy. This concentrated brutality can lead to decisive outcomes, allowing the ambushing force to accomplish its mission objectives more efficiently. The effectiveness of an ambush is often measured by how much control the ambushing force has over the engagement, and supportive firepower directly contributes to that control.