As mentioned in this article, even the most impressive artillery barrage doesn't amount to much when you're just dumping shells in the vague direction of the enemy. Every shot must be carefully aimed, and the aftermath analyzed in order to ensure effectiveness. Here are some of these analyses, from the Battle of Kursk. Notice the difference that effective scouting makes: if you know exactly where the target is, you can drop shells directly on top of it. If you don't know where the target is, you are forced to blanket the area in shells, drastically reducing effectiveness.
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Target #364, east of the Parashino agricultural college. Shells fired: 80 76 mm, 20 122 mm.
Shells that hit within 50 meters: 7 76 mm, 6 122 mm
Shells that hit within 75-100 meters: 6 76 mm, 4 122 mm.
Effectiveness: 1 gun damaged by shrapnel, crew members killed.
Target #422, 3 150 mm gun battery, suppressed on July 5th, 1943, during counterbattery fire by 872nd Howitzer Artillery Regiment, 32nd Howitzer Artillery Brigade. 40 122 mm shells used.
Target #471 north of Senkovo. Shots fired: 39
Shells that hit within 50 meters: 33, 21 122 mm, 12 76 mm
Shells that hit within 50-100 meters: 6, 5 122 mm, 1 76 mm
Effectiveness: gun destroyed.
Target #485, 4 105 mm gun battery, suppressed on July 5th, 1943, during counterbattery fire by 872nd Howitzer Artillery Regiment, 32nd Howitzer Artillery Brigade. 54 122 mm shells used.
Target #541, south of Glazunovka. Shells fired: 75 122 mm, 40 152 mm
Hits within 50 meters: 2 122 mm, 6 152 mm
Hits within 75-100 meters: 5 122 mm, 10 152 mm
Effectiveness: one 150 mm gun damaged, crew members killed.
Target #514, south-west of the Prozorovskiy farmstead. Shells fired: 43
Hits within 50 meters: 39, 21 122 mm, 18 76 mm
Hits within 100 meters: 4 122 mm.
Effectiveness: one gun with crew destroyed.
Target #622 west of the Parashino agricultural college. Shells fired: 80 76 mm, 20 122 mm
Hits within 50 meters: 10 76 mm, 6 122 mm
Hits within 75-100 meters: 5 76 mm, 2 122 mm
Effectiveness: 1 gun destroyed, 1 gun damaged by shrapnel.
Target #543: north-west of Kuznach. Shells fired: 200 76 mm, 56 122 mm.
Hits within 50 meters: 3 76 mm, 12 122 mm
Hits within 75-100 meters: 4 76 mm, 6 122 mm
Effectiveness: 1 gun destroyed, crew killed.
Target #665, 2 105 mm gun battery, suppressed on July 5th, 1943, during counterbattery fire by 469th Howitzer Artillery Regiment, 32nd Howitzer Artillery Brigade. 46 122 mm shells used.
Target #721, Kriviye Verkhi. Shells fired: 75 122 mm, 40 152 mm
Hits within 50 meters: 3 122 mm, 10 152 mm
Hits within 75-100 meters: 4 122 mm, 6 152 mm
Effectiveness: one gun damaged by shrapnel, two crews killed.
Target #752, north-east of Lodyrevo. Shells fired: 200 76 mm, 50 122 mm.
Hits within 50 meters: 11 76 mm, 9 122 mm
Hits within 75-100 meters: 6 76 mm, 4 122 mm.
Effectiveness: 1 gun and crew destroyed.
Target #784, north-east of Lodyrevo. Shells fired: 200 76 mm, 50 122 mm.
Hits within 50 meters: 7 76 mm, 9 122 mm
Hits within 75-100 meters: 8 76 mm, 1 122 mm.
Effectiveness: 1 gun damaged by shrapnel, direct hit on two dugouts with people.
Target #792, north-east of Sadoviy. Shells fired: 200 76 mm, 50 122 mm.
Hits within 50 meters: 20 76 mm, 3 122 mm
Hits within 75-100 meters: 2 76 mm, 2 122 mm.
Effectiveness: 1 gun destroyed, 2 guns damaged by shrapnel, 3 crews killed.
Target #846, 3 105 mm gun battery, suppressed on July 5th, 1943, during counterbattery fire by 3rd squadron, 753rd Gun Artillery Regiment. 78 152 mm shells used.
Target #1022, 3 150 mm gun battery, suppressed on July 5th, 1943, during counterbattery fire by 3/642 Corps Gun Artillery Regiment. 76 107 mm shells used.
Target #1024, 4 105 mm gun battery, suppressed on July 5th, 1943, during counterbattery fire by 2nd squadron, 753rd Gun Artillery Regiment. 64 152 mm shells used.
Target #1082, 3 105 mm gun battery, suppressed on July 5th, 1943, during counterbattery fire by 1st squadron, 753rd Gun Artillery Regiment. 58 152 mm shells used.
Target #1142, 4 105 mm gun battery, suppressed on July 5th, 1943, during counterbattery fire by 2nd squadron, 753rd Gun Artillery Regiment. 56 152 mm shells used.
Target #3975, north-west of Senkovo
Number of hits: 34
Within 50 meters: 26, 4 152 mm, 22 122 mm
Within 50-100 meters: 8, 3 152 mm, 5 122 mm
Effectiveness: 2 guns knocked out by shrapnel, 2 dugouts destroyed
Target 4042, east of Sadovod
Number of hits: 22
Within 50 meters: 13 152 mm
Within 50-150 meters: 9 152 mm
Effectiveness: 2 vehicles destroyed, 2 guns damaged by shrapnel.