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Wire obstacles first saw significant military use during the Boer War, and reached their pinnacle during World War I. Relatively elaborate obstacles were also used in some phases of the Korean War, and continue to be used on the Korean Demilitarized Zone, and a few other borders. However the more fluid nature of modern war means that most obstacles used today are relatively simple, temporary barriers.
Tanks can generally flatten unmined wire obstacles, although some are designed to stop vehicles, and the heavier obstacles can sometimes stop light armoured vehicles. Wire obstacles can also be breached by intense artilleryFor the thrash metal band, see Artillery (band Historically, artillery refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. The term also describes ground-based troops with the primary function of manning such weapons. The word as used i shellingA shell is a projectile, which, as opposed to a bullet, is not only shot by explosives, but also contains explosives itself. These objects of weaponry are generally large rounds fired by artillery, armored fighting vehicles (including tanks), and warships or Bangalore TorpedoThe Bangalore Torpedo is essentially an explosive charge placed on the end of a long, extendable, tube. It is used by military engineers to clear obstacles that would otherwise require them to approach directly, possibly under fire. They are sometimes refes.