gunfire; artillery fire
Refers to the firing of guns or artillery, often in a military or combat context. Can be used metaphorically for intense criticism.
敵の砲火が激しくなった。
The enemy's gunfire intensified.
The two armies exchanged gunfire near the border.
その政策は野党から激しい砲火を浴びた。
The policy came under heavy fire from the opposition parties.
The village was suddenly engulfed in gunfire.
The politician came under heavy fire from the opposition.
砲撃 emphasizes the act of shelling or bombarding with artillery, while 砲火 focuses on the fire/flame itself, as in 砲火を交える.
火砲 refers to the artillery guns themselves, whereas 砲火 refers to the fire or flame they produce.
crossfire
anti-aircraft fire; flak
concentrated fire; focused artillery · intense criticism; barrage of criticism
Compound of 砲 (cannon, gun) and 火 (fire).