High Ground

(n.) Top of a hill, ridge, plateau or other geographic feature that looks down onto ground that is below (at a lower elevation above sea level) than the ground being discussed.

Extremely useful for military forces since earliest times. High ground allows:

• Excellent visibility onto lower ground for observation posts or artillery spotting.
• Defensive position. Clear lines of fire and visibility.
• Early weapons like bows are more susceptible to gravity thus shooting downwards is more effective than shooting up.

High ground is also useful for good drainage. This fundamental concept has been forgotten in England the last 20 years or so during the explosion of housebuilding on flood plains. Result: Flood damage of £2 billion, thousands of homes up to their mock tudor beams in water and a lot of overworked claims adjusters. You'd think the hint in the name of where they built ... flood plain ... would have given it away!

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