Twelve officers were killed by the initial volley, which froze the convoy in place.

The initial volley tore into the stones a few paces ahead of us.

After their initial surprised volley, there was a long silence while they each sized up the other.

No direct fire over a thousand meters; we want a maximum punch on the initial volley.

Their initial volley dropped several Confederates, many of whom were caught out in the open along the road.

The initial volley of shots had dropped four, sending the others for cover.

Since their initial volley had failed to smoke them out, what might they do next?

Those who survived the initial volley were run down by the Mexican cavalry.

Soyinka's analysis of the problem is an initial volley in what will surely become a 21st-century debate.