Bombardier (/ˌbɒmbəˈdɪər/) is a military rank that has existed since the 16th century in artillery regiments of various armies, such as in the British Army and the Prussian Army. Traditionally the bombardier tended the vents at the top of breeches, handled the final assembly of ammunition and placed the ammunition in the muzzles for the gunners to fire.[1] It is today equivalent to the rank of corporal in other branches.[2] The rank of lance bombardier is the artillery counterpart of lance corporal.