1939-11-18 — Page 9

THE CHINA MAIL, NOVEMBER 18, 1939.

GERMAN METHODS IN ATTACK

THE FREE-RANGING OFFENSIVE

(From a Military Correspondent)

IN THE COURSE of the month of September, when the Ger- man Army was tied to the defensive in the West in consequence of its preoccupation in the East, German defensive tactics and fortification were considered in "The Times.”

"To-day the situation is different. The bulk of the German first-line formations have moved West, and some ten days ago it appeared quite possible that a major offen- sive was about to be launched.

even

now.

Such an operation cannot be whol- ly discounted

Despite flooded rivers, the state of the ground is not yet such as to put it out of the question, though the margin of time is becoming narrow, because the most optimistic commander could scarcely expect to achieve any con- siderable measure of success in a shorter period than from a month to six weeks. It may therefore be of interest to consider German offensive tactics in the light both of German military literature and of the infor- mation available about the campaign in Poland.

The former source is the less easy to deal with because there is 50 much common ground in all offensive theories. If one insists, for example, the on the importance attached by German Army to the principle

of "fire and movement," it may be re- torted that this principle is universal and that the British Expeditionary Force of 1914 was imbued with it. If one pronounces that almost magic word "infiltration," which is san- guinely acclaimed to be the master- key to every door, the answer may be that no Army doubts its value in certain circumstances, but that it also has many failures to its If one quotes the modern precept that no account should taken of fatigue in the course of a pursuit. it may be asked whether Murat after Iena, or Charles Rose in

discredit. German be

were

Central India, or General von Kluck after the Battle of Le Cateau sparing of man or beast, and whether "sweat saves blood" be an old Ger- man dictum or a new one. In fact instruc- very similar principles and tions appear in the field service re- gulations and manuals of military every General training issued by Staff. None the less, something of value can be derived from military literature by noting the variation of emphasis laid upon certain aspects of doctrine. It often amounts to a mat- ter of NUANCE only, but it suffices to provide a guide to tendencies.

or

THE NAZI INFLUENCE Military doctrine is influenced not only by national temperament but also by the phase through which the mass-mind of the nation happens to be passing. Germania has seldom been lacking in self-confidence even in arrogance, while Nazi Ger- mania is also highly strung, impatient, and ready to take risks. It is there- fore not surprising to find a strong element of the adventurous in modern German theory and practice. Yet the type of offensive advocated by German writers and carried out in the Polish campaign is largely an ad- aption to improved armament of that envisaged in the instructions issued for the offensive of March, 1918. Storm troops were to move in the van, followed by skirmishing lines and small composite forces of all arms; aircraft were to fly obliquely to the front and dive over the hostile infantry, which they were to attack with machine-guns and even bombs; the infantry was not to be allowed to think of objectives as lines, the only objective that mattered being the hostile artillery; the pace of the advance was to be set by the fastest, the not by the slowest; touch with enemy was the first disideratum, not touch with the flanks of neighbouring units. One of the few works of cau- tion is also heard to-day in the in- junction to scout and patrol ahead and on the flanks.

$

The general principles on which German offensive tactics

are based may be shortly summarized. The at- tack is carried out in great depth and in loose, irregular dispositions, with- out narrowly defined objectives. Every unit, from the very smallest— the group or squad, which covers the advance of three or four men by the fire of a light machine under the protection of its own fire, Where breaches are made in the hos- tile array, the troops which have created them press into them and strive to disintegrate a whole section of the front by their forward

gun-moves

move-

COMMISSION FOR V.C.

Mr. Edward Benn Smith, V.C.. has been granted a temporary short service commission ав Lieut. (Quartermaster), states a supplement to the "London Ga- zette."

Mr. Smith, who is 40, won the V.C. during the last war at the age of 19. Said to be the young.

est holder of the Cross in the Service, he gained it "for most conspicuous bravery, leadership and personal example during an attack and in subsequent opera. tions."

Page

TO WIN A CHICKEN

Every soldier from Berlin who 'be- comes a father for the tenth time will receive a chicken every Sunday the duration of the war.

for

'Solemn announcement of this re- ward was made in a German broad- cast last night, and the announcer broadcast the names of about forty soldiers who had become fathers in the last few days.

Nazis in Leipzig tells them to bring Another solemn announcement to and their sugar ration cards along they will get fish. But they won't get the fish for a day or two, because it hasn't arrived yet.

!

and troops in the presence of ever new, different and unexpected situa- tions.)

Aircraft reconnaissance is regard- ed as of the highest importance, and the Air Force is the handmaid of the than Army to a far greater extent with us. In this respect the motoriza- of modern tion and mechanization armies is fully taken into account. In the last War we used to think of tactical aircraft reconnaissance as

extending to a depth of some 10,000 yards, whereas to-day reconnaissance

possible speed.

Tanks may be em- ployed to protect the infantry while the artillery is on the move, Other- wise the chief employment of tanks is in flank attacks and "at the point where a decision is sought." Speed and mobility are the most valuable which are characteristics of tanks, not tied too closely to the infantry for fear of wasting these qualities. Small emphasis is laid upon 'menoeuvre and the use of ground as ment. (Here we find something cover in the course of an advance, and. more than a difference in emphasis apparently the place of such methods. between French and German teach-

is to be taken by fire, upon the im- ing. "Enlarge the breaches by later-portance of which there is 'steady up to 50 miles is looked upon as tacti- al thrusts," say the French; "Push on

insistence. In this connexion it is in-cal. Lieutenant-Colonel Mermet

struck particularly

by the boldly into the breaches,' say the teresting to note the strength of the been Germans.)

in German infantry armament: 85 light and 42 significance attributed

doctrine to two methods of protection, never be neglected in favour of pro-heavy machine guns, 27 light and 18 tection-the obvious intention being medium trench mortars, six light and represented by two words not easily to prevent hesitation and timidity.

two heavy "infantry guns," and 12 differentiated in translation into Eng- "Decentralization" may be taken as

37mm. anti-tank guns to a regiment.lish.

as more blame- the infantry's watchword; orders are Delay is regarded as little detailed as possible and

worthy than the choice of the second- very large freedom of initiative is best course of action in place of the given to subordinate commanders,

best. To some extent safeguards particularly to battalion commanders. are provided, in view of the freedom allowed to sobordinates and the bold- ness required of them, by means of rapid and. complete reports, which are considered an urgent necessity.

Reconnaissance

must

a

has

VERSCHLEIERUNG stands for the veiling of movements and inten- tions from hostile reconnaissance and It includes of- intelligence services. fensive advanced guards to keep the enemy at a distance; night marches, false moves and feints; protection METHODS OF ADVANCE A

from air reconnaissance by fighting Decentralization, however, does not

alone. apply to the infantry

It is

squadrons and anti-aircraft batteries, practised in the artillery also, which,

strict discipline in the transmission of A recent French student of Ger- messages by telegraph, telephone, and counter- generally speaking, is put at the dis- posal of the lowest possible fighting | man tactics, Lieutenant-Colonel wireless; highly developed

TARNUNG. stands for formation, normally the division Armand Mermet, considers that the espionage.

screen- rather than the army corps, but some key to their spirit is to be found in concealment by camouflage,

avoidance of light at times even the infantry

IM KRIEG ing of roads, regiment. one remarkable precept:

SCHEMA.

The ideal is that the Army the accuracy GIBT ES KEIN

DER night. The security and even of the artillery are subordinated to KRIEG STELLT FÜHRER UND should strike through a vell of mystery

VOR IMMER

its intentions NEUE an enemy ignorant of the desirability of rapid opening of TRUPPE

but should then UBERRAS and dispositions, fire; where possible, observed fire. VERSCHIEDENE UND. Should the enemy yield ground, the CHENDE LAGEN. (In war there is discard caution and put every ounce artillery is pushed forward with all no set plan. War sets commanders of its strength into the blow.

PENINSULA

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SUNDAY

19th NOVEMBER, 1939

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