3 Comments
May 20Liked by Bruce Ivar Gudmundsson

I am really impressed how the German Army executed this move with, apparently, only infantry units with supporting machine guns making maximum use of terrain and tactical movements. I think this underscores the need for:

1. Good flank protection, even for a four gun machine gun platoon and especially in an exposed position. Getting out flanked and enfiladed stinks!

2. Rapid and redundant means of communication with adjacent units and higher HQ. Relying only on runners clearly did not work and having field telephones and visual signals (flares, etc.) would have really helped (wireless communication would have been a real stretch in WW I). Primary, Alternate, Contingency and Emergency (PACE), is a great way to plan.

3. Combined arms might not always save the day, but will give you serious company when things get bad. The placement of this platoon in an apparently exposed and isolated position, without infantry and fire support, must have been part of an economy of force move or a serious dumb attack by someone. No surprise that the Germans spotted the vulnerability and capitalized on it.

4. Acting and not just reacting upon contact. Here it seems the 2LT in charge let the Germans set the pace of the whole engagement.

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A question; What should have been his reactions? Other than hose them when moving or where they drop in the grass. His real problem being the German heavy machine guns and minenwerfer.

That and he has to hold that position.

I’m not sure he has too many moves here.

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May 22Liked by Bruce Ivar Gudmundsson

This attack featured only infantry and machine guns (light and heavy), so minenwerfers played no part. The OIC here could have started before the fight with the steps I outlined and during the fight could have:

1. Absolutely known where his higher HQ and adjacent/supporting units were and ensured his runners knew too. They did not and they waited a bit longer than I would have to send for help.

2. Made sure all his weapons were oriented on the terrain in front and to their flanks and were actively scanning for targets or movement. He could have used the last known locations of any personnel or weapons as Target Reference Points and had designated weapons scanning around those.

3. Ensured all personnel engaged any targets sighted immediately and without waiting for orders, as they in a weapons free situation.

4. Used probing fire on likely enemy targets to force them to be react and then engage them when they do.

5. Lob or launch grenades occasionally at the Germans to let them know you love them (☠️) and to keep them off balance.

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