Großdeutschland (VI)
Special Units for Winter Warfare
18.) (Continued)
c.) Winter Equipment
Our winter equipment was sufficient and useful. Unfortunately, the white side of the winter uniform ripped easily. Finnish sleds proved useful for delivering weapons and ammunition, and for evacuating the wounded. During temporary thaws, felt boots got wet, which caused feet to get frostbitten. Including leather footwear and socks with each delivery of rations worked well.
d.) Ski Battalions
At the end of November, the division organized, from elements drawn from all parts of the formation, a ski battalion composed of a headquarters, three Jäger companies, an infantry gun platoon, and an anti-tank gun platoon. The organization and equipment of this battalion was the same as that of Battalion Schleebrügge, which employed by the Fourth Army in the winter of 1941-1942. Unfortunately, four days after it was formed, the battalion was sent to a different sector, where thanks to lack of understanding on the part of other units, it was destroyed within fourteen days.
e.) In all attacks in Winter, especially when the snow was not too deep, success depended upon the speed with which the attacking units were able to entrench themselves. In such situations, the following technique worked well. The Pioneer Battalion organized one or more columns of sleds, each of which carried prefabricated pieces for the building of positions, wire, mines, and explosives. These columns were placed in readiness so that they could show up as soon as it got dark and the pioneers could get to work blasting positions, laying mines, and stringing wire. This was a great help to the infantry, which was, for the most part, exhausted.
At the same time, the infantry must be provided with explosives and trained in their use. Each bunker, including those in rear areas, must be provided with firing ports.
f.) Special Detachment
Fighting in winter requires a great deal of improvisation and, in particular, the sending into action [einsetzen] of every fighter. To this end, the division set up a base at a road intersection in the valley of the Lutschessa River, near where a supply dump had previously been established. The following elements were assembled at this base:
a field-grade traffic control officer and his assistant
a morale officer
a platoon of military police
a company of prisoners
a column of sleds
three tractors
two field kitchens
This detachment fulfilled the following missions:
traffic control and snow removal
guiding recently-arrived reserves and laying out of winter camps
provision of weapons, ammunition, winter clothing, sleds, and motor fuel to units (according to the situation)
gathering up and inspecting men separated from their units and the walking wounded
These activities benefitted from the fact that men from many different units and divisions used the roads that came together in this location. These men, who invariably suffered from a bad case of apathy, were fed, given a few hours rest, and provided them with ammunition, rations, and clothing. Then, led by an energetic non-commissioned officer, they were returned to their units. The names of the men were written down. Thus, over the course of a few days, more than a hundred men were sent back into action. There was not a single case of disobedience, even though the men of the 86th and 110th Infantry Divisions had fought for many days without warm food or shelter. After a bowl of soup and a few hours of sleep, their attitude returned to normal.
g.) Emergency Units [Alarmeinheiten]
In addition to our own emergency units, the emergency units of other divisions and rear-area service organizations went into action in the sector of our division. As long as the alarm units were well-trained, well-led, and as well provided with winter clothing as regularly-constituted units, they fought well. This, however, was rarely the case. As a rule, the leaders had not been schooled in the handing of platoons and companies and, as a result, did not have the soldiers in hand. This often led, especially during tank attacks, to outbreaks of panic, which also effected the remnants of regularly-constituted units.
h.) Attached Units
In December, six battalions from other formations were attached to our division. We found it especially beneficial to take special care of these units and single them out for praise. Despite the fact that these units were not permanently assigned to the division, they received identical allotments of little luxuries [such as cigarettes, soap, and the like] and were provided with MG42 machine guns, which they were allowed to keep. On Christmas Eve, an officer from the division staff visited each one of these units and distributed presents. This did much to improve the sense of belonging and the achievements of these battalions.
Signed
Cord von Hobe
Lieutenant Colonel, General Staff