German Combat Instructions, WWII Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 25: May 20, 1943 (Lone Sentry)

It is believed that the following combat instructions, a translation of German Panzer army headquarters' order, will be of general interest. The order has reference to recent operations in Tunisia. It is reproduced with only a few minor changes made with a view toward greater clarity for American readers.

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a. Organization of Defensive Positions

Having increased to the full the bridgehead, this defensive position must be organized and strengthened until the arrival of the main force.

(1) Work will be done in the following order:

(a) Road blocks (with mines, according to circumstances)

(b) Siting of antitank guns and machine guns

(d) Command posts

(e) Telephone communications

(2) Since engineering equipment and transport have not arrived, work must be done temporarily with improvised or rented material (no requisitioning).

b. Reconnaissance

War in Africa necessitates a far more extensive reconnaissance than in Europe. For this reason, reconnaissance patrols in certain cases are away for several days.

(1) First, the Axis forces must push out reconnaissance forces to a line 20 kilometers west of Kebili.*

(2) To achieve this, even by using Arabs, it is necessary to know to what nations and to which arms of the service the enemy forces behind this line belong--a line which is considered to be the advance line of the main body of their army.

(3) Use must be made of assault troops. Based on preliminary close reconnaissance, attacks must be carried out to cut off isolated enemy elements and capture transport (especially motor transport) and arms.

(4) Any plan of action for a unit larger than a company must first be communicated to Army Hq.

(5) Actions of a particular nature which aim at the capture of necessary avenues of approach, of high ground suitable for observation, etc., must be communicated in reasonable time so that the support of Army reserves may be given to units near the battle area.

c. Tactics

Every effort should be directed towards defense against much superior infantry, armored forces, and air attack which might threaten our present line.

(1) Every position must have an element (about one third of the whole strength) armed with numerous automatic weapons and ample ammunition, in order that centers of resistance may be formed, particularly on roads.

(2) In rear of the flanks, units must be held ready for counterattack along lateral roads that have been reconnoitered and along which night positions have been prepared. It is not a matter of seeking contact with the enemy's flank but of penetrating into his rear.

(3) Our artillery, still numerically weak, consists of infantry howitzers.** The artillery must organize positions and observation posts not only on one but on all the possible enemy lines of advance, and prepare or improve the quickest route (i.e., the shortest) which may link up these positions. Only extremely mobile artillery can, by its dispositions, fulfill its task.

(4) Besides emplaced antitank guns, unit commanders must have a mobile reserve of antitank weapons.

(5) Fire is nearly always opened at the wrong moment.

(a) Artillery must open fire at extreme range.

(b) Infantry and machine guns only fire at 300 meters. Enemy infantry carried in armored vehicles must be fired on first, thus separating the following infantry from their tanks.

(c) Assault tanks which move in front are not the concern of the infantry. They are neutralized by the antitank defense and by artillery. Enemy tanks which remain in the infantry area must be blinded and destroyed by groups specially trained as tank destroyers.

(d) Regimental antitank weapons must open fire at not more than 500 meters. If fire is opened earlier, it is a sign of fear, and above all it achieves no results. At the opportune moment an attack should be made on the flank; at the same time reconnaissance elements should be pushed forward within the enemy lines to oppose new enemy supporting forces, but the results of this action must not be waited for. The counterattack can be undertaken and be effective when the enemy is completely beaten and brought to a halt by fire. The troops engaged frontally likewise take part in the blow delivered against the enemy.

d. Messages and Information

(1) I forbid the use of the expression "strong enemy force."

(2) Either exact figures, or the extent of an attack (for example 100 meters) will be given, or the forces employed will be specified (For example: "one platoon at least"; "one company at most.")

(3) Care must be taken that all observations be communicated exactly and precisely to higher headquarters. The time, place, and circumstances in which such and such a thing has been observed or attacked by fire must be stated.

e. Comfort of Troops (Duties Incumbent on Unit Commanders)

(1) The most advanced posts must have hot soup.

(2) Now, during the rainy season, protection against dampness is extremely important; if necessary, Arab "burnous"*** must be bought to prevent sentries getting wet.

(3) Carry a pair of socks in the trouser pockets, so that you can change after completing a tour of guard duty.

(4) Do not allow men who have a touch of temperature to become seriously ill; otherwise, they will be off your strength for several months. Send them in time to the field hospital, for 3 or 4 days.

(5) Everyone must wear continually a flannel body belt.

(6) In future, from sunset to sunrise the body should be fully covered.

f. Supplies

Supplies should be echeloned from the unloading point to units, so that local means of transport may be utilized, and gasoline be saved for operations.

g. Transport

Motor transport of all types must have their documents (e.g., for drivers, the dispatch ticket). General's vehicles are the exception to this rule. Motor transport will be requisitioned to give mobility to units. (Signed: Arnim)

*Kebili is roughly 225 miles south by west of Tunis and about 100 miles south of Kasserine Pass. A north-south line running through Kebili would be about 55 miles west of Tunis.
**Six 75-mm and two 150-mm infantry howitzers in each infantry regiment.
***Woolen robe.