The following brief military report was originally published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 15, Dec. 31, 1942. [DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

REPORTS FROM THE FIELD ON PERFORMANCE OF EQUIPMENT No piece of equipment can be said to be satisfactory until it has successfully met the test of combat conditions. Also, relatively minor modifications of equipment may greatly improve its performance. The man actually using the equipment is one of the best sources for determining its quality and ways in which it can be improved. In order to tap this source, the German High Command on April 17, 1942 issued the document set forth below. It will be noted that soldiers who think they have useful suggestions to make are to communicate them directly and not through the usual channels.   *          *          *   To Army Groups, Armies, Corps, and Divisions for Distribution down to Battalions. War demands continual improvements in weapons and equipment. New ultra-modern weapons are now being produced. These will show the world our superiority to the enemy in armament also. To hold this advantage, and if possible even to increase it, is an important condition for final victory. The basis for the creation of new weapons and for every improvement in existing equipment must be the practical experience of the front-line soldier. He actually realizes the advantages and disadvantages of his weapons and equipment, and knows best the requirements of battle. The quickest possible interpretation of this front-line experience and its immediate utilization in armaments production must be ensured. The Minister for Armaments and Munitions has set up a special board to test immediately all practical suggestions and proposals from the front for the improvement of our weapons and the invention of new ones, and to pass them on to the actual manufacturers. Any soldier who thinks that he can make any useful suggestions or proposals in regard to weapons and equipment on the strength of his experiences in battle is authorized and ordered to communicate them direct, and not through the usual channels, to the Headquarters of the Armed Forces, Army Branch. This order is to be repeated to all front-line troops.

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