[Lone Sentry: The Development of German Defensive Tactics in Cyrenaica - 1941, WW2 War Department Publication]
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The Development of German Defensive Tactics in Cyrenaica—1941
Military Intelligence Service, Special Series No. 5, October 16, 1942
[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from a WWII U.S. War Department Special Series publication. 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.]

Foreword

German military doctrine has stressed the offense, and the ability of the German Army in attack is well known. However, it should not be assumed that when the Germans are thrown on the defensive, they will not know what to do; the Libyan campaigns are evidence to the contrary.

At certain periods in this campaign, the Germans had to take a defensive role and develop defensive techniques in a terrain and type of warfare entirely different from those in other theaters. They showed ability to adapt the old principles of defense to these conditions, and this resourcefulness may be expected in the future. It will take imagination, thorough preparation, and careful reconnaissance to deal with the defensive tactics that may be expected from the Germany Army.

Table of Contents

SECTION I.  INTRODUCTION

SECTION II.  NEW DEFENSE PLANS, MAY 7-JUNE 15, 1941

SECTION III.  THE THEORY TESTED ON THE FRONTIER

SECTION IV.  NEW THEORY FROM EXPERIENCE ON THE FRONTIER

1.  Neumann-Silkow  
2.  Summermann
3.  Ravenstein
4.  Rommel

SECTION V.  THE ACTION AT TOBRUK

SECTION VI.  THE NOVEMBER OFFENSIVE

SECTION VII.  COMMENTS AND LESSONS

1.  General  
2.  Antimechanized Obstacles
3.  Artillery
4.  Reconnaissance
5.  Morale

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