Lone Sentry: TM-E 30-451 Handbook on German Military Forces: Meeting Engagement (Begegnungsgefecht): Offensive: Tactics

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CHAPTER IV. TACTICS

Section IV. OFFENSIVE

5. Meeting Engagement (Begegnungsgefecht)

In the meeting engagement the Germans believe that the advantage lies with the side which succeeds first in making effective preparation for the attack and thereby deprives the enemy of his freedom of action. When both adversaries attack immediately from march columns, the decisive factors are the initiative of the junior officers and the efficiency of the troops. The senior commander quickly coordinates the functions of the various officers, while the advance guard secures for him freedom of action and the opportunity for a speedy deployment of his troops.

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