a. Terrain contamination will be undertaken only on the
order, or by the authority, of the High Command.
b. The attackers can seldom be completely stopped by terrain
contamination alone. By means of increased and intensified
fire, the defenders must follow up whatever advantage they have gained.
c. There are two types of terrain contamination: harassing
contamination and blockading contamination.
Harassing contamination, which is the lighter form, will
confuse the attacking forces and delay their advance. Patches,
strips, and areas may be contaminated.
Blockading contamination delays the hostile forces even more
effectively, and inflicts heavy losses on them as they work their
way through. It consists of a thick network of contaminated patches,
strips, and areas of great density, and is most effective
when it covers a large zone.
By laying down a harassing contamination very quickly, the
defenders can often gain time in which to lay down an extensive
blockading contamination to the rear.
d. To deceive hostile forces, sham contaminations are useful. For
this purpose harmless compounds, which resemble war gases
in appearance and smell, will be laid down. The effectiveness
of the deception will be increased if actual contamination is
employed here and there.
e. Contaminated terrain must be filled with obstacles and
dominated by fire, so that hostile forces, instead of being
able to cross it quickly in vehicles or tanks, will be compelled to
fight their way through it.
Combat patrols [German] will remain in the contaminated
zone to hinder decontamination with their fire. These patrols
will use contamination-free paths, or will go through the contamination,
wearing light gas-proof clothing.
f. For tactical purposes, terrain is suitable for contamination
if hostile forces are likely to consider it useful for observation
and effective siting of weapons. Approach roads, bridges,
entrances to woods and other localities, and possible assembly
areas and communication centers are among the many types
of places which lend themselves to contamination.
g. In carrying out contamination, remember the following points:
(1) Spray vehicles can be used only in areas that the hostile
forces cannot cover with observed fire. If the hostile forces
are able to employ observed fire, contamination must be carried
out by means of portable spray apparatus.
(2) Before contamination is laid down, it will be advisable
to select men from all units which are to fight a delaying action
in front of the area to be contaminated, and instruct them how
to guide their units to safety when a withdrawal is ordered.
(3) The contamination of terrain may be begun either on
receipt of an order from the battery commander, or at a later
hour fixed by him, or when the combat situation reaches a
definite state foreseen and specified by the battery commander—for
example, when the rearguard reaches a specified line.
(4) If full instructions regarding the contamination mission
go down as far as squad leaders, the contamination can be
carried out at night. However, much more time will be
required at night than in the daytime. There is also the risk
that, because of the difficulties involved in maintaining a
satisfactory warning service at night, personnel belonging to other
arms will wander into the contaminated area.
(5) Besides providing chemical troops to operate spray
apparatus, the contamination battery will maintain sentries in
front of contaminated areas and along contamination-free paths. All
these men must know their missions precisely. They will
be instructed to move direction signs and gap markers, either
when they leave the area to assemble elsewhere, or in the event
that hostile forces succeed in penetrating the area prematurely.