High Command of the Army

Headquarters, 1 March 1942

Army General Staff/General of Infantry

Nr. 500 / 42 secret

SECRET!

Guidance

for Infantry Training Based on

Experiences in the Eastern Campaign

A. General

B. Scouting, Reconnaissance, and Observation

C. Firefight

D. Attack

E. Defense

F. Camouflage and use of the Entrenching Tool

G. Security

H. Combat in Darkness

J. Combat in Built-up Areas

K. Combat in Wooded Areas

L. Air Defense

M. Antitank Defense
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A. General

1.) Primary experiences and crucial guidance have been laid down for command and
training through directives for the Army in the West, and the Replacement Army.

The basics of combat have proven themselves. Enthusiastic resolve, agility, and rapidly
adapting to new situations and overcoming crises by leaders at all levels have given the
German infantry a decisive edge against all enemies. This has led to great victories.

The following experiences, mostly from the eastern campaign, provide details for the
practical application of combat basics already laid down in regulations.

2.) Wide open spaces, lack of roads, and confusion are quirks of the combat area in
Russia. The Russian is an outdoor person - tough, cunning and cruel. He attacks in all
situations and seeks out close combat. The German soldier - superior to the Russian
in morale and fighting power - has proven himself in the east through his toughness,
tenacity, and staying power. The young soldier who has not yet been tested in battle
must be trained in these qualities and make them his own, and he must be especially
instructed in man-against-man combat.

B. Scouting, Reconnaissance, and Observation

3.) The wide open spaces with poor roads, and inexact maps that do not give a clear
picture of terrain demand continuous route orientation and direction-keeping through
use of field expedient methods in both day and night.
Strict attention must be given to the following in route reconnaissance:

Suitability of paths, hard-surface roads, and bridges;

Supplementation and checking of maps;
Scouting terrain for trafficability, camouflage possibilities, and minefields.
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The most basic field expedients must used for direction-keeping on terrain in daylight
and nighttime conditions. Also, terrain association must be known.

4.) Reconnaissance - Conduct of Recon Patrols

Only combat-capable recon patrols will be deployed. Whenever possible, they will be
aided by compasses, and route overlays. Confusing terrain must not lead to sticking
too closely to roads.

A Russian comment on German reconnaissance stated: “German reconnaissance

camouflages itself poorly and moves too predictably. Our observers can precisely track
them. Their patrols always used the same route into and out of position, instead of using
separate routes for deception.”

The Russian frequently allows our recon patrols to penetrate into his defensive sectors
without taking them under fire. They shoot returning messengers and then attack and
jolt the patrol from ambush.

5.) The following points must be given special attention during training:

Overwatch by heavy weapons;

Advance by bounds from one key terrain feature to the next;
Observation and fire protection within the recon patrol itself;
Stealth and deception;
Attachment of observers with radios from heavy weapons or artillery.

6.) Constant observation of terrain by observers from all arms and above all by the
commander under all circumstances is particularly important. This must never stop.
Attached forward observers must never be pulled out without a replacement. All
forward observers must make smart use of camouflage and dig themselves in.
Messengers must not betray their deployment positions to the enemy by their
movements. Observer reports must immediately and continuously be submitted to
the command post and between rifle companies, heavy weapons, and artillery. Fast
orientation is eased by using target reference points.
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C. The Firefight

7.) In the attack and defense, the fire of not only one weapon, but of all weapon systems,
must be rapidly coordinated by consolidating both flat direct and indirect fires.

The Russian is very susceptible to the effects of our mortars, infantry guns, and
artillery.

To achieve the greatest and most rapid effect, fire of all available weapons must be
grouped in time and place into a point of main firepower effort. Herein lies the superiority
of German combat command against our enemies.
To this end, heavy weapons must be grouped close enough, as dictated by situation
and terrain, to stay closed up with the rifle companies and maintain the closest liaison
with them and with other supporting weapons.

8.) The best marksmen in the squad should be equipped with telescopes and self-loading
rifles, thereby enabling their use as designated marksmen. Employment of these
marksmen has always been successful at medium ranges against enemy leaders,
observers, and machine gunners.

9.) The squad leader must strive to coordinate fires within his squad against sectors,
hedges, and bushes that appear to be occupied by the enemy.

10.) Expenditure of munitions has risen in the eastern campaign. Therefore, it is necessary
to plan how ammunition will be employed. This is especially true in defensive battles
where the Russian often attacks in waves several times in the same day.

11.) Light and heavy infantry guns should, when terrain is suitable, should strive to employ
richochet fire. Especially with the heavy infantry gun, the effect is extraordinary against
the advancing enemy, and when he has only been entrenched for a short time.
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When heavy infantry gun rounds with time delay fuzes are employed, duds frequently
occur when they strike hard surfaces (rocky ground, stone walls, buildings, ice, etc.)
The fuze can malfunction, preventing the round from detonating.

If duds occur when firing with time delay fuzes, switch to point detonating fuzes
immediately.

D. Attack

12.) Success in the attack by German infantry is based on regularly changing methods
of attack and the time. The following points are of particular importance:

a) Exploiting the element of surprise inherent with darkness and poor

visibility, which masks the approach to the enemy, and preparations for
the penetration.

b) As employed frequently in the advance, the narrow, deeply echeloned

formation exploits covered and concealed terrain. It does not depend on
close reliance with adjoining units.

c) Designating a point of main firepower effort and subordinating heavy

weapons to the leading assault company. The battalion commander
groups fires of his heavy weapons and supporting artillery at the decisive
point.
d) Follow-on by reserve elements to weak enemy locations. No premature
committment. No sensitivity to flanks.

Every leader must strive to group all combat power - assault, fires, and reserves -
at the point of maximum effort.

13.) With young and inexperienced leaders, it has been shown absolutely necessary that
the commander’s intent, [continued on next page]

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and employment of heavy weapons, as specified in the combat and fire plans, are
delineated in special paragraphs of the combat order. In this way, they are clearly
signified.

a) The battalion commander regulates coordination with the artillery. It is important that
command posts be grouped close to each other, and that observation and reports are
actively exchanged. The battalion commander establishes the fire plan for the machine
gun company with that unit’s commander.

Preparatory fires are planned based on the current situation, as well as the quantity
of munitions available. In the surprise attack, fire is only initiated at the start time of the
operation. It is best to open fire only when the enemy has done so, thereby unmasking
his positions.

In the planned attack against a fortified enemy position, preparatory fires by heavy
weapons and the artillery are employed against identified targets and nests in order
to destroy and wear down.

The pressure to accelerate the start time for an attack must not lead to insufficient
pre-attack preparations. It has often been proven, that by giving the troops more
time to prepare, more can be demanded of them.

In the course of the attack, it is important to group fires in time and place, so that if
momentum stalls, it can again be driven forward.

b) The company commander leads his company under protective fires, in narrow,
deeply echeloned, loose formations, and adapting to terrain.

Under severe enemy fires, the company exploits protection by [friendly] heavy
weapons to work forward by squad bounds. Otherwise, the company either digs in,
or seeks cover while awaiting the next grouping of fires against newly identified targets.
The attack is then resumed, either by individual or squad bounds. Squads and platoons
advance staying closed-up to the barrage from indirect weapons and artillery.
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Using light machine guns and rifle fire, squads only engage mobile and exposed
enemy troops at medium or close range, as directed by their squad leaders.

The Russian is usually well-camouflaged. It can be necessary to employ area fires

against suspected enemy positions in terrain sectors, bushes, hedgerows, or the
edge of built-up areas, if the unit takes fire from those vicinities. Indirect fire of rifle
grenades, and light and heavy mortars always succeeds in either neutralizing the
Russians, or forcing them to withdraw.

14.) All leaders have the mission of maintaining the flow of attack by constantly establishing
new fire groupings of indirect fires and direct fire weapons.

The combat mission dictates the firefight. Leaders will always consider which weapons
shall engage the same target. In order to avoid wasting ammunition, the commander
must clarify whether or not it is necessary to employ several weapons against
a single target.

It is wrong to want to press the attack against a strong enemy by simply storming
forward. That costs too much blood.

15.) The penetration is accomplished:

by grouping fires at the breach point,
and screening the flanks by fire.

The Russian is particularly vulnerable to the concerted attack by the squad and platoon,
when it is initiated from the move with light machine guns, sub-machine guns, and
self-loading rifles. The bugler sounds ‘rapid advance’ and soldiers yell “Hurra” while
moving.

16.) Every victory in combat occurs under fire protection of heavy weapons to exploit
the calculated attack through to ruthless advance in the specified direction.
All leaders keep their units together. This is the best way to beat out enemy counter-
attacks. Specially assigned squads must [continued on next page]

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check and mop up captured positions and hideouts. The Russians often conceal
themselves or play dead so that they can later open fire from the rear.

17.) The Russian frequently disengages at onset of darkness. To hinder his planned
avoidance, the night attack into his position is important.

If assault elements have penetrated into enemy positions and halted with onset of
darkness, they immediately re-orient to the 360-degree defense (hedgehog) to repel
enemy counterattacks.

E. Defense

18.) The Russian always begins with a systematic combat reconnaissance effort against
the entire front. This reconnaissance effort is executed in the form of probing attacks,
in company strength for the most part, but even in battalion strength. In this way, he
usually succeeds in locating weak positions. In every case, he drives the recon forward
without regard for casualties to his troops. After intelligence has been gathered, he
establishes assembly areas for assault and breakthough units - in other words,
heavily massed infantry with tanks. The attack is often initiated by reinforced mortar
and tank fires from long ranges. If the leading tanks are destroyed and the attack is
beaten off, a pause of several hours occurs, which is followed by another attack.

19.) Constant and active observation and reconnaissance activities, along with a fire plan
in liaison with the artillery, are crucial foundations in the defense. All weapons must be
positioned so they remain agile and ready to immediately respond in their sectors of
observation and fire. In this circumstance also, [continued on next page]

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the points of main firepower effort will be designated. Placing heavy infantry weapons
under direction of the machine gun company commander has proven effective. He
supports the battalion commander. Experience has taught that identified assembly
areas and attacks are smashed by coordinated fires of heavy mortars, infantry and
antitank guns, and artillery. Elements of the machine gun company take part from
covered positions in open terrain. Only the simplest methods of artillery fire direction
will be employed. (Aiming stakes, parallel lay and target reference points established
with surveying triangle.)

For antitank defense, a corresponding fire plan will be developed, and observation
posts established.

20.) In open terrain and ample munitions, defensive fire is initiated early, exploiting the
maximum effective range of weapons.

When munitions are in short supply, and in confusing terrain, it is more effective to
allow the enemy to advance within close range, and then destroy him with a grouped
barrage of coordinated fire.

21.) Riflemen must be trained to take part in the firefight. The squad leader directs their fire
against identified targets. Designated marksmen with scoped self-loading rifles are
assigned to destroy especially dangerous targets, such as machine guns, enemy
commanders, and observers.

22.) In the east, defense of wide sectors is the norm. This dictates the occupation of only
the most important key terrain features (hills, bridges, fording points, villages, road
and path junctions, woodlines, etc.) These are to be constructed as strong points with
one or more squads, and depending on importance, occupied with attached heavy
weapons (heavy mortars and machine guns, and antitank guns). All all-round defense
is always established. Because the Russian always attempts to penetrate gaps under
cover of darkness and fog, strong points must be supported by flanking fires. In
situations where strong points must be widely spaced, weak occupation of gaps is
essential, accompanied by strong recon patrol activities.
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Above all, simple obstacles and laying of mines complicate the enemy’s advance
between individual strong points.

Strong point teams must hold their positions to the last man. Otherwise, the defensive
systems collapses. They will be supplied with ample ammunition and rations.

To give the position a certain depth, reserves must be held in readiness behind the
main line of resistance, or respectively, the strong point line. Reserves are also posi-
tioned in strong points. Their various missions will be discussed and rehearsed after
scouting. A rapid and powerful counter-attack has always proven successful against
the Russians.

23.) Conduct in the Defense

Because Russian observers watch the land sharply, the position must appear as if
lying dead. Walking around, showing oneself, cooking smoke from houses and noise
all betray the situation to the enemy. He quickly identifies weak position and gaps and
attacks there.

At night, all sentries must be extremely alert. One particularly effective practice is that
of setting listening posts forward of the main position, because the Russian stalks
silently, like a cat. Listening posts will always be manned with two soldiers.

24.) Because relief in place for rest is only seldom possible in a wide sector, sentry duty
is especially arduous. Every soldier must be reminded of the meaning and responsib-
ility of his duties as a sentry. Constant watchfulness will be reinforced. Regular inspec-
tions will be conducted by squad and platoon leaders, and company commanders,
in particular at night and in foggy weather. Half of the designated security forces will
be on duty with weapons at hand, and two-thirds at night.

It is a matter of training that soldiers become accustomed to prolonged stretches of

sentry duty, especially at night, and under all weather conditions.
.
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F. Camouflage and Use of Entrenching Tools

25.) For all Types of Combat

Digging-in and camouflage are the duty of every soldier in all situations. Sweat saves
blood!

a) The Russian is a master at camouflage. It is frequently hard to identify him.

Therefore, sharp observation must be maintained where he stands, and what
he does. Camouflage must always be adapted to the current terrain. Vehicles
and horses must not be overlooked in this effort.

b) Fighting holes are constructed automatically and without order, whenever the
unit comes with effective range of enemy artillery, a pause in the attack occurs,
or if the unit is in a rest position. When ground conditions allow, fighting holes will
always be dug with straight sides, thereby affording protection against tank
attacks. Scatter the dirt from holes across a wide area, because it is easily
recognizable to the enemy, in particular if the fighting hole is dug in open terrain.

26.) Defense
Positions are established with clear orders that specify priorities of work in the defense,
for example:
a) Firing positions for heavy weapons,
b) Shelters,
c) Alternate positions,
d) Approach routes,
e) Liaison with one another.

Begin wiring-in with trip wires, then early warning wire [tin cans with pebbles on wire].
Only afterwards are Spanish riders and thorough obstacles laid. Mine-laying belongs
among the first priorities, often protecting the working troops from surprise. Make exact
mine field sketches!

The execution of priorities of work requires supervision by leaders at all levels.

The unit trains will also be instructed in cover for their soldiers, horses, and vehicles.
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G. Security

27.) All units behind the front line must secure themselves against surprise attacks and
construct covered and concealed positions to protect against artillery and aerial attack.
This includes their horses and vehicles.

two types of security must be practiced:

Village security,
Forest security.

H. Combat during Darkness

28.) Night attacks, conducted with the element of surprise, have strongly influenced and
confused the Russian. Therefore, night attacks with limited objectives are successful
and will be practiced.

29.) Every nighttime attack operation requires thorough and scientific preparation. The attack
must be preceded by early reconnaissance, at a minimum during the night before the
operation.

Intelligence gathered in reconnaissance forms the basis for the commander’s decisions.
His conclusions and scheme of maneuver must be communicated to subordinate
leaders down to the smallest detail.
It is especially effective to move silently to the enemy’s flank or rear, and surprise the
enemy defenders from that direction.

30.) It is the task of heavy weapons and artillery, above all, to suppress adjacent enemy
strong points, thereby screening the flanks of the nighttime attack. The exact schedule
of heavy weapons and artillery fire is of special importance, and is dictated by time and
flare signals.

31.) Night attacks are carried out by infantry formed into assault teams. They are well-
supplied with hand and smoke grenades, concentric charges, clubs, and knives.

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32.) Nighttime training must help the soldier to become familiar with expedients in the
darkness. This simplifies the battle for him.

During training, the following will be practiced with special emphasis:
a) Dark adaptation of the eyes and ears,
b) Learning to look and listen under all weather conditions,
c) Aiming and target practice (soldiers usually shoot too high),
d) Moving across terrain soundlessly (stalking ability),
e) Reconnaissance patrol movement in darkness,
f) Eliminating enemy sentries and positions - ambushes, close combat.

I. Combat in Built-up Areas

33.) In the wide open spaces of the east, defenders cling to villages - especially in winter -
thereby blocking the few usable routes. The Russian establishes himself rapidly and
with skill. When our forces penetrate portions of a village, he [the Russian] often
assaults from the flanks and rear with fire and counterattacks.

As a consequence, a village must be attacked according to plan. Thorough scouting

and observation are essential in providing details. Frontal attacks mostly lead to
heavy losses.

The enemy to the front is pinned in place, the village is enveloped from the side, and
the attack goes in from the rear. Heavy weapons (infantry and antitank guns), often
employed in single gun sections, assault guns, tanks, and forward observers, are
attached under operational control with the enveloping element. Strong assault teams
with many hand grenades take individual buildings and positions.

In large urban areas, the attack must be conducted sector by sector.

34.) Defense of Built-up Areas

The Russian goes around defended villages by exploiting wooded areas to attack from
the most promising side. He takes maximum [continued on next page]
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advantage of cover during his approach. He strives to seize individual buildings, or

at minimum, close-by barns. If he succeeds, the planned destruction and capture of
the village begins, usually at night. Tank gunfire is used to destroy one building after
another, forcing [our] defenders out of cover into the open. Then the Russian
infantry pushes forward into the houses covered by tanks.

In order to develop a clear picture of the enemy’s intent, it is necessary to execute

a constant and energetic reconnaissance plan, not only oriented to the front, but also
the flanks. Identified enemy assembly areas must be smashed by artillery fire and
destroyed by attack. Security during the day must be fundamentally different from that
conducted at night.

Because the Russian has formed partisan detachments and deployed paratroops
behind the front, no built-up area is safe from attack. Therefore, every leader will
do everything to secure his area during the day and at night.

K. Combat in Forests

35.) The Russian demonstrates his strongest power of resistance during combat in forests,
which are usually boggy. Using local inhabitants as guides, he moves on unknown
roads, paths, and animal trails, frequently with tanks in the lead. Fighting toughly and
smartly, he brings his significant numerical superiority into account.

This is demonstrated by the following points in particular:

Intelligent exploitation of terrain and camouflage,

Strong field fortifications in the middle of wooded and brushy areas,
Good observation from trees,
Allowing the approach to within close range,
Constantly striving for close combat.

36.) Therefore, the attack through a forest must be conducted according to plan, and
sector by sector. The enemy to the front will be pinned in place and supressed
through heavy weapons fire. Strong elements envelop [continued on next page]
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and attack from his flanks and rear. Reconnaissance must provide an exact picture of
his dispositions, in particular, his flanks and holes in his defense. The recon effort is
a significant factor in the success of an attack in wooded areas.

Strong recon patrols are deployed far ahead with enough time. They move through
the forest, conducting cloverleaf recons on both sides of routes. Since they are lightly
armed, these patrols often receive attachment of mortars, antitank guns and forward
observers.

During the advance by the attack force, and prior to the assault, the closest possible
coordination with artillery must be ensured. Forward positioning of individual guns
and batteries must be planned and organized well in advance.

37.) Defense in Forests

Listening posts and riflemen in tree stands are responsible for monitoring the
surrounding areas. Their locations are changed on a daily basis.

When possible, the position is thoroughly established and well-camouflaged. Attention

will be given to overhead cover as protection from tree bursts.
Trees are felled forward of the main line of resistance to create field of fire Flanking fire
lanes will also be established. Trees will be felled so they create obstacles.

Behind the MLR, beaten paths are established that can be used without making noise
(clear away dead wood and leaves). Counterattacks will be planned and rehearsed in
advance.

38.) Wild shooting by individual riflemen or machine gunners only disturbs the unit. Strict
fire discipline will be enforced during combat in woods. Subordinate leaders must
be taught that they do not open fire at every sound, or when recon patrols are close by.
Well-aimed single fire with rifles, scoped rifles, and self-loading rifles has proven most
effective.

If an attack is detected or an assembly area is suspected, all available firepower is

directed in a short but powerful fire barrage This technique has
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a high affect on the enemy’s morale, especially by the ear-shattering noise. also, it
frequently leads to heavy casualties among the enemy.

L. Air Defense

39.) Type of attack

Russian fliers regularly appear by surprise at low level, making hedgehopper attacks
against our columns, achieving success with their machine guns and bombs. These
attacks are often repeated. When these attacks are executed from the side, their
success is limited. Bombing attacks from high altitude are seldom successful, and
their affect limited.

40.) Defense

A large number of enemy aircraft have been shot down by infantry fire, and in addition
many have been forced to break off their attacks or damaged. Machine gun fire has
about the same effect as concentrated rifle fire. Also, rear services must practice air
defense with rifles and machine guns.

Air lookouts are always posted. Neglecting air sentry duty in times of minimal aerial
activity has dire consequences.

Machine gunners open fire immediately, firing from the shoulder of the assistant gunner.
Twin-mount machine guns in particular, and also a heavy volume of rifle fire, are both
preconditions for successful air defense.

The twin-mount vehicles of the machine gun company are to be positioned along the
entire battalion march column. The gunner must remove his bayonet, entrenching tool,
and bread, which would otherwise interfere with his movement.

Every time units pause the march, they dispere, well-covered and concealed. They are
protected by machine guns on twin-mounts, tripods, and antiaircraft stands. Also, many
riflemen take part in fighting off attacking aircraft.
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M. Antitank Defense

41.) Russian tanks seldom attack in large formations. They usually move ahead of the
infantry in groups of a few tanks, or even singly. Their infantry typically follows in
dense packs. The most critical mission for all weapons is to employ fires to separate
the attacking infantry from the tanks.

In the training of infantrymen, the goal of antitank defense instruction must be that
young and inexperienced soldiers receive instruction, and if at all possible, are led
through practical exercises. In this way, they learn that tanks possess extraordinarily
limited effectiveness against dug-in infantry, and that the fightbetween infantry and tanks
is purely a question of nerves.

42.) Action

All elements assigned to observation and security duties report the appearance of
enemy tanks by the fastest means and warn the unit. On the basis of the antitank plan,
5 cm antitank guns are brought into position early due to their immobility. Due to their
greater mobility, 3.7 cm antitank guns can be placed behind cover, or in nearby
prepared positions.

All positions are sited in conjunction with bushes, hedgerows, etc., with good ability for
traversing. Above all, the positions must be constructed with effective camouflage.
Fighting holes are dug for crews, and revetments for ammunition. Enemy tanks are
prevented from overrunning the battle position through siting of minefields.

43.) Firefight

Fires are held and only initiated at ranges close enough to ensure hits with the first
shots. This is especially important when engaging newer tanks with sloped armor.

A great deal of practice is necessary in acclimating soldiers to oncoming tanks at

close range.

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When the first enemy tank is hit, uncertainty typically arises in other crews. This is
exhibited by them suddenly stopping, turning, and shows the flanks of their tanks.
This gives antitank guns the chance to engage the enemy in weak spots for rapid
effect (vision blocks, weapon ports, turret ring, side armor, tracks, and
roadwheels.

Fires from other weapons: antitank rifles, machine guns, antitank rifle grenades,
light infantry guns, are effective at close range, concentrated closely in time.

44.) The close-in fight against tanks is executed by tank destruction teams with their close
assault equipment (blinding and incendiary agents, and explosives).

In particular, soldiers must be trained on how to climb onto a slowly moving tank that
has broken through the lines. (Compare Army Service Regulation 469/4, Preliminary
Guidelines for Close Combat Against Tanks, 29 January 1942.

Under Assignment

//Herrlein//
Major General