German Methods Of Warfare In The Libyan Desert [Illustrated Edition]
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About this ebook
This book, originally published in 1942 by the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence Service, contains information based on German and British reports explaining German survival and adaptation to the desert. Desert operations have much in common with operations in the other parts of the world. The unique aspects of desert operations stem primarily from heat and lack of moisture. While these two factors have significant consequences, most of the doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures used in operations in other parts of the world apply to desert operations. The challenge of desert operations is to adapt to a new environment.
US Army Military Intelligence Service
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German Methods Of Warfare In The Libyan Desert [Illustrated Edition] - US Army Military Intelligence Service
This edition is published by PICKLE PARTNERS PUBLISHING—www.picklepartnerspublishing.com
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Text originally published in 1942 under the same title.
© Pickle Partners Publishing 2015, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise without the written permission of the copyright holder.
Publisher’s Note
Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.
We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.
GERMAN METHODS OF WARFARE IN THE LIBYAN DESERT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 6
SECTION I. GERMAN METHODS 7
SECTION II. GERMAN TANK TACTICS 10
1.—REPORT BY A BRITISH OFFICER 10
2.—COMMENTS OF THE U. S. OBSERVER 10
3.—REPORT BY AN ESCAPED BRITISH OFFICER 11
SECTION III. ORGANIZATION OF A GERMAN DEFENSIVE POSITION 13
1.—"BASIC CONSIDERATIONS 13
2.—"COURSE OF THE FIGHTING 13
SECTION IV. LESSONS FROM LIBYA 15
1.—"ARMS AND AMMUNITION 15
2.—"SPECIAL FEATURES OF BRITISH TACTICS 16
3.—"TACTICAL NOTES 17
SECTION V. LESSONS FROM THE DEFENSIVE ACTION FOUGHT BETWEEN 15TH AND 17TH JUNE, 1941 (SALUM) 19
"RECONNAISSANCE 19
"DEFENSE AREAS 19
"ARTILLERY 20
"MOTORIZED INFANTRY 21
SECTION VI. GERMAN DESERT GROUND DEFENSES 22
SECTION VII. ORGANIZATION OF DEFENSE 23
SECTION VIII. GERMAN MINES 26
1. TELLER MINES 26
a. Description 26
b. Neutralization 27
c. Use of Pressure Bar (fig. 3) 28
d.—Laying of Mines 29
e.—Use of Additional Igniters 30
f.—Sympathetic Detonation 30
g.—Destruction 30
h.—Improvised Mines 30
i.—Layout of Mine Fields 31
j. Antitank Mines 32
k. Made-up Firing Devices 32
2.—MINE DEFENSES AT AGEDABIA 32
a.—General Defense 33
b.—Fire positions 33
c.—Mines 34
d.—Comment 34
REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 35
ILLUSTRATIONS 36
MAPS 147
Sources 169
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure 1. Sketch of German Teller Mine
Figure 2. Cross Section of Teller Mine Igniter
Figure 3. Provisional Sketch of Pressure Bar As Used with Teller Mines
Figure 4. Method of Laying Teller Mines
Figure 5. Layout of German Mine Fields
Figure 6. Layout of Mines on Tracks at Agedabia
SECTION I. GERMAN METHODS{1}
In all operations enemy methods must be carefully studied and considered. The following paragraphs contain a description of the way in which the enemy is likely to operate if he has a free hand. They are the result of recent experience and must be studied objectively to discover how we may best take advantage of the enemy’s methods in order to enhance the offensive powers of our own troops and to profit by his mistakes. A close study will also disclose many opportunities for local offensive action on our part even when the initiative has temporarily passed to the enemy.
Whether acting on the defensive or the offensive, the enemy covers his front with a protective screen of armored car patrols supported by the other elements of his reconnaissance units, which include a motorcycle company, antitank troops, and a few infantry guns. In each of his armored car companies he has a proportion of 8-wheeled armored cars which he uses to support his lighter armored cars. Occasionally he employs a few tanks in support of his reconnaissance elements, and in some reconnaissances light tanks entirely supplant armored cars. These reconnaissance detachments are very active and highly trained. The information which they pass back is usually accurate, and they report not only our movements but those of their own units. Skill and determination, knowledge of the terrain and changing road conditions, along with the ability to deal effectively with small mixed columns, including tanks, are necessary both to pierce this screen and to prevent enemy reconnaissance detachments from penetrating our own protective screen.
When the enemy