German doctrinal distances

Larry Holt · Post by **Larry Holt** » Thu Jan 11, 2001 6:50 pm

Here is some data that I have dug up.

Defensive frontage for a 1944 German Infantry Division:

Platoon: 5 - 10 hexes
Company: 10 - 20 hexes
Regiment: 40 - 60 hexes
division: 120 - 200 hexes

Defensive depth would be 30 to 60 hexes. Forces would be deployed in three band within this zone: an outpost line, the main line and positions in depth.

Soviet attack frontages:
Regiment: 10 - 25 hexes
Division: 20 - 50 hexes

The wider German frontages probably would be more common. Some units were streached with only guardposts every few hundred meters.

By this time the German infantry strengths were probably below 50%. I do not have any definative numbers available.

The Soviet units would be reinforced by self propelled assault guns and engineers. They prefered to infiltrate and attack strong points at night. Because of this the Germans were forced to man their positions at 50% at night time.

The standard map sizes are:
small: 40 x 60 (?) hexes
medium: 60 x 99 hexes
large: 80 x 99 hexes

So this means that a scenario might have a German regiment defending across a medium map, German forward edge of the defensive zone 60 hexes from their back edge. Victory hexes along their back edge. This leaves 39 hexes of depth for the Soviets to set up in.

The Germans would have some mines and fortifications. Fortifications would primarily be used to build up villages (villages were primarily on high ground so had good visibility) into strong points, but not exclusively. Fortifications were usually outside the village/strong point to extend its control and avoid being trapped in the village. 20mm anti aircraft guns were put in buildings with the roofs removed and reinforced (with ice in winter) to keep Soviet infantry and aircraft at bay. {in this manner the Germans could strip away Soviet infantry from their accompaning tanks leaving them free to attack the tanks at close range with AT guns and close assaults} Germans used squad/team/gun crew fortifications at the front. Larger sized bunkers would become man traps. In the rear they used platoon fortifications. Because of this, I would be liberal with the fortifications.

Mines and other obstacles would be integrated with the strong points to defend their approaches.

The Germans might have 6 or 7 understrengh infantry companies (regiments were at two battalions by then), mortars, 75mm howitzers, some 75 mm AT guns and some SP AT (hetzer, marder, etc.) or assault guns (sturms with 75mm guns), divisional artillery (off map) would be in support. This higher level OB info is sketchy. Does anyone have better data on turning historical OBs into SPWAW units?

Perhaps one squad per platoon would be removed and replaced with a bunker, the bunker's crew simulating the infantry squad.

Artillery was the back bone of German defenses so I would provide one FO per company or edit the arty command values to increase the ability of German infantry to call in fire.

The Soviets would attack with a division +.

This would give about 100 German units (not including off board arty) to close to 1,000 Soviet units (the max units IIRC).

Sources:
PanzerBlitz Designer's Notes
US Army Command & General Staff College document: Standing Fast, German Defensive Doctrine on the Russian Front in WWII

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An old soldier but not yet a faded one.
OK, maybe just a bit faded.

Warhorse · Post by **Warhorse** » Thu Jan 11, 2001 7:09 pm

Good info Larry, thanks!!

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Mike Amos
Meine Ehre Heisst Treue

Thornado · Post by **Thornado** » Thu Jan 11, 2001 9:14 pm

Jeez!

1000 unit of Soviets... Could be quite a long battle!

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_______________________
Thornado
- You'll never know what hit you -

Arralen · Post by **Arralen** » Fri Jan 12, 2001 1:00 am

1000 unit of Soviets... Could be quite a long battle!

Don't forget to bring the ammo carriers along

Arralen

KG Erwin · Post by **KG Erwin** » Fri Jan 12, 2001 5:56 am

There is a link that was posted on this forum some time ago that gave you access to the US Army's Handbook on the German Army March 1945 edition. I printed part of this out, since it gives detailed info on doctrine & tactics as gleaned by US military intelligence at that time. Unfortunately, I don't remember the link. Larry, did you provide this? Was it through the Center for Military History site? I'll check it out and get back to you guys.

KG Erwin · Post by **KG Erwin** » Fri Jan 12, 2001 6:17 am

Ok, guys, start here: http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usamhi/DL/chron.htm There is an impressive list of publications here, including the Geramn Armed Forces Handbook I referred to. I had a hell of a time getting this link written down correctly, but now it should work. GH.

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Bing · Post by **Bing** » Fri Jan 12, 2001 6:41 am

The Carlisle link is not functioning. I got a 404 error and can't go to home page, either.

Bing

KG Erwin · Post by **KG Erwin** » Fri Jan 12, 2001 6:49 am

Bing, I just fixed it. It should work now. I just had a minor surgery, and I'm on pain medication. I tested the link, and it's (finally) working. GH.