Company Officer's Handbook Of The German Army - Command and ...

Section II. DEFENSIVE PRINCIPLES
8. GENERAL
In the defensive, the Germans rely on heavy concentrations of
fire and on powerful, coordinated counterattacks by mobile reserves
of all arms. They apply to the defense as well as to the attack the
principle of selecting a point of main effort (Sclzwerpunkt). This
principle (which is discussed in par. 1, p. 2) is necessarily applied in
reverse order in the defensive, the main defensive effort being made
opposite the point where the enemy is making his main attack.
When the Germans have determined the direction and scope of the
main attack, they invariably counterattack with the bulk of their
strength at a flank or from the rear. Shock action and surprise characterize
this counteraction.
The counterattack force is specially organized and is located in
an assembly area behind a vital or vulnerable sector of the main
line of resistance. The plan for the counterattack is prepared in detail
on the basis of probable enemy action and is carefully rehearsed
in advance. If tanks are not available for participation in the counterattack,
the Germans will endeavor to achieve superiority by
increasing the strength of the other available forces.
In the initial stages of the defense, the Germans endeavor to
destroy an attack with a concentration of fire from all weapons before
the enemy reaches the main line of resistance. The fire of infantry
support weapons and of artillery is superimposed on the areas
covered by the lighter infantry weapons, especially along terrain
favoring the enemy's approach. Quick and accurate fire, especially
from ma6hine guns, heavy mortars, and light infantry guns, is
brought to bear at threatened points. Weapons are moved to previously
prepared emplacements and alternate positions, as the situation
warrants. Wherever possible, the Germans site their support
weapons, particularly mortars, on reverse slopes. The capabilities
of the heavy mortar are exploited, the present trend in the German
Army being to concentrate mortar fire (see par. 13b, p. 27).
Penetrations are dealt with immediately by means of local counterattacks
by small groups of infantry. Even these small counter-
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