Gruppe in Gefecht - Open Order Formations

An infantry assault Gruppe advances across a field in France, 1940.

Translated sections from Kühlwein, F., Die Gruppe in Gefecht, E.S. Mittler & Sohn, Berlin, 1934 by Craig Machell.

This article is copyright © 2006. No un-authorised use.

Open Order Formations, pp29-38

Where situation and terrain no longer permits adherence to closed-order formation, the Gruppe adopts open-order formations on the battlefield to reduce the effectiveness of enemy fire.

The basic formations of open-order are:

* The Schützenreihe (all riflemen with regular spaces behind one another)
* The Schützenkette (riflemen with regular spaces in line with one another)
* Any other form or the use of different formations for the particular parts of the Gruppe (LMG-Troop, Rifle-Troop) is permissible.
* The Schützenreihe forms itself informally behind the leading Gruppenführer or in the ordered direction of the leading man.

The spacing is given last. The Schützenreihe is suitable especially for use in terrain with thin cover for entry into combat (small front, good cohesion, field of application to all sides).

The Schützenreihe (all riflemen with regular spaces behind one another)

The Schützenkette is the most suitable formation for a fire fight (wide front, possibility for all riflemen to fire forwards.

The Schützenkette is the most suitable formation for a fire fight (wide front, possibility for all riflemen to fire forwards. The riflemen do not align themselves next to one another; the acting Gruppenführer places himself as a rifleman in the rifle-troop.

Example I: ‘Gruppe A: LMG-Troop – Direction single pine tree – 6 paces spacing – Schützenkette! Rifle-troop follows with 50 paces distance!’

The Gruppenführer controls the action of his Gruppe, he orders the opening of fire and manages it through information on the targets and the range, through supervision of the firing and observation of the effectiveness. He controls the ammunition consumption and the ammunition supply. In urgent cases, the troops can independently open fire. The Gruppenführer is bound to no specific place.

The Gruppenführer leads the troop, which has the most important task, therefore, in an attack, until the assault, the LMG-Troop, during the assault, the rifle-troop. He usually hands over command of the other troop to the alternate Gruppenführer (Truppführer). The LMG-Troop can also be lead by a Richtschütze, if the Gruppenführer is leading the rifle-troop and the Truppführer remains with him. If the Gruppenführer must separate himself from his Gruppe so far that his leadership is in question, the Truppführer takes over command of the Gruppe.

The transition into open-order happens after an order, a command or a signal.

The LMG-Troop and the rifle-troop form according to the problem and situation either successively (Example I) or simultaneously (Example II).

Example I:

,Gruppe A: l.M.G.-Trupp – Richtung einzelne Kieser – 6 Schritt Zwischenraum – Schützenkette! Schützentrupp folgt mit 50 Schritt Abstand!’

‘Gruppe A: LMG-Troop – Direction single pine tree – 6 paces spacing – Schützenkette! Rifle-troop follows with 50 paces distance!’

In general, the inside wing-man from the rifle troop provides the link for the entire Gruppe during the forming out from line (Linie), during the forming of the LMG-Troop alone from out of line, the Schütze 1. When the rifle-troop alone is formed out from line, the link-man must be nominated.

During the forming out from column (Reihe ), the furthest forward rifleman is always the link-man. The link-man follows the Gruppenführer or goes in the ordered direction of march.

Formation can be ordered according to terrain etc. by the Truppführer. He is found at the head of his troop and is not bound to a single place.

Example II:

' Gruppe A: Schützentrupp – Richtung Kugelbaum – 8 Schritt Zwischenraum – Anschlussmann Müller – Schützenkette! L.M.G.-Trupp folgt unter Führung des l.M.G.-Schützen 1 (oder stellvertretenden Gruppenführers) mit 50 Schritt Abstand!’

Example II: The above formation is in particular used in unclear terrain, for example when advancing through woods, through a village and so on.

'Gruppe A: Rifle-troop – Direction bullet-tree – 8 paces spacing – Link-man Müller - Schützenkette! LMG-Troop follows under command of LMG-trooper 1 (or vice-Gruppenführer) with 50 paces distance!’

Example III: ‘Entire Gruppe A – Direction single pine tree – 7 paces spacing – Schützenkette right (left)!’

The Gruppenführer leads the forward element of his Gruppe, the rifle-troop, in this formation.

Example III: (The Gruppe was marching in column)

'Ganze Gruppe A – Richtung einzelne Kieser – 7 Schritt Zwischenraum – Schützenkette rechts (links)!’

‘Entire Gruppe A – Direction single pine tree – 7 paces spacing – Schützenkette right (left)!’

The rifle-troop places itself in a Schützenkette to the right (or left) next to the LMG-Troop.

Formations for the Rifle-Troop:

From line, the riflemen take the ordered spacing from the link-man;

From column – in troop formations – in which the forward half of the riflemen go right, the rear half of the riflemen go left next to the link-man, insofar as the situation and terrain does not allow other formations;

From column – in forming the entire Gruppe – in which the riflemen position themselves with the ordered spacing to the right (or left) of the LMG-Troop.

Every change in formation must be ordered. The width of the spacings and distances depends greatly upon the combat situation, the terrain, visibility, and the effectiveness of enemy fire.

Narrow spacings (under 5 paces) increase losses, but they facilitate cohesion, the influence of the Gruppenführer and battle orders. Especially short spacings before the assault upon the enemy should not be avoided, in order to achieve the necessary power.

Riflemen position themselves with the ordered spacing to the right (or left) of the LMG-Troop. Narrow spacings (under 5 paces) increase losses, but they facilitate cohesion.

Basic Rule: The width and depth of the formed Gruppe should not, in general, be greater than 100m.

The return to closed-order formation on the spot or on the move follows upon the command 'Sammeln!’ either by troops or as a whole.

Behaviour of the Rifle-Troop:

The riflemen implant themselves, terrain allowing, with their Gruppen - or Schützentruppführer and make themselves ready to give protection. In order to use the terrain better and to reduce losses, the Schützenkette is formed to depth, though the Gruppen - or Schützentruppführer must still be able to bring their influence to bear. It has to be considered that the field of fire of the rearwards lying riflemen will be narrowed. The occupation of the position must, to the greatest extent be out of the sight of the enemy and the opening of fire be prepared in cover.

The evacuation of the position should be as unnoticed as the occupation of the position happened.

The preliminaries happen as a whole Gruppe, in single troops or man for man, from cover to cover, through creeping or suddenly, to surprisingly rush forward at the enemy.

These lessons cover all formations. This is the understanding of the individual man for the proper behaviour especially during preliminary work.

Command: 'Hinlegen!' ('Lay Down!')

Command: 'Auf!' ('Up!')

For the whole troop to jump up and go forward in the different open-order formations, the command is: 'Schützentrupp N. – Sprung – Auf! Marsch! Marsch!’. On 'Sprung’, the riflemen finish loading, make safe, close their ammunition pouches and make themselves ready to jump up.

Lying riflemen take their rifle in their left hand, mouth slightly raised, supporting themselves upon their right hand and pull up their right leg as close as possible to their body without raising their upper-body from the ground. It is to be noted that each unwary movement before the jump will give away the intention to jump to the enemy.

After a sufficient pause for this preparation, the Gruppenführer gives the command: 'Auf! Marsch! Marsch!’. With this, the riflemen spring up and storm forwards. Quick, simultaneous rises; speedy rushes forward and down hinder the enemy, the easier to seize the objective.

The terrain can also cause individual persons to change their position in the Schützenkette during the spring forward.

On the command: 'Hinlegen!’, each man immediately throws himself down, if possible in cover.

The Light Machine Gun (LMG) must not be revealed to the enemy. The leader positions the LMG, sights the enemy for the Schütze 1 and then gives the order to fire. The LMG in the picture above is that of an MG-34

Behaviour of the MG-Troop:

The LMG is always borne such that it is not revealed to the enemy. The position must allow for the launch of surprising fire and the greatest flanking effect possible. It is important to make sure that the LMG offers the enemy only a small, difficult to discover target. On the LMG itself, no clusters may be allowed to form. Striking bushes, earthworks, forest scrub and buildings attract the attention of the enemy.

The leader positions the LMG in cover ready to begin firing. He shows the Schütze 1 the enemy and sights the weapon. The Schütze 1 loads, makes safe and digs in the weapon*. Then, the Gruppenführer gives the Schütze 1 the fire-order, for example: 'Feuerstösse auf die linken Waldecke, bis der Schützentrupp rechts von uns die Hecke dort erreicht hat. Stellung! – Feuer frei!’ (‘Fire on the left woods, until the rifle-troop right of us has reached the hedge there. Position! – Fire at will!’). On the command, 'Stellung!’, the Schütze 1 begins to fire independently.**

If the LMG has no cover, in which it can be made ready to fire, the Gruppenführer first gives the command, ' Stellung’, and then gives the order to fire.

The Schütze 2 brings the Richtschütze ammunition and remains near to the LMG in cover, constantly prepared to support the Richtschütze.

Schützen 3 and 4 choose a place laterally and behind the LMG, that they can insofar as possible maintain eye contact with both the LMG and the Gruppenführer. On ' Stellungswechsel!', the Richtschütze makes the weapon safe and then shouts 'Fertig!’.***

The springing is carried out in the same method as for the rifle-troop. Upon the command 'Stellungswechsel!’, the squad moves forward.

In a common position change, it is usual to allow one LMG- Schütze to spring forward, and reconnoitre the new position and the enemy and then the Schütze 1 occasionally reduces his fire.

*in the original, the author goes on to detail the digging in of the MG08 with regard to the cooling water.
**again, the original is more specific to the weapon.
***see above

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