Tactical Usage and ranges of WW2...
For those who have little accurate knowledge of WW2 ive included a few of the time general orders to show how the battles that shapped our world were fought. This may come as a shock to those used to playing wargames as compared to the way it happens in reality. You may not think Squad leader in quite the same way after reading this.
From the order No.259 of December 27, 1942
Signed by Commander of the Western Front General Konev.
Recommendations on the fighting enemy's self-propelled guns.
The enemy has widely used self-propelled guns (StuG.) with main characteristics:
The gun is installed on the chassis of the middle tank;
Caliber 75 mm;
The horizontal sector of fire is limited;
The armor is on the front and on the sides, the rear and top parts are opened.
1. General Principe of the employment (from the captured instructions of the German Army).
The battalion can reach its full fighting ability only if it is used all at once. The Germans think that the best in the advancing battle is the close formation, in which all 22 guns are commanded by the battalion commander and are used in close co-operation with the infantry regiment at the main direction of the attack. If this is impossible, for example, in defense, the battery still retains the close formation. The battalion might be split only down to platoons, each having a separate task.
The general principle of employment is following:
on the smooth terrain StuG.'s might take forward position in front of the infantry. On the terrain, partly covered with the natural obstacles, the infantry keeps close to the guns, while on the terrain fully covered with obstacles (forest, cities, etc.) the infantry takes the forward position.
a) At the breaking fortified defense lines
The companies take positions in depth. Miners are assigned to the first line. The fire of the second echelon backs up the actions of the first echelon.
b) In offense against unfortified defense:
The unit is positioned in columns along the front line. On the open terrain, self-propelled guns take forward position. On the terrain with limited visibility, the guns move in 300-500 m behind the infantry. The places with possible anti-tank defense are fired upon preventively even without defined targets.
c) In the defense:
The battery takes the position with crew in the machines or near them. The commanding officer is with the commanding officer of the infantry unit defending the sector. Depending on the tactical situation, the battery is moved to the direction of the possible breakthrough for counter-attack.
The shooting at our tanks T-34 and KV is effected very carefully, by concentrating fire of a few guns on the selected target from the distances less than 300 m. The fire of separate guns from the distances more than 300 m is ineffective.
2. Fighting the self-propelled artillery of the enemy:
We have enough AT means in our disposal for the destruction of the German self-propelled guns, the main being the artillery of all caliber. If the battle is duly organized the directions and areas of possible attack of German self-propelled guns can be predicted with the sufficient precision.
The following basics should be applied in combat:
In the defense:
a) If our troops are at the prepared defense positions, the most effective will be the strike of the first and second echelon of the German guns. The second echelon is to be hit first by our guns at the closed and hidden positions. This is to secure the successful actions of our AT guns at the front line, which are to deal with the first line of German tanks.
With the advance of the German s.-p. guns closer than 1.5 km to our positions, they are to be eliminated by front line AT guns, while the guns at the closed positions cut the German infantry from the machines.
b) In the defense at the unprepared position it should be noted that the German guns will move in front of the infantry.
Our guns should engage the enemy before he would move in the close. Mobile AT reserve must be formed to act of the possible directions of the breakthrough.
After the breaking through our lines, all AT means, including hand grenades, are to be applied for the destruction of the German guns.
c) In the offensive actions the enemy s.-p. guns must be destroyed at their positions.
Special batteries shall be tasked with counter-battery actions. The batteries shall be assigned with clearly visible sector. The directions of the possible enemy actions must be determined in advance and firing solutions are to be determined by the commanding officers. Subject to the tactical situation the training shooting shall be performed.
In the actions inside the depth of the enemy positions, special guns (batteries) are assigned to the infantry. They take position in front of the infantry or/and at the flanks and are to be always ready for the fighting s.-p. guns.
Tanks KV and T-34 act mostly from the ambush. The assigned to the task tanks are positioned in front of the infantry or the other tanks, or/and at the flanks. Each is assigned with clearly defined sector and shall be ready to open fire at any moment.
AT rifles are effective by the shooting at the sides of self-propelled guns from 500 m or closer. AT teams take forward position or/and at the flanks.
In capturing a city, town or a village, the imperative is to secure the presence of AT means among the forward troops, as the enemy will apply self-propelled guns to restore the situation.
Signed by the Commander of Artillery of the Western Front Gen.-Lt. Camera
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evidently, the German units of self-propelled guns were very clear and present danger, to cause the special order. Interesting is, in my opinion, the close cooperation between German armor and infantry, especially so in the defense. Apparently, the Soviet tanks were no easy task for the German guns as seen from the description of the German tactics.
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Instruction on fighting German tank Pnz-VI.
Signed by Artillery Marshal Voronov
20 April 1943
In the recent battles Germans used their new heavy tank Pnz-VI named Tiger (Elefant, Henschel).
Remark: all German heavies seem to be mixed up. However, on the pictures below scanned from the instruction accurately depict early Tiger.
These tanks cover action of medium tanks, at the same time, acting themselves under the cover of medium tanks. As a rule, they do not come forward. Very often tanks T-VI open fire from distances 1.5-2.5 km.
They retreat (reverse) from under the fire of our artillery.
Dimensions of Pnz-VI.
Length - 6220 mm
Width - 3600 mm
Height - 2940 mm
Armament: one 88-mm anti-aircraft gun and two submachine guns 7.92-mm.
The front part of Pnz-VI is reliably penetrated by anti-armor shells of 45-mm guns model 1942 and 57-mm and 76-mm of all models from distances 100-700 m, by armor-piercing shells of 122-mm guns model 1931, 152-mm gun-howitzers model 1937 from 700-1000 m.
Sides, rear part and turret additionally to that are penetrated by subcaliber shells of 45-mm gun from 200-500 m, by armor-piercing shells of 57-mm AT guns, 76-mm and 85-mm antiaircraft guns from 1000 m.
Commanders of gun crews and gunners must carefully study and know vulnerable places of the tank, as well as which shell of which gun from what distance kills the tank.
Suspension, base of turret and gun are the most vulnerable places.
A hit of any shell from any gun in suspension stops the tank. The best is firing from angles 0-30° as in this case a few wheels are damaged and track is broken.
A hit in the base of turret blocks it and prevents rotation of the turret in the desired direction, The tank has to turn and expose to the fire its most vulnerable places.
A hit in the gun forces the tank to disengage from the battle.
Damaged tank that retained its armament and some fighting ability must be rendered useless by fire at its gun and turret.
Remark: it shows respect to Tiger as the instruction demands to shoot at Tiger until it has only wheels left.
A gun must pick up target among attacking tanks with the consideration of best shooting angles 0-30° , that is, the target must be to the side of the gun.
Guns of all types fire the standard shells only at suspension, turret's base and gun.
By subcaliber and armor-piercing shells the fire is effected from:
45-mm gun model 1937
suspension, turret's base and gun - by armor-piercing shells;
from 200 m at sides, rear and turret - by subcaliber shell;
45-mm gun model 1942
suspension, turret's base and gun - by armor-piercing shells;
from 500 m at sides and turret - by sun-caliber shell;
from 100 m at front part.
57-mm gun
from 600 m at sides, rear and turret - by armor-piercing shells;
from 500 m at front part by sub-caliber shells.
76-mm gun model 1942
at suspension, turret and gun;
from 700 m at sides, rear, turret - by sub-caliber shells;
from 100 m at front part.
76-mm AA gun
from 500 m at sides, rear and turret - by armor-piercing shells;
from 700 m at the front part by sub-caliber part.
85-mm AA gun
from 1000 m at sides, rear and turret.
122-mm model 1931
from 1000 m by armor-piercing shell at the front part. Rear, sides and turret can be hit from 1500 m.
152-mm gun-howitzer model 1937
from 1000 m by armor-piercing shell at sides, rear and turret. Front part can be hit from 500 m.
Commanders of gun crews and gunners must allow tank to close up, as close as possible, and open fire from distances securing reliable destruction.
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From the Order of the Commander of the 1st Baltic Front No.02119 of May 22, 1944.
To: Commanders of the 6th Guard, 4th Storm and 43rd Armies
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. The experience of the recent battles proved the changes in the German tactics. Instead of sending the heavy tanks (Pz.-V, Pz.-VI) forward, the enemy detaches the small group of light and medium tanks with the objective to reveal the positions of our guns and other AT means. At the moment when the forward group attacks our positions, the heavy tanks wage counter-battery fire on the suppression of the revealed AT means from the distance of 1.5-2 km, from the shot stops. This tactics allows the Germans to secure the success of their tank attacks.
It was noted that some our commanding officers open the fire from all points without waiting the Germans to close. It is absolutely clear that the aim of enemy's actions is exactly to make our troops reveal the positions of AT means.
2. Despite all the efforts invested in the organizing AT units, it was observed that in the direct violation of orders, the completion of these units is not upto the demands.
3. It was observed that our troops can not use the terrain for setting the effective AT defense.
I command:
1. Open the fire only at the close, point blank ranges allowing effective destruction of the German tanks.
2. Using the natural obstacles, prepare the ambushes.
3. On the open terrain, prepare fire sacks for the German tanks. For the purpose, on the directions of the probable tank attacks, special guns (battery) for the attracting the enemy's tanks by the fire from 1,5 km under the flank fire of the hidden guns. Mine fields on flanks of these sacks are desirable.
4. For fighting heavy tanks and self-propelled guns, use SU-85, 122- and 152-mm gun batteries. The fire should be opened before all targets are determined and are at the range of the effective hit. These groups are included in the general anti-tank defense of the sectors and must be in contact with other AT units. The groups are to be hidden to prevent the enemy finding them.
5. The officers guilty of the premature opening the fire are to severely punished
11. The front line must be enforced by mine fields on the tank dangerous directions. The mines shall be placed not further than 30-50 m from our positions.
13. The minefields are to covered by gun batteries. Recommended is the positioning of guns so as to make Germans to turn on the mine fields.
Each gun must be assigned clearly defined sector of fire.
14. On the important direction, not less than 15-25 At guns on 1 km of the from line must be placed in three lines. The first line is placed on the second line of the defense, the second and third AT lines - in 600 km one after another.
15. The sectors assigned to heavy gun batteries must overlap each other on the minefields.
16. The plans of fire are to be agreed with Commanders of artillery. Cooperation between troops is to be verified by the Commander of the Front.
21. Special care shall be taken to provide the engineer and AT units with sufficient number of transport means to allow their fast transfer between sectors.
Signed by the Commander of the 1st Baltic front Guard General Bagramian.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have omitted the typical for the time passages about intensifying the political work among the troops etc. Tigers were always the first care of the Red Army.
Other orders prescribe to destroy Tigers by all means with stress on the reactive artillery "Katjusha's", which seem to be the reliable cure against Tigers and Ferdinands. At he same time this order gives clear picture of tactics used by the opposing sides.
Hannibal
For those who have little accurate knowledge of WW2 ive included a few of the time general orders to show how the battles that shapped our world were fought. This may come as a shock to those used to playing wargames as compared to the way it happens in reality. You may not think Squad leader in quite the same way after reading this.
From the order No.259 of December 27, 1942
Signed by Commander of the Western Front General Konev.
Recommendations on the fighting enemy's self-propelled guns.
The enemy has widely used self-propelled guns (StuG.) with main characteristics:
The gun is installed on the chassis of the middle tank;
Caliber 75 mm;
The horizontal sector of fire is limited;
The armor is on the front and on the sides, the rear and top parts are opened.
1. General Principe of the employment (from the captured instructions of the German Army).
The battalion can reach its full fighting ability only if it is used all at once. The Germans think that the best in the advancing battle is the close formation, in which all 22 guns are commanded by the battalion commander and are used in close co-operation with the infantry regiment at the main direction of the attack. If this is impossible, for example, in defense, the battery still retains the close formation. The battalion might be split only down to platoons, each having a separate task.
The general principle of employment is following:
on the smooth terrain StuG.'s might take forward position in front of the infantry. On the terrain, partly covered with the natural obstacles, the infantry keeps close to the guns, while on the terrain fully covered with obstacles (forest, cities, etc.) the infantry takes the forward position.
a) At the breaking fortified defense lines
The companies take positions in depth. Miners are assigned to the first line. The fire of the second echelon backs up the actions of the first echelon.
b) In offense against unfortified defense:
The unit is positioned in columns along the front line. On the open terrain, self-propelled guns take forward position. On the terrain with limited visibility, the guns move in 300-500 m behind the infantry. The places with possible anti-tank defense are fired upon preventively even without defined targets.
c) In the defense:
The battery takes the position with crew in the machines or near them. The commanding officer is with the commanding officer of the infantry unit defending the sector. Depending on the tactical situation, the battery is moved to the direction of the possible breakthrough for counter-attack.
The shooting at our tanks T-34 and KV is effected very carefully, by concentrating fire of a few guns on the selected target from the distances less than 300 m. The fire of separate guns from the distances more than 300 m is ineffective.
2. Fighting the self-propelled artillery of the enemy:
We have enough AT means in our disposal for the destruction of the German self-propelled guns, the main being the artillery of all caliber. If the battle is duly organized the directions and areas of possible attack of German self-propelled guns can be predicted with the sufficient precision.
The following basics should be applied in combat:
In the defense:
a) If our troops are at the prepared defense positions, the most effective will be the strike of the first and second echelon of the German guns. The second echelon is to be hit first by our guns at the closed and hidden positions. This is to secure the successful actions of our AT guns at the front line, which are to deal with the first line of German tanks.
With the advance of the German s.-p. guns closer than 1.5 km to our positions, they are to be eliminated by front line AT guns, while the guns at the closed positions cut the German infantry from the machines.
b) In the defense at the unprepared position it should be noted that the German guns will move in front of the infantry.
Our guns should engage the enemy before he would move in the close. Mobile AT reserve must be formed to act of the possible directions of the breakthrough.
After the breaking through our lines, all AT means, including hand grenades, are to be applied for the destruction of the German guns.
c) In the offensive actions the enemy s.-p. guns must be destroyed at their positions.
Special batteries shall be tasked with counter-battery actions. The batteries shall be assigned with clearly visible sector. The directions of the possible enemy actions must be determined in advance and firing solutions are to be determined by the commanding officers. Subject to the tactical situation the training shooting shall be performed.
In the actions inside the depth of the enemy positions, special guns (batteries) are assigned to the infantry. They take position in front of the infantry or/and at the flanks and are to be always ready for the fighting s.-p. guns.
Tanks KV and T-34 act mostly from the ambush. The assigned to the task tanks are positioned in front of the infantry or the other tanks, or/and at the flanks. Each is assigned with clearly defined sector and shall be ready to open fire at any moment.
AT rifles are effective by the shooting at the sides of self-propelled guns from 500 m or closer. AT teams take forward position or/and at the flanks.
In capturing a city, town or a village, the imperative is to secure the presence of AT means among the forward troops, as the enemy will apply self-propelled guns to restore the situation.
Signed by the Commander of Artillery of the Western Front Gen.-Lt. Camera
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evidently, the German units of self-propelled guns were very clear and present danger, to cause the special order. Interesting is, in my opinion, the close cooperation between German armor and infantry, especially so in the defense. Apparently, the Soviet tanks were no easy task for the German guns as seen from the description of the German tactics.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instruction on fighting German tank Pnz-VI.
Signed by Artillery Marshal Voronov
20 April 1943
In the recent battles Germans used their new heavy tank Pnz-VI named Tiger (Elefant, Henschel).
Remark: all German heavies seem to be mixed up. However, on the pictures below scanned from the instruction accurately depict early Tiger.
These tanks cover action of medium tanks, at the same time, acting themselves under the cover of medium tanks. As a rule, they do not come forward. Very often tanks T-VI open fire from distances 1.5-2.5 km.
They retreat (reverse) from under the fire of our artillery.
Dimensions of Pnz-VI.
Length - 6220 mm
Width - 3600 mm
Height - 2940 mm
Armament: one 88-mm anti-aircraft gun and two submachine guns 7.92-mm.
The front part of Pnz-VI is reliably penetrated by anti-armor shells of 45-mm guns model 1942 and 57-mm and 76-mm of all models from distances 100-700 m, by armor-piercing shells of 122-mm guns model 1931, 152-mm gun-howitzers model 1937 from 700-1000 m.
Sides, rear part and turret additionally to that are penetrated by subcaliber shells of 45-mm gun from 200-500 m, by armor-piercing shells of 57-mm AT guns, 76-mm and 85-mm antiaircraft guns from 1000 m.
Commanders of gun crews and gunners must carefully study and know vulnerable places of the tank, as well as which shell of which gun from what distance kills the tank.
Suspension, base of turret and gun are the most vulnerable places.
A hit of any shell from any gun in suspension stops the tank. The best is firing from angles 0-30° as in this case a few wheels are damaged and track is broken.
A hit in the base of turret blocks it and prevents rotation of the turret in the desired direction, The tank has to turn and expose to the fire its most vulnerable places.
A hit in the gun forces the tank to disengage from the battle.
Damaged tank that retained its armament and some fighting ability must be rendered useless by fire at its gun and turret.
Remark: it shows respect to Tiger as the instruction demands to shoot at Tiger until it has only wheels left.
A gun must pick up target among attacking tanks with the consideration of best shooting angles 0-30° , that is, the target must be to the side of the gun.
Guns of all types fire the standard shells only at suspension, turret's base and gun.
By subcaliber and armor-piercing shells the fire is effected from:
45-mm gun model 1937
suspension, turret's base and gun - by armor-piercing shells;
from 200 m at sides, rear and turret - by subcaliber shell;
45-mm gun model 1942
suspension, turret's base and gun - by armor-piercing shells;
from 500 m at sides and turret - by sun-caliber shell;
from 100 m at front part.
57-mm gun
from 600 m at sides, rear and turret - by armor-piercing shells;
from 500 m at front part by sub-caliber shells.
76-mm gun model 1942
at suspension, turret and gun;
from 700 m at sides, rear, turret - by sub-caliber shells;
from 100 m at front part.
76-mm AA gun
from 500 m at sides, rear and turret - by armor-piercing shells;
from 700 m at the front part by sub-caliber part.
85-mm AA gun
from 1000 m at sides, rear and turret.
122-mm model 1931
from 1000 m by armor-piercing shell at the front part. Rear, sides and turret can be hit from 1500 m.
152-mm gun-howitzer model 1937
from 1000 m by armor-piercing shell at sides, rear and turret. Front part can be hit from 500 m.
Commanders of gun crews and gunners must allow tank to close up, as close as possible, and open fire from distances securing reliable destruction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the Order of the Commander of the 1st Baltic Front No.02119 of May 22, 1944.
To: Commanders of the 6th Guard, 4th Storm and 43rd Armies
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. The experience of the recent battles proved the changes in the German tactics. Instead of sending the heavy tanks (Pz.-V, Pz.-VI) forward, the enemy detaches the small group of light and medium tanks with the objective to reveal the positions of our guns and other AT means. At the moment when the forward group attacks our positions, the heavy tanks wage counter-battery fire on the suppression of the revealed AT means from the distance of 1.5-2 km, from the shot stops. This tactics allows the Germans to secure the success of their tank attacks.
It was noted that some our commanding officers open the fire from all points without waiting the Germans to close. It is absolutely clear that the aim of enemy's actions is exactly to make our troops reveal the positions of AT means.
2. Despite all the efforts invested in the organizing AT units, it was observed that in the direct violation of orders, the completion of these units is not upto the demands.
3. It was observed that our troops can not use the terrain for setting the effective AT defense.
I command:
1. Open the fire only at the close, point blank ranges allowing effective destruction of the German tanks.
2. Using the natural obstacles, prepare the ambushes.
3. On the open terrain, prepare fire sacks for the German tanks. For the purpose, on the directions of the probable tank attacks, special guns (battery) for the attracting the enemy's tanks by the fire from 1,5 km under the flank fire of the hidden guns. Mine fields on flanks of these sacks are desirable.
4. For fighting heavy tanks and self-propelled guns, use SU-85, 122- and 152-mm gun batteries. The fire should be opened before all targets are determined and are at the range of the effective hit. These groups are included in the general anti-tank defense of the sectors and must be in contact with other AT units. The groups are to be hidden to prevent the enemy finding them.
5. The officers guilty of the premature opening the fire are to severely punished
11. The front line must be enforced by mine fields on the tank dangerous directions. The mines shall be placed not further than 30-50 m from our positions.
13. The minefields are to covered by gun batteries. Recommended is the positioning of guns so as to make Germans to turn on the mine fields.
Each gun must be assigned clearly defined sector of fire.
14. On the important direction, not less than 15-25 At guns on 1 km of the from line must be placed in three lines. The first line is placed on the second line of the defense, the second and third AT lines - in 600 km one after another.
15. The sectors assigned to heavy gun batteries must overlap each other on the minefields.
16. The plans of fire are to be agreed with Commanders of artillery. Cooperation between troops is to be verified by the Commander of the Front.
21. Special care shall be taken to provide the engineer and AT units with sufficient number of transport means to allow their fast transfer between sectors.
Signed by the Commander of the 1st Baltic front Guard General Bagramian.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have omitted the typical for the time passages about intensifying the political work among the troops etc. Tigers were always the first care of the Red Army.
Other orders prescribe to destroy Tigers by all means with stress on the reactive artillery "Katjusha's", which seem to be the reliable cure against Tigers and Ferdinands. At he same time this order gives clear picture of tactics used by the opposing sides.
Hannibal
