Source: U.S. War Department "Handbook On German Military Forces" (Mar'45)
Officially released from restricted status by the U.S. Army Center For Military History.
1. GENERAL
The formations and the organizations of the march column in day
or night advances are the same in the German Army as in the U.S.
Army and are governed by the same principles. for a smooth
functioning of the march the Germans stress: systematic training
and practice; attention to physical welfare; care of vehicles
and equipment; previous reconnaissance of routes; warning orders;
and the issue of detailed march orders.
2. ORGANIZATION AND CONTROL OF THE MARCH COLUMN
In order to secure the march column against enemy attacks, the
Germans divide the column in the same manner as U.S. doctrine
prescribes, namely into Advance Guard (Vorhut), Main Body (Gros),
and Rear Guard (Nachhut). German equivalents for the U.S. terms are:
ADVANCE GUARD
Spitze - Point
Spitzenkompanie - Advance Party
Vortrupp - Support
Haupttrupp - Reserve
REAR GUARD
Nachspitze - Rear Point
Nachspitzenkompanie - Rear Party
Nachtrupp - Support
Haupttrupp - Reserve
The issue of orders for march and traffic control is the
responsibility of the higher command. Movement by road of
formations from battalion strength upward is carried out in
the Zone of the Interior at the orders of the Army High Command
(OKH) or a headquarters acting on the orders of the Army High
Command. In the Theater of War such movements are controlled by
Army Headquarters, which issues orders in accordance with
instructions from Army High Command or the Army Group. Movements
in the areas of military commanders of line-of-communication
areas are controlled by orders of the commanders of such areas.
Orders for movement are issued to the formations of fighting
troops by the operations group of headquarters; those to supply
services and units in the line-of-communication area emanate
from the supply and administrative group.
The Germans set up a well organized traffic control service
which is under the orders of the operations group. All traffic
control services usually wear orange-red brassards, while
the members of the military police are distinguished by
metal gorgets.
The Germans allot to each front-line division its own road
or sector of advance, usually marked by advance parties. General
Headquarters or any other troops directed simultaneously on
the same roads, are subordinated to the division for the
duration of the move. All-weather roads usually are allotted
to motorized or armored divisions, while subsidiary roads
are assigned to infantry divisions.
3. CONDUCT OF THE MARCH.
When a German infantry division advances along several routes,
an infantry element normally forms the head of each main body.
The commander of the main body usually marches at or near the
head of the main body. The motorized elements of the division,
unless employed on reconnaissance or security missions, are
organized into one or more motor echelons which follow the
march column by bounds, or move in a column along a separate
road. Before the march begins, the division signal battalion
lays a trunk telephone line as far forward as the situation
permits and extends this line while the march proceeds. The
leading signal unit usually marches with the support of the
advance guard and establishes telephone stations at important
points. In a march along several roads the trunk line
normally is laid along the route of the division commander
and his staff. In addition to the construction of the trunk
line, the Germans stress radio communications to the rear
and flanks, as well as the use of messengers mounted on
horses, bicycles, or motorcycles.
4. SECURITY OF MARCH COLUMNS.
As a rule, the Germans allot motorized units for the
protection of the flanks and rear of march columns. However,
a smaller unit, such as a battalion, may advance without
security detachments.
The Germans are very much concerned about antiaircraft
protective measures and often march in open columns
(Fliegermarschtiefe); an advance in deployed formation
(Fliegermarschbreite) is seldom practical. Antiaircraft
defense is concentrated at important terrain features,
such as bridges, crossroads, and defiles. Because of
Allied air supremacy the Germans now instruct their
troops to conduct movements and the transport of supplies
only at night, and without lights. They also order their
troops to leave burned out vehicles standing on the road
to attract fresh attacks by enemy aircraft.
