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.
a: PURPOSE.
The purpose of reconnaissance and they types of units employed
to obtain information are similar in the U.S. and the German Armies.
German tactical principles of reconnaissance, however, diverge
somewhat from those of the U.S. The Germans stress aggressiveness,
attempt to obtain superiority in the area to be reconnoitered,
and strive for continuous observation of the enemy. They believe in
employing reconnaissance units in force as a rule. They expect
and are prepared to fight to obtain the desired information.
Often they assign supplementary tasks to their reconnaissance units,
such as sabotage behind enemy lines, harassment, or counter-
reconnaissance.
b. TECHNIQUE.
Only enough reconnaissance troops are sent on a mission to assure
superiority in the area to be reconnoitered. Reserves are kept
on hand to be committed when the reconnaissance must be
intensified, when the original force meets strong enemy opposition,
or when the direction and area to be reconnoitered are changed.
The Germans encourage aggressive action against enemy security
forces. When their reconnaissance units meet superior forces, they
fight a delaying action while other units attempt to flank the
enemy.
c. CLASSIFICATION.
Reconnaissance is classified by the Germans as operational, tactical,
and battle reconnaissance - corresponding to the U.S. distant,
close, and battle reconnaissance.
Operational reconnaissance, penetrating over a large area in
great depth, provides the basis for strategic planning and
action. This type of reconnaissance is intended to determine
the location and activities of enemy forces, particularly
localities of rail concentrations, forward or rearward
displacements of personnel, loading or unloading areas of
army elements, the construction of field or permanent
fortifications, and hostile air force concentrations.
Identification of large enemy motorized elements, especially
on an open flank, is important. Operational reconnaissance is
carried out by the Air Force and by motorized units. Aerial
photography units operate at altitudes of 16,500 to 26,500
feet. Since missions assigned to operational air reconnaissance
are generally limited to the observation of important roads
and railroads, reconnaissance sectors and areas normally
are not assigned. The motorized units employed for
operational reconnaissance have only directions and
objectives assigned.
3. TACTICAL RECONNAISSANCE (Taktische Aufklarung)
a. PURPOSE
Tactical reconnaissance, carried out in the area behind the
operational reconnaissance, provides the basis for the commitment
of troops. Its mission embraces identification of the enemy's
organization, disposition, strength, and antiaircraft defense;
determination of the enemy's reinforcement capabilities; and
terrain reconnaissance of advance sectors. Air Force
reconnaissance units and motorized and mounted reconnaissance
battalions are employed for tactical reconnaissance. Their
direction and radius of employment are based upon the results
of the operational reconnaissance.
b. AIR RECONNAISSANCE.
Tactical air reconnaissance is normally made from altitudes of
6,500 to 16,000 feet. As a rule, air reconnaissance units
are assigned specific reconnaissance areas, the boundaries
of which normally do not coincide with sectors assigned to
ground units. Reconnaissance planes generally are employed
singly.
c. GROUND RECONNAISSANCE.
Sectors of responsibility are assigned to ground tactical
reconnaissance battalions. In order to make them independent
or to facilitate their change of direction, battalions may
be assigned only reconnaissance objectives. In such instances,
boundary lines separate adjacent units. The Germans avoid
using main roads as boundary lines, defining the sectors
in such a way that main roads fall within the reconnaissance
sectors. The width of a sector is determined by the situation,
the type and strength of the reconnaissance battalion,
the road net, and the terrain. In general, the width of a
sector assigned to a motorized reconnaissance battalion does
not exceed 30 miles.
d. ORDERS FOR TACTICAL RECONNAISSANCE.
Orders issued to a reconnaissance battalion or it's patrols
normally contain, in addition to the mission, the following:
(1) Line of departure
(2) Information concerning adjacent reconnaissance units
(3) Sector boundaries or direction of operation.
(4) Objectives.
(5) Phase lines.
(6) Instructions for transmission of reports.
(7) Location of immediate objectives whose attainment is to
be reported.
(8) Instructions regarding air-ground liaison.
(9) Time of departure, route, and objective of the main force.
e. TACTICAL RECONNAISSANCE PROCEDURES.
When a motorized reconnaissance column expects contact with the
enemy, it advances by leaps and bounds. The length of bounds
depends on the cover the terrain offers as well as on the road
net. As the distance from the enemy decreases, the bounds are
shortened. The Germans utilize roads as long as possible and
usually use different routes for the advance and the return.
The reconnaissance battalion commander normally sends out
patrols which advance by bounds. Their distance in front of
the battalion depends on the situation, the terrain, and
the range of the signal equipment, but as a rule they are not
more than an hour's traveling distance (about 25 miles)
ahead of the battalion. The battalion serves as the reserve
for the patrols and as an advance message center (Meldekopf),
collecting the messages and relaying them to the rear.
Armored reconnaissance cars, armored half-tracks, or
motorcycles compose the motorized reconnaissance patrols,
whose exact composition depends on their mission and on
the situation. Motorcycles are used to fill in gaps and
intervals, thereby thickening the reconnaissance net.
When the proximity of the enemy does not permit profitable
employment of the motorized reconnaissance battalion, it is
withdrawn and the motorized elements of the divisional
reconnaissance battalion take over.
Divisional reconnaissance battalions seldom operate more
than one day's march (18 miles) in front of the division,
covering an area approximately 6 miles wide.
4. BATTLE RECONNAISSANCE. (Gefechtsaufklarung)
a. GENERAL
Battle reconnaissance as a rule is begun when the opposing
forces begin to deploy. All troops participating in battle
carry out battle reconnaissance through patrols, artillery
observation posts, observation battalions, and air
reconnaissance units. The information obtained on the
organization and strength of the enemy provides the basis
for the conduct of the battle.
b. ARMORED CAR PATROLS.
The Panzer division dispatches armored reconnaissance units
equipped with armored vehicles and numerous automatic weapons.
The armored reconnaissance unit is fast and has a wide
radius of action.
Armored car patrols normally are composed of three armored
reconnaissance cars, one of which is equipped with radio. An
artillery observer often accompanies the patrol so that in
an emergency fire can be brought down quickly. This type of
patrol usually is organized for missions lasting one to two
days. Tasks are defined clearly, and nothing is allowed to
interfere with the patrol’s main objective. If enemy forces
are met, action is avoided unless the force is so weak that
it can be destroyed without diverting the patrol from it's
main task. If enemy action is anticipated, the patrol is
reinforced with self-propelled guns and occasionally with
tanks. Engineers and motorcyclists are often attached to
the patrol to deal with road blocks and demolition’s.
While scouting a woods, a favorite German ruse is to drive
the leading car towards it's edge, halt briefly to observe,
and then drive off rapidly, hoping to draw enemy fire that
will disclose the enemy positions.
At road blocks, the leading car opens fire. If fire is not
returned, men dismount and go forward to attach tow ropes to
the road block. If necessary, the patrol dismounts and
proceeds with machine guns to reconnoiter on foot.
A patrol is never split up, but in open country distances
between cars may be as much as 200 to 300 yards.
c. OBSERVATION BATTALION AND AIR RECONNAISSANCE.
The German observation battalion locates enemy artillery
and heavy weapons positions by sound and flash ranging and
evaluated aerial photographs. The Air Force assists in
battalion reconnaissance by observing the distribution of
the enemy's forces, his artillery, bivouac and movements,
reserves, tank assemblies, and any other special occurrences
behind the front. In general, air battle reconnaissance is
executed under 6,000 feet.
d. BATTLE RECONNAISSANCE PATROLS (Spahtruppen)
The Germans send out reconnaissance patrols consisting of
a noncommissioned officer and three or four men, to get such
information as the location of enemy positions and minefields.
They generally avoid contact and retreat when fired on.
e. COMBAT PATROLS (Gefechtsspahtruppen or Strosstruppen)
These consist of at least one noncommissioned officer and
eight men, but are usually stronger. As a rule, the combat
patrol is commanded by a sergeant who has under him 15 to 20
men, organized in two equal sections, each commanded by a
section leader. These are raiding patrols, and their mission
often includes bringing back prisoners of war. Since Allied
air supremacy has neutralized German air reconnaissance to
a great extent, the Germans have placed increased importance
on prisoners of war, especially officers, as a source of
information on enemy strength, dispositions, and intentions.
Combat or other types of patrols are often sent out to test
the strength of enemy outposts. If an outpost proves to be
weakly held, the patrol attacks, occupies the position, and
remains there until relieved by troops from the rear. If the
patrol is strongly garrisoned, the patrol attempts to
return with a prisoner of war.
f. SPECIAL PATROLS (Spahtruppen mit besonderen Aufgaben)
These vary in strength in accordance with their special mission.
Special patrols are sent to carry out such tasks as demolitions,
engaging of enemy patrols that have penetrated German positions,
and ambushing enemy supply columns.
g. MISCELLANEOUS RECONNAISSANCE.
Engineer patrols are employed to reconnoiter approaches to
fortified areas, defiles, or rivers. Artillery patrols, usually
consisting of an officer and a few mounted men, reconnoiter
routes of approach, observation posts, and firing positions.
h. TERRAIN RECONNAISSANCE. (Gelandeerkundung)
The Germans place great emphasis on terrain reconnaissance,
realizing the influence terrain has upon the conduct of
operations. Most of their usual reconnaissance missions
include terrain reconnaissance tasks. Terrain may be so
important at times as to require reconnaissance by special
units. Ground and air reconnaissance units give special
attention to the road net - its density, condition, road blocks,
mines, and demolition - as well to the terrain itself,
particularly tank country.
i. EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT.
The Germans equip their ground battle-reconnaissance patrols
with machine pistols and one or two light machine guns that
are used to cover the patrol's approach or withdrawal.
Engineers often are attached to guide a patrol through German
minefields and to clear a way through enemy wire or mines.
Artillery support is given in the form of harassing fire
put down just before the patrol reaches its objective.
Sometimes the artillery fires into adjacent sectors to
mislead the enemy as to the actual area to be reconnoitered.
In other instances, artillery and mortars that have
registered during the previous day shell during the
night the area to be reconnoitered. As soon as the barrage
is lifted, the patrol advances under cover of machine-gun
fire from flanking positions.
