Creating the Battle of the Bulge.....Wacht Am Rhine (2 Viewers)

[panda1gen]

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.

 

[panda1gen]

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.

 

[panda1gen]

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.






View attachment 205283

View attachment 205284

 

[panda1gen]

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.

 

[villagehorse]

Amazing amount of detail, lots of stats. Things you do not think about, but you can see they are necessary if advances are to gain maximum effect. Logically all the points are fairly basic, but interesting all the same. Robin.

 

[arditi]

Wow. There are some dramatic photos in there. I like how you used shadow. I may have to borrow from your experience Sir. Great job.

 

[panda1gen]

Wow. There are some dramatic photos in there. I like how you used shadow. I may have to borrow from your experience Sir. Great job.

thanks

 

[Louis Badolato]

Kevin,

Great to see you posting, my friend! ^&cool^&cool My family and I are coming to Great Britain in August, so I hope to see you, Clive, Bob, Rob and all my other UK buddies!{sm4}

 

[panda1gen]

Kevin,

Great to see you posting, my friend! ^&cool^&cool My family and I are coming to Great Britain in August, so I hope to see you, Clive, Bob, Rob and all my other UK buddies!{sm4}

Hi Louis

I hope to see you then

Kevin

 

[panda1gen]

If I have posted these before apologies.

 

[Wraith]

If I have posted these before apologies.

Nobody would know, so I think you're safe{sm4}
Evening

 

[villagehorse]

I have finally ventured into the snow in the last year, so this thread is much more relevant to me these days. Intend to troll thru it for inspiration. Robin.

 

[wayne556517]

Never apologize one of the best threads on the forum

 

[Louis Badolato]

I had a phone conversation with Kevin (Panda1gen) about a week ago. He is still sadly home bound, but his sense of humor and spirits remain unbowed. I hope he has the energy to continue posting his excellent photos on this thread!

 

[panda1gen]

Nobody would know, so I think you're safe{sm4}
Evening

'Evening all' ......



Safe? Nobody would know what?

 

[panda1gen]

I have finally ventured into the snow in the last year, so this thread is much more relevant to me these days. Intend to troll thru it for inspiration. Robin.

Your thread is amazing, thanks for the kind words.

 

[panda1gen]

Never apologize one of the best threads on the forum

Thanks Wayne, I enjoy your posts.

 

[panda1gen]

I had a phone conversation with Kevin (Panda1gen) about a week ago. He is still sadly home bound, but his sense of humor and spirits remain unbowed. I hope he has the energy to continue posting his excellent photos on this thread!

Louis, it is your fault I booked the ten year argument.

 

[panda1gen]

Congressional Medal of Honor

ARTHUR O. BEYER

Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company C, 603d Tank Destroyer Battalion.
Place and date: Near Arloncourt, Belgium, 15 January 1945.
Entered service at: St. Ansgar, Iowa.
Born: 20 May 1909, Rock Township, Mitchell County, Iowa.
G.O. No.: 73, 30 August 1945.


​

Cpl. Beyer's platoon, in which he was a tank-destroyer gunner, was held up by antitank, machinegun, and rifle fire from enemy troops dug in along a ridge about 200 yards to the front.



Noting a machine gun position in this defense line, he fired upon it with his 76-mm. gun killing one man and silencing the weapon.





He dismounted from his vehicle and, under direct enemy observation, crossed open ground to capture the two remaining members of the crew.



Another machine gun, about 250 yards to the left, continued to fire on him.



Through withering fire, he advanced on the position. Throwing a grenade into the emplacement, he killed one crew member and again captured the two survivors. He was subjected to concentrated small-arms fire but, with great bravery, he worked his way a quarter mile along the ridge, attacking hostile soldiers in their foxholes with his carbine and grenades.

When he had completed his self-imposed mission against powerful German forces, he had destroyed two machine gun positions, killed eight of the enemy and captured 18 prisoners, including two bazooka teams.

Cpl. Beyer's intrepid action and unflinching determination to close with and destroy the enemy eliminated the German defense line and enabled his task force to gain its objective.

 

[Louis Badolato]

That was never 10 years!{sm4}