A large excerpt from MS D-22 By generalmajor Prinner
"In regard to the employment and tactics of artillery in delaying action, the following may be said
1) Artillery occupying lines of resistance too the approaching enemy under fire at maximum range. The enemy was to be force to deploy as soon as possible. For this purpose it went into position well up toward the front in the zone of resistance, deployed on a broad front. Good observation posts were of great importance in this connection. They afforded visibility into the terrain over which the enemy would have to make his approach march, thus enabling us to take him under early observation. We also had a predilection for putting into the foremost lines individual pieces of the batteries that were in action, usually with the outposts. These pieces acted in closest cooperation with the foremost infantry units. In order to carry out their mission, these individual pieces were highly mobile. Consequently they were also known as roving guns. In actions of this type, the forward observers of the batteries proved especially valuable and rendered excellent service in the transmission of intelligence. The employment of these observers, too was of a highly mobile order. Thanks to their radio equipment, they were not permanently tied down to any special place. To be sure, the use of individual pieces in the very front line involved the inherent risk that they would not be able to escape if the enemy pursued sharply. However if they fulfilled their task completely, there was no necessity for shrinking from losing them. In such cases, they were blown up at the last minute.
2) As always in the employment of artillery, well-functioning communications were of decisive importance. Long wire lines could not be laid under these combat conditions, therefore more use had to be made of radio equipment. Withdrawal movements usually proceeded very rapidly. There was rarely time to reel in wire properly. It was very helpful if an artillery plane was available.It was especially able to observe the approach of enemy forces in ample time, and their movement into assembly areas. It could also call for fire on them and adjust the fire. The radio to receive these directions was set up in the firing position of the so called plane control battery, usually 100mm guns, so that a quick opening of fire was assured. The fire concentration of all batteries could then be directed by the battalion by means of the fire control map.
3) The distribution of ammunition was based on the following considerations: the advance guns were to fire as much as possible to simulate a powerful artillery. It was necessary therefore, that a great amount of ammunition be laid down near them. The batteries were supplied with sufficient ammunition at the guns. Ammunition trucks which were no longer needed were immediately sent to the rear in order to supply ammunition to positions being prepared farther in rear. In this way the tranbsport of ammunition to the rear was avoided. After that it did not enter into consideration. The dumped ammunition was fired. If the enemy situation was so dangerous as to preclude doing so,it was blown up."
to be continued.
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Artillery in the delaying action
Re: Artillery in the delaying action
MS D-22 continued
"4) The reconnaissance of the roads leading back from the first line of resistance to the next was likewise of great importance. It was necessary at any time of the day or night to be able quickly to leave the position occupied at the moment, and, if possible, to do so unseen by the enemy. This was especially true in the case of single pieces that had been set up all the way to the front as far as the outposts. For this reason it was also necessary to have the gun limbers in close proximity to the guns, in contrast to their usual position. In order not to give rise to nervousness which might have caused too early a withdrawal from the position, the order for its abandonment was usually given very late. By then time was getting short. The preparations therefore , could not be carried out thoroughly enough. The roads had to be reconnoitered back to the second line of resistance. In the marking of these routes it has been found advantageous to use previously prepared paper strips with definite signs known only to the troops concerned(luminous paint if possible).
5.The execution of the change of position necessitated a precise time schedule. Horse drawn and motorized units were routed over separate roads, if possible . Precise regulation of traffic and perfect march discipline were essential. The horse drawn batteries were assigned positions in the rear from the very start. Those guns remaining in contact with the enemy longest were motorized. If this was not possible, horse-drawn guns were at least temporarily provided with extemporized prime movers."
"4) The reconnaissance of the roads leading back from the first line of resistance to the next was likewise of great importance. It was necessary at any time of the day or night to be able quickly to leave the position occupied at the moment, and, if possible, to do so unseen by the enemy. This was especially true in the case of single pieces that had been set up all the way to the front as far as the outposts. For this reason it was also necessary to have the gun limbers in close proximity to the guns, in contrast to their usual position. In order not to give rise to nervousness which might have caused too early a withdrawal from the position, the order for its abandonment was usually given very late. By then time was getting short. The preparations therefore , could not be carried out thoroughly enough. The roads had to be reconnoitered back to the second line of resistance. In the marking of these routes it has been found advantageous to use previously prepared paper strips with definite signs known only to the troops concerned(luminous paint if possible).
5.The execution of the change of position necessitated a precise time schedule. Horse drawn and motorized units were routed over separate roads, if possible . Precise regulation of traffic and perfect march discipline were essential. The horse drawn batteries were assigned positions in the rear from the very start. Those guns remaining in contact with the enemy longest were motorized. If this was not possible, horse-drawn guns were at least temporarily provided with extemporized prime movers."
Re: Artillery in the delaying action
MS D-22 end
" 6) In the same way the road conditions back to the next line of resistance had to be carefully reconnoitered , so the fire positions of the battery themselves had to be selected. The basic conditions for artillery action had to be established. As a matter of course the extent to which this was possible in each individual case depended on the amount of time available. In any case, the socalled advance party always had to be where it could be reached and had to be immediately available. The advance party had the mission to take care of all these preparatory muissions in the new firing position and, so to speak had 'to make the bed'. The artillery survey detachment in particular had to perform its chief task here, it was the most important part of the advance party.
Part of the preparations CONSISTED in designating targets in the future enemy area and making up a range-deflection plan, from which the range and deflection of any enemy target appearing could be obtainede at once; Only in this way was it later possible to conduct the fire smoothly and rapidly. "
" 6) In the same way the road conditions back to the next line of resistance had to be carefully reconnoitered , so the fire positions of the battery themselves had to be selected. The basic conditions for artillery action had to be established. As a matter of course the extent to which this was possible in each individual case depended on the amount of time available. In any case, the socalled advance party always had to be where it could be reached and had to be immediately available. The advance party had the mission to take care of all these preparatory muissions in the new firing position and, so to speak had 'to make the bed'. The artillery survey detachment in particular had to perform its chief task here, it was the most important part of the advance party.
Part of the preparations CONSISTED in designating targets in the future enemy area and making up a range-deflection plan, from which the range and deflection of any enemy target appearing could be obtainede at once; Only in this way was it later possible to conduct the fire smoothly and rapidly. "