OSPREY Onis Ta aliee World War II Infantry Assault Tactics Gordon L Rottman - Illustrated by Peter DennisElite - 160 The history of military forces, artefacts, personalities and techniques of warfare Unrivalled detail Photographs OsPREY PUBLISHING www.ospreypublishing.com World War II Infantry Assault Tactics This book, by a professional infantryman of Jong experience, explains and illustrates exactly how infantry assaults were made by the main combatant armies of World War II. It describes the planning and preparation; the range of obstacles and defences likely to be found on the enemy objective; the tools and methods for overcoming obstacles and fortifications — with particular emphas the combat engineers who often on led such assaults; the weapons employed; and national differences in doctrine and practice. It is illustrated with photographs, diagrams and colour reconstructions of tactical scenarios and combat equipment. ISBN 978~1-84603-191-5 9 ll \GORDON L ROTTMAN entered tho US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training ‘as a weapons specialist. He served in the Sth Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969-70 and subsequently {in airborne infantry, long- range patrol and int ‘assignments until after 26 years. He was a ‘special operations forces ‘scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Contor for 12 years and is now a freelance writer, living in Texas. A PETER DENNIS was born Jn 1950. Inspired by contemporary magazines such as Look and Learn ho studied illustration at Liverpoo! Art College. Potor has since contributed to hundreds of books, predominantly on historical subjects, including many Osprey titles. A koon wargamer and modelmaker, he is based in Notting- hamshire, UK. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION * The rifle platoon THE OBJECTIVE * Defensive tactics - obstacles ~ field fortifications BREACHING OBSTACLES * Anti-personnel obstacles ~ anti-tank obstacles ~ crossing gaps ~ minefields DEMOLITION MATERIALS * General description: basic charges ~ special charges ~ fuses and detonators ~ injuries * National specifics: United States ~ British Commonwealth ~ Soviet Union - Germany — Japan ASSAULT TACTICS APPLIED * Weapons employment and effect ~ assault preparations — supporting fires — smoke-screens * The assault NOTES ON NATIONAL PRACTICE © United States — British Commonwealth — Soviet Union - Germany — Japan RECOMMENDED READING PLATE COMMENTARIES INDEX 13 20 30 49 60 61 Elite + 160 World War II Infantry Assault Tactics Gordon L Rottman + Illustrated by Peter Dennis Consultant editor Martin Windrow