FOREWORD

THIS BULLETIN IS PUBLISHED INTELLIGENCE. TO AID IN EVA LUAT ING THE DATA WERE COMPILED 500 ENEMY

GERMAN ARTILLERY

FROM THE GROUND INSPECTION POSITION G-2 AREAS,

OF APPROXIMATELY

AND FROM PRISONER MIl REPORTS,

OF WAR INTERROGATIONS, PI REPORTS, AND THE

PERIODIC

REPORTS,

STUDY OF SHELLING

REPORTS AND SOUND AND FLASH REPORTS.

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

S~TION I
II III

ORGANIZATION
OCCUP AT ION"'. OF . ..... .......:'.POS _ .... ITIONS
" '

1 4 .. , <
1

. ORGANIZATION ."; ,:."

... .'

OF POSITIONS.:;

IV V

FLASH S IMULATO~S . ~D
/'

FLASH ,"-HIDERS n . "

15

; .;' ,:OBSERVATION:.

~ ..~';'
\ t.. ;

~," .,'

":""'~""

17 18

VI
VII VIII IX
X

SIGNAL COMMUNICATIONS FIRE

.n mECTION.
. I., . :'~_

.:.r

~ .:;

18
20
'

TRANSPORTATION
AMMUNITION
GERMAN MlJ>S

I,'

...~ r

.'

,\.

,,'

"

.\

20 20 FIRE 21 22

XI
XII

GERMAN COUNTERBATTERY
SUMMARY

ILLUSTRATIONS

FIGURE
1
2 :3 4 5
6

PAGE Artillery Regiment of an Infantry Division Artillery Regiment of a Panzer Division Artillery Regiment of a Panzer Grenadier Division Artillery Regiment of a GAF,Field Division Artillery Regiment of a Parachute Division Artillery Regiment of an SS Division Typical German Position layouts Layouts of Typical Position of German Dual Purpose Btry Typical German Battery Position Ammunition pits and Personnel Dugouts Typical German Dummy Positions Typical German Parapet and Revetment Flash Hiding Salt Cross section view of German Gun Position 1 2 2 2
:3 :3

7 8
9

a8mm

8 10 13 14 16 17 19

10
11

12 13 14

PHOTOORAPHS PAGE PHOTO

1
2

Be.ttery

in posi tio,n in the edge of a woods on the edge of a village

5 6
6

Guns in position
An aerial An aerial

3 4 5 6 7

photo or a self-propelled photo of a single

gun

gun

7 11

. Gun camouflaged as a ~ystack Disabled gun showing part of oamouflage net

12 15

Dummy gtm fd th oamouflage net

This booklet contains the results of a study of the German and his artillery by Headquarters VII Corps Artillery. It is a summary of the way the German has organized and employed his artillery against the VII Corps front from D-day to the present (25 Jan 19L5). VII Corps Artillery began to land in Normandy on D-day. Since then it has participated in offense, defense, pursuit, and summer and winter campaigns. Every type of German Division in the West has opposed the Corps in these battles. German artillery has been encountered in varying de~rees of intensity. The landings on the Normandy beachhead produced little real German artillery. Guns in concrete emplacements had the major role. The breakthrough at Marigny and the subsequent German oounterattack at Mortain brought forth the first real encounters with German guns of all calibers. At the Argentan Gap and in the pursuit through France and Belgium, the enemy had no opportunity to use artillery; he was forced to rely on self-propelled guns. The first time the German ende~vored to employ his artille~ in strength occurred just prior to our attack of 16 November 1944. Since that time be has attempted to use his artillery more as we do.

I.

ORGANIZATION: ARTILLERY CORPS:

Gennan "Artillery Corps" contain up to six battalions, usually four light battalions, one medium battalion, arid one heavy battalion. Artillery Corps are used to reinforce tne fires of divisional artillery regiments. VOLKS ARTILLERY CORPS: This recent oreation contains up to six battalions: 4 light battalions with l05mm Howitzers; 1 medium battalion with Russian 122mm guns; and one heavy battalion of czech 210mm guns. Battalions of Yolks Ar~ Corps have also been found to contain Russian l52mm guns and 88.mm AA guns in lieu of the normal organization. ARTI~ERY BRIGADES:

An Artillery Brigade contains up to six battalions usually of l05mm Howitzers and l50mm Howitzers. It performs substantially the same function

as an Artillery Corps. ARTILLERY REGIMENTS: The Divisional Artillery is generally organized into one regiment.

The Artillery Regiment consists of a Regimental Hq with a signal platoon, a meteorological platoon and a map reproducing platoon, and three or four Battalions. Thore usually is one light battalion for each Infantry Regiment of the supported Division, and one medium battalion which gives general support. Each Battalion has a Headquarters with a Signal and a Survey section, and three batteries each with four pieces and two light machine guns. The following are examples of DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY REGIMENT ORGANIZATIONS: Figure 1 Infantry Division Artillery Regiment II Light Bn 12 - l05mm How Horsedrawn III Light Bn IV Medium Bn ,
12 - l50mm

I Light

Bn

12 - l05mm How Horsedrawn

I? - l05mm HoW
Horsedrawn

HoW

or 8 - 150mm HoW

4 -

l05mm

Gun

Horsedrawn

- 1-

NOTE:

There has been a recent trend of six-gun battery This is for economy of personnel. Self-propelled usually emplaced with six-gun batteries. In the battalion having six-gun firing batteries, there be only two batteries to the battalion. Figure 2
. 1 ery Regirlent Panzer D1vision Art1l
I I

organization. artillery is instance of a probably would

-I

I En
12 - l05mm HoW
&

II Bn 12 - 105mm How Tractor-drawn

III Bn 12 - 150mm HoW Tractor-dra.wn

6 - l50mm How
Self-propelled

IV Bn 8 - 88 AA/AT guns 18 - 20mm AA guns 9 - 37rnrn AA guns Tractor-dra.wn

1 Btry of 6 - l50mm Rocket projectors ~ Btry of 4 - 105mm Guns Tractor-drawn

Figure 3 Panzer Grenadier Division Artillery Regiment

I
I Light En 12 - l05mm How Tractor-drawn

I
II Light Bn 12 - l05mm HoW Tractor-drawn

I
III Light Bn 12 - l05mm HoW Tractor-dra.wn

I
IV Medium En 12 - l50rnm How or 8 - l50mm How 4. - lO5mm Gun Tractor-drawn

Figure 4. GAF Field Division Artillery Regiment II Light Bn 12 - l05nun HoW Hor sedrawn ~ Horsedrawn Horsedrawn Tractor-dra.wn
IV A.A Bn

8 - 88 AA. guns
18 - 20mm AA guns

-2 -

Figure

5
He iment IV Medium Bn 12 - 150mm HoW or

Parachute Division Artiller II Light Bn 12 - l05mm How Horsedrawn

III Light Bri

l~ - l05mrn How

I Light

Bn

12 - l05mm How Horsedrawn

Horsedrawn

4 -

8 - l50mm HoW l05mm Gun

Horsedrawn

Note.

parachute Divisions encountered so far have been employed solely in a ground role as infantry divisions.

Figure 6 SS Panzer and Panzer Grenadier Division Artillery Regiment

I
I Bn 12 _ 10?rnmHow

T
II Bn 12 - l05mm How Tractor-drawn

I
III Bn12 - l05mm How Tractor-drawn

I
IV 8 18 9 Bn - 88 AA/AT Guns - 20rmn AA Guns - ; 7rnm AA Guns

7 6 - l50nml How
Self-prope lled

Tractor-drawn 1 Btry of 6 l50mm Rocket projectors 1 Btry of 4 l05nm1 Guns Tractor-drawn

VOLKSGRENADIER DIVISION ARTILLERY REGIMENT: The Volksgrenadier Division Artillery Regiments encountered have had no definite organization. The original r/o called for the same organization as an infantry division artillery regiment. Battalions do have three firin~ batteries, but these batteries may be equipped with 3 - 75mm AT guns and 3 105mm howitzers. In others, the 105 howitzer has been supplanted by 76.2mm Russian AT guns. Light battalions have also been found with 122mm guns and medium battalions with Russian l52mm guns.

I
\

-;-

ARTILLERY

BATTALIONS

MOTORIZED:

There are generally ~NO types of mo~orized battalions: (1) The original GIIQ Battalions of heavy artillery; and (2) Artillery regimen~s of destroyed divisions which have been reorganized and are now employed as GHQ Units. The latter. comprise three or four batteries and may contain any caliber and make
of gun.

ASSAULT GUN BATTALIONS: \ These battalions were originally organic with mobile divisions, but ~,; are now usually kept in a pool and allotted to divisions as needed. Each has three companies equipped with either 75mm long-barralled guns or l05mm Hows, normally a total of about 42 guns. RAILROAD ARTILLERY:

Railroad guns are generally World War I Naval guns each mounted on a railroad car. They are usually of large caliber, 24Omm, 28Omm, 37Omm~ and 62Omm. The bun section consists of an engine, the gun car, and two flat cars for shells and powder charges. SINGLE AND SELF PROPELLED GUNS: Single roving and self propelled guns of light and medium caliber constitute the enemy's most effective artillery. They are used for olose infantry support in an attack and as roving guns during quiet periods. They fire a few rounds from one position and rapidly displace to evade our counterbattery fire. In this role, German artillery has harrassed and slowed our advanoe. GHQ OBSERVATION BATTALIONS: Observation battalions are available for attachment to regiments and battalions. Each contains a Hq and survey battery, a flash b~t!erl a~4-a-,sound b~ry. The sound batte~ is se~ up to=work in six parties. It is generally employed along the MLR and microphones are spaced from 1 to 3 km apart. The flash battery sets up flash Opts on commandin roun~d uses the intersection method for loca ions. An observation battalion has been liOted on the VII Corps front only twi~ The Panzer Division has an or anio observat on batt which oontains _one SOUD p atoon, one flash platoon, and one survey platoon, totalling about 200 men.-J

II.

OCCUPAtION OF POSITIONS:

Germ~n Artillery, generally, occupies positions by battery or single pieces. The battery positions of a battalion are usually spread over a broad front.

- 4-

The Germans use single guns extensively when there is little fighting. During German attack, the number of single gun locations shows a sharp decrease. Generally, German Artillery makes the best use of tne terrain at hand. 'Their positio~s for ~ight and medium guns are usually 2 to 4 ~~ .. behind the front lines. L-Heavy Artillery occupies positions as far beck es

9 or 10

km.

German Artillery has been fOWld in position on the forward slope ofa h~ll, to place direct fire on a road ne~lork in addition to firing indirect missions. These guns are usually self-propelled or dual purpose AA - AT. The Germans have favored battery positions in orchards, hedgerows and the edges of woods. They cling closely to the outskirts of towns and villages and along the best road nets. The Germans also locate their positions in quarrys, astride railroad tracks, in caves, and under bridges. Such positions usually afford a wide field of fire and usually provide good defilade.

Photo 1 _ Battery in position in tne edge of a woods.

- 5 -

Photo 2 - Guns in position

an

the edge of a village.

Guns placed in open fields, are normally self-propelled or dual purpose AA - AT guns. self-propelled guns also take full advantage of underpasses and sheds. These guns often move up and down roads at night firing a few rounds from one position and then moving on to another.

Photo

3 - An aerial photo of a self-propelled gun.

- 6 -

Single guns use roads, narrow alleys in towns and villages, of houses, haystacks and positions alongside pillboxes.

the ruins

Photo

4 -

An aerial photo of a single gun,

\ German Artillery does not rely on any set pattern for gun p08ition~ ~e of fire, camouflage and terrain go~n.l In a The norma actors 0 wooas or along the edge of a road~ they have placed their guns in a straight line. In field, orchards or towns, they normally use s~aggered formations, such as the following:

o
CJ

o
10(

D
CJ Cl

CJ

Figure

7 - Typical German Position Layouts.

- 1-

There have been instances .of 88mm dual-purpose guns occupying a position aooording to anti-aircraft prinoiples, when being used exclusively for Field 'Artiller,y purposes. In such a situation the guns would probably use one of these plans wi t;h a few variations from time to time.

Figure 8 _ Layouts of typical position of German 88mm Dual Purpose Btry

- 8 -

Sometimes a railroad gun is emplaoed near a tunnel or shed in whioh the gun is oonoealed when it is not firing; other railroad guns have been moved several kilometers fram their plaoe of oonoealment to the firing position. They are usually moved into position after darkness and returned to oover before dawn. The firing position is usually on a curve in the traok; def1eotion ohanges are made by moving the gtm along the curve. Adjustment is effeoted by flank observers with radio oo.mmunioations, by means of high bursts. An impact fuze is used in fire for effect.

III ORGANIZATION OF POSITIONS: Organization of Ger.manArtillery positions is very thorough a~d deliberate. Camoufla e of art11ler~ positio Y done. The Germans make ful use of both arti icia and natural camouflage~ Their positions are located in the edges of dense woods, irregularl s aoed along hed erows In orcnards. Tfiey-bUl1d upexlS ng ru ns around guns, and utilize hay~tacks to the utmost advantage. The Germans have even camouflaged positions in towns to resemble manure piles.

or

Whenever possible the Germans take advantage of overhead conoealment such as an orohard or a woods. If this is not possible, they will use hedgerows, the ruins of buildings, or narrow alleys. They use skillfully any cover they find. They have replanted medium sized trees to extend an orohard so that it will conceal a battery. Hedgerow openings whic.h they have used have been built in wi th bales of hay and branches above the aperture. Normally, their positions are easily oocupied and do notd1sturb existing surroundings, thus making detection more difficult from aerial photos. They make full use of existing roads and trails to prevent giving the position away witn traoks of any sort. To avoid blast marks, guns are oed SQ_ that they will fire over roads, from rren fields or over damp grotmd. In' delaying and derens~ve actions, their artillery seldom has occupied positions formerly'used by other military installations. Where possible, the Germans keep their horses in stables of the nearest Village, turning out civilian stook if necessary, and compelling the .unwilling host to feed.their animals out of his own supplies. If their positions are looated on the edge of woods, the horses are taken to the' oenter of the woods and kept under cover. If n~tural overhead oover is insufficient, a "lean-to" of branches is erected to conceal tnem. Wnen. the guns are in the open and village barns are not available, the horses are taken to the rear about 2 kilometers and plaoed in ravines or sunken roads and concealed fram both ground and air observation. If neoessary, and time permitting, slit trenohes and overnead cover are prOVided. The Germans favor revetments for artillery we~pons. These revetments are of medium height and well oonstruoted, of any material obtainable. Hay oovered by branohes and earth has be~n used often. In other C8.ses,a'solid 10 revetment has been built with earth thrown u a ainst the O~. ~noh is generall oun aroun tne outside of the revetment the soil from Which as een used for tne revetment.

- 9 -

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- 10 -

Photo

5 -

Gun camouflaged

as a haystack

Guns emplaced in open fields are usually dug in and have a revetment built up around the dug-in position. This revetment often uses hay reinforced with logs or branches. Such dug-in positions usually have overhead cover, often constructed with hay. Positions have also been found covered with logs and these in turn covered with soil in which turnips or other crops are planted. This gives the position excellont over-head protection and resembles so closely the field in which the position is located that detection is almost impossible. Personnel usually have dugouts or covered slit trenches. They are deep and well built. Overhead cover oonsists of logs or some other neavy material covered by about ~vo feet of dirt. Either a crop is planted in the dirt, or sod is thrown on top for use as camouflage. Only a direct hit would have much effect on these dugouts. personnel also use pillboxes or the cellars of any house nearby. The battery position, personnel shelters, and the battery wnmunition dump are interconnected with communication trenches of zig-zag pattern, suffioiently deep to allow a man to stand upright.

- 11 -

Eaoh battery maintains an ammunition dump in addition to the ammunition at eaoh gun. All ammunition, whetner at the gun or in the battery ammunition dwmp, is segregated in numerous small s~aoks. These stacks are dug in and given the same overhead cover that is used for the personnel dugouts. A direct hi~ will thus damage only a small amount of the battery's ammunition. In oases of deliberate oocupation of position, German artillery tends to have at least one al~erna~ position per battery. Alternate positions are given as muCh care as tne occupied pOSition. Revetments, personnel dugouts and ammunition holes are constructed. Sometimes, communication trenChes are prepared. If a battery receives coun~erbattery fire it will move to its alternate Position if transportation is available. Usually, transportation is not available. Under no circumstances is a movemen~ undertaken in daylight. The Germans have been very clever in using dummy positions. Generally, the camouflage of a dummy position is excellent. It is good enough to hide its mission, but i~ is no~.good enough to escape detection.

Photo 6 - Disabled gun showing part of camouflage Net.

- 12 -

'11

LAYOUT

OF

sa MoM.

GUN POSITION

';'1>

CROIJ
PREPAREO 8'" , CO. 0 - 60Z EN(;/? CAM. 8N.

SECTION

OF

as

M.M. WN POSITION

- 13 -

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Z
:;)

;:

\11

-14-

A dummy gun is easily construoted of a telephone pole or log and a pair of wagon wheels. A hasty revetment of branches will probably be thrown up. Sometimes an alternate position has been us~d as a dumn~ pos~tion, then laver occupied as an actual position.

IV

FlASH SIMULATORS AND FLASH "HIDERS":

German artillery employs flash hiding salts and flash simulators. Flash simulators are set off in the vioinity of a dummy posit~on or to the flank of an actual battery. Employed oleverly and in conjunction with use of flasn hiding sal~s by bat~eries actually firing, this ruse deceives our flash observers very easily. Some German flash simulators are the electr~cal type. The flash does not last more than a few seconds and tends to disappear immediately. They do not have a 8.moke attachment and, for this reason, in daylight are easily distinguished from true gun flashes.

Photo 7 - A dummy gun wi Tn Camouflage Net.

- 15 -

CROSS
CAt\(. B/V.

SECTION

OF THREE TVPES

OF PARAPETS

- 16 -

Flash reduolng or "Dueneberger" salt is always used al:; night. This mlt is paoked in a doughnut-shaped cloth bag. Each bag weighs 50 grams. It is plaoed between the projectile and the propelling charge. One bag is used with any charge up to charge 5; and two bags ~th any charge over charge 5. Its effeot is excellent, reducing the normal flash to no more than the flash from a pistol. The flash is small, pencil shaped and blue in color. So far, this salt has not been encountered in weapons firing fixed ammunition. The bags are packed in a plastic, removable-top container to insure dryness.

v
~a

OBSERVATION:

German artillery habitually uses forward observers. Each OP is organized four-man team consisting of two observers and two radio operators. The radio operators have no knOWledge of conduct of fire, their sole mission being communication from the OP to the battery command post. The observers may be non-commissioned officers. In addition to the forward observers, each battery, battalion, and regiment can be relied upon to have an observation post on any available commanding ground.

FLASH
co. a PREPARED BY "02 ENGR. CAM. 8N.

HIDING

SALT

- 17 -

In defense Germany artillery is deployed in depth, and an attempt is made. to establish simultaneously three OP's in depth, one OP on the MLR, one in the outpost zone, and one near the gun position. Observers are generally given specifio locations and a specific zone of observation.

The Germans have'made at least two attempts to conduot artillery fire by using a plane similar to our Artillery Liaison Plane. Their plane is slightly larger and faster than our "Cub". It is a two-seat monoplane and mounts a machine gun. However, our air superiority makes use of this plane almost an impossibility.

VI SIGNAL COMMUNICATIONS: German 'Artillery uses both wire and radio for commnnications. Wire i.s the primary means and radio the secondarY. Ground-return circuits are not preferred because of the possibility of interception. Our interdiction and harassing fire has forced the Germans to rely heavi ly .onradio because telephone lines are nearly always out. The negligible amount of massed fire on our positions is attributed to inability to maintain adequate oommunication. In trying to maintain artillery communioation, the Germans employ a small "Bertha" radio. This radio has a very small range which necessitates tne use of relay stations, thus delaying conduct of fire. Fire missions are sent in the clear; all other transmissions are encoded.

'"'

VII FffiE nffiECTION:

(;.}~~~.~

It - fVt1-

4.

v:'-v

Normally the battery computes firing data. Firf&~4tables generally are . not available to fac1litate accura~ oorrections for weather, Wind, weight of projectile, etc. Haphazard correotions are made. For example, if tne wind is from the west and direction of fire is west, then two hundred meters are added to the range. Angle of site generally is not considered. The Germans have a few special "fire-direction batteries." A "flredireotion battery" is employed for GHQ units only and is usually used in the seotor of main effort in attack or defen5e. On attacnment, this battery takes over fire direction and 'observation. It has 4 offioers (battery commander, radio officer, evaluation officer, and an observer) and 120 men including a speoialist who takes care of the instruments. Except when a "fire-direction battery" is in control, fire direotion is handled by the regiment. 7 , The German method of massing fire is called a "fire plan". An observer adjusts his own battery on a target. If he desires more fire, he calls on the 'regiment giving it the coordinates and the size of the target. The regiment then divides the area among the battalions. Battalions move through their sectors by cnanges in range and deflection. The whole mission is controlled similarly to our TOT and the effect is that of our zone fire. The tmits of ammunition for fire missions are called ttKampfsatz" and "Half Kampfsatz". The "Kampfsatz" is six rounds and is usually used for observed fires.' The "Half Kampfsatz" is three rounds and is usually used for unobserved fires. The person firing calls for so many of either, depending on the nature of his target. - 18 -

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- 19

VIII TRANSPORTATION: Xransportation is a tremendous problem in the German artillery. In many divisions, all transporta~ion is horse-drawn. This means slow-movement and for short distances only. In mobile divisions,ar~illery is truck or tractordrawn, and the primary difficulty is'the availabili~y of gasolin~. German motor transport has so suffered from bombing and from mechanical difficulties that many batteries have only one prime mover. Horses have also sui'fered terrifio losses from our bombers and artillery; there is now a serious shortage of horses. Displacement is a serious problem. Many times batteries have had to shuttle their guns or borrow transport from other batteries. A shortage of ammunition at the firing positions, because of transpor~tion difficulties, is not infrequent. '
. In most Infantry, Volksgrenadier and Mountain Divisions,'the artillery is horsedrawn, while the artillery in mobile divisions is tractordrawn or self-propelled. An Artillery Corps or Brigade may be either horse or truckdrawn.

IX AMMUNITION: Ammunition is available in suffioient quantities if transporta~ion can be had for 'hauling. AP Shell. They have both time Generally, the Germans use 90% HE and 10/'0 and impaot fuzes. Time fuzes are sat by fuze setter to burst 4 to 8 meters above the ground. Resul~s of this type of fire have been excellent. Little smoke shell is available.
in this campaign.

Chemical ammunition has not been used

X GERMAN MAPS:

German maps have been captured whleh have presented a vivid and oomplete pioture of the fire plan and artillery positions of tne enemy. This can be of great value! The infor~~tion is marked consistently with oonventional symbols . All targets and oheck points for the'Oivision sector are plotted on'an . operations map at Division Headquarters. This map is almost always 1:25,000 scale. Small circle~ are drawn around all road junctions, road orossings, bottle~ necks and curves on roads, and, if warranted, on small and narrow foot patns . All such targets are numbered. All enemy front lines are marked. These are divided into small sections covering 200 - 250 meters each. ',These sections are numbered in sequenoe from one division boundary.to ~e next . The sequenoe usually runs trom North to South and West to East. This gives the front lines

- 20 -

the appearance of a chain of small numbered reotangles. All towns and artillery batteries in the sector reoeive oode names. Towns are usually given animal namas, and artillery batteries are given feminine namas. All messages and communications use these numbers and code names. Overlays of the operations map are reproduced and distributed. In the artillery, these overlays go down as far as the forward observer, who usually transfers the overlay to his own map, which makes it an invaluable capture. The artillery regiment also assigns further code names to forward observers, gun locations, ammunition dumps and friendly artillery concentrations. The forward observer usually puts all thiS on nis map as well. Coordinates are usually given in code for whi~h the key is always a ten-letter word. For instance, one recently in use was:
K 1

ART

use
5 678

HEN

234

9 0

Any accurate location is given to a I meter designation. The Germans use a grid square of 1000 meters and read right and up, bu~ divide the grid square into I me~er uni~s instead of 100 meter units as we sometimes do. meaning "up" to They also add the word "Recht" meaning "right" and ''Hoch'' the prefix of their coordinates. The Zieltafel or target sheet is a list of planned or fired ~arge~s, and is used by artillery lia.ison officers and observers. A "Zieltafeltt w~ll contain the following information: tne target, coordina~s, firin~ tlle deflection setting; in degrees, the gun-target distanc~ .9harge ~, in meters, the adjustment made in mils, some indication whe~ner the target }lEispreviouSly been fired u.Qn. some'indication whe~ner tne-target W:~f:l_ compuwd from a map, and who had done the previous firing - using a "B" for battery ana"'!." for "Abteilung" or battalion. Small ciroles and squares no larger than of an inch may also be found on maps. The oircle usually indioates "interdiotory" fire; and the square, a battalion conoentration. If time permits, each OF has a panoramio sketch of its visible ar~a., This sketcn is excellently done and exact in minute detail. In addition to tne shifts and elevati2ns_t~p~o.ml~ent land marks, firtng(fi1t!L:for-ill targets fired on is added to the sketch ____

XI

GERMAN COUNTERBATTERY FIRE:

We have received little counterbattery fire so rare A few rounds have been received at nignt, indicating an attempt to use flash observation. Fires were more in the nature of harassing fires than actual counterbattery fire. Very little damage was inflicted. On two or three occasions a U S

- 21 -

battalion of artillery received obvious counterbattery concentrations of more than one oaliber from quite different directions simultaneously.
XII SUMMARY:

The present apparent inefficienoy of German artillery goes baok before the war. The hopes of the Germans were built on air power and tanks. Artillery training in the employment of massed fires was neglected. Emphasis was placed on artillery support of panzer divisions in rapidly moving situations. The German artille~h~s not been able to cope with American artillery. It lacks especially the organization for massing of fires, the communications, and the airplane observation which cfiuracterize American artillery. Ho i s now terrifically handicapped by transportation trouole due to loss of motors and horses and shortage of gasoline. The counterbattery fire received from German artillery to date has been negligible. Massed fires are rare and brief. Harassing programs have been inaccurate and incomplete. It has been obvious again and again tfiatan observer must be close to his guns in order to conduct fire. Gennan artillery fires which fell ineffectively in plain view of German OP positions with good visibility, and which with slight correotion would have beoome very damaging to us, have oontinued to fall in the wrong plaoe. The most oommon form of fire has been the single gun. The aocurately adjusted fire of one battery, whioh would usually mean slightly more difficult oommunioations from observer to battery tnan fire by a single gun, has been much less frequent. A oonoentration by more than one battery has been rare, even in the Aaofien area at a time wfien there were approximately 25 battalions of German artillery" in fron t of VII Corps.

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