Tuesday 22 October 2013

StuGs for Dummies

In March of 1944, the 311st Assault Gun Brigade, composed of thirty shiny new StuGs (including brand new StuG IVs) and StuHs. The unit was assigned as support for an infantry unit, meant to flank a Soviet counterattack and destroy it. Due to exceptionally poor handling of the tanks by infantry commanders, the entire brigade was lost. When the only thing left of his brigade was its title, Captain von Schoenau wrote some harsh words about how to use StuGs properly.


"In order to avoid further high losses of assault guns, I ask for permission to report my opinions to the corps commanders, which will then be included in instructions to subordinate infantry units.
  1. Any use of assault guns must be prepared and thought through, the area and its approaches scouted out. Considering the current state of the terrain, avoid off-road use to avoid wear of engines and suspensions.
  2. No long marches. The grenadiers should deal with Russian infantry themselves. Assault guns used as pillboxes indicate low morale of the associated infantry unit.
  3. The assault guns must be located where they can reach any point on the front in the shortest amount of time (spider in a web principle). Assault guns are not to be used to guard regimental headquarters.
  4. Assault guns should not be used to support night attacks. The sights do not support night shooting, and create the danger of undershooting. The driver, through his narrow vision slit, cannot see anything at night, and almost certainly will get stuck on terrain. For the same reason, night marches are unacceptable. 
  5. Assault guns are to be used in large groups, with infantry cover. An assault gun is not a tank, and is helpless against enemy infantry.
  6. An assault gun is not a tow truck. Assisting stuck trucks is strictly forbidden. 
  7. Time is needed to prepare the vehicles for battle. The engine has to warm up to 60 degrees, otherwise it will wear out and break.
  8. Due to these reasons, it is important to be economic with your armament, and carefully prepare its order.
The following mistakes were made by the corps when commanding assault guns:
  1. Used them during night operations, in scout groups.
  2. Used them as pillboxes on the front lines.
  3. Gave orders to attack without infantry support.
  4. Night marches for longer than 20 km.
  5. Used them for defence of the command posts.
  6. Attachment of commanders to certain command posts, separating them from repairs, supplies, and command structure for several days."

5 comments:

  1. Point "2-6" is really interesting. It's not lamenting the fact that StuG-unit commanders are not able to repair or supply "themselves", but that, by being attached to certain CPs, for several days they can't organize supply etc. for the whole StuG unit.

    Also the destinction in "1-5" is interesting/funny, as the StuG is not "helpless against infantry" but "helpless against dauntless enemy infantry" (attack).

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  2. TONIGHT: EASTERN FRONT REPO. HANS TAKES HIS NEW STUG OUT ON A JOB, BUT WILL IT END BADLY? FIND OUT ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL, 8:30 CENTRAL.

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  3. I don't know why, but the comment that "An assault gun is not a tow truck" made me giggle. I think I will start replying to any and all questions posed to me with the answer that "An assault gun is not a tow truck!"

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    Replies
    1. Damn it, Jim, I'm a doctor, not a tow truck!

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    2. "AN ASSULT GUN IS NOT A TOW TRUCK!!!"

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