Bruchmuller.

This is coolbert:

In a previous post, I mentioned this defense group [Defense and the National Interest], that categorizes and defines warfare by generations.

According to this defense group, third generation warfare is the blitzkrieg type of warfare as first practiced by the Germans in the latter days of World War One.

Prior to the blitzkrieg style offense of the Germans during this period, the stalemate faced by the combatants in World War One was seemingly unresolvable. All throughout the war, the various combatants had tried offense after offense that eventually ended in failure. The original battles of 1914, the Somme, Verdun, Gallipoli, etc., all began with high hopes on the side of the initiator that this offensive would end the war once and for all. NONE of them did. They all resulted in further stalemate with just horrendous casualties to both the attacker and defender.

It was not until the end of 1917 that the Germans seemed to have solved the problem of the stalemate by introducing new tactics. These tactics incorporated the elements of infiltration tactics [penetrating enemy lines by the use of surprise, and stealth], release of poison gas right on the enemy positions by artillery shell [prior to this poison gas was released from canisters and allowed to drift by the breeze to the enemy position], strafing of ground troops by ground attack aircraft, and a super-intense artillery bombardment of short but extremely intense nature designed to "neutralize" the enemy [not necessarily destroy, but render the enemy capable of coherent action].

"neutralization fire - - (DOD) Fire which is delivered to render the target ineffective or unusable."

"infiltration - - (DOD) 1. The movement through or into an area or territory occupied by either friendly or enemy troops or organizations. The movement is made, either by small groups or by individuals, at extended or irregular intervals. When used in connection with the enemy, it infers that contact is avoided."

"At this early stage of the war [1914?] artillery bombardments tended to span several days (and sometimes a week or more) prior to the actual commencement of infantry action. Artillery was in effect being used as a means of demolishing the opposition, although most available evidence demonstrated its continuing failure as a breakthrough weapon. Furthermore extensive artillery bombardments were taken as a sure sign of a forthcoming infantry offensive by the opposing force.

[Colonel] Bruchmuller conversely recommended short, sharp artillery offensives as a means of neutralizing rather than destroying the enemy while maintaining the crucial element of surprise. Rather than targeting fixed locations and maintaining a steady barrage he ensured the artillery barrage constantly shifted focus, always targeting important strategic and command posts rather than the enemy front line. He also made extensive use of gas shells to aid enemy confusion."

To read more about the German artillery tactics and Colonel Bruchmuller, the commander and architect of the German artillery tactics, click here.

These elements were first used in 1917 at Riga against the Russians and Caporetto against the Italians with great success by the Germans. The German General Staff now believed they had the winning formula for victory on the western front against the British and the French.

In the spring of 1918 the Germans put their new offensive strategy into effect against the British in three offensives, code named "Michael", "Georgette", and "Blucher". All three offensives nearly succeeded and the war was almost won for Germany. Only the determined actions of small groups of untrained British troops prevented a catastrophic defeat,

"the line was held by small numbers of signallers, ambulance drivers, mess waiters, and batmen, who fought as veteran riflemen until overwhelmed". [Batmen are an institution perhaps peculiar to the British army. Valets who are responsible for the uniform, toilet, and general appearance of officers].

To read more about Michael, the first German blitzkrieg offensive, in March 1918, click here, and here.

Here is an interesting statistic from the last referenced web site that illustrates the intensity of the artillery bombardment for "Michael":

Artillery statistics:

It is interesting to compare statistics between the British artillery barrage prior to their 1st July 1916 offensive on the Somme, and the Bruchmuller plan for 21st March 1918.

Somme: 1916 Duration 7 days [1916]' number of guns 1,437 [1916]; number of shells1,500,000 [1916]

Michael: 1918 Duration 5 hours [1918]; number of guns 6,473 [1918]; number of shells1,160,000 [1918]

One very significant factor in the infiltration tactics used by the German infantry in these offensives was the organization of "Storm Troops". Battalions of specially chose, physically fit, proven men of initiative who led the infiltration of British lines and the further penetration and pursuit. These troops performed very well and were a key to the German success. They also suffered inordinate casualties. So much so that when the offensives ended, the remaining troops were of low level and were unable to continue the advance.

These offensives did not only not win the war for Germany, they helped to defeat Germany in the long run!

coolbert.