German Military Training: In World War Two [The Illustrated Edition]

This bulletin proposes to summarize information which will serve three purposes:

1. It will permit a better appreciation of the basis of German military strength.

The strength of the German Army and its early success in this war owe much to two factors: planning and training. The Nazi leaders planned this war for years in advance of their attack. They prepared for it by a system of military training which begins with children of high-school age. The training system was directed by the old professional army: it depended on effort, thoroughness, and the application of old and tested principles to the means of modem warfare. As an observer remarks, the Germans believed that by hard work and hard training they would “save blood later.” This training gave the German army a time advantage over its rivals, although this advantage is being steadily reduced.

2. It will contribute to our knowledge of characteristic German tactics.

Those principles of tactics and leadership which are emphasized in training are inevitably reflected in the actual conduct of operations. While this bulletin will make no detailed study of German tactics, it will bring out the main doctrines which are applied in battle as a result of training.

3. It will suggest methods and points of view which may be useful in training U. S. troops.

There are many basic similarities between U. S. training doctrines and those of the German Army, though there are naturally many differences in their use or application. We can learn from the differences as well as the similarities. As far as possible, concrete examples have been given, and in the appendixes there are detailed illustrations, at some length, of certain phases of German training methods.