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Chapter Two: The Platoon in the OffenseIn WWII, no one was more adept at the attack than the Germans. The Americans primarily utilized the Frontal Attack & the Frontal Attack with an Envelopment. The Soviets used the Massed Frontal Attack. For the British, it was the Frontal Attack, the Wing Attack & Envelopment. The Germans, however, had no less than six forms of the attack- the Frontal Attack, Flank Attack, Envelopment, Encirclement, Wing Attack, Penetration and Breakthrough (Pursuit). Frontal AttackThe most basic of attack methods is the Frontal Attack. It is primarily a variation of the Overwatching Bound; a support element suppresses the enemy with direct & indirect fires, pinning him, while another element moves forward closing to attack. This method hits the enemy where he is strongest and requires a superiority of at least 3:1 or more in men and equipment. The best formation for the attacker is the Line or Vee, which places maximum fire forward. While each belligerent employed this tactic, the Soviets relied on the line tactic wholly. Soviet troops moved to a position near the front, got on line, and marched forward. When the troops got within 100 yds (4 hexes) of the enemy, they began shouting to signal to everyone ‘this was it’ and made a charge into the enemy guns. Follow on waves reinforced the mass of troops, smothering the enemy and eventually resulting in atrocious casualties or success (or both). While this form of maneuver was expensive in cost of lives, it was also very demoralizing to the enemy, and if the objective was secured in the process, then success had been achieved- at least, according to the Soviets. The Flank AttackThe Flank Attack was considered more effective; you suppressed the enemy frontally with direct and indirect fires, then hit him in the weakest of his sides. This form of attack avoided the mines, wire & prepared kill zones to the front. The best formation for this kind of attack is the Wedge. EnvelopmentThe Envelopment consisted of a frontal attack combined with a deep flank attack, while the frontal attack fixed the enemy in position, simultaneously one or both flanks were assaulted. A Line or Vee for the frontal attack element and a Wedge for the enveloping element is best. EncirclementThe Encirclement avoids the enemy front and flanks all together; the enemy may be pinned by fires from the front or flank, but the primary attack comes from the rear, or through the ability to force the enemy to displace out of his defensive positions to react. This is a hard offensive method for the Infantry to conduct alone, better suited to armored and mobile units. Wing AttackThe Wing Attack is a frontal attack limited to one or both edges of the enemy’s defensive position. The benefit is that only a portion of the enemy’s forward facing weapons are brought to bear. A Vee or Wedge formation is best for this maneuver. Pushing back a wing can give the attacker the opportunity to exploit into the enemy flank or rear. Penetration & BreakthroughPenetration & Breakthrough are simply two forms of exploitation of a successful attack. Penetration requires the concentration of forces with the intent of rupturing the enemy defensive position so forces can then break through into the rear. While the Soviets preferred to conduct an attack on a broad front, other armies usually attacked on a narrow front. Not only concentrate your infantry, but also mass the bulk of your heavy weapons and reserves to support or exploit any kind of penetration of the enemy position. Sector size for an attack is dependent on unit mission, enemy strength, terrain, your own combat strength and game turns available. Normally the sector for a platoon in the attack is 100-150 yds (4-6 hexes). A Company attack sector is about 200-400 yds wide (8-16 hexes). In the GameA typical 4 squad platoon attack versus an enemy squad might go like this. The platoon is organized into a Support element of one squad w/ 2 MGs and any light mortar support that will initially pin the enemy. Then there is a Supporting Effort of one squad that will lead the assault column and breach any obstacles as well as help the Support element engage the enemy. Next is a Main Effort of a squad that will overrun the enemy position and seize the Objective. Finally there is a Reserve of one squad to throw into the attack in case things get ugly. Your assault troops continue to move along a covered and concealed route (like a wood line or gully) in a wedge towards the Objective while the Support element gains fire superiority and inflicts casualties on the enemy. When your assault troops are within enemy rifle range, the Support element shifts fire to the flanks of the enemy positions to isolate the Objective. The Supporting Effort (lead squad) attacks the Objective to breach any obstacles and gain a foothold. Once a foothold has been established by this lead squad, the follow on squad (your Main Effort & usually with the Platoon Leader) will exploit and get in amongst the enemy to drive him out of the position. You then commit the Reserve if needed to reinforce success (by having follow on forces in echelon, you concentrate on a narrow front, bashing the same enemy unit with a series of fresh units), and mop up the enemy and consolidate on the Objective. Tanks, Artillery, Smoke, Planes, etc. are all "Combat Multipliers" which we will cover in later articles; but suffice it to say, when the haze of all the support fire clears, it is the poor bloody infantry that must root the enemy from his position and plant the flag. As in chess, the infantry is the most powerful piece on the battlefield. The Queen of Battle! Sources:
The German Infantry Handbook, A. Buchner, Schiffer Publishing 1987 |
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