Sharp, Charles C. Soviet Infantry Tactics in World War II. West Chester, OH: Nafziger, 1998.

No ISBN
122 pages

Introduction; diagrams; tables; Bibliography

Appendices: Weapons of the Infantry; Message and Target Maps; Example of a Reconnaissance Diary; Correspondence Message Block; Signs for Transmission of Signals; Antitank Defense Map; Sapper Work for the Infantry; Tactical Symbols for Maps, Plans, Sketches

Sharp, Charles C. German Panzer Tactics in World War II. West Chester, OH: Nafziger, 1998.

No ISBN
101 pages

Glossary; Introduction; charts; tables; diagrams; Bibliography

Appendices: Organization of the Panzer Divisions; Organization of the Panzer Grenadier Divisions; Tank Markings and Commo

Well-known for his series of self-published order-of-battle booklets, George Nafziger began to expand and diversify his line of publications with recent titles such as German Squad Tactics in World War II and Soviet Tactical Doctrine in World War II. These newest releases, both edited by Charles C. Sharp (who also authored Nafziger's 11-part series of Soviet OB volumes) continue that trend with straightforward translations of wartime documents with a modicum of editorial commentary.

   The Germans from the first appreciated certain things about the Soviet infantry. They admitted that their opponents were better than they at fighting at night, in forests and swamps, at camouflage and quick digging in. However, they insisted that this was due not to any special training or preparation but to the "natural cunning...of the Slav". Since the opening of much of the formerly-classified Soviet General Staff material, this is no longer a tenable premise.

Sharp's Soviet volume presents a piece of that formerly-classified material with the bulk of Part I of "Combat Instructions for the Infantry of the Red Army" which was published in November 1942 and detailed the tactics of companies, platoons, squads, and individual soldiers.

The introductory material, signed by Stalin, explains basic points such as organization of small infantry units, duties of troop commanders, and how to give the order to fire in varying situations. "At the attacking skirmish line, two [gun sight setting], on the target, quick fire-- fire!" Duties of the individual soldier are broken down into general duties and special duties for observers, snipers, submachinegunners, ammunition carriers, messengers, drivers (of the machinegun cart, mortar or ammunition wagons), picket, and listening post. "In case of a sudden enemy attack (on the listening post) the listening post opens fire and pulls back under cover from enemy observation."

Beginning with the squad, the manual then diagrams deployments and explains tactics under various circumstances. For the rifle squad, for example: in the attack, on defense, in reconnaissance, on the march, on outpost. "Individual soldiers, officers and small groups of the enemy who approach the forward security line, will be allowed to approach the small outpost which will attempt to take them prisoner or destroy them." Similar instructions are provided for the submachinegun squad, the machinegun section, the antitank rifle squad, and the "separate guns" (45mm AT gun and 76.2mm infantry gun organic to rifle regiments). "During an attack on a village (built-up area) the guns have the following mission: destruction of armored vehicles and tanks as well as enemy weapons firing from basements, windows, ground floor of houses, from behind barricades and other installations."

The progression continues with rifle platoons and rifle companies with increasingly sophisticated instructions such as "Peculiarities of the Assault on a Fortified Zone or Heavily Fortified Position", "Special Characteristics of Night Attacks", "Special Characteristics of an Attack in Mountains", "Special Characteristics of Defense in a Village" and more.

The appendices include further elaboration such as details of sapper work (with diagrams of positions to be built for various units), hand signals for transmitting orders, a legend of tactical map symbols, information on infantry weapons, and TOE lists.

The second of the new volumes is unlike the Soviet volume in that rather than presenting the translated and edited version of a single historical document, Sharp here compiles a variety of wartime reports and orders of battle, each of them several pages long. Among them:

Training Directive for the Light and Medium Tank Companies in Combat, 1 March 1939. "Based on terrain and the situation, company commanders and platoon leaders select positions where they can best direct their units during combat. Before an engagement they should be at the head of their unit."

The Polish Campaign: Organization and Strength of the Panzer Units, 1 September 1939.

Combat Experience Report from the 8th Panzer Regiment after the Polish Campaign, November-December 1939. "Employing tanks to clear out the woods on the flanks of the route of advance. Employment of tanks in the woods was completely ineffective because the enemy pulled back along the trails and reappeared after the tanks had passed."

The French Campaign: Organization and Strength of the Panzer Units, 10 May 1940.

Combat Experience Report from the 3rd Panzer Brigade after the French Campaign: June 1940. "Tanks are not suitable for combat in the woods and cities. Street fighting in the town of Merville showed that antitank guns could not be located when positioned in basement windows and rooms. Our tanks were practically defenseless against such guns during street fighting."

Afrika Korps' Tactical Variations, 1941-1942 [TOE/OB].

The Russian Campaign: Organization and Strength of Panzer Units, 22 June 1941.

Experiences against Superior Tanks: Fighting the T-34 and KV Tanks in 1941. "In the face of the assault some riflemen panicked. The super-heavy Soviet KV tanks advanced against our tanks, which concentrated their fire on them without visible effect. The command tank of the company was rammed and turned over by a KV and the commander was injured."

Fall Blau: Organization and Strength of the Panzer Units, 28 June 1942.

Report of Combat Experience: Panzer Regiment 33, 31 July 1942. "Tanks that have taken a height that they must temporarily hold until the infantry arrives, form up so that several tanks take up defensive positions, fully concealed directly below the crest (ridge) line."

Street Fighting with Tanks in Stalingrad. "The infantry should not advance bunched up behind the tank, but must advance through the terrain on a wide front under covering fire from the tanks."

Zitadelle: Organization and Strength of Panzer Units, 1 July 1943.

Panzer Tactics at Kursk, by Colonel von Mellenthin. "Night attacks proved another means of breaking through deep antitank fronts, although a night attack was always regarded with some trepidation. The terrain had to be suitable for armor, and the weather had to be favorable; moonlit nights were preferred."

Northwestern Europe: Organization and Strength of Panzer Units, June 1944.

Combat Experience from Normandy from Inspector General of Panzertruppen. "It is impossible to conduct marches without enemy aerial observation. Therefore, marches can be conducted only at night. Pulling into cover must be completed by dawn, especially if the day's objective has not been reached. Never use lights during night marches."

Report from a Tiger Company Commander. "In addition, a firefight with Josef Stalin tanks should not be undertaken in less than platoon strength. Employment of single Tigers means their loss."

Sharp's compilation concludes with ten pages of TOE material for panzer and panzer-grenadier units.

Both these books bring plentiful insights to readers and researchers and should prove especially valuable to designers and players of tactical wargames.

Available from online booksellers, local bookshops, or directly from George Nafziger.

Thanks to Nafziger for providing this review copy.