Company Officer's Handbook Of The German Army - All Gauge Page

c. Main Defensive Position
DEFENSIVE PRINCIPLES 21
The Germans organize their main defensive position (Hauptkampffeld-Stiitzpunkt)
in depth, with the majority of the infantry
weapons placed in positions from which fire can be laid down forward
of the main position (fig. 8, p. 22).
Depth, cover, and deep digging for protection against artillery
fire are especially emphasized in laying out infantry positions. The
defense of the position is based on mutually supporting centers of
resistance, or hedgehogs (Igel), each of which is capable of allaround
defense. In terms of space, a German battalion is assigned a
sector of 800 to 2,000 yards of the position. The main pivot of the
defense is the forward edge of the position (main line of resistance),
which includes localities that must be held at all cost.
The Germans endeavor to provide all parts of their position with
strong support from infantry support weapons as well as by artillery.
An elaborate plan of coordinated fires is prepared in advance,
and these fires are directed from observation posts which are sited
well forward. Alternate emplacements are dug so that support
weapons may be shifted and fired rapidly. Light and heavy infantry
guns complement the artillery where it is necessary to intensify the
artillery fire and where artillery fire cannot be laid.
In constructing the position the Germans stress the construction
of obstacles and the preparation of antitank defenses; if possible,
they select tank-proof terrain. They insist on very careful camouflage,
but adhere to the principle of "effect before cover." Considerable
use is made of dummy and alternate positions in order to
deceive the enemy into dissipating his fire. Emplacements are dug
and gradually developed into a system.
Antitank guns are disposed in depth, some well forward, and they
are often dug in and carefully concealed to prevent the enemy from
discovering, before an attack, the actual strength and location of
the antitank defenses. In emplacing antitank guns the Germans
prefer positions in enfilade or on reverse slopes. It is likely that
three antitank guns (most likely of 75-mm caliber) will be used in
each company position, while three more usually are kept with
each battalion's reserve of mobile guns.
During the Tunisian Campaign the Germans used 88-mm dual-