Text: The Forces Bureau of the German Ministry of Defense
Translation: Little Xiaoice
The key things to understand the psychological, philosophical and social values of the German Army during World War II can be found in the Truppenführung manual. This manual was published as a Military Doctrine of the German Army in 1933 (Part I) and 1934 (Part II). To understand German military operations, the manual is as important to the United States as the Field Manual FM 100-5 'Operational Articles'" for the United States, or the Field Service Ordinance to Britain. In many ways, "Combat Command" can be called a modern version of Sun Tzu's Art of War. According to Professor Williamson Murray, "it remains the most influential doctrinal manual ever written" and "represents the most nuanced and thoughtful review of leadership and the tactics it implements".
912. Armored trains (Panzerzug) can travel a long distance in a short period of time. Since armored trains can only travel on railways, and railway lines are easily damaged, the effectiveness of armored trains is limited. However, the sudden appearance of armored trains, and the use of armored trains against a disadvantaged enemy force, can have a great psychological impact on the enemy.
It is important to note that armored trains cannot be used for long-term combat operations or against enemies with artillery.
913 In addition to locomotives, armored trains usually have 8 to 10 carriages, which carry weapons and protective equipment. Locomotives are generally located in the middle of the entire armored train, while guard carriages carrying equipment or sandbags are located at the front and rear of the train.
The locomotives of armored trains and important parts of the weapons carriages are covered with armor plates to withstand light weapons attacks and shell shrapnel. The weapons compartments are equipped with mortars, machine guns and rapid-fire guns (each weapon is equipped with combat crew members). In addition, the armored trains are equipped with communication systems for transmitting commands, fire control and external communications. As soon as the impending battle was anticipated, the carriages that served as dormitories and canteens were detached from the armored trains.
914.The armored train carries combat units, train sets and a railway construction unit. Combat units consist of personnel and infantry responsible for operating the weapons on the trains. Combat engineers and their equipment may also be added, depending on the circumstances.
915. Temporarily armored trains are similar to armored trains, but have weak combat effectiveness.
916. Armored trains on alert can be ready to go within 30 minutes, otherwise they will need about three hours of preparation time.
The armored train stopped at different tracks after separating was the preferred technique for confusing enemy aerial reconnaissance. During the march, the machine gun should be installed in the anti-aircraft firing position.
Armored trains typically have a speed of 20 to 30 kilometers per hour.
(Above) The lifting anti-aircraft machine gun on the A train, equipped with a twin 7.92 mm MG 34 machine gun, can be lowered into the car when not performing anti-aircraft tasks, and the top is closed with a sliding cover.
917.Armored trains may be temporarily assigned to the army group headquarters or army headquarters. The transport officer of the command is responsible for coordinating with the railway department and supervising the movement of armored trains.
918. The mission of the armored train must be carefully planned and kept strictly confidential. Commanders of armored trains must not only understand the overall situation, but must also be familiar with the track system or be allowed to consult the necessary aerial photographs. In addition, armored trains cannot be used at night, in forested areas, or in areas that are difficult to monitor.
919.In addition to ensuring the safety of railway traffic, loading and unloading of troops, railway blasting or repair work, resupply and evacuation operations, reverse movements, sweeping unsafe areas, armored trains can also be used as a reserve force capable of rapid deployment.
920. Where possible, armored trains shall be deployed in pairs, especially when operating in areas controlled by the enemy. Two armored trains can be arranged back and forth as they travel, or side by side if there is a double-line railway. Armored trains can communicate with each other via whistles, light signals and radios.
Reconnaissance patrols can cover armored trains—they are equipped with machine guns, deployed on the locomotives, or stay on manual or motorized railroad open cars. In general, reconnaissance patrols should carry the necessary equipment to repair minor damage.
921.When an armored train enters enemy-controlled territory to carry out operations, it shall use all necessary means to maintain communication with the rear.
922.Armored trains must be inspected before they pass through stations and other facilities. When an armored train stops, protection must be done to avoid being affected by unmanned trains or locomotives. Therefore, safety barriers must be placed on the tracks.
923.Saving ammunition is essential. When circumstances permit, supplies can be drawn from other trains.
924.The commander of the armored train must know when the rails and wire connections should be removed, and how the rails and wire connections should be removed.
The No. 24 armored train conducts a combat maneuver, with infantry carrying weapons and ammunition jumping out of the carriage. At that time the car was towed using a BR-57 armored locomotive.
925. The simultaneous advance of fire and infantry on armored trains can usually crush the resistance of a weakened enemy.
If the armored train follows the infantry, it is an effective means of support. However, if the armored train encounters an enemy with superior artillery strength, it should retreat under the cover of smoke.
926. When fighting between armored trains, the most important target is the enemy locomotive. Infantry should attack enemy trains under the cover of all weapons fire—they should try to cut off the retreat tracks of enemy trains, and take precautions to prevent other enemy trains or troops from arriving.
In order to avoid being attacked by enemy armored trains, their own armored trains can cast a smoke screen and set up obstacles to block the railway.
927.When one's own forces anticipate an attack by an enemy armored train, they should destroy the tracks where possible (see paras. 896 to 907).
Concealed obstacles can derail trains, while visible obstacles are set up to force armored trains to stop at points where they are likely to be hit by fire.
The fire ambush area should be chosen where the enemy armored train is forced to travel slowly due to poor visibility. If there is enough strength, the troops should attack the enemy armored trains that have stopped moving. However, troops should not neglect to be vigilant against other armored trains of the enemy or follow-up units.
This article is excerpted from Operational Command: A Guide to the German Army in World War II
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