| Stosstruppe | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 6 2014, 11:48 AM (35 Views) | |
| Hobilar | Nov 6 2014, 11:48 AM Post #1 |
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War Correspondent
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The Germans were quick to realise the potential of developing elite detachments of specially picked men to act as assault parties and trench raiding detachments. The men were hand picked for courage and initiative and were trained in special techniques necessary to fight in the narrow and dangerous confines of the trench systems. Assault companies were first used at Verdun and originally comprised three-man teams. The technique involved attacking the trench in flank, the first of the trio armed withn a shield made from a machine-gun shield nmounting and a sharpened entrenching tool, followed by a second man carrying haversacks full of short-fused stick grenades, and the third would follow up armed with a knife or bayonet. The Stosstruppe proved so successful that the system was further developed until, in 1916, Sturmkompanie were formed and attached to divisions on a permanent basis. These assault companies comprised an officer and 120 other ranks, and were organized in three platoons, one of which was attached to each regiment in the division. By 1918 most armies on the Western Front had expanded units known as Sturmbataillone comprising four assault companies, an infantry gun battery armed with a 37mm piece, a light trench mortar detachment, a flame thrower detachmemt , a machine-gun company and an HQ sometimes called Park Company. When not in action the men served as instructors training new recruits for the units. |
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