With the initial creation of Stormtroopers by Captain Willy Martin Ernst Rohr, the German Army had a new unit by which to accomplish limited tactical objectives. Through careful preparation for assaults on the Western and Eastern Fronts, Stormtrooper units enjoyed a high success rate regarding mission completion.
Tactical Preparation
Tactical preparations for Stormtroopers – from squad to battalion strength – began with a clearly stated mission objective. This objective could be the gathering of information via documents or prisoners, or could be the capture of an entire trench line. Regardless of the size of the mission, however, its goal was clearly defined.
With the mission objective defined the Stormtrooper officer in command of the assault unit would begin tactical preparations for the attack. The commander would gather intelligence from the local reconnaissance officer (including aerial photographs of the enemy trench-works), as well as accompanying Stormtrooper Pioneers to the trenches for first hand observation of the chosen target. The commander and the Pioneers would make a careful study of the area, choosing the weakest point for the attack.
Employing Gathered Intelligence
Having gathered the intelligence necessary, the Stormtrooper commander and Pioneers would create a detailed map of the objective’s physical terrain. This map would show positions of entry, wire, machineguns, sentries, dugouts, and any other information which might be of use for the successful completion of the mission. With this map in hand the commander of the attacking unit sat with his men, fully explaining the mission goal and study the map.
Practice Assaults
Armed with reconnaissance the assault unit designed for the attack began preparations. Specific weapons were chosen for the assault, such as non-firearm weapons for the taking of prisoners, or heavier weapons such as stick-grenades taped in groups – or the fearsome flamethrower for targets of greater difficulty. Having chosen their weapons, the Stormtroopers ensured their familiarity with them, then prepared for a practice assault.
Practice assaults were conducted on exact replicas of the trenches to be attacked. The Stormtrooper unit drilled continuously, each Stormtrooper knowing his exact place, and what was required of him should others fall. As the soldiers prepared for the assault, support units placed weapons at the jump-off point for the Stormtroopers.
The Assault
The Stormtroopers, having drilled and memorized their individual and group tasks, were transported to their jumping-off point. Depending on the nature of the mission the Stormtroopers could slip across no-man’s-land in the dead of night; or they could follow a short, heavy barrage into the enemy trenches. Regardless of the tactical goal, though, the Stormtroopers started the assault following exhaustive preparations for a limited tactical goal.
Sources
Kincaide, Norman L. Dr. Sturmabteilungen to Freikorps: German Army Tactical & Organizational Development, 1914-1918. Arizona State University, 1989 (Unpublished doctoral dissertation).
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