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Stormtroop Tactics: Innovation in the German Army, 1914-1918
Describing the radical transformation in German Infantry tactics that took place during World War I, this book presents the first detailed account of the evolution of stormtroop tactics available in English. It covers areas previously left the German Infantry's tactical heritage, the squad's evolution as a tactical unit, the use of new weapons for close combat, the role of the elite assault units in the development of new tactics, and detailed descriptions of offensive battles that provided the inspiration and testing ground for this new way of fighting. Both a historical investigation and a standard of excellence in infantry tactics, Stormtroop Tactics is required reading for professional military officers and historians as well as enthusiasts.
Contrary to previous studies, Stormtroop Tactics proposes that the German Infantry adaption to modern warfare was not a straightforward process resulting from the top down intervention of reformers but instead a bottom up phenomenon. It was an accumulation of improvisations and ways of dealing with pressing situations that were later sewn together to form what we now call Blitzkrieg. Focusing on action at the company, platoon, and squad level, Stormtroop Tactics provides a detailed description of the evolution of German defensive tactics during World War I―tactics that were the direct forbears of those used in World War II.
Contrary to previous studies, Stormtroop Tactics proposes that the German Infantry adaption to modern warfare was not a straightforward process resulting from the top down intervention of reformers but instead a bottom up phenomenon. It was an accumulation of improvisations and ways of dealing with pressing situations that were later sewn together to form what we now call Blitzkrieg. Focusing on action at the company, platoon, and squad level, Stormtroop Tactics provides a detailed description of the evolution of German defensive tactics during World War I―tactics that were the direct forbears of those used in World War II.
232 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 27, 2014
This book contains a good number of summaries of some important battles during World War I in which the Germans changed the way we fight wars. This was a pivotal moment in history, as the world transitioned from on-line face to face type battles with centralized execution, to a decentralized execution combining maneuver with fire support assets. This is a great read for any military leader, and will come off as a very dry read of just about anyone else.
December 12, 2023
Very interesting book about the evolution of modern infantry combat during WW1. Author shows how use of assault squads for probing and penetrating enemy lines was not something that was developed only in specialized Rohr Batallion or under Hutier's patronage.
As author clearly shows concepts of fast hitting specialized infantry squads was something that would eventually develop on the German side even without dedicated specialized and experimental units (which is proved by evolution of Jaeger and specific infantry regiments and divisions that did not have much contact with Rohr Batallion).
Using examples from Western and Eastern front author paints a very vivid picture of transformation of tightly boxed infantry with repeating rifles advancing and firing in columns, into squads armed with automatic weapons, machine guns, hand grenades and flamethrowers, and exceptional development of artillery and its use - which will culminate in one way with introduction of new battle machine, tank, machine that will define and play a very important role in next war.
Again it is visible that none of the above would be possible with small armies - by relying on small armies none of the warring parties would be able to develop in any meaningful way. This dream that persists 'til current days grew from nauseating feeling of mass slaughter in WW1 but proved faulty in both WW2 and in any real (non-counter-insurgency) conflict, from Africa to Asia and Europe.
Book is full of information and is a slight counterbalance to "Command or Control". It does not take much of a critical view of UK troops training and management and is more oriented towards going over every historical point related to Stormtrooper development. it is not as detailed account as "Command or Control" but again accent here is on development of land combat, specific to infantry, and not in going into detail into the nature of command and training of Germany and Allied troops or development of other arms.
Recommended.
As author clearly shows concepts of fast hitting specialized infantry squads was something that would eventually develop on the German side even without dedicated specialized and experimental units (which is proved by evolution of Jaeger and specific infantry regiments and divisions that did not have much contact with Rohr Batallion).
Using examples from Western and Eastern front author paints a very vivid picture of transformation of tightly boxed infantry with repeating rifles advancing and firing in columns, into squads armed with automatic weapons, machine guns, hand grenades and flamethrowers, and exceptional development of artillery and its use - which will culminate in one way with introduction of new battle machine, tank, machine that will define and play a very important role in next war.
Again it is visible that none of the above would be possible with small armies - by relying on small armies none of the warring parties would be able to develop in any meaningful way. This dream that persists 'til current days grew from nauseating feeling of mass slaughter in WW1 but proved faulty in both WW2 and in any real (non-counter-insurgency) conflict, from Africa to Asia and Europe.
Book is full of information and is a slight counterbalance to "Command or Control". It does not take much of a critical view of UK troops training and management and is more oriented towards going over every historical point related to Stormtrooper development. it is not as detailed account as "Command or Control" but again accent here is on development of land combat, specific to infantry, and not in going into detail into the nature of command and training of Germany and Allied troops or development of other arms.
Recommended.
November 9, 2021
A truly brilliant description of the transformation of open order tactics in WW1. I would read this once a year and get my hands on anything else the author produces.
November 6, 2016
This is a fascinating account of the development of revolutionary tactical concepts (and the equipment and training needed to carry them out) and adaptation in the midst of combat. Does an excellent job of refuting basic claims about German tactical innovation in the First World War such as "just the product of a genius officer [Hutier, Ludendorff, etc.]," "stole it from a French pamphlet," "they needed it more due to inferior numbers," etc., and showing how a combination of factors were required to make this revolution successful.
Perhaps its best service is in refuting the popular perception (as exemplified in Horne's account of an unthinking Prussian NCO infiltrating Fort Douaumont) of German troops as the Kaiser's automatons; the tolerance of dissent and discussion at all levels and command climate required for tactical adaptations to "infiltrate" their way up to the top from lower echelons are more "democratic" than the military cultures in the Western democratic states opposing Germany. Certainly nothing similar occurred in the French or British armies. All in all, the comparison of the German officer corps - steeped in military education and history, but with a less well-rounded education than his generally aristocratic peers in the UK and France (or the inducted college kids of the US Army in both World Wars) makes for a fascinating contribution to the debate on officer selection and education.
Finally, the impact of these "bottom-up" adaptations on the development and procurement of new weapons makes for an interesting comparison with the experiences of Western democracies as well - compare, for instance, German development of trench mortars in response to urgently communicated infantry needs to how the US Army's Ordnance Board overruled or ignored feedback from the front on artillery (World War I; the disastrous 3-inch M1916) or tanks (World War II; the Ordnance Board resistance to re-arming the Sherman or replacing it entirely in 1943).
Perhaps its best service is in refuting the popular perception (as exemplified in Horne's account of an unthinking Prussian NCO infiltrating Fort Douaumont) of German troops as the Kaiser's automatons; the tolerance of dissent and discussion at all levels and command climate required for tactical adaptations to "infiltrate" their way up to the top from lower echelons are more "democratic" than the military cultures in the Western democratic states opposing Germany. Certainly nothing similar occurred in the French or British armies. All in all, the comparison of the German officer corps - steeped in military education and history, but with a less well-rounded education than his generally aristocratic peers in the UK and France (or the inducted college kids of the US Army in both World Wars) makes for a fascinating contribution to the debate on officer selection and education.
Finally, the impact of these "bottom-up" adaptations on the development and procurement of new weapons makes for an interesting comparison with the experiences of Western democracies as well - compare, for instance, German development of trench mortars in response to urgently communicated infantry needs to how the US Army's Ordnance Board overruled or ignored feedback from the front on artillery (World War I; the disastrous 3-inch M1916) or tanks (World War II; the Ordnance Board resistance to re-arming the Sherman or replacing it entirely in 1943).
January 21, 2023
Interesting review of the evolution of tactics in the 1st World War. Yes, there was evolution - and on both sides. Nice details and a quick, informative read. The book succeeded in stoking a quickly increasing interest in the military history of the Great War, as well as the general history of the period.
Want to read
November 21, 2008Recommended by my professor for HIS 3543 History of Modern Warfare.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews