Artillery and air support

An important part of any kampfgruppe was a halftrack-borne artillery observation party from the division's artillery regiment. The divisional artillery commander would then assign artillery batteries and ammunition supplies to support specific operations. The allocation of fire support was carried out in much the same way as kampfgruppen were formed, with those units in greatest need getting the lion's share of firepower. Luftwaffe forward air controllers would also regularly be assigned to work with kampfgruppe commanders, directing cannon-armed Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive-bombers and Henschel Hs 129 ground-attack aircraft to their targets, by radio from their armoured halftracks.

Waffen-SS battle tactics were designed to capitalize on the capabilities of SS divisional equipment and flexible unit organization. Its attack tactics were an evolution of the successful German stormtrooper tactics developed during the final years of World War I, and then refined in the interwar period.

It was the job of the reconnaissance battalion to find weak spots in the enemy's position and then quickly report back to the division intelligence staff on the best way to approach and attack the opposition. The weakest point in the enemy's frontline would then become the target of the division's main effort, or schwerpunkt (literally, centre of gravity; thus point of maximum effort). Surprise was essential, since it required the penetration of the enemy line on a narrow front by superior and fast-moving forces.

A powerful kampfgruppe would then be assembled to lead the attack, with a range of capabilities to allow it to bridge rivers, breach minefields and then smash the enemy's resistance. A kampfgruppe had to be self-contained to allow it to overcome sudden obstacles or surprise enemy counterattacks. Once committed to action, this assault force would receive the bulk of the division's artillery support. If a decisive breakthrough was achieved, then more kampfgruppen would be dispatched to capitalize on the initial success.

Tactical formations

If possible, Waffen-SS commanders would choose to mount their breakthrough attacks against thinly held sectors of the enemy front, so their combat power would not be dissipated before the start of the decisive phase of the operation. To ensure the breakthrough was successful with the minimum of losses, the Waffen-SS and army developed the panzerkeil (armoured wedge) tactics. The most heavily armoured tanks in the division, usually Tigers, would lead the attack because of their relative invulnerability to enemy anti-tank rounds. Following behind would be lighter tanks and infantry in halftracks. Riding alongside the infantry would be combat engineers, ready to move forward to clear any minefields, clear obstacles or bridge gaps. The kampfgruppe commander would be located just behind the lead tanks, to coordinate the various combat elements under his command.

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