Flexible plans

"No plan survives contact with the enemy", stated Helmuth von Moltke (1800-91), Prussian field marshal, and so divisional commanders would be constantly monitoring the progress of an attack on the radio net to see how the operation was developing. They were always looking for opportunities to unhinge the enemy's defences, even if this meant sudden changes of plan to capitalize on surprise events. Here, the kampfgruppe system came into its element again, because units could be quickly switched to those kampfgruppen with the best chance of success. The Waffen-SS always reinforced success, pumping reinforcements into breaches in the enemy lines and then pressing on deep into vulnerable rear areas. This type of fast-moving operation often meant that kampfgruppen might be temporarily out of contact with regimental or divisional headquarters, so Waffen-SS commanders were given great latitude to exploit the situation as best they could.

Contrary to popular belief, Waffen-SS panzer commanders preferred not to attack Soviet positions head-on, but rather tried to find undefended gaps in their positions so they could rapidly move deep behind their lines. It was the job of the reconnaissance battalion to push ahead of the lead kampfgruppe to find routes for it to move forward, avoiding minefields, anti-tank ditches and heavily defended positions.

Dfeating large Soviet formations

On the Eastern Front, strictly regimented Soviet forces were often completely confused and defeated by these tactics. Even very small kampfgruppen could cause damage out of all proportion to their size, because of their ability to dodge and weave their way past enemy defences and strike at key points such as command posts, supply dumps and bridges. With their communications to headquarters severed and their lines of retreat cut, Soviet regiments or even divisions could be rendered ineffective. They would then be trapped in pockets to be liquidated at a later date by follow-up infantry units.

In defensive operations, the Waffen-SS aimed to fight in an equally flexible and mobile way as it did during offensive operations. It was the job of the panzergrenadier regiments to hold ground, but counterattacks played a key role in defeating Soviet breakthroughs. Aggressive use of artillery was the first line of defence, breaking up enemy concentrations in assembly areas before they moved forward. Once attacks were under way, the rapid calling down of artillery and mortar fire on enemy infantry could cause havoc and heavy casualties. It was the job of the Marder self-propelled anti-tank guns, StuG IIIs and 88mm flak guns assigned to the panzergrenadier regiments to defeat enemy tank attacks.

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