- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
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Who loves learning about military tactics? I think the most intriguing of them occurred during WW1 under the decentralized German command.
First of all- Stormtroopers were real.
They were the elite assault squads of the german army. Generally the squad was equipped with riflemen, flamethrowers, mobile artillery (grenades), and in the latter portions of the war, submachine guns.
Generally, attacks were done at night. They began with an artillery bombardment on the enemy to get them to cover their heads. Then they would launch over some green and blue cross shells (chemical weapon; gas, very irritating and eventually fatal). The stormtroopers would creep across "no mans land" following closely the explosions of the creeping barrage of the artillery.
They would use various types of grenades on the trenches to put their foe into greater dissaray, and then leap into the trench, killing many foes. This lightning quick tactic was very effective, and the enemy was unable to communicate. Stormtroopers were often capable of penetrating deep into enemy lines, with common infantry following to clean up the stragglers.
In the final offensive (peace offensive, ludendorff offensive, etc....) the stormtroopers fully penetrated the allied line, but got pooped out. They slowed down due to fatigue and sapped enemy supply depots. This slow in advance allowed the allies (cordial entente) to regain control and push back the Germans.
Another interesting fact about warfare in WW1 was when the Germans first introduced poison gas, the allies did not know how to protect their soldiers from it. It turns out, ammonia could cancel out the gaseous fumes. So, British troops were advised to pee on a rag and hold it to their face. Yes, it is thoroughly disgusting, but it saved many lives.
Anyone else have any other interesting bits to contribute?
Is this way over the top?
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[Edited on 10/21/2004 8:37:02 PM]