Joshik Posted December 7, 2000 Share Posted December 7, 2000 Came across this small article somewhere on the web, and thought it would be of interest to the group... --Joshik ************************ Effect of Hedgerow Terrain on Infantry Tactics 1st U.S. Army Report of Operations 20 Oct. 1943 - 1 Aug. 1944 In reporting on the conduct of operations during the first phase of Operation "Overlord," the U.S. 1st Army passed on lessons it had learned the hard way on how to fight in the hedgerow country typically found in Normandy. Concluding that "blitz action by tanks" was unsuitable in the close quarters of the bocage, and not seeing any particular advantage to be gained in "Indian fighting" by individual infantrymen, the 1st Army recommended a "combined action" of infantry, artillery, and specially equipped tanks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In effect, hedgerows subdivide the terrain into small rectangular compartments which favor the defense. With careful organization each compartment can be developed into a formidable obstacle to the advance of attacking infantry. By tieing in adjacent compartments to provide mutual support a more or less continuous band of strongpoints may be developed across the front. Handicapped by lack of observation, difficulty in maintaining direction, and inability to use all supporting weapons to their maximum advantage the attacker is forced to adopt a form of jungle or Indian fighting in which the individual soldier plays a dominant part. The most effective method of attack proved to be by the combined action of infantry, artillery and tanks with some of the tanks equipped with dozer blades or large steel teeth in front to punch holes through the hedgerows. It was found necessary to assign frontages according to specific fields and hedgerows instead of by yardage and to reduce the distances and intervals between tactical formations. Normal rifle company formation was a box formation with two assault platoons in the lead followed by the support platoon and the weapons platoon. All commanders agree that there is no substitute for tanks in this type of fighting since tanks can flush the hedgerows with machine gun fire and also deliver point blank artillery fire against the hedgerow corners. The infantry should be deployed in depth with the leading elements moving just abreast of or in rear of the tanks to provide them with protection from AT [antitank] grenade and bazooka fire. During the advance, fire from mortars, grenades, automatic weapons and tank guns should be directed against the hedges and especially the hedge corners whether or not the enemy is definitely located. Some of the supporting tanks should move along the hedgerows parallel to the direction of attack while other tanks cover the hedgerows perpendicular to the direction of advance. As the tanks cross each cross row, the infantry mops up and occupies the hedge and protects the further advance of the tanks from attack by hostile bazookas and AT grenades. Blitz action by tanks in this compartmentized type of terrain proved to be generally unsuccessful against well prepared, organized positions. In the operation west of St. Lo the successes realized are attributed to the disorganization imposed on the enemy by the heavy preparatory air and artillery bombardment and the subsequent penetration of his positions on a scale which prevented any closing of the gap after the tanks had passed through. Copyright © 1998-1999 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Duquette Posted December 7, 2000 Share Posted December 7, 2000 http://www.geocities.com/jeffduquette/phtNORM2.html [This message has been edited by Jeff Duquette (edited 12-06-2000).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
109 Gustav Posted December 7, 2000 Share Posted December 7, 2000 Jeff- Excellent pictures. Do you know of any CM scenarios based on the 2nd picture? If not, I might do one. ------------------ Well my skiff's a twenty dollar boat, And I hope to God she stays afloat. But if somehow my skiff goes down, I'll freeze to death before I drown. And pray my body will be found, Alaska salmon fishing, boys, Alaska salmon fishing. -Commercial fishing in Kodiak, Alaska Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Duquette Posted December 7, 2000 Share Posted December 7, 2000 go for it. i have numerous contemporary air recon photos of the Normandy area...including St. Mere Eglise. I also have several of Pt du Hoc...I alway thought Du Hoc would make a nice infantry fight for CM. St Mere Eglise July 1944 Historical http://www.geocities.com/jeffduquette/StMereEglise.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wwb_99 Posted December 7, 2000 Share Posted December 7, 2000 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 109 Gustav: Jeff- Excellent pictures. Do you know of any CM scenarios based on the 2nd picture? If not, I might do one. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Yeah, the Carentan OP. Play the first battle and you will be on familiar ground. WWB ------------------ Before battle, my digital soldiers turn to me and say, Ave, Caesar! Morituri te salutamus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ropey Posted December 8, 2000 Share Posted December 8, 2000 Jeff, I don't suppose any of the phots cover the La Friere causeway over the Merderet W of St Mere Eglise? I'm working on a scenario covering that. ------------------ Never leave your mind so open your brains fall out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Duquette Posted December 8, 2000 Share Posted December 8, 2000 ropey: Did some diggin through my stuff...sorry cant seem to find any arials of the area you are talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
109 Gustav Posted December 8, 2000 Share Posted December 8, 2000 Isn't La Fiere one of the scenarios included with the game? The Carenten op matches the pic exactly. My complements to the scenario maker. ------------------ Well my skiff's a twenty dollar boat, And I hope to God she stays afloat. But if somehow my skiff goes down, I'll freeze to death before I drown. And pray my body will be found, Alaska salmon fishing, boys, Alaska salmon fishing. -Commercial fishing in Kodiak, Alaska Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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