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German Tactics in the Michael Offensive March 1918.

ADA273082

Publication Date	1993
Personal Author	Stackpole, P. T.
Page Count	134
Abstract	This study investigates the German spring offensive of 1918 to determine how the Germans achieved tactical success, yet failed to reach their strategic objective. The study covers the development of new German infantry tactics during limited offensive operations and conduct of the 'elastic defense' on the western front It investigates the development of artillery tactics on the eastern front, and the incorporation of these artillery and infantry tactics into larger scale offensives at Caporetto. The study describes the preparation of both the infantry and artillery units for the Michael offensive. The relationship between the infantry and artillery tactics combined with the British defense is the key to determine the causes for success and failure. The German tactical system used in Operation Michael was a brilliant adaptation to the lethality of the World War I battlefield. The German techniques were superb tools for conducting a breakthrough of a defensive zone. However, the lack of German mobility following the breakthrough foiled the German strategic goal to envelop the British Army. German techniques and lessons learned in this offensive have direct application to U.S. Army infiltration doctrine. Michael offensive, Infiltration, Stormtroops, Tactics, Light infantry.
Keywords	Army operations Military doctrine Tactical warfare Adaptation Army Artillery units Battlefields Infantry Lessons learned Lethality Mobility Germany(East and west) Limited warfare World War 1 Theses
Source Agency	Non Paid ADAS
NTIS Subject Category	74G - Military Operations, Strategy, & Tactics 92D - Education, Law, & Humanities
Corporate Authors	Army Command and General Staff Coll., Fort Leavenworth, KS.
Document Type	Thesis
Title Note	Master's thesis.
NTIS Issue Number	199406

German Tactics in the Michael Offensive March 1918.

German Tactics in the Michael Offensive March 1918.
ADA273082

Publication Date	1993
Personal Author	Stackpole, P. T.
Page Count	134
Abstract	This study investigates the German spring offensive of 1918 to determine how the Germans achieved tactical success, yet failed to reach their strategic objective. The study covers the development of new German infantry tactics during limited offensive operations and conduct of the 'elastic defense' on the western front It investigates the development of artillery tactics on the eastern front, and the incorporation of these artillery and infantry tactics into larger scale offensives at Caporetto. The study describes the preparation of both the infantry and artillery units for the Michael offensive. The relationship between the infantry and artillery tactics combined with the British defense is the key to determine the causes for success and failure. The German tactical system used in Operation Michael was a brilliant adaptation to the lethality of the World War I battlefield. The German techniques were superb tools for conducting a breakthrough of a defensive zone. However, the lack of German mobility following the breakthrough foiled the German strategic goal to envelop the British Army. German techniques and lessons learned in this offensive have direct application to U.S. Army infiltration doctrine. Michael offensive, Infiltration, Stormtroops, Tactics, Light infantry.
Keywords	Army operations Military doctrine Tactical warfare Adaptation Army Artillery units Battlefields Infantry Lessons learned Lethality Mobility Germany(East and west) Limited warfare World War 1 Theses
Source Agency	Non Paid ADAS
NTIS Subject Category	74G - Military Operations, Strategy, & Tactics 92D - Education, Law, & Humanities
Corporate Authors	Army Command and General Staff Coll., Fort Leavenworth, KS.
Document Type	Thesis
Title Note	Master's thesis.
NTIS Issue Number	199406