HeinrichFrey wrote:Hello Helmut,
hard to believe but true and an exception. Nevertheless the troops had to be brought to the frontline following the fast tanks. And don`t forget that the german army wasn`t as motorized as the motion pictures might make us believe. The horses and carriages had been the backbones of the infantry transportation system. The other way round the withdrawel on the eastern front especially in Romania 44 made the troops marching night and day. They even slept during the march. Who was not able to do this was dead. I know this from bavarian veterans.
Matthias,
Do you have a reference for the 8o miles per day. I have never heard of such a march. Even 80 kilomneters per day is quite a bit.
Franz Repper wrote:Ok here it is SPEED OF MOVEMENT
The figures below are approximate figures
Infantry (short stretches).............4 mph (day).............4mph (night)
Infantry (Narmal halts)................. 3 mph .................... 3mph
Mounted troops...........................6 mph .....................6 mph
Cyclists .................................... 8 mph ..................... 8 mph
Motor-cyclists............................ 25mph...................... 12½ mph
Wheeld vehicles.......................... 15½ mph.................. 9mph
Semi tracked ............................. 18½ ........................ 9½ mph
Tracked Vehicles.......................... 12½ ....................... 7½ mph
Distances to be covered in a day are given as
Infantry......... 20 miles (an undestatement ) *
Tracked..........90...125 miles
Wheeled,Motor cycles....150..220 miles
*this comment was printed in the war office booklet
That's interesting, that mounted troops would do a lesser distance than cyclists.
Franz Repper wrote:Ok here it is SPEED OF MOVEMENT
The figures below are approximate figures
Infantry (short stretches).............4 mph (day).............4mph (night)
Infantry (Narmal halts)................. 3 mph .................... 3mph
cut
Interestingly.
In Soviet/Russian Army the motor-infantry unit should pass dismounted (normal halts) 30 km for a day with full-load.
full-load the Russian motor-infantryman = 32,6 kg, including 3,6 kg AKM
Klaus_Arzt wrote:
...
btw why did he take his boots off amidst such a mud? what made him do that?
The reasons can be much.
Had no experience to carry Schaftstiefel, has as a result rubbed callosities.
Or has wetted in water socks and Fußlappen.
Probably, at the guy infectious disease of feet which Russian name "fungus".
Oh Jesus, but he's gonna be a sturdy guy, i mean it's ain't good standing in the dirt and above all smoking - he can ruin his health. And if he had a kind of feet infection he should be taken to Feldlazaret or smth.
The doctor will not help. Anyway, in Russian Army this illness does not give the right to clearing of service. Unique means it that the foot was as it is possible longer opened on fresh air.
Illness arises, mainly, at what feet at walking strongly sweat.
Sorry guys,
a bit late a few answers:
- I meant forced marches not at ONE day!!! On a single day you can manage maybe 60 to 80 km under good conditions. The most famous forced march in history might have been done be the french troops facing Austerlitz with about 120 km in 50 hours.
- About the foot care of the infantrymen I wrote in a booklet from 1935: "Wash the feet often with cold water. Warm water makes the skin weak. Cut the nails accurate. Treat sensitive feet after washing with spiritus (alcohol), preservative cream (???) or powder. Ask your corporal for details. Dents and wounds from the last march must be bandaged in the infirmary."
120km in 50 hours??? Oh God, these guys must have been completely knackered . I think 40km a day would be enough though or even 30 but more it's just unbearable suffering.But the war doesn't ask such a questions. Moving forward or
. I think 40km a day would be enough though or even 30 but more it's just unbearable suffering.But the war doesn't ask such a questions. Moving forward or 
