An excerpt from MS 789a 'The defensive battle' by Oberst i.G Brandstaedter
' c) the position
Fundamental principles: do not undertake too much, but do a good construction job on the essential parts. In general , the following requirements should be fulfilled.
1) The main defensive area with the first row of trenches (MLR) and the second one; they are developed out of foxholes which eventually are improved to strongpoints , and then to thorough trenches. Whether combat ouposts are to be put in front of the main defensive area or are to be left there depends on the terrain and the closeness of the enemy. Combat outposts facilitate the concealment of the MLR, scatter the the enemy fire, but also lead to scattering of forces and will eventually be abandoned immediately after the start of the enemy attack.
The division commander issues instructions on the depth and rear boundary of the main defensive area according to the combat mission, the terrain and the strength of the availble infantry forces. The depth of the main defensive area will usually be between 500 and 1500 meters.
2) The artillery cover position or Barbara position
This position should be established in front of the divisional artillery and is supposed to include the positions of the heavy infantry weapons and the command posts.
3) The line of support: the function of this line is to force the enemy to reassemble and to simultaneously serve as switch line in case of eventual deep penetration and should therefore be constructed four to seven kilometer behind the MLR. Trains and other rear elements of the fighting troops are to be used for its improvement and should, at the same time, be the security forces which are to be given specific missions and corresponding equipment of weapons.
4) Obstacles erected in the entire combat area, are to be coordinated with the course of the individual lines 1) to 3). The governing principle 'not much but solid' applies in particular to these constructions.
5) If there is sufficient time and manpower , additional lines can be constructed between the main defensive area and the artillery cover position, or between the latter and the line of support ; they will be given specific local designations , such as
'Ausbau position', railroad cover position, etc...
Additional rear positions are only are only justified if they correspond to strategic necassities.
Frequent practice alerts are indispensable for the occupation of the rear positions and the line of support.
Construction works: minimum size shelters ; the best camouflage should be reexamined again and again; dummy positions should be constructed to appear authentic and should be occasionally occupied.'
The defensive battle
Re: The defensive battle
MS 789 a continued
' Antitank defenses
Antitank defenses are of decisive importance in the defensive battle. The question is to put out of action the bulk of the enemy tanks before they reach the MRL. For this reason, a plan for the antitank defense must be carefully prepared in consideration of the presumable direction of the enemy armored thrust ; of the terrain and of one's own defensive material, mobile as immobile.
Uninterrupted effectiveness must be attained . The boundary must be particularly reinforced. The individual arms must be informed on time where the next armored piercing weapon is situated.
The best antitank weapon are the own tanks.
In general, the antitank defenses are organised in the following manner:
In the MLR, the infantry is equipped with bazookas and antitank rocket lauchers; at the level of the second row of trenches are antitankguns of medium size with motorised tractors; between the second row of trenches and the Barbara position : the bulk of the antitank guns and assaultguns; at the level of the Barbara position are stationed the divisional artillery with elements of the AA batteries as well as assaultguns as mobile reserve; further to the rear are the Heeres artillery and the remainder of the AA artillery.
It is important that splinterproof shelters be constructed for the antitankguns , leaving their their direction of fire as extensive as possible and that positions for antitank reinforcements be established. '
' Antitank defenses
Antitank defenses are of decisive importance in the defensive battle. The question is to put out of action the bulk of the enemy tanks before they reach the MRL. For this reason, a plan for the antitank defense must be carefully prepared in consideration of the presumable direction of the enemy armored thrust ; of the terrain and of one's own defensive material, mobile as immobile.
Uninterrupted effectiveness must be attained . The boundary must be particularly reinforced. The individual arms must be informed on time where the next armored piercing weapon is situated.
The best antitank weapon are the own tanks.
In general, the antitank defenses are organised in the following manner:
In the MLR, the infantry is equipped with bazookas and antitank rocket lauchers; at the level of the second row of trenches are antitankguns of medium size with motorised tractors; between the second row of trenches and the Barbara position : the bulk of the antitank guns and assaultguns; at the level of the Barbara position are stationed the divisional artillery with elements of the AA batteries as well as assaultguns as mobile reserve; further to the rear are the Heeres artillery and the remainder of the AA artillery.
It is important that splinterproof shelters be constructed for the antitankguns , leaving their their direction of fire as extensive as possible and that positions for antitank reinforcements be established. '