|
DIE SCHÜTZENREIHE |
(Indian file) |
|
DIE SCHÜTZENKETTE |
(Skirmish line) |
Any part of the squad can be put in either formation, providing
that the squad is kept together.
The Schützenreihe is used for the approach (see illus. A).
It is also suitable for occasions when the MG is firing alone and it always uses all available cover in the terrain.
When forming into this order, the squad forms up on the ANSCHLUßMAN who is also Schütze 1 (the MG gunner). Interval
in this formation is called ABSTAND and is measured in SCHRITT (steps).
When no interval is specified, assume 5 steps. The assistant
squad leader (Stellvertretende Gruppenführer) is at the end of the line and makes sure that no one remains behind.
The Schützenkette is used to turn the squad into a position to facilitate
the fire of the entire unit (see illus. B). The squad can be ordered into this formation by signal or by the command
GANZE GRUPPE... STELLUNG! Another command which means basically the same thing is SCHÜTZENKETTE! This last command
is usually made merely to shake out the squad into the skirmish line and is often used as the squad is underway. The
former command implies an imminent fire mission and will mean that the squad will be at a halt when the command is carried
out.
When forming up, the squad forms on the ANSCHLUßMAN; the front
half of the riflemen going to the right, the rear half going to the left. Total deployment to one side can be specifically
ordered. Bunching up around the MG is forbidden. Interval here is called ZWISCHENRAUM and is also measured in
SCHRITT. As with the Schützenreihe, assume a 5-step interval if none other is specified. Forward movement by the
squad in the Schützenkette is limited to short moves only; long moves in this formation make passage of terrain difficult
and impairs the cohesion of the squad.
In general, there will be no talking in the open order except to
communicate information about the enemy, the terrain, or to pass on information from one's neighbors. The squad leader
has no specific place in the open order: normally he is at the head of his men, but may be farther removed to scout or laison.
During combat he is in the center of the squad. If no specific direction or objective is ordered, the Anschlußman will
follow the squad leader.
Examples:
During the advance, the Gruppenführer (squad leader) wants the men
to proceed towards a suspicious corner of woods in single file:
| "RICHTUNG WALDECKE - SCHÜTZENREIHE!" The men
form up on the move and assume a 5-step interval. |
A squad on the move is needed to move quickly toward a hedgerow
in skirmish line with 10-step interval:
| "RICHTUNG BAUMREIHE! 10 SCHRITT ZWISCHENRAUM!
SCHÜTZENKETTE! MARSCH! MARSCH!" |
A squad at rest near a path receives the command, "AUF DEM WEG IN
SCHÜTZENREIHE! 2 SCHRITT ABSTAND FOLGEN! MARSCH!"
| The squad would then get up and follows the squad leader
at 2-step intervals. |
Another squad at rest in a field near a woodlot is ordered:
| "ZUM BESETZEN DER BAUMGUPPE DORT VOR UNS! GANZE
GRUPPE - STELLUNG! MARSCH!" This squad would move into the woodlot and form into a skirmish line in order to occupy
it. |
In order to form a stationary squad into an Indian file preparatory
to a move, the Gruppenführer would order:
| "FRONT WIE ICH STEHE! ABSTAND 8 SCHRITT!
SCHÜTZENREIHE!" The men would use the leader's position as the starting point of their line and take an 8-step interval. |
To shake a stationary squad out into a skirmish line along the edge
of a forest preparatory to another employment (different formation, move, etc..), the Gruppenführer could order:
| "AUF DIESER WALDGRENZE! SCHÜTZENKETTE!" |
MOVEMENT
Every man is responsible for seeing that his weapon is on safe and
all ammo pouches and boxes are closed before a movement is made. Movement in the open order is commenced on the command
MARSCH! (or for quick time, MARSCH! MARSCH!). Short sideways moves can also be ordered. Movements to the rear
will be made on: "KEHRT MARSCH!", and ended by the command "H-A-L-T!! KEHRT!". All leaders remain on the enemy
side of the formation during these movements.
Forward movement can be stopped by H-A-L-T!, HINLEGEN!, VOLLE DECKUNG!,
or STELLUNG! On the command H-A-L-T!, the men remain standing with rifles at Gewehr ab. HINLEGEN causes the men
to drop in place to the prone position. VOLLE DECKUNG causes the men to seek individual cover. STELLUNG causes
the squad to assume the Schützenkette formation.
ASSEMBLY
The squad will assemble in the Reihe formation (not the Schützenreihe)
behind their squad leader. If assembly is ordered for the entire platoon, the squad will form in Marschordnung.
Assembly occurs on the command SAMMELN
| ANTRETEN (Fall in, not at attention) |
AHN-tray-ten! |
|
This is not a command, per se. The term more refers to the "state
of being formed up". One could say for example, without using the formal commands, "Okay, everybody, head outside and antretenn." Or, auf
Deutsch, "Jedermann, antreten drausen in fünf Minuten!" ("Everyone form up outside in five minutes!") Remember, the formal
command to form up uses "Angetreten!" and is preceeded by the type of formation desired (ie. "Gruppe!
In Linie zu einem Gliede -- Angetreten!") However, you are correct that when asked to form up using the word "antreten", the
men can be at the "Rührt Euch" position. For example, every morning for Appell at 0700 Uhr, the men will automatically make
their way outside and "antreten" at ease while waiting for their Kompaniechief.
| STILLGESTANDEN! (Attention) |
SHTILL-ge-Shtan-din! |
|
Body rigid, heels together, and toes at slightly LESS than 45-degree
angle of each other, hands with palms flat against upper thighs, elbows out slightly from the body, and eyes front. Movement
on this command is on the first syllable of "Still" and the feet should be coming together by the syllable "stand".
An example of a formation with the soldiers at "Stillgestanden," the men
are aligned abreast of their Gruppenführer, who is on the formation's right, hands down at their sides, palms flat
against the upper thighs, and elbows slightly away from the body. Feet are together at the heels, and toes at slightly
LESS than 45-degree angles. Immediately behind the 1.Gruppe is the out line of the 2.Gruppe, who
falls in directly behind.
Important: when you speak of the right or the left of formation, you are
speaking as if you are standing within the formation. The officer or NCO giving commands must take this into consideration
before executing movement. For example, if the NCO gives "Rechts Um!" it would be the formation's right in which he
is commanding them to turn, not toward his right.
| ANGETRETEN! (Fall in at a position of attention) |
AHN-ge-tray-ten! |
|
For the Gruppe, this is actually proceeded by one of the following:
"Gruppe -- In linie zu einem Gliede -- Angetreten!" - for a single
LINE, men stand side by side
"Gruppe -- In linie zu zwei Gliedern -- Angetreten!" - for two LINES,
one line behind the other
"Gruppe -- In Reihe -- Angetreten!" - for a single ROW, men stand
one behind the other
"Gruppe -- In Doppelreihe -- Angetreten!" - for a double ROW, front
to back, one beside the other
"Gruppe -- In Marschkolonne -- Angetreten!" -- column of three ROWS,
men stand front to back
The Gruppenführer (Squad Leader) establishes the right side of
the formation and the rest fall in to his left or rear (depending on the formation) in a straight line. The soldiers
stand at "Stillgestanden." The body is rigid, heels together, and toes at slightly LESS than 45-degree angle
of each other, hands with palms flat against upper thighs, elbows out slightly from the body, and eyes front.
| (Zug, Gruppe, etc...) - RICHT EUCH! (Dress right dress) |
risht OYch! |
|
While at attention, snap the head sharply to the right, and dress (align body and
feet) off the Flügelmann (right marker) with short, sharp shuffles of the feet. The Flügelmann is
the rightmost, front man, and he does not turn his head. (If there are men behind him, they do not turn their heads
either). The Gruppenführer would only be the Flügelmann if the Zugführer (Platoon Leader) was calling
the formation, otherwise it is always the front, right man.
When shuffling into position, move to the state known as Tuchfühlung (literally,
cloth touching) where the cloth of your elbow is every so slightly touching the cloth of the man to your right. Do not press
into the man beside you. DO NOT move your arms, or raise your hands, or make a fist. 1940s German drill does NOT use "elbow
dressing" where the right arm is raised (this is post-war).
As soon as you are dressed off the Flügelmann, remain at the position
of attention and keep the eyes to the right. Men in the second and third Linie (rank) must also be able to move
their eyes to the man in front of them and align their body with his. Await the "Augen -- Geradeaus!" command.
| AUGEN
-- GERADEAUS! (Ready, front) |
OW-gen ge-rah-deh - OWS! |
|
From the eyes right position, sharply bring the head forward.
| RÜHRT EUCH! (At ease) |
Rooehrt oych! |
|
At the command, the feet are moved to shoulder width apart, left foot
slightly forward of the right, rest weight on the right leg, arms hanging down to the sides with hands relaxed. Speak
only if permission is given.
| RECHTS -- UM! (Right face) |
Reschts -- um! |
|
Rotate to the right by turning on the right heel while turning and pushing
to the right with the ball of the left foot. After facing is completed, bring left foot in line with the right, assuming
the position of attention. Do not leave a pause between the turn and the bringing forward of the foot, rather executing
them as a single movement, one flowing directly into the other.
| LINKS -- UM! (Left face) |
links -- um! |
|
Rotate to the left by turning on the left heel with the ball of the right
foot. After the facing movement is completed, bring the right foot in line with the left, assuming the position of attention.
Do not leave a pause between the turn and the bringing forward of the foot, rather executing them as a single movement, one
flowing directly into the other.
| KEHRT -- UM! (About face) |
kayert -- um! |
|
This command is for the individual soldier only. It is used for practice,
or for small formations such as an Ehrenwach (honor guard) and such. When turning around a formation from Gruppe
to Kompanie, use the "Ganze Abteilung -- Kehrt!" command instead
At the command, rotate to the left by turning on the left heel with the
ball of the right foot 180 degrees. After the facing movement is completed, bring the right foot in line with the left,
assuming the position of attention (basically a left face, but all the around).
| WEGTRETEN! (Fall out) |
VAYG-tre-tin |
|
The informal equivalent of "Antreten", and not a command. Not to be confused with
the formal "Weggetreten" command.
For the parade square, use the formal "Weggetreten"
command as follows:
"Gruppe -- Nach links -- Weggetreten!" (Group -- To the left -- Dismissed!) which
would consist of a turn to the left, three steps in step, then a break up of the formation. This command could be proceeded
with "Nach rechts" (to the right) or "Nach rückwärts" (to the rear) as needed. Can also be used with rifles at "Gewehr ab"
but never at "Gewehr über".
| AUGEN -- RECHTS! (Eyes right) |
OW-gen -- Reschts! |
|
At the command, the head and eyes snap to the right without moving the
body. Hold this position until ordered to "front."
If the eyes are to be moved right for an inspection, the command is "Zur
Meldung -- Augen -- Rechts!" at which point everyone, INCLUDING the Flügelmanner, turn their eyes to the right. As
the inspecting officer approaches, each man keeps his "nose on the man" by following the passing of the officer with his head.
When the officer is directly in front of each man, that man counts five more steps from the officer before he snaps his head
to the front. This is only for inspection. Otherwise, "Augen -- Rechts" position is held until "Augen -- Geradeaus" is given.
| Die AUGEN -- LINKS! (Eyes left) |
dee OW-gen -- links! |
|
Same as for "Augen, rechts" except to the left.
| (Zug, Gruppe, etc...) - MARSCH! (Platoon, Squad, etc..., march) |
... - marsh! |
|
This command needs to be proceeded with one of two commands:
"Gruppe -- Im Gleichschritt -- Marsch!" (Group -- In step -- March!)
"Gruppe
-- Ohne Tritt -- Marsch" (Group -- Without step -- March!)
At the Gruppe level, Reihe and Doppelreihe are usually without step. Marschkolonne
is usually in step.
At the command, the soldier steps off with the left foot, taking a full step.
Note that hands must be flat, and swung up to the belt buckle, then naturally allowed to fall back. German marching steps
are long at 80cm (32 inches) at the cadence is 114 steps per minute. The Abstand (front to back spacing) is also
80cm between men.
| OHNE TRITT - MARSCH! (Route step, march) |
Ohneh trit - marsh! |
|
Already covered above in Marsch!, since it is one of two types
of marching.. This command is used when terrain is encountered that is impractical for marching in step.
| IM LAUFSCHRITT - MARSCH! (Double-time, march) |
Im lauf-shritt - marsh! |
|
March at twice the speed.
| (Zug, Gruppe, etc...) - HALT! (Platoon, Squad, etc..., halt) |
... - halt! |
|
CORRECTION:
The
halt is ALWAYS called on the right foot, and there is ALWAYS just one more step with the left foot before bringing the now
trailing right into line.
| RECHTS -- UM! (Right turn) |
Reschts -- um! |
|
This same command, when used during the march, is called on the foot of
the direction to be turned. (ie. if the man is to turn right, the "Rechts" command is given on the right foot). Several more
steps may be taken (usually three to five, but could be more), before the execution command is given on the same foot, after
which one more step is taken before the turn as shown in the drawing.
| LINKS -- UM! (Left turn) |
links -- um! |
|
See description above for details.
