Sturmtruppen+(Stormtroopers)

=Sturmtruppen (Stormtroopers)= ==

Sturmtruppen, (also known as Stormtroopers, or shock troops) were German soldiers specially trained to lead attacks on enemy trenches in WWI. The first sturmtruppen came about in 1915 under Major Calsow, and was a unit called Calsow's Assault Detachment. The troops of this unit were trained to use heavy shields, and body armor as defense in combat. Unfortunately they were deployed for a different purpose instead, and were used as reinforcements. Half of the unit was killed, which resulted in Major Calsow's relief of command.

=Under commander Rohr=

The new commander Hauptmann Rohr developed tactics that he felt would work better which consisted of small squads of storm troops, rushing the opposing side of the battlefield with artillery support, and "rolling up enemy trenches using troops armed with hand grenades." Improvements upon their equipment included steel helmets, lighter footwear, leather elbow and knee pads for crawling, new grenade carrying bags, and a lighter rifle. began training for the new tactics in Decmber of 1915, and were already being deployed in February of 1916, at the Battle of Verdun. The assault was successful, and in April 1916, the Assault detachment was renamed Assault Battalion Rohr.

= = =Hutier tactics= In 1917, Oskar von Hutier created new tactics that he felt would effectively break the stalemate of trench warfare. his tactics were similar to the original tactics used by Sturmtruppen but with minor changes. First, the artillery would bombard the opposing side with shells and poison gas, just to neutralize the other side, rather than kill them. Next, the Sturmtruppen would infiltrate the opposing side and take over command posts, and bases. Then standard German soldiers would come in and take out any important command centers or artillery points the Sturmtruppen had missed. Last, the infantry would come in and kill off the remaining enemy soldiers. All throughout this plan, the German artillery would be slowly advancing to aid in the offense. These new tactics were the most successful, effectively breaking the stalemate in 1918. These tactics became infamously known as Hutier tactics, but are more commonly known as infiltrative tactics.

While Sturmtruppen are no longer used today, many Sturmtruppen tactics have become commonplace in warfare, such as flanking, or barraging the enemy before striking. Russia tried to make a unit of Stormtroopers but were unsuccessful, as did Italy with similar results. The fact that it worked with Germany is a good reminder of how Germany often leads in advancements in warfare. In WWII, they developed Blitzkrieg, and the paratroopers. They also attempt large, if not somewhat rash, feats like the conquering of Europe, or genocide. They may not always be successful but their "forward thinking" occasionally results in a true improvement. The whole idea behind the Sturmtruppen was to solve the stalemate faced by all users of trench warfare, and they were in a way successful as they helped to pave the way for effective, non-trench combat. =

= =Equipment= In the book, "German Stormtrooper 1914-1918," by Ian Drury, A list of equipment for a Sturmtruppen goes as follows: Assault packs filled with necessary supplies, M1910 canteen, carrying bags containing 4 stick grenades, 5 hand grenades in pockets, cartridge pouches, Jäger bayonet, wirecutters, bayonet of wartime manufacture painted grey, M1887 entrenching tool, or E-tool, triple cartridge pouches, M1907 water bottle, M1887 haversack, Gas mask filter carrying case, and a carrying case for the M1915 respirator, gas mask. These specific items were used in particular because they were lighter and resulted in a less cluttered soldier that could move faster and therefore be more effective as a Shock troop.

Sources: [|The Soldier's Burden] [|German Stormtrooper 1914-18 - Google Books] [|Stormtrooper - eNotes.com Reference] [|Oskar von Hutier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]