[Lone Sentry: The Development of German Defensive Tactics in Cyrenaica, WW2 War Department Publication]
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TOC
§I
§II
  II.1
  II.2
§III
  III.1
  III.2
  III.3
  III.4
  III.5
  III.6
§IV
  IV.1
  IV.2
  IV.3
  IV.4
§V
§VI
§VII
  VII.1
  VII.2
  VII.3
  VII.4
  VII.5
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The Development of German Defensive Tactics in Cyrenaica—1941
Military Intelligence Service, Special Series No. 5, October 16, 1942
[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the wartime U.S. War Department publication. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

SECTION VII. COMMENTS AND LESSONS

3. ARTILLERY

Barrages were laid immediately in front of the most advanced defensive positions, thus furnishing them with a screen of fire that would protect them from attacking infantry and tanks. Lanes were left in these barrages to allow German patrols to operate during an attack.

All platoons were supplied as liberally as possible with supporting weapons, and these weapons were always employed in close coordination with the defending infantry.

Perhaps the most outstanding single element in German defenses was the 88-mm gun. It sometimes opened fire at ranges up to 2,000 yards, but was most effective at about 800 yards. The 50-mm and 37-mm antitank guns opened fire at between 400 and 800 yards.
 

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