German tactical doctrine

Military Intelligence Service Special War Department, 1942. — 95 p.
During the years from 1935 to 1939, the United States was allowed to send four individual officers to take the course. from their illuminating reports it is possible to learn the trend of German methods and teachings up to Hitler's attack on Poland. Throughout, striking similarities will be observed between German tactical doctrine and that set down in pertinent manuals of the U. S. Army. U. S. officers, however, should not be misled by the similarities to overlook the differences that also exist. With regard to one of the basic similarities in doctrine, it has been pointed
out by one of our Kriegsakademie graduates that "Owing to the phlegmatic nature of the German individual, initiative and aggressive action have to be forced on the lower leaders and staff, rank and file, whereas we possess these characteristics as a natural heritage."