Crossing A Defended Bridge

*This is a paper I wrote a while back for a journalism class.  Because of the subject matter, I felt this may be interesting to others.  While certainly not all inclusive, this article should give a reader some idea of how one might cross a bridge in wartime using equipment and tactics from the mid to late 1940s.

 

            I have spent years studying various military tactics and procedures, and one of the more interesting of these for me, is the crossing of a defended bridge.  It requires a high degree of precision from all parties involved, and must be done frequently under most terrain conditions when on the attack.  While a set of "text book" instructions rarely hold up under combat conditions, these should nevertheless provide a pretty accurate description of how such things are done.  We will then build our scenario as follows.

            Let us assume we are the commander of an armored task force, spearheading the main assault of one or more regiments or even divisions.  For flavor, let us assume we are commanding a German unit of said description.  That makes our task force (Kampfgruppe) a mobile one, composed of a few tanks (Panzers, probably Mark 4), some armored personnel carriers (SPW, Sd.Kfz 251 and associated variants).  Also accompanying our Kampfgruppe will be the usual combat engineers (Pioneers), mechanized infantry (Panzer Grenadier) platoon or battalion, and support vehicles such an anti-aircraft (Flak), or signals vehicles.  It would be prudent to assume we may have a heavy armored car or two as well (Puma).

            After a long advance across an endless Russian countryside of fields, dust, and open sky.  The leading elements of the advance guard, report back to the Kampfgruppe that a river has been sighted ahead.  What now?  The main body of the task force will be held back, and another small party of men, in armored vehicles of some sort preferably, will advance to the riverbank slowly.  Taking precautions not to engage in a firefight with any enemy present.  The river must be examined to determine the depth and width.  That will indicate whether a bridge is necessary for the crossing. 

            Let us say that the men report back, and that the water is too deep for a crossing.  If said scouts have not already, have them reconnoiter and search for a crossing point up and down the river.  Lets say, that they have done this, and that a small bridge is to be found off a side road through some trees.  Let us also say, that the enemy has defended this bridge with troops (perhaps a Rifle Battalion), who are equipped with heavy weapons, dug in, and have a commanding field of view from the opposite bank.

            First things first.  Upon the return of your scouts, have more men search up and down river even further.  If another point exists that can be crossed without a bridge, but farther away, it would still be the preferable point to cross.  We will handle the situation in two different ways and both will be illustrated here.  Let us assume for now that the scouts did find a place well enough suited for tracked vehicles to cross.  

            Divide your men and machines into two groups.  Group A should consist of the majority of your infantry, and at least half of your tanks.  Group B should be organized around the majority of your heavy weapons (especially mortars if available), any Flak (to be used in a ground fire role), and a number of your tanks.  Group A will drive off in the direction of the shallow crossing, quietly and under cover, while group B drives toward the main bridge, making much noise and commotion.

            Precise orders must be given.  Either through wireless radio broadcast, or through a designated signal, it must be clear that group A does not attempt to cross until group B has started its mission.  Thus, have group B drive right up to the outer limits of the enemy bridgehead, and begin to immediately open fire.  This must be done carefully, and with much scrutinizing of the enemy positions.  The last thing you want is for the accompanying tanks to be taken under fire by anti-tank batteries, or for the accompanying troops to be taken under an artillery barrage. 

           

            Have the heavy weapons of group B open fire on the enemy on the opposite bank.  If clear of anti-tank guns, the Panzers should join in the shooting.  As high a rate of fire as possible, must be brought to bear on the enemy, so that they are pinned, and unable to notice or take action against the workings of group A.  Mortars will come in very handy here, as their ballistic arc of fire will negate many types of field works used by enemy troops, making their position very precarious.  The enemy should believe that you are now attempting a crossing at the bridge, especially with the withering fire brought to bear on him.  He may even call for reinforcements to his position.

            Now group A  makes the shallow crossing at maximum speed, avoiding confrontation with the enemy if possible.  Once they have gotten to the other side, they proceed to the site of the bridge, but from the enemy side of the bank!  Group A positions itself in the flank or rear of the enemy lines, and opens an attack, enveloping the Russian forces stationed there.  Under attack from 2 or more directions, and with Panzers and Grenadiers right on his doorstep, the enemy must be forced out of his positions or be annihilated.  Even if he had called up reinforcements, these will be taken under surprise attack by group A as well, and likely smashed by concentrated tank and small arms fire.  In fact, having those reinforcements brought up could be a huge boon for the Kampfgruppe, as they will no longer be in a position of their choosing to initiate a fight, but one of our choosing! 

            Essentially, this is a victory.  The enemy lines can now be rolled up from the enemy side of the river, and group B can now cross at their leisure.  Take care still, to inspect the bridge for demolitions or sabotage by Pioneers before sending anyone across, as sappers may have stayed behind for just such a purpose.  After "mop up" duties are complete, groups A and B rejoin, and our Kampfgruppe continues its advance.  Mission accomplished!  On the other hand, what if there was no alternate crossing?  How would one get across the defended bridge?  Lets travel back in time a little.

            Upon the return of your scouts, it is determined that the only crossing that can be made, is the enemy bridge.  Have all of the men dismount from their vehicles, and have them spread out into their respective combat formations (the work of the platoon leaders).  Deploy all available heavy weapons and Flak, under any cover available.  Split the tanks up into small groups, and have them wait behind cover, ready to drive to the river bank.  When ready, order all heavy weapons and Flak to open fire.  The concentration of fire on the enemy must be extremely thick, and should come as a total surprise.  It must be ruthless and shocking, so as to paralyze the enemy in his positions.

            At this moment, have Pioneers approach the bridge (no doubt under fire).  They must determine if the bridge is safe to cross, and remove any traps or charges that may have been set.  As they do this order the Grenadiers to move up, and open fire on the enemy as well, providing the maximum possible cover for the Pioneers and their work.  Once the bridge has been determined, or made clear for travel, it is time for the Panzers to go to work.

            Sending only one or two across at a time, but at the greatest possible speed, have some of your tanks get to the enemy side of the river.  Once the first tank has crossed, order the heavy weapons and Flak to adjust their targets slightly away, and to the side of the advancing Panzers.  Once the first one or two panzers is across, have the grenadiers begin to cross as well, as the tanks on the opposite side will need their assistance in clearing out the enemy from his holes and hides. 

            Once these units have made it across the enemy bridge, it is time to make an evaluation.  If enemy reinforcements are likely underway, you will need the majority of your troops on the other side of the bridge to fight them successfully.  If you cross with the rest of your men and machines, and the enemy fire has not subsided much, you are likely to lose the rest of your force on the very bridge you are trying to claim.  Therefore, if enemy fire has died down enough for you to feel comfortable sending the rest of the men across, then you must do it immediately before the situation changes.  If not, then more time must be taken for the men who have crossed, and the weapons providing cover on your side of the bank, to do their jobs of suppressing the enemy gunners.  This; however, is dangerous and risks you loosing the men who have made that first daring crossing.  You need to get as many men on the other bank as quickly as possible. 

            Assuming things went alright from here, mop up duty is performed on the enemy bank, and the groups rejoin to form our Kampfgruppe.  Which then proceeds on its way to greater glory.  Of course it is quite possible that you will need to secure the bridge and surrounding areas until your parent unit has arrived to take over.  The key here is speed.  The faster you pull off the above, the faster your men move, the faster they shoot at a surprised enemy.  The greater their odds of survival become, and the greater the chances of your mission succeeding as well.  A smaller group who possesses the initiative, and uses a speed and shock to achieve their goals, usually succeeds even over a larger sized, dug in foe.

            With both scenarios illustrated here, and especially the second one, one statement holds true.  If you were fast enough, and hitting hard enough, you probably succeeded.  This then, is a "truism" I would like to leave you with to mull over.  When attacking in general, energy and rapid action win the day.  Keeping the enemy off balance and uncertain as to your next move, will help you get through enemy villages, around dangerous roadblocks, over fortified hills, and across that intimidating bridge in front of your task force.  I hope you had some fun reading my little "how-to" piece, I hope you learned something new about a few 1940s era military tactics.