SCHWERPUNKT

The Germans focus their forces on the Schwerpunkt in the enemy frontline. This Schwerpunkt was the combination of:

• the weakest point in the enemy line
• the strength of their own forces at that point
• and the most important tactical targets behind the front to be reached.

The Germans always looked for this Schwerpunkt and fought for information. They did this by reconnaissance in force: aggressive reconnaissance by the Aufklärungs Abteilung: a heavily armed and armoured unit of the division. Once found, the artillery, tanks, infantry, engineers et cetera were focussed on this point.