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"Miscellaneous" from Intelligence Bulletin, December 1943

[Intelligence Bulletin Cover]  
The following article on miscellaneous topics was originally printed in the December 1943 issue of the Intelligence Bulletin.

[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department Intelligence Bulletin 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.]

 
MISCELLANEOUS

1. ENGINEER RECONNAISSANCE

Engineer scout squads are sent out well in advance of proposed Engineer activity, and are ordered to report the following to their commander:

a. The disposition of hostile forces in relation to German forces.

b. Details of the location in which work is to be done, and of difficulties which will confront the engineers.

c. The probable requirements as to men and materials.

d. Recommendations as to the most suitable methods of accomplishing the task.

e. The cover and concealment which will be available during the approach.

f. The probable length of time required for the task.

g. Recommendations as to the advisability of seeking the cooperation of other arms.

2. THE GERMAN SOLDIER WRITES HOME

The German High Command is disturbed by what it calls "carelessness amounting to treason" in the German soldier's letters to his family and friends in the Reich. Security violations are only one aspect of the problem, it seems. Equally dangerous, according to the High Command, is the tendency to include in letters to the Reich remarks which may weaken confidence in the armed forces.

Criticism of superiors is placed high on the list of forbidden subjects. German soldiers are reminded that they may submit justified complaints through channels. They are ordered not to insert grievances about officers and noncoms into letters which, when circulated at home, are bound to make civilians wonder how an army that contains unfit and inferior leaders can be expected to achieve final victory.

German soldiers have been informed that complaints about food and general treatment are also taboo.

"What can a wife or a mother do when she receives such letters?" the commanding general of a German army asks. "Nothing! The only possible result is to arouse grave misgivings. Sometimes she may even try to send him food from her own rations. This is of no appreciable value to the man, and merely deprives his home of food which is sorely needed there. If complaints about bad treatment or insufficient food are justified, these, too, may be submitted to a proper military authority. Under no circumstance are they to find their way into letters which may undermine the morale of German civilians!"

3. "DIG OR DIE"

From the diary of a British junior officer:

During 6 April, shelling of my platoon was only fairly frequent. In the course of half an hour, we counted 16 shells in the immediate vicinity of the post. We counted 80 to 100 shells in, or near, this small area alone before the end of the day. The only casualties were one killed, two wounded and half our breakfast missing. We were dug-in in the usual way.

No comment.

 

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