Triangularization of the German Army, 1912

[Anderman]

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I've seen two schemes for 'triangularizing' the field artillery of German army corps and infantry divisions. Both start with the presumption that the number of field pieces in each type of formation will not change.

The scheme proposed by Friedrich von Bernhardi was the simpler of the two. He advocated the assignment of two battalions (Abteilungen) of 77mm field guns to each of the three divisions of a triangular army corps and two battalions of 105mm light field howitzers directly to each army corps.

The scheme proposed by the anonymous author of an article published in 1912 or so proposed the assignment of four small battalions (each of twelve field pieces) to each triangular division. This would allow each infantry regiment to be affiliated with a battalion of 77mm field guns. (Anonymous, ‘Die Kriegs- und Friedensgliederung des Armeekorps’, Jahrbücher für die deutsche Armee und Marine, 1912, pp. 274-82.)

To create the new battalions, the anonymous author proposed the withdrawal of six field pieces from each battalion, thereby reducing its size and, at the same time, providing the means for creating new battalions. This scheme would thus require the creation of headquarters for twelve new batteries and four new battalions.

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The `triangularizing`during the war reduzed the numbers or guns per Battery from 6 to 4. The french did the same before the war. That could another in providing the artillery for the new divisions.

 

[marathag]

1. Why use petroleum/hydrocarbons for fuel? Why not alcohols? As discussed here.
For example back in the 1890s ethanol/methanol fuelled engines were in use in farm machinery in Europe, something that made countries almost fuel independent. There was extensive German and French research into alcohol fuels. Again, when the first automobiles were developed those in Europe often operated on alcohol fuels. Then in 1899 the German government taxed petroleum imports and subsidized domestic ethanol to promote domestic fuel sources over imported (i.e. Oil Trust) hydrocarbons; Wilhelm II sponsored research into the use of alcohol as a fuel.

Germany already had healthy Coal infrastructure

Costs more to make a burner can running off pressurized alcohol that the fireman tossing lump Coal ontop a grate, and Hans and Franz won't be tempted to eat Coal, unlike the temptation with what alcohol has to offer.
Coal fired trucks could use Coke or other solid fuel

Ethanol 12,000 Btu/lbs
vs
Anthracite Coal 13-15,000
Bituminous Coal 11-13,000
Soybeans 10,000
Shelled Corn 8,000
Wood 7-9,000
Lignite 7-9,000
Peat 5-7,000
Wet Wood 2-3,000[/QUOTE]

 

[Anderman]

In the 1914 of our time line, the formations of the German Army were "square." That is, each army corps consisted of two infantry divisions, each infantry division of two infantry brigades, and each infantry brigade of two infantry regiments. A number of military experts (such as Friedrich von Bernhardi) condemned this system, arguing that a "triangular structure" (army corps of three infantry divisions and infantry divisions of three infantry regiments) would make formations easier to handle and, in particular, would greatly facilitate the focus of efforts (Schwerpunktbildung). However, the "square" organizational scheme was retained, largely because changing it would require a great deal of reorganization in the administrative infrastructure of the various German states.

Let us assume that, in 1912 or so, the objections to triangularization were overcome. How would it effect the way that German formations fought in the opening campaigns of the Great War of 1914?

When did Bernhardi argued for the "triangular structure" in which year and in which context. Books newspaper article or something else. ?

 

[Hoplophile]

When did Bernhardi argued for the "triangular structure" in which year and in which context. Books newspaper article or something else. ?

Friedrich von Bernhardi (Allen H. Powles, translator), Germany and the Next War, (New York: Longmans, Green, and Co, 1914), pp. 201-202

Friedrich von Bernhardi, Deutschland und der nächste Krieg, (Stuttgart: J. G. Cotta, 1913), pp. 240-241

 

[Catsmate]

Germany already had healthy Coal infrastructure

Costs more to make a burner can running off pressurized alcohol that the fireman tossing lump Coal ontop a grate, and Hans and Franz won't be tempted to eat Coal, unlike the temptation with what alcohol has to offer.
Coal fired trucks could use Coke or other solid fuel

Ethanol 12,000 Btu/lbs
vs
Anthracite Coal 13-15,000
Bituminous Coal 11-13,000
Soybeans 10,000
Shelled Corn 8,000
Wood 7-9,000
Lignite 7-9,000
Peat 5-7,000
Wet Wood 2-3,000

[/QUOTE]
Coal, unless fluidised and that bring it's own issues, needs stokers, i.e. more people who take up space and weight, need to be paid and fed et cetera.

 

[marathag]

Coal, unless fluidised and that bring it's own issues, needs stokers, i.e. more people who take up space and weight, need to be paid and fed et cetera.

Ever notice that every truck made since WWI had another seat next to the Driver?
That was for the Co-Driver or Mechanic.

On the clip above, you get to see him in action, dropping in some Coal every now and then into the Boiler.
So you actually get more use out of they guy who was there already

 

[Anderman]

Friedrich von Bernhardi (Allen H. Powles, translator), Germany and the Next War, (New York: Longmans, Green, and Co, 1914), pp. 201-202

Friedrich von Bernhardi, Deutschland und der nächste Krieg, (Stuttgart: J. G. Cotta, 1913), pp. 240-241

Obvious he has to write this books earlier then 1913 if we/you want a triangulation accomplish in 1912

If we trust this webpage http://prussianmachine.com/aka/bernhardi.htm he was chief of history section of the grand general staff in 1898. This is the perfect time and place to write something in this direction. He can further point out that this new organisation frees up a lot of officers position. So the army can expanded without letting to much of this pesky commoners into the officer corps.

 

[Hoplophile]

Obvious he has to write this books earlier then 1913 if we/you want a triangulation accomplish in 1912
.

Someone passed a carbon-copy of the manuscript to the Kriegsministerium!

 

[Anderman]

Someone passed a carbon-copy of the manuscript to the Kriegsministerium!

But even if the Kriegsministerium (which would be the prussian one) had it before 1913, such changes took and take time. Even if there is no resistence against it.
Another problem the brigades HQ were headed by Mayor General but the new infantry regiments will be headed by Colonel/Oberst. This is a mismatch.

 

[Anderman]

The means to create headquarters for the 17 new infantry divisions could easily be found among the generals, adjutants, ordinance officers, clerks, grooms, horses, wagons, map chests, and sets of mess equipment made redundant by the dissolution of 100 infantry brigade headquarters.

.

The artillery was organized in Brigades too. So we free up another 50 HQ staff officers.

 

[Anderman]

Ok a last post before this topic is put to rest:

Did Bernhardi and other only change the structure of the army or expand it too with the excess officers of the bisband brigades ? The German Empire only conscripted only 50% to 52% of able men afik. So enough men are there .
For the artillery i would modify the Anonymous proposel but my arty regiment for the division would only have 3 Abteilungen 2 with 18 77mm field guns and with 12 field howitzers.
Looks leaner and more effective for me. Less officers needed.

 

[TruthfulPanda]

For the artillery i would modify the Anonymous proposel but my arty regiment for the division would only have 3 Abteilungen 2 with 18 77mm field guns and with 12 field howitzers.
Looks leaner and more effective for me. Less officers needed.

I remember a member here posting his article on the InfDiv raised by Germany in the Autumn of 1914. IIRC there were quite a lot of stocked 10.5cm howitzers in anticipation of wastage. Surely c.70 batteries could be formed, thus making for a neat
3 Artillerie Abteilungen per InfDiv
each with 2x6x77mm and 1x6x105mm

 

[Anderman]

I remember a member here posting his article on the InfDiv raised by Germany in the Autumn of 1914. IIRC there were quite a lot of stocked 10.5cm howitzers in anticipation of wastage. Surely c.70 batteries could be formed, thus making for a neat
3 Artillerie Abteilungen per InfDiv
each with 2x6x77mm and 1x6x105mm

IIUC you want to put the 77 mm field guns and the 105 mm howitzer in one Abteilung and have 3 of them ?

 

[TruthfulPanda]

IIUC you want to put the 77 mm field guns and the 105 mm howitzer in one Abteilung and have 3 of them ?

Yes. One identical Abteilung per Infantry Regiment.
The British ended up with such an organisation of mixed 18lbr/4,5" Arty Brigades in 1917 (and tended to pass one Brigade up to the Corps - sigh - that's the British for you ...).

 

[Anderman]

Yes. One identical Abteilung per Infantry Regiment.
The British ended up with such an organisation of mixed 18lbr/4,5" Arty Brigades in 1917 (and tended to pass one Brigade up to the Corps - sigh - that's the British for you ...).

Neat idea and there are enough 77 mm field guns for 2x8 Abteilungen.

 

[Hoplophile]

Did Bernhardi and other only change the structure of the army or expand it too with the excess officers of the bisband brigades ? The German Empire only conscripted only 50% to 52% of able men afik.

Bernhardi advocated the gradual expansion of the peacetime army. That is, he wanted the army to conscript a larger percentage of the available men, but he also wanted to improve conditions for officers and NCOs.

 

[TruthfulPanda]

@Hoplophile - mayhap that article had been by you?

 

[Peg Leg Pom]

They needed coal fired trucks

Steam wagons would work well with the road and rail bound German army. Linking the field army with the rail head would allow the transport units to use the coal and water supplies of the railway, and provide improved mobility to the army in the field.

 

[Anderman]

Bernhardi advocated the gradual expansion of the peacetime army. That is, he wanted the army to conscript a larger percentage of the available men, but he also wanted to improve conditions for officers and NCOs.

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In some way it is a rather strange article Bernhadi wants use mostly regulars in battle that´s why he wants expand the army but he must know that even regular unit regiments, division etc will have 1/3 reservist in full mobilisation.