Changes

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Infiltration-course.jpg|right|frame]]

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Infiltration-course.jpg|right|frame]]

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1758]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1758]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: to cause (as a [[liquid]]) to permeate something by penetrating its pores or interstices

*1: to cause (as a [[liquid]]) to permeate something by penetrating its pores or interstices

In warfare, '''infiltration''' tactics involve small, lightly equipped infantry forces attacking [[enemy]] rear areas while bypassing enemy front line strongpoints and [[isolating]] them for [[attack]] by follow-up troops with heavier weapons.

In warfare, '''infiltration''' tactics involve small, lightly equipped infantry forces attacking [[enemy]] rear areas while bypassing enemy front line strongpoints and [[isolating]] them for [[attack]] by follow-up troops with heavier weapons.

These tactics emerged gradually during the later years of [[World War I]], used in various forms by the Russian general [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksei_Brusilov Aleksei Brusilov] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brusilov_Offensive Brusilov Offensive] of 1916, by the British Third Army at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Arras_(1917) Battle of Arras] in April 1917, following the reorganisation of British infantry platoons according to the new Manual SS 143, in the new year and by the Germany military in the Siege of Riga in September 1917 and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Caporetto Battle of Caporetto] in October 1917.

These tactics emerged gradually during the later years of [[World War I]], used in various forms by the Russian general [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksei_Brusilov Aleksei Brusilov] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brusilov_Offensive Brusilov Offensive] of 1916, by the British Third Army at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Arras_(1917) Battle of Arras] in April 1917, following the reorganisation of British infantry platoons according to the new Manual SS 143, in the new year and by the Germany military in the Siege of Riga in September 1917 and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Caporetto Battle of Caporetto] in October 1917.

The tactics became especially associated with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormtrooper stormtroopers] of the German Army, and were also called Hutier tactics, after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_von_Hutier General Oskar von Hutier], who used these tactics to great effect during [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_Offensive Operation Michael] in March 1918.

The tactics became especially associated with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormtrooper stormtroopers] of the German Army, and were also called Hutier tactics, after [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_von_Hutier General Oskar von Hutier], who used these tactics to great effect during [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_Offensive Operation Michael] in March 1918.

Infiltration tactics were first proposed in the Allied armies by French Army captain Andre Laffargue. Laffargue published a pamphlet "The attack in trench warfare" in 1915, based upon his [[experiences]] in combat that same year. He [[advocated]] that the first wave of an attack identify hard-to-defeat [[defenses]] but not attack them; subsequent waves would do this.

Infiltration tactics were first proposed in the Allied armies by French Army captain Andre Laffargue. Laffargue published a pamphlet "The attack in trench warfare" in 1915, based upon his [[experiences]] in combat that same year. He [[advocated]] that the first wave of an attack identify hard-to-defeat [[defenses]] but not attack them; subsequent waves would do this.

The French published his pamphlet "for information", but did not implement it. The British did not even [[translate]] it, but did gradually adopt the [[techniques]], beginning with the Canadian Corps. Germany captured copies of the pamphlet in 1916, translating and issuing it to units, but already had more sophisticated infiltration tactics: an experimental Pioneer unit commanded by Hauptmann Willie Rohr had been formed in the spring of 1915, over two months before Laffargue's pamphlet was published.

The French published his pamphlet "for information", but did not implement it. The British did not even [[translate]] it, but did gradually adopt the [[techniques]], beginning with the Canadian Corps. Germany captured copies of the pamphlet in 1916, translating and issuing it to units, but already had more sophisticated infiltration tactics: an experimental Pioneer unit commanded by Hauptmann Willie Rohr had been formed in the spring of 1915, over two months before Laffargue's pamphlet was published.

Named for the German general of the infantry [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_von_Hutier Oskar von Hutier]. Infiltration attacks began with brief and [[violent]] bombardments of the enemy front lines, to suppress and demoralize the [[soldiers]] stationed there. The bombardment also targeted the [[enemy]] rear areas to destroy or disrupt roads, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artillery artillery], and command units.

Named for the German general of the infantry [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_von_Hutier Oskar von Hutier]. Infiltration attacks began with brief and [[violent]] bombardments of the enemy front lines, to suppress and demoralize the [[soldiers]] stationed there. The bombardment also targeted the [[enemy]] rear areas to destroy or disrupt roads, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artillery artillery], and command units.

This was done to [[confuse]] the enemy, and reduce their capability to launch effective counterattacks from secondary [[defense]] lines. For maximum effect, the exact points of attack remained [[Secret|concealed]] until the last possible moment.

This was done to [[confuse]] the enemy, and reduce their capability to launch effective counterattacks from secondary [[defense]] lines. For maximum effect, the exact points of attack remained [[Secret|concealed]] until the last possible moment.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_infantry Light infantry] led these attacks. They would attempt to penetrate enemy weak points to bypass and isolate heavily defended positions in the front line. Infantrymen with heavier weapons would then follow-up and have a great advantage when attacking the isolated enemy strong points. Other reinforcements would then enter these breaches, and the entire enemy line would shortly collapse. The attacks relied heavily on [[speed]] and [[surprise]].

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_infantry Light infantry] led these attacks. They would attempt to penetrate enemy weak points to bypass and isolate heavily defended positions in the front line. Infantrymen with heavier weapons would then follow-up and have a great advantage when attacking the isolated enemy strong points. Other reinforcements would then enter these breaches, and the entire enemy line would shortly collapse. The attacks relied heavily on [[speed]] and [[surprise]].

This tactic initially worked well and saw heavy use. However, because of this extensive implementation, the enemy quickly developed effective [[defenses]]. Also, as in the case of the more [[traditional]] mass attack, reserve troops following the assault units had to consolidate any gains against an enemy counterattack.

This tactic initially worked well and saw heavy use. However, because of this extensive implementation, the enemy quickly developed effective [[defenses]]. Also, as in the case of the more [[traditional]] mass attack, reserve troops following the assault units had to consolidate any gains against an enemy counterattack.

One of the problems of [[World War I]] was that even when a breakthrough was made, the ground was so devastated that moving up reserves and material was difficult, allowing the enemy time to regroup. Thus, even with the new tactics and their relatively light use of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artillery artillery], attacks would tend to bog down sooner or later, and no massive breakthrough was possible.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infiltration_tactics]

One of the problems of [[World War I]] was that even when a breakthrough was made, the ground was so devastated that moving up reserves and material was difficult, allowing the enemy time to regroup. Thus, even with the new tactics and their relatively light use of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artillery artillery], attacks would tend to bog down sooner or later, and no massive breakthrough was possible.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infiltration_tactics]

[[Category: History]]

[[Category: History]]