Through Enemy Eyes

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by Kieron Hill, Aug 29, 2004.

  1. Kieron Hill

    Kieron Hill Senior Member

    The following was taken from the copy of the Crusader Eighth Army Weekly August 29, 1943 which I thought you’d all be interested in and I thought the Italians were the Germans allies…who needs friends when you’ve got the Germans. Enjoy!!!

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    The following is an extract from a recently captured German Divisional Order:

    1/ No demolitions and no road blocks are to be manned by Italian personal. Officers i/c battle groups are responsible for the enforcement of this.

    2/ Every German soldier who is forced to take to the mainland must be in possession of infantry weapons. Apart from revolver and bayonet he will carry a rifle, machine pistol or L.M.G with ammunition. In case of sections, 1 M.M.G. or mortar. These weapons are tickets for the ferry. Without those mentioned. Soldiers will ruthlessly be prevented from crossing.

    3/ No Italian, whether civilian or soldier may interfere in any way with the movements of the German Armed Forces. All Italians motor vehicles and heavy weapons will be removed from the roads ruthlessly. This does not apply to units which, as part of the Division, have proved their worth in battle and carry on in the fight.

    4/Isolated remnants of formations, platoons and sections of any description, are to be put under command of local units. They will be made to form part of the current movement. Out of date orders are no longer valid.

    5/ Any M.T., weapons or equipment that cannot be transported across are to be completely demolished. Destructions by fire is strictly forbidden since fires and traces of burning are liable to attract the attention of enemy aircraft, both by day and night. Blowing is the most effective method of destruction and will be applied to weapons as a matter of principle. M.T. will be destroyed so as to put them out of action for a long time at least. (They will be blown up, magnetos removed, tyres slashed, the engine smashed, or the whole vehicle run over a cliff.)

    6/ The most rigid discipline is the main condition for the success of all future movements. Anyone not cooperating will be shot. Examples of individuals always works wonders.

    7/ All traffic Control organisations come under direct orders of Div. H.Q. Whoever does not comply with regulations is subject to disciplinary action, vide para 6.

    8/ Roads which because of enemy action have been blocked (bomb craters or demolished houses) must be made passable as quickly as possible, or diversions created and flagged by drawing on the civil population and P.W.

    9/ All ranks will carry haversack rations for 24 hours as well as iron rations.
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    It would be great to hear anyones comments on the above.

    regards Kieron
     
  2. Dpalme01

    Dpalme01 Member

    The Germans did have a reason for not trusting the Italians. The Italians were almost more of an asset to the allies by their poor performance than the Germans.
    But I'll agree with you that they would have probably treated anyone that way- they did with the russians.
    You also have to wonder, what would have happened if the axis won? My guess is that they would have probably turned on each other.
     

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