Military Geologists and the Military Geologists and the German German AfrikaAfrika KorpsKorps

19401940--4343

J. David RogersJ. David RogersUniversity of MissouriUniversity of Missouri--RollaRolla

OutlineOutline

German Military Geologist OrganizationGerman Military Geologist OrganizationGerman Military EngineersGerman Military EngineersAfrikaAfrika KorpsKorpsSummarySummaryReferencesReferences

German Military Engineer SchoolGerman Military Engineer SchoolThe building

was a German military engineers' school in the late 30s.

Then, the site of the Armistice signing in May 1945.

Soviet General Marshall Zhukov also used it as his headquarters after World War II.

Military Engineer SchoolMilitary Engineer School

German German AfrikaAfrika KorpsKorps• Commanded by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

• Operated in Africa from 1941 –1943

• Operation Torch, Nov 1942, opened up a second front on the Afrika Korps

• Germans, surrounded at Tunis and Bizeret by land and sea, begin surrendering in May 1943

• FM Rommel was withdrawn to Greece in Mar 1943 to organize defenses there

Northern Africa GeographyNorthern Africa Geography

North African GeographyNorth African Geography

Terrain Feature ChallengesTerrain Feature Challenges

On land or at sea, the terrain challenged operations continuously.

First widespread use of half tracks

Water RequirementsWater Requirements

One person requires 1 gal/day of water in the desert.

Adapting to EnvironmentAdapting to Environment

• Tents with flaps rolled up.

• R&R in Mediterranean

Adapt and OvercomeAdapt and Overcome

Germans used camels for logistics when possible.

Other Other AdaptionsAdaptions

Dig, man, dig!

In the TrenchesIn the Trenches

Casualties in the African Campaign for the Germans totaled 18,594 killed and 3,400 missing.

BlitzkreigBlitzkreig EngineersEngineers

German military German military engineers, road engineers, road builders, and demolition builders, and demolition squads created paths squads created paths for the German Army to for the German Army to move quickly. move quickly.

They blazed roads and They blazed roads and paved highways to paved highways to enable force mobility, enable force mobility, using their armor using their armor effectively in a series of effectively in a series of flanking maneuvers flanking maneuvers . .

Assessing Assessing TrafficabilityTrafficability

Tracked vehicles allowed far greater mobility through rough terrain and bomb damaged urban areas

Other Transportation DifficultiesOther Transportation Difficulties

The BMO at work.

Mud? In the desert?

The 5 gallon “Jerry Can” was developed The 5 gallon “Jerry Can” was developed by the Germans for their by the Germans for their AfrikaAfrika KorpsKorps

Finding WaterFinding Water

German geologists interviewed natives to find water sources.

Mixing materialsMixing materials

RommelRommel on inspection touron inspection tour

SUMMARYSUMMARYGermans recognized importance of geological Germans recognized importance of geological information during time of war by compiling information during time of war by compiling comprehensive manual on War Geology in 1938.comprehensive manual on War Geology in 1938.German geologists integral part of Army engineering German geologists integral part of Army engineering activities in all theaters of World War II.activities in all theaters of World War II.Geologists also utilized in logistical support and Geologists also utilized in logistical support and design and construction of defensive works.design and construction of defensive works.AfrikaAfrika KorpsKorps operations turned on logistical support, operations turned on logistical support, navigation and deception. Geologist’s knowledge navigation and deception. Geologist’s knowledge was incorporated into maneuver planning and was incorporated into maneuver planning and positioning of defensespositioning of defenses..

REFERENCESREFERENCES

Military Geology in War and PeaceMilitary Geology in War and Peace by James Underwood, The by James Underwood, The Geological Society of America, Boulder, COGeological Society of America, Boulder, COWehrgeologieWehrgeologie by Dr. Kurd von by Dr. Kurd von BulowBulow, translated by MAJ Walter , translated by MAJ Walter KranzKranz, Ph.D, and MAJ Erich , Ph.D, and MAJ Erich SonneSonne, , QuelleQuelle and Mayer Publishing and Mayer Publishing House, LeipzigHouse, Leipzighttp://www.museumhttp://www.museum--karlshorst.de/karlshorst.de/http://www.essaybank.co.uk/http://www.essaybank.co.uk/http://www.ww2battles.com/afrikakorps/dak/http://www.ww2battles.com/afrikakorps/dak/http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/mar/stories/desertsur.htmlhttp://www.desertusa.com/mag99/mar/stories/desertsur.html