Open Topped (offen) Infantry Field Positions

  

Although time and resources may not always allow the ideal field positions, every effort should be made to construct an adequate fighting position. An extract from a German field document tell us that our positions "must conform to factors determined by the enemy, the ground, one's own forces, and the time and supplies available. Fire positions and fields of fire must be established on the fire plan before the work is marked out and construction begun. Fire positions must merge with the surrounding country in such a fashion that the maximum possible use is made of natural concealment. Furthermore, all positions, even those to the rear, will be kept camouflaged as much as possible while they are under construction." The open topped positions described here should always be kept as small as possible, just large enough to accommodate the crew and allow the operation of weapons. This will help minimize construction time, present a smaller target, require less camouflage, and is more difficult to detect. This point was made abundantly clear to the trainee when a squad was ordered to fire upon a position that contained a dug in petrol can or balloon, seldom succeeding except with a direct hit. In general the position should be dug as deep as possible and kept low to the ground in order to present a low profile and improve your cover and concealment. The displaced earth can be used as a parapet when time does not allow a sufficiently deep hole, although it should be removed and the ground around it returned to a natural state if possible. Removing the excess material is particularly important when combat is to occur in flat terrain.
Spaten	Entrenching Tool
German entrenching tools were issued in two varieties, the first being the most common with a square blade and a short wooden handle (kleines Schanzzeug). The second was less common having a pointed blade and a longer handle and folded in on itself (Kappspaten). The unit was also issued with longer handled shovels, pickaxes, and other tools for building fortifications, but due to shortages you may also find civilian and captured tools. To show that you are digging in hold your Spaten above your head with the FRONT of the blade facing forwards. To show that you are currently dug in hold your Spaten above your head with the back of the blade facing forwards.
Schützenloch oder Wolfgrabhügel	Firing Hole or Wolf's Barrow
The rifleman's position can either be a two man slit trench or a one man hole. The two man hole is preferred, unless necessity dictates. The two man hole has several benefits, allowing one soldier to rest while the other stays alert and improves soldier moral. It also creates a more secure position. In the event a single man hole is taken out it creates a gap in the line. However, if one solder is removed from combat the second soldier can continue. To improve the concealment your Zeltbahn can be pegged to the rear of the pit and pulled over the top and will provide some protection against the elements.
Schützenloch für 1 Gewehrschütze (Russenloch)	1-Man Firing Pit (Russian Hole)
The one man firing pit is a 70cm (28") wide and 60cm (24") deep hole. That's just enough room to kneel down in. Use the removed earth in front of the position to provide you with extra cover and reduce the amount of digging if time is a constraint. The hole can later be deepened to a standing position.
Schützenloch für 2 Gewehrschützen	2-Man Firing Pit
Before 1944 the two man fighting pit was a short straight trench 80cm (31") wide and 1.8m (6') long. By 1944 a modified version became the new standard. The new method was to create a slightly curved or V-shaped trench that contained two seats and a deep section in the middle. This allowed the riflemen to kneel down with their legs in the hole for protection against an artillery attack and offered some protection against an overrunning Panzer. The armor protection trenches (below) should also be constructed this way and are suitable as rifle positions for the gun crew. The trench could be crescent shaped as pictured or V, U or W shaped. The recommended depth for the seat was was 1.4m (4.5') deep and the central portion to be 1.8-2m (6-6.5') deep.
Schützenloch für leichte Maschinegewehr	Light Machinegun Position
Also called a machinegun hole or machingun nest (Maschine- gewehrloch oder nest). This trench is constructed in the same manner as the 2-man Rifle Position, as it is also curved or V-shaped, had seats for the two men, and was about 1.4-1.6m (4.5'-5') in length. The seats for the men should create armor armor protection trenches towards the rear of the pit. For the machinegun a shallow U-shaped indention (20cm or 8") is created in the forward position to accommodate the gun and bipod and bring the weapon flush with the ground and increase concealment. The fighting position for the 5cm light mortar is constructed in the same manner.
Schützenloch für schwere Maschinegewehr	Heavy Machinegun Position
The term light and heavy machinegun denotes the weapons use and not its weight. The light machineguns role was its use on the bipod or fired from the hip or shoulder. It provided half or more of the rifle squad's firepower and was typically operated by two men. The role of the heavy machinegun was to serve as a long range weapon with an optical site, a stabilizing tripod, three spare barrels and a six man gun team. The heavy (schwere) machinegun provided long range supporting, overhead, and flanking fire. The heavy machinegun position is similar to the light machinegun position but can accommodate the two operators and the commander. The armor protection trenches should be dug out extending from the ends, and the platform is dug to 20cm (8") deep, requiring the tripod legs to be dug further down to lower the profile of the weapon.
Feuerstellung für mittleren Granatwerfer	8cm Mortar Position
The 8cm mortar position is a circular pit dug down to about 1.6m (5') and 1.8m (6') in diameter. A shallow 1m (3') shell is cut into the back for ammunition and armor protection trenches were dug into either side of the pit. The mortar position needs to be deep enough to contain the mortar, but not so deep the muzzle blast is felt in the pit. It must also be round in order to provide a 360 degree field of fire. There should also be a line of communication with rear areas and observers.
Graben	Trenches
If a position is to be occupied long enough trenches can be dug between the rifle and machinegun positions. This provides concealed movement and protection against enemy fire. Trenches should follow the terrain's contours unlike the geometric patterns laid out during WWI. The trench should zigzag in order to lessen casualties from artillery fire and prevent an enemy within the position from firing down its whole length. Each section is 10-15m (30-50') long and 60-80cm (2-3') wide. Special crawl trenches (Kriechgraben) can be constructed more quickly but are only deep enough for minimal movement, while full battle trenches (Kampfgraben) could be 2m (6.5') deep and constructed with firing steps and ammunition niches cut into the banks. Rifle and machinegun pits were usually placed a few meters forward of the battle trench.
Munitionslöchern	Ammunition Niches
Ammunition should be placed into niches for protection. Dig them into the sides of your trench and insert a wooden box if one is available. For gun positions, dig into the ground a minimum of ten meters behind your position, at an angle, and line the hole with the ammo crate or a box with a lid.
Panzerdeckungslöchern oder Panzergraben	Armor Protection Trenches or Panzer Trenches
For frontline open positions of crew served weapons, armor trenches should be dug. These are narrow, V-shaped angled and deep slit trenches on either side of the position. It should provide you with 75cm (2.5') of space above the crouching soldier, giving you some protection from overrunning tanks attempting to crush your position. It can also used for protect from counter battery fire, air attack, and used as a rifle position. The picture of the mortar position above clearly shows the V-shaped armor protection trenches.

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