How the Pros do it

[grunt_GI]

I have read several of the tactics helps at combat-missions.net. I found these on the web the other day. They are US Army Field manuals that show how the pros do it. I found them pretty useful. It's a great website to prowl around on and most of the stuff is downloadable. Not that the occasional MG42 or Panzershreck doesn't still ruin my day!
http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/100-5/100-5toc.htm
http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/17-15/cont.htm
http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/7-7/toc.htm
http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/7-10/toc.htm

smile.gif

[kensai]

One thing to bear in mind is that actual WWII tactics in Europe often differed dramatically from the doctrine presented in the field manuals.

There is an excellent book by Michael Doubler called "Closing With The Enemy" that provides a detailed description of small unit tactics employed by the Americans in Europe after D-Day. It describes exactly how GIs modified field manual doctrine to the realities of the battlefield (such as city fighting and bocage busting). I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an in-depth treatment of WWII American combined-arms tactics.

[grunt_GI]

"Closing with the Enemy" is an excellent book...and it is true the GIs had to invent a lot of new tactics for the hedgerow fighting. smile.gif I recommended the FMs for general guidance. The general principles they explain are valid for WWII or modern combat :D

[Enoch]

Are there any books similar to Doubler's that look at the German side of the equation?

[s_e_avenger]

If you've got some time, take a look through the Army Military History Institute's Online documents at http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usamhi/DL/chron.htm

The "Combat Lessons Learned" pamphlets from 1944-45 touch on hedgerow technique, city fighting, and a lot of other stuff. It's contemprary with CMBO's time frame. They are in .pdf and have limited listing of contents, so pack a lunch.