Evening star., 1918-04-01
]. s. WAR TACTICS
SOUGHT BY HUNS
Prisoners Document Reveals
Series Of Questions About
the ssNew Enemy"
GATHER MINUTE DETAILS
~. ~ Associated Psess.

~. tAs Assoelated Press.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, Sunday. March 51.-German
army leaders are exceedingly anxious
TO obtain Information concerning the
most minute detail of the American
Army. This is disclosed by captured
German document issued to the 5th
Bavartaa LAndwehr Infantry Brigade
and wAleh Ipstructs every observer and
patrol to do his or its best ito bring
infermatien about the new enemy"
The results obtaihed are to be added
10 the oficsal reports.
The captured document starts ont
by giving details that are known. such
as those regarding the American uni
form, ard adds that the infaatry is
equipped partly with English rifles and
that the artillery probably has French
win continue training In France, add
Ing: "Nothing is known as vet about
the methods of hghting or leadership.
From the preceding meaEer details,
It continues, "it is evident that sectors
X and M have the honorable task OF
obtaining az msich information as pos
sibie ON particular features OF Ahnert-
can fighting ana outpost tactics. This
will then be ueed for extending the
information bulletin. Amy observation
may be Of the greatest value In con-
nection with Information already 1t
hand"
Questions for Patrols.
. Attention then is drawn to 'self-evi-
dent questions" which observers. pa
trolls and outposts are expected to flnd
answers for. Under the heading, The
enemy's security" the document says:
"Are sentry posts sentry posts or
connoiterfng patrols? Manner Of chal-
longing? Behavior on post during day
and night? Vigilance? Ambush tactics
and cunning?
, "Do. they shoot and signal on every
occasion? Do the posts hold their
ground on the approAch Of patrol or
do they fall baekg Do they give bar
rage Are signals? When are the reliefs
and what is the behavior during them7
Have they any light signals other than
French onesT
Under "enemy patrols" the document
Asks details on strength, methods OF
advance, behavior on meeting and ini-
tiAtive.s, These questions come under
Information on general behavior:
Are the Americans careful and caus
tious? And are they careful or noisy
what il their behavior during smoke
scesensg What is their behavior at
meal timess When sha are enese .hara nan
much feconnoitering? How is the be-
havior day and night? Is there much
machine gun firing? Is there more or
less transport OF material than for-
mer1y?"
Ask of Reliefs-
The Germans also want to know
whether during reliefs there are moro
troops In the rear than Is customary
with the French and what are the
times and sounds OF reliefs. 1t ID said
that used infantry and machine-gun
spiinters are of special value. The
GAffs6fiS wanfs to know whether the
copper rotating bands have sharp in
cisions, indicating new or worn-eut guns.
by the curvature Of the splinters. ac-
cording to the document.
Information regarding the color and
outside appearance, OF projectiles fired
by the Americans also IL desired.
The German soldiers are ordered to
Keep fuses, splinters OF shells and shell
bases having factory initials and num-
bers.
Under the heading, Enemy shelling.' .
they are asked the American pecufiari-
ties compared with the French. what
objectives are preferred and whether
dugputs are shelled. The document
asks also that it be determined whether
the Americans employ i bursts OF - fire re-, or
is the normal firing rate when observa-
tion fs good.
Many Of the above items, while ap-
parently trivial, it is pointed out by
intelligence ofacers, indicate why the
censorship has been obliged to delete
certain matter from press dispatches
Since the captured document was issued
the Germans naturally have found
anAwers to many Of the questions, but
about the others the American expedi-
tionary force believes it still has the
enemy guessing.