Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-04-02
GERMAN LEADERS
ANXIOUS TO FIND
OUT u. S. TACTICS
Captured Documents Show
PruSsian Army Chiefs Are
Trying. to Secure Informa-
ton on Pershing'S Troops

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
TRANCE, Sunday, March S1-CBy the
Associated Press)-German army lead
ers are exceedingly anxious to obtain
information concerning the most minute
detail Of the American army. This Is
disclosed by a captured German docu-
ment which instructs every observer
patrol to do his or it's best 10 bring in
formation about the new enemy"
The captured document starts out by
giving details that are known such as
those regarding the American uniform,
and adds that the infantry Is equipped
partly with English rifles and that the
ARTILLERY probably has French guns. II
SAYS that American troops viii CON
tinue training In France, adding: Moth
ing is known as yet about the methods
OF fighting or leadership.
From the preceding meager details"
n continues, 1T Is evident that sectors
x and M have the honorable task Of OBJ
tanning as much information as possible
on particular features of American fight
ing and outpost tactics This will then
be used for extending the information
bulletin Any observation or identified
ton however insignificant, may be Of
the greatest value in connection with
information already at hand"
Attention then is drawn to "self-evi-
dent questions which observers patrols
and outposts are expected to find an
swers for. Under the heading, ''The
enemy's security" the document says
Are sentry posts sentry posts or
stronger posts? Further advanced re-
connoitering patrols? Manner of chal-
longing? Behavior on post during day
and night Vigilance? Ambush tactics
and cunning7
Behavior under Fire
do they shoot and signal on every
occasion? Do the posts hold their
ground on the approach of patrol or
do they fall back? Do they give bar
rage fire signals? When are the reliefs
and what is the behavior during them?
Have they any light signals other than
French ones
Under enemy patrols" the document
asks details on strength, methods of
advance. behavior on meeting and in
itiative" These questions come under
information on general behavior:
Are the American careful and eau
tious? And are they careful or noisy?
What is their behavior during smoke
screens? What is their behavior at
concentration be observed? Is there
havior day and night? Is there much
machine gun firing? Is there more or
less transport of material than for
merIy?'
The Germans also want to know
whether during reliefs there are more
troops in the rear than is customary
with the French, and what are the times
and sounds of reliefs. 1t is said that
used infantry and machine gun bullets,
unexploded shells and shell splinters are
of special value. The Germans want to
know whether the copper rotating bands
have sharp incisions, indicating new or
WORKOUT guns, the caliber of which can
be determined by the curvature of the
splinters, according to the document.
Have Enemy Guessing
Information regarding the color and
outside appearance of projectiles fired
by the Americans also is desired. The
German soldiers are ordered to keep
fuses, splinters Of shells and shell bases
having factory initials and numbers.
Under the heading, Enemy Shelling."
they are asked the American peculiari-
ties compared with the French, what OBJ
jectives are preferred and whether dug
outs are shelled. The document asks
also that IL be determined whether the
Americans employ bursts of fire or sin
gle shots at fixed intervals, and what IS
the normal firing rate when observation
is good.
Many Of the above items, while APP
parently trivial, il is pointed out by in
telligence officers, indicate why the cen
sorship has been obliged to delete GER
tain matter from press dispatches
Since the captured document was issued
the Germans naturally have found an
swcrs TO many of the questions, but
about the others the American expedi-
tiOnary force believes il still has the
enemy guessing.