Description:

GEN. FRANZ HALDER'S DRAFT ANALYSIS OF ‘ATTACKS AGAINST FORTIFICATIONS'
An extraordinary historic mimeographed document, approx. 203pp. 4to., originating from the personal files of German General FRANZ HALDER (1884-1972), Chief of Staff of the German ‘Oberkommando des Heeres' (OKH), or Army High Command, from 1938 until his removal in 1942. The document, written in German and titled ‘MS # P - 203. ANGRIFF GEGEN BEFESTIGUNGSANLAGEN. DEUTSCHE ANGRIFF GEGEN STAENDIGE UND VERSTAERKTE FELDMAESSIGE BEFESTIGUNGSANLAGEN IM ZWEITEN WELTKRIEG ('Attacks Against Fortifications. German Attacks Against Reinforced Permanent and Ordinary Field Fortifications in the Second World War'), was written under Halder's direction immediately postwar for the U.S. Army Historical Division, by Wehrmacht General of Infantry RUDOLF HOFMANN (1895-1970), with contributions from fellow generals Friedrich Wolf, Freidrich Schleiper and Walter Botsch. The report presents numerous case studies of many German attacks on fortifications on both the Eastern and Western Front and in North Africa, both successful and unsuccessful, including assaults on Maginot Line defenses in France, Fort Eben Emael in Belgium, Tobruk in Libya, the citadel of Brest-Litovsk, Sevastopol, and many others. The report is liberally illustrated with approx. 20 half-, full-page and foldout ‘Skizze', or sketches of maps showing the offensives described in the text, all hand-drawn in black ink and annotated in ink and pencil. The section describing the stall of the German advance on Moscow is accompanied by two later-generation photographs of soldier in snow, unfortunately rather indistinct. The presence of numerous handwritten emendations in ink and pencil, particularly in the table of contents and most likely in the hands of the authors, indicate that this was an early draft of the report predating its finalization and submittal to the U.S. Army. Halder himself writes a ‘preface' which is included at the close of the report, signing at the conclusion in blue ink. This study is a comprehensive technical and tactical analysis of German assault operations against fortified field positions and semi-permanent strongpoints. The opening sections provide a classification of fortifications, describing the physical and psychological effects of bunkers, trench networks, anti-tank ditches, wire, mines, log positions, and mutually supporting strongpoints. Detailed sketches illustrate common Soviet fieldworks, flanking machine-gun positions, concealed observation bunkers, and the increasing sophistication of enemy defensive systems in 1941–42. The core of the study examines the attack cycle against fortified positions. This includes the principles of reconnaissance, the timing of the assault, the sequencing of artillery preparation and smoke employment, and the integration of Infantry–Panzer–Pionier cooperation. It outlines the German practice of forming Stosstrupps (assault groups), their composition, and their assigned weapons: Bangalore torpedoes, satchel charges, Hohlladungen, flame projectors, concentrated smoke pots, and specialized wire-cutting equipment. Tables and diagrams quantify the charges needed to breach different bunker types, the required explosive amounts for timber revetments, and the observed vulnerability points of Soviet bunkers. Further sections analyze minefields, showing density patterns encountered in Russia, methods of rapid breaching under fire, and the limitations placed on tanks by mixed anti-personnel and anti-tank belts. Special emphasis is placed on combined breaching, where Pioneers and tanks work together, with tanks suppressing embrasures as engineers advance to place charges. The study also covers anti-tank ditches, including the improvised bridging tools used by infantry and Pioneers (Fascines, assault ladders, plank bundles), and how local infantry fire superiority had to be established before any Pionier work was possible. Multiple case studies show successes and failures of attacks at French and Soviet obstacles, highlighting that the absence of synchronized artillery fire led to significant casualties. The report is bound in a file folder, the front cover of which is missing, and the final page, consisting of a fold-out chart, is detached but present, and shows a few scattered folds and paper clip marks, but is otherwise in very good overall condition. The ‘Halder Group', consisting of over 700 German officers overseen by Halder, produced over 2,500 documents for the U.S. Army Historical Division, providing valuable military intelligence and analysis of the course of the war, and particularly the tactics utilized by the Red Army. These provided a vital resource guiding American military policy in response to the Soviet threat during the Cold War.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

April 21, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000