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Topic: Auftragstaktik

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	Auftragstaktik
		Yet I also believe that Auftragstaktik is a completely unfathomable concept to the mind of the bureaucratic careerist who, it would seem, continues to be held in favour by the system.
		Auftragstaktik is such a change, teaching our officers is not enough, we must be prepared to provide the entire tree with this fertilizer.
		Auftragstaktik while on course, then swiftly withdraw to the less daring expectations of the status quo on return to their duties.
	www.ducimus.com /Archive/auftrags-oleary.htm (2231 words)

	[No title] (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-23)
		Auftragstaktik is the term used by German military leaders in the post-World War II years to describe the system of command that evolved in the Prussian and German Army in the 19th and 20th centuries.
		Auftragstaktik is usually translated into English as "mission tactics." This is appropriate because German commanders at all levels assign missions to subordinate leaders but do not prescribe the methods by which the subordinates are to accomplish them.
		Auftragstaktik creates a climate in which the subordinate leader knows his chief is committed to his success, will not abandon him on the battlefield, and will support his efforts to care for himself.
	www.usafa.af.mil /jscope/JSCOPE97/Kirkland97.htm (3485 words)

	Auftragstaktik - ARRSEpedia
		Before WW1, the German Army operated under the principle of WeisungsfÃ¼hrung (leadership by directive), which was similar to Auftragstaktik, but was extended to commanders no lower than army, or sometimes corps-level, giving them broad powers of discretion in executing their missions.
		Auftragstaktik, which was a post-World War I evolution, carried into the manual TruppenfÃ¼hrung (Command), extended the principle down to squad leaders and even, to individual soldiers.
		This is significant because it indicates how even the German Army's approach to command is rooted in a set of assumptions, commonly held, rather than in a set of doctrinal documents which are subject to formal amendment.
	www.arrse.co.uk /wiki/Auftragstaktik (1066 words)

	Command and control - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
		The organization will become a vital, living set of beliefs." However, such theories are just that, since purpose and principle notions generally involve linear, predictable systems, which would thus not require command and control.
		In the military this principle has been applied by German armed forces since the 19th century as Auftragstaktik.
		The term command and controll (note the ll) is sometimes employed by Internet trolls to suggest that their activities are more organized than they might appear.
	en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Command_and_control (344 words)

	Red Army Studies, Article 0411031 (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-23)
		By assigning subcommanders specific missions that were to contribute to the accomplishment of the parent formation's mission, the commander was able to retain a form of control over his formations, regardless of size.
		This was because the large increase in armies along with the dispersion of forces on the battlefield brought new problems for the commander in commanding and controlling his formations.
		Auftragstaktik is difficult to pin on any one personality though the term does have an origin around the 1870s when Prussian officers who supported the more traditional Normaltaktik, or "order-dependent tactics," coined it in derision.
	www.redarmystudies.net /0411031.htm (2720 words)

	PARAMETERS, US Army War College Quarterly - Autumn 1999
		Auftragstaktik represents a capstone command and control doctrine in the German armed forces dating back to the early 19th century.
		In the present century, Auftragstaktik was crucial in many German land campaigns, particularly on the Western Front and in North Africa during the Second World War, often allowing German units to fight outnumbered and win.
		Skillful commanders, guided by doctrine, should be able to develop and exercise suitable tactical moves in an operation on their own initiative, achieving mission objectives in accordance with theater operational and strategic goals.[8] Directive control allows commanders to adapt to changing circumstances, exercise flexibility, demonstrate initiative, anticipate events, and thereby gain tactical and operational advantage.
	carlisle-www.army.mil /usawc/Parameters/99autumn/keithly.htm (5805 words)

	L'Archivio "storia - history"
		With Auftragstaktik a mission is ordered and the officer is left with the freedom to carry out the mission assigned to him, and so he feels responsible for the actions which are suggested to him by his intelligence, his enterprise and his capabilities.
		In the Italian Campaign, the highest example of Auftragstaktik is to be found in the orders given by Field Marshal Kesselring in June 1944 for the withdrawal to the north of Rome.
		Kesselring applied the principles of Auftragstaktik masterfully during the Italian campaign, with great perspicuity choosing the Schwerpunkte or strong points where he would concentrate his forces opposite the enemy’s “weak points”, that is, in sectors that were almost void of troops or with only weak forces incapable of intervening in time.
	www.larchivio.org /xoom/gerhardmuhm2.htm (7789 words)

	Tanknet > Command & Control
		Auftragstaktik requires a modicum of smart soldiers in the mix, which obviously wasn't a problem when the draft pulled in large numbers of young folks from all educational levels, with quite a few staying in for a couple of years to become NCO's or officers.
		After all, the whole point of Auftragstaktik is to create a system where subordinates can operate successfully when the situation changes, and they're not in communications with the boss; rather than having to wait for a new set of directive orders to cope with the new situation.
		Part of Auftragstaktik is the concept of "Recon Pull" wherein subordinate units can in fact, shape the actions of higher echelons.
	www.tank-net.org /forums/lofiversion/index.php/t11185.html (8406 words)

	[No title]
		Even disobedience of orders was not inconsistent with this philosophy." (1) "Auftragstaktik" — an obscure German word related to an approach to warfare, nearly untranslatable into English, difficult to explain, probably even more difficult to comprehend.
		Until the expectations of the system change, officers will volubly speak of Auftragstaktik while on course, then swiftly withdraw to the less daring expectations of the status quo on return to their duties.
		Trust an officer who was seen by his men in combat and whose command performed well and showed low rates of drug use, fragging, body counting, etc. Search for the officer whose readiness reports indicate a high percentage of equipment which is deficient.
	www.fs.fed.us /fire/doctrine/philosophy/source_materials/auftragstaktik-leary.doc (2078 words)

	PARAMETERS, US Army War College Quarterly - Autumn 1999
		Auftragstaktik represents a capstone command and control doctrine in the German armed forces dating back to the early 19th century.
		In the present century, Auftragstaktik was crucial in many German land campaigns, particularly on the Western Front and in North Africa during the Second World War, often allowing German units to fight outnumbered and win.
		Skillful commanders, guided by doctrine, should be able to develop and exercise suitable tactical moves in an operation on their own initiative, achieving mission objectives in accordance with theater operational and strategic goals.[8] Directive control allows commanders to adapt to changing circumstances, exercise flexibility, demonstrate initiative, anticipate events, and thereby gain tactical and operational advantage.
	www.carlisle.army.mil /usawc/Parameters/99autumn/keithly.htm (5805 words)

	Michigan War Studies Review - book reviews, literature surveys, essays, and commentary
		Moltke’s third constant in war was the use of Auftragstaktik, mission tactics for army officers.
		Adopting the elder Moltke’s practice of Auftragstaktik, the army commanders neglected to inform Moltke beforehand.
		The elder Moltke was much more involved during the Königgrätz campaign, joining the Prussian armies on the morning of the battle to exert his command.
	www.michiganwarstudiesreview.com /2005/20050501.asp (14249 words)

	Being Wary of Globalization
		In the Second World War, much of the excellence of German Arms (which was outstanding, despite the execrable purposes for which they fought) was due to this concept.
		Auftragstaktik is a ready-made tactic for activists of all stripes.
		Every activist in the network knows what the objective is, and all can work together in a coordinated effort at times.
	www.mackenzieinstitute.com /2000/2000_07_02_Globalization_Wary.html (1379 words)

	» Dear God, More Germans, please… » Urban Missionary » Blog Archive » Communication ... (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-23)
		Auftragstaktik can be seen as doctrine within which formal rules can be selectively suspended in order to overcome “Friction”.
		Auftragstaktik encourages commanders to exhibit initiative, flexibility and improvisation while in command.
		In what may be seen as surprising Auftragstaktik empowers commanders to disobey Orders and revise their effect as long as the intent of the commander is maintained.
	www.urbanmissionary.info /?p=848 (2307 words)

	German officers (Henry Spencer)
		Newsgroups: comp.risks X-issue: 6.82 Date: Wed, 11 May 88 00:04:54 EDT From: mnetor!utzoo!henry@uunet.UU.NET Subject: Re: "Auftragstaktik" I agree with most of Gary Chapman's comments, but must correct one error of fact: Auftragstaktik was not a World War I invention.
		A possible reason for the error is that there were two famous German generals named Moltke: the originator of Auftragstaktik, and his nephew, the less-successful WWI commander.
		Ironically, the well-known WWII successes of Auftragstaktik came after it was already in decline, because of Hitler's intolerance for disobedience.
	yarchive.net /mil/german_officers.html (539 words)

	Myths Providers Believe
		You will find Auftragstaktik was actually trying to achieve what participative management and teamwork, and so many other management strategies for a large and complex world, now try to achieve, and by using many of the same principles and intangibles.
		The foundation upon which Auftragstaktik rests, though, is the ability of the commander first to devise objective goals, based upon impartial reasoning, for the tactical units to achieve.
		Not only must the commander have an unbiased, unemotional perspective to create such strategy, he must be well-versed in what tactical units can do and achieve, and in how they function.
	www.ulink.net /owl3951/mythspage1.html (1357 words)

	Army Doctrines: Detailed Command <=> Mission Command - U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum
		"Auftragstaktik" was founded by the Prussian Military about 200 Years ago and is since then an essential part of the decision making proccess within the German Army.
		But the fact is (at least I think so) that there is a much higher level of education towards Auftragstaktik in the German Military.
		The replacement is going to be the "Boxer", which has the interessting ability that the back-part can be replaced within less than one hour, changing a wheeled APC into a weaponcarrier or mortar...
	www.uspoliticsonline.com /forums/showthread.php?t=7753 (2942 words)

	maneuver thinking
		Clearly it does not crave much imagination to see the parallel to product development and to make good use of the ideas and philosophy behind "Auftragstaktik".
		For this tactic to work everyone must know the overall goal and have an ability to change between different kinds of work.
		Auftragstaktik found its definite form between the world wars.
	www.bostream.nu /larsh/strategy/maneuverthinking.html (393 words)

	[No title]
		Auftragstaktik, a German word for mission-tactics, or what we call Directive Style of Command, is a decentralised leadership and command philosophy that demands decisions and actions at the lowest level of command where there is an intimate knowledge of the situation and the commander’s intention in the beginning of an operation.
		Auftragstaktik is often couched under different names such as ‘Mission Command’ by Australian and British armies and ‘Directive Control and Battle Command’ by the US army.
		Auftragstaktik was crucial in many German land campaigns, particularly on the western front, and in North Africa during the second World War, often allowing German units to fight outnumbered and win.
	www.mod.nic.in /samachar/june15-05/body.html (11631 words)

	Ad Age Small Agency Diary » Oneness as the Feng Shui of Great Ad Making
		If you are curious about where the Marines got some (but by no means all) of their ideas, you will have to go back a little farther, to Germany, and the Prussian warfighting tradition.
		Boiled down, ‘auftragstaktik’, means that a commander sets the mission goal, and that subordinates are encouraged to use their initiative to think on their feet to achieve the goal.
		Of course, if you embrace this kind of thinking, you have to start thinking about military leaders as bold, daring, and intelligent, and not as mindless automatons and killers.
	amiga.adage.com /blogs/?p=50 (910 words)

	German Army rank insignia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
		Especially Feldwebel and above carry similar responsibilities officers have.
		This is largely due to the German military doctrine of Auftragstaktik: German orders usually do not include specific instructions, but rather a task, the available time and the available means.
		This gives leaders of smaller units a great deal of freedom and responsibility.
	en.wikipedia.org /wiki/German_Army_rank_insignia (356 words)

	[No title]
		To summarize, auftragstaktik requires risk-tolerant leaders in order to accept the uncertainty that comes from delegating authority to their subordinates.
		With a firm understanding of what auftragstaktik is, and is not, we shall now review the CF’s policy on mission command.
		The Debrief the Leaders study found that officers of all ranks felt they would be ‘hung out to dry’ if they took risky decisions subsequently determined to be mistaken. The use of the term “belief” suggests the author is reluctant to affirm that a risk-averse culture actually exists.
	wps.cfc.forces.gc.ca /papers/amsc/amsc7/bigelow.doc (7742 words)

	Study Theme 3 : The Opposing Forces in 1939
		Explain the organisation and composition of the German infantry and armoured divisions.
		Take particular note of the "plug in" concept and the general mobile "all arms" doctrine, which was so distinctive of the German army organisation.
		German commanders employed mobility and manoeuvre to give effect to the principle of surprise, which, according to English, "saturated" the German army.
	academic.sun.ac.za /Milacad/mil_history/244_3.html (1999 words)

	Wehrmacht-Awards.com Militaria Forums - just read something interesting from Panzer General(guderians book)
		THe corner stone of the german warfare system was "Auftragstaktik", where the superiors only give field commander broad mission oriented goals, leaving it to the generals to best figure out how to achieve those objectives.
		In May 1940 Guderian exercised this leverage to dash to the channel sealing the fate of the Allied armies, but by end of the summer of 1941 Guderian was sufficently chasen that he could not repeat the same action.
		Yet, those same commanders failed to act against the stop order allowing the "Miracle at Dunkirk." A lack of adherence to their own principle of auftragstaktik exists here also, and the sackings you mentioned had yet to take place.
	www.wehrmacht-awards.com /forums/printthread.php?t=37846 (1831 words)

	Protecting Intellectual Property
		This is especially true for multinational companies that have subsidies which are geographically highly dispersed.
		Auftragstaktik as this is called, allows the employees to freely use their individual skills, knowledge and experience to make intuitive decisions (Fingerspietzengefühl) on how to react on unfolding circumstances.
		Making elaborate use of Fingerspietzengefühl instead of a more centralized, top-down reaction pattern allows subsidies to work more quickly and efficiently towards their goals.
	www.belisarius.com /modern_business_strategy/copenhagen_b_school/protecting_intellectual_property.htm (870 words)

	From Confrontation to Cooperation : The Takeover of the National People's (East German) Army by the Bundeswehr (Praeger ...
		This book was orignially a doctoral dissertation that investigates the processes the Bundeswehr developed to assimilate the National VolksArmee (NVA) when Germany was reunited in 1990.
		That the plan was an outstanding success is attributed to Auftragstaktik (Mission Oriented Orders) and the idea that equals work with equals.
		There is a wealth of detail on the mindset of the NVA and what education needed to be in place to assist their transition to a western democracy and market economy, plus one of the best definitions of Auftragstaktik I've ever seen in military literature.
	www.gettextbooks.com /isbn_0275965465.html (520 words)

	PARAMETERS, US Army War College Quarterly - Summer 2004
		If one believes this theory, Germans rolled over France in 1870 and 1940 (and almost in 1914) because their army was overwhelmingly superior in quality of soldiers, leadership, doctrine, organization, and use of technology.
		But the operation narrative refers to auftragstaktik and operational art too rarely to demonstrate the importance of these concepts to the German victory.
		If the narrative does not reinforce Wawro’s opening assertions about auftragstaktik and operational art, nor does it adequately prepare the reader for belated hints that Prussia’s victory over France was neither predictable with certainty nor inevitable.
	www.carlisle.army.mil /usawc/Parameters/04summer/sum-rev.htm (10396 words)

	Military Writing Template - Version 2
		Following a description of auftragstaktik, this approach is then compared with befehlstaktik and micro-management.
		The impact of environmental and systemic factors that promote risk aversion are examined, with a view to their impact on command style.
		[14] That mistakes were not only tolerated but also expected by commanders was the hallmark of the original concept of auftragstaktik. Further, subordinates were censured for overcautious behaviour. It was considered worse to be unwilling to make a risky decision than to take appropriate risks and fail.
	wps.cfc.forces.gc.ca /papers/amsc/amsc7/bigelow.htm (4555 words)

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