💾 Archived View for library.inu.red › file › cicatrix-anarchist-small-unit-praxis.gmi captured on 2023-01-29 at 08:19:32. Gemini links have been rewritten to link to archived content

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Title: Anarchist Small-Unit Praxis
Author: Cicatrix
Date: 3/7/2022
Language: en
Topics: praxis, anarchist organization

Cicatrix

Anarchist Small-Unit Praxis

Firepower and shock were key principles of Stosstrupptakitk.Shock,

quite simply, is the effort to create psychological pressure on the foe.

Shock slows and disrupts an enemy and may even paralyze the enemy’s

ability to fight or physically stun the enemy. Surprise and speed

magnify the effects of shock. (US Field Manual 3-06.11)

Infantry and artillery were used in tandem in Stosstruppen attacks.

Infantry guns such as the L/16.5, mortars and grenade launchers provided

fire support directly and indirectly. The infantry themselves carried

stick grenades, preferred for their stunning blast effect, making them

valuable on the attack.

They also made use of static and man-portable flamethrowers for their

effect on enemy morale and their efficacy against emplacements.

Tactics are described as followed. Small units would pass stealthily

through no-man’s land to assault an enemy position. Stealth was of the

essence, as surprise and speed were key. Any hesitation on their part

would allow the enemy to fire upon them on their approach. Once “stuck

in”, the Stosstruppen would engage in CQC, making particular use of hand

grenades.While this was happening, all the while, artillery and mortars

would suppress the enemy.

The enemy position would be penetrated at several points along the

trench, and the Stosstruppen would clear it out along its width. Some

would stay behind to hold the trench, while others would exit from the

left and right.

A follow-up force of regular infantry was sent afterwards, with the

trench mortars and grenade launchers of the Storm Battalion.

So how does this apply to anarchist praxis? Similar yet divergent

tactics were propounded by Evans Carlson of the United States Marine

Corps during his command of the 2nd Raider Battalion. There was no

formal hierarchy and separation between ranks within the 2nd Battalion,

merely a distinction between “leaders” and “fighters”. The two would

sleep and cohabitate together. The 2nd Battalion’s component units were,

in ascending order: 3-man fireteam, platoon (in modern statist

militaries a 50-man unit, give or take), and company of six platoons

each. I pray you can understand what I am getting at here.

General principles are as follow: Each of these units must be small,

mobile, and concentrate as much firepower as is practical to carry.

Ideally, improvised mortars, explosives, and rockets will provide the

unit with firepower roughly equivalent to what the Stosstruppen used. An

understanding of overall leader’s intent must exist in each member of

the unit, from top to bottom. Stealth, speed, and violence of action are

the key to successful praxis along these lines.

These historical examples should provide you with a framework. It is

just that: a framework, not absolute, and adaptable. Adapt it as you see

fit.