The historical background . German preparations pre-war . The parameters of combat: climate and terrain – different types of cold, different types of snow . The effects of wind
‘MOTTI’ TACTICS: FINLAND, 1939–40
Reconnaissance, and stopping . Attacking, and cutting . Isolation, and annihilation . Opportunism and planning . The value and limitations of skis
THE WESTERN ALLIES IN NORWAY, 1940
Intervention in Finland planned, January-February 1940 . Norway, April–June 1940 . The British & US response
THE SOVIET TACTICAL RESPONSE: COMBAT IN WINTER (1941)
Movement . Digging-in . Concealment . Anti-tank defence . Patrolling . Route preparation . The attack . The defence . Study of War Experience (Autumn 1942)
DISASTER ON THE OSTFRONT, 1941/42
Hitler’s overconfidence . Emergency clothing – ‘Winter Fritz’ . Taschenbuch für den Winterkrieg (1942): Morale . The rasputitsa . Snow conditions – tactical lessons . Movement & orientation . Clearing routes . Railways . Clothing – padding & camouflage . Equipment . Shelters & food
GERMAN SKI TRAINING & TACTICS, 1942–44
Ski training . Tactical organization and movement . The fire-fight
Great Britain: Operations in Snow and Mountain Warfare (1943) . German Mountain Warfare (US appreciation, 1944)