Page "Battle of Passchendaele" Paragraph 38

Ludendorff ordered a strengthening of forward garrisons by the ground-holding divisions.

All available machine-guns, including those of the support and reserve battalions of the front line regiments, were sent into the forward zone to form a cordon of four to eight guns every.

The ground holding divisions were reinforced by the Stoss regiment of an Eingreif division being moved up behind each front division, into the artillery protective line behind the forward battle zone, to launch earlier counter-attacks while the British were consolidating.

The bulk of the Eingreif divisions were to be held back and used for a methodical counter-stroke on the next day or the one after and for counter-attacks and spoiling attacks between British offensives.

Further changes of the Fourth Army's defensive methods were ordered on 30 September.

Operations to increase British infantry losses in line with the instructions of 22 September were to continue.

Gas bombardment of forward British infantry positions and artillery emplacements, was to be increased whenever the winds allowed.

Every effort was to be made to induce the British to reinforce their forward positions, where the German artillery could engage them.

Between 26 September and 3 October the Germans attacked at least 24 times.

Operation Hohensturm, a bigger German methodical counter-attack, intended to recapture the area around Zonnebeke was planned for 4 October.