ICM 1/35 Los, Los, Los, Attacke!' German Army Assault Unit (4 Figures) # 35723

The cry “Los, los, los, Attacke!”—“Go, go, go, attack!”—perfectly reflects the aggressive spirit of German stormtrooper units in the later stages of the First World War.

These elite assault troops, known as Sturmtruppen, were developed to break the deadlock of trench warfare.

The Rise of Stormtrooper Tactics

By 1916–1918, the German Army began shifting away from costly mass infantry assaults.

Instead, they adopted infiltration tactics, where small, highly trained units would:

- Bypass strongpoints rather than attack them head-on
- Penetrate weak sections of the enemy line
- Disrupt command, artillery, and communications behind the front

This approach became a defining feature of German offensives, especially during the 1918 Spring Offensive.

Weapons and Equipment

Stormtroopers were equipped for close-quarters combat, carrying:

- Karabiner 98 rifles
- Pistols for confined fighting
- Large numbers of stick grenades (their signature weapon)
- Light machine guns for mobile fire support
- Flamethrowers and explosives for clearing bunkers

They travelled light compared to regular infantry, prioritising speed and shock over heavy gear.

How They Fought

Unlike traditional “over the top” assaults, stormtroopers moved in small, coordinated teams, using:

- Speed and surprise to disorient defenders
- Grenades and automatic weapons to clear trenches quickly
- Initiative, with junior leaders making decisions on the ground

The shout “Los, los, los!” would often signal the moment to surge forward—closing the distance rapidly before the enemy could react.

Battlefield Impact

Stormtrooper tactics proved highly effective in the short term, allowing German forces to achieve deep penetrations into Allied lines in 1918.

However, without sufficient reserves and logistics to exploit these breakthroughs, the gains could not be sustained.

Legacy

The German stormtrooper concept marked a major evolution in infantry warfare. Its emphasis on flexibility, small-unit tactics, and rapid assault directly influenced modern military doctrine.

The phrase “Los, los, los, Attacke!” remains a powerful symbol of these elite troops—capturing the urgency, aggression, and innovation that defined Germany’s final offensives of the First World War.