Hello. I'm doing research for a game I'm making about WWI and I'm trying to find some resources on infantry tactics to see which might fit as game mechanics.
I'm finding it hard to find information about WWI that isn't
a) high level grand strategy for the war b) reducing an officers thought process to "keep charging the machine guns until we win"
I know it was a revolutionary time for warfare so surely some officer kept a journal regarding new ideas and what seemed to be working and what wasn't.
Can anyone point me in the right direction of any resources that show tactics on a smaller scale during WWI?
https://archive.org/details/pt1fieldservicer00greauoft/mode/2up?ref=ol&view=theater
https://archive.org/details/instructionsfort00washrich
Infantry tactics at the beginning of the war were for the most part were the same as previous light infantry tactics from the Franco Prussian war, which has its roots from the 18th century. The men would be drawn up in two "waves" in open order. The first wave is the 'shock' element, the second wave is the 'fire' element. The first wave is to assault the trench with bayonet and hand bomb to force the enemy out. The second wave is to cover the first wave with machine gun, rifle bombs, and rifle fire.
"The essence of infantry tactics consists in breaking down the enemy's resistance by the weight and direction of its fire, and then completing his overthrow by assault. Although the enemy may not await the assault, infantry must be constantly animated with the desire to close with him. Troops under cover, unless enfiladed, can seldom be forced to retire by fire alone, and a decision by fire, even if possible, takes long to obtain. To drive an enemy from the field, assault, or the immediate threat of it, is almost always necessary."
As you can see, the broad idea has not changed to the modern day. However, the emphasis on the assault was much greater.
The night trench assault has its roots from the late 15th century, with a small number of men (~20-30) infiltrating the trench to sow chaos, capture enemies, gain intelligence, and to prepare for the main assault. The goal is (usually) not to take the trench.