Planspielen and Kriegsspielen

[Tom from Cornwall]

Hi,

Could anyone advice as to the difference between Planspielen (map exercise?) and Kriegsspielen (war game using a map).

The two terms are used in a Dec 43 document produced by the Chief of Staff of the German Army in Denmark to describe training methods by which lessons learned from the Italian campaign should be absorbed by the German army formations in that country.

Regards

Tom

[Hohlladung]

Hi Tom from Cornwall,

I think there are only minor differences between these two terms.
Take a look at this explanation:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kriegsspiel

Best regards
Armin

[Tom from Cornwall]

I think there are only minor differences between these two terms.

Armin,

Thanks for taking the time to answer. I had looked at the Wiki article but didn't see a direct mention of Planspielen. I guess it must be a more informal military map exercise than the formal war game with maps, counters and dice for casualties/weapon effects.

Thanks again,

Regards

Tom

[Hohlladung]

Tom,
Nowadays I would say a Planspiel is a method for simulation with no necessary context to a war situation.
Could be anything, for instance the spreading of an unknown virus in a society and countermeasures, very
contemporary.

But at that time almost the same. If you put it in the German version of Google, it shows up:

Kriegsspiel (Planspiel)

Best regards
Armin

[Tom from Cornwall]

If you put it in the German version of Google, it shows up:

Thanks, good hint. That did the trick!

Regards

Tom