Russian tactics were a queer mixture, Maj. Gen. F.W. von Mellenthin felt, but one of their strengths made fighting them feel like fighting a mythical beast:
Russian tactics are a queer mixture; in spite of their brilliance at infiltration and their exceptional mastery of field fortification, yet the rigidity of Russian attacks was almost proverbial. (Although in some cases Russian armored formations down to their lowest units were a conspicuous exception.) The foolish repetition of attacks on the same spot, the rigidity of Russian artillery fire, and the selection of the terrain for the attack, betrayed a total lack o imagination and mental mobility. Our Wireless Intercept Service heard many a time the frantic question: “What are we to do now?” Only a few commanders of lower formations showed independent judgment when faced with unforeseen situations. On many occasions a successful attack, a breakthrough, or an accomplished encirclement was not exploited, simply because nobody saw it.
But there was an exception to this general clumsiness: The rapid and frequent exhange of units in thefront line. Once a division was badly mauled, it disappeared overnight and re-appeared fresh and strong at some other place a few days afterwards.
That is why fighting with Russians resembles the classic contest between Hercules and the Hydra.