Reconnaissance platoon of the tank batallion

In the early stages of the war a German tankbatallion fielded a recon platoon (Aufklarungszug) with wheeled (unarmored) vehicles, therefore only capable of terrain recon ( Erkunderzug)
Later the platoons received 250 series  and 251 series halftracks.
This enabled them to conduct many more recon missions.
Generally the scouts were used  in the initial phase of commitment.
To reconoiter the approach routes, obstacles, minefields and enmy forward units.
In the defense it was used as a standing outpost .
During delaying actions they were often used to guard flanks.
However their fighting capability was reduced by the level of treath against them due to the relative low armorprotection of their vehicles.
Many times the unit received the task of guarding command posts or other reare area targets like communicationposts.

Missions:
Reconaissance units can receive the following orders,
* Establish and/or maintain contact with enemy forces.
* Recon the nature, strength, condition, location and activity from the enemy and locate obstacles and minefields.
* Determine the extent of the enemy, particularly his flanks and posiible gaps in the enemy defense.
* Determine suitability of terrain
* Cover open area and gaps.
* Screen owns intentions and mislead the enmy.

A platoon leader receives his orders from a superior commander.
In addition to the situation the mission contains,
* Superiors intent.
* Objective of the recon, and in the case of multiple objectives establish priority.
* Route or direction of movement.
* Actions to be taken in event of enemy contact.
* Methods of gathering or observing the objective.
* Actions to be taken at the objective.
* Passwords and recognition signals for day and nighttime.
* Providing sop for his unit like,
- Assume combat readiness,
- Apply camouflage in cases its needed,
- Radio messages and procedures,
- Review completeness and working order of weaponsystems,
- Assembly at a pre-ordained time for issuing orders.

If there is a possibility the reconcommander contacts units close at the front or in contact to discuss enmy strength and treaths to the mission.
For example this can be discussed:

* Most recent observation of the enemy
* Possibilities for covering the force
* Routes to and from the objective
* Recognitions signals for freindly forces to avoid friendly fire.
* Radio comms( frequencies and code words)

There was no real dedicated plans for usage of small scale recon units within the German army.
Normally the recon platoon used tactics from other units or larger formations, like this one:

Dienstvorschrift des heeres 470/3a The Panzerspähkompanie.

* where is contact with the enemy to be expected?
* what kind of enemy is to be expected, i.e. what type of units?
* characteristics of enemy vehicles and weapons, i.e. what gun, what tank.
* Additionally what is the status of civilians in the enemies area, friendly or not?
* Keep in contact with friendly units like artillery and aircraft.

Source: Panzer tactics

Reports,

A patrol always reports the following by radio:

* At times specified in orders
* On crossing report-lines specified in orders
* On reaching the objective
* Observation of the enemy
* Obstacles and demolition and any forced departures from the mission.

Generally reports are transmitted without a response in order not to reveal the party answering.
Patrols must evade enemy contact, even the slightest contact can endanger the mission.
Enemy units must be avoided or they should pass the platoons position.
The platoonleader makes his own decision wheater he attacks the enemy or not, for example an enemy HQ or any other important target might be a valid target.
In that case a swift and fast all out attack must be carried out.
Prisoners cannot be allowed to endanger the mission.
They cant be taken with the patrol, they should be unarmed and their equipment disabled and left behind.
Upon return the platoon has to make contact with the closest friendly units, by radio or by flares or whatever means discussed.

Reconnaissance combat missions,

Recon forces frequently received concrete figthing missions like:

* Penetrate enemy recon and security forces and establish contact wtht the enemy main body.
* Recon for obstacles, minefields and gaps.
* Drawing enemy fire.
* Capturing enemy prisoners.
Of paramount importance it is not to become surrounded or mixed with enemy forces, often artillery FOs were taken along to provide supportfire.