Panzer Army Africa
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2013) |
The Panzerarmee Afrika or referred to as Gruppo Corazzato Africa in Italy was a combined German-Italian field army that fought in the North African campaign in World War II. The unit was subordinated to the Comando Supremo and to the Oberbefehlshaber Süd, as well to the Italian command in North Africa.
| Panzerarmee Afrika/Gruppo Corazzato Africa | |
|---|---|
| Active | 15 August 1941 – 13 May 1943 |
| Country |  Kingdom of Italy Nazi Germany |
| Branch |  Royal Italian Army Heer ( Wehrmacht) |
| Type | Field army |
| Role | Desert warfare Expeditionary warfare |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Erwin Rommel Georg Stumme Hans-Jürgen von Arnim |
History
[edit]Panzer Group Africa
[edit]When the Afrika Korps was formed on 11 January 1941 it was subordinated to the Italian chain of command in Africa. In the middle of 1941 Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW, Armed Forces High Command) created a larger command structure in Africa, forming a new headquarters, Panzer Group Africa (Panzergruppe Afrika, Gruppo Corazzato Africa). On 15 August 1941, Panzer Group Africa was activated with newly promoted General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel in command. The Panzer Group controlled the Afrika Korps and other units that were sent to North Africa.
Panzer Army Africa
[edit]Panzer Group Africa was renamed Panzer Army Africa (Panzerarmee Afrika, Armata Corazzata Africa) on 30 January 1942. (A German Panzer group was an army-level headquarters. As the war progressed all of the Panzer groups were renamed Panzer Armies.)
German-Italian Panzer Army
[edit]Panzer Army Africa was renamed German-Italian Panzer Army' (Deutsch-Italienische Panzerarmee, Armata Corazzata Italo-Tedesca) in October 1942 during the long retreat after the defeat at the Second Battle of El Alamein during the Western Desert Campaign.
Army Group Africa
[edit]In February 1943, the headquarters was expanded and called Army Group Africa (Heeresgruppe Afrika, Gruppo d'Armate Africa) to manage the defence of Tunisia during the final stages of the North African Campaign. Army Group Africa included the German Fifth Panzer Army (5. Panzerarmee) and the Italian 1st Army. Command of the Army Group was turned over from Rommel to Hans-Jürgen von Arnim in March. He surrendered the Army Group on 13 May 1943, ending the Axis presence in Africa.
Order of battle
[edit]Panzer Group Africa
[edit]- As of August 1941:
Panzer Army Africa
[edit]- As of January 1942:
- As of June 1942: (before and during the Battle of Gazala and the Fall of Tobruk
- As of August 1942: (in the lead up to the Battle of Alam el Halfa)[citation needed]
German-Italian Panzer Army
[edit]- As of November 1942: (withdrawal after the Second Battle of El Alamein)
- As of February 1943: (defending southern Tunisia)
Army Group Africa
[edit]From February 1943:
- German 5th Panzer Army (5. Panzerarmee) (Northern Tunisia)
- Italian 1st Army (Southern Tunisia)
Commanders
[edit]| No. | Portrait | Commander | Took office | Left office | Time in office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Generaloberst Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) | 1 September 1941 | 9 March 1942 | 189 days | |
| 2 | General der Panzertruppe Ludwig Crüwell (1892–1958) | 9 March 1942 | 19 March 1942 | 10 days | |
| (1) | Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) | 19 March 1942 | 22 September 1942 | 187 days | |
| 3 | General der Panzertruppe Georg Stumme (1886–1942) | 22 September 1942 | 24 October 1942 † | 32 days | |
| - | Generalleutnant Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma (1891–1948) Acting | 24 October 1942 | 25 October 1942 | 1 day | |
| (1) | Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) | 25 October 1942 | 26 November 1942 | 32 days | |
| 4 | General der Panzertruppe Gustav Fehn (1892–1945) | 26 November 1942 | 2 December 1942 | 6 days | |
| (1) | Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) | 2 December 1942 | 22 February 1943 | 82 days | |
| 5 | Generaloberst Hans-Jürgen von Arnim (1889–1962) | 10 March 1943 | 13 May 1943 | 64 days |
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See also
[edit]- List of World War II military units of Germany
- List of Italian divisions in World War II
- Panzer Division
- Fliegerführer Afrika
- Hans von Luck