NORTH AFRICA ORGANIZATIONSGAZALA MAY, · Web view1 kubelwagen. Headquarters Battery: 1 medium...

1Gazala Campaign 1942

Command Decision: Test of BattleGerman Order of Battle

Revised February 24, 2007Converted to CD:TOB June 22, 2008Minor revisions September 12, 2009Major revisions February 23, 2010

Panzerarmee Afrika:Headquarters: (Elite/11)

1 command stand (Rommel)1 SdKfz 251/61 staff radio van

Afrika Headquarters Combat Escort - “Kampf Gruppe Kiehl”: (Veteran/9)Headquarters:

1 command PzKw IIFHeadquarters Company:

1 medium supply truckTank Company:

1 command PzKw IIIJ12 M3 Stuarts (British)

Antitank/Antiaircraft Company:1 command infantry stand1 light truck2 2-pdr Portee AT guns (British)1 SdKfz 10/4 2cm AA (from 1/606th Flak Battalion)1 PzSfl. II with 75L41 (75L41 on Zgkw. 5 ton halftrack – only 2)

3rd Battery/1st Bn/43rd Flak:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 88L56 AA gun and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 7 tractor

Heckler Combat Group:Headquarters: (Elite/10)

1 command stand1 Daimler Scout Car (British)1 StuG IIID (from Sonderverband 288)

13th Co/800th Brandenburger Regiment (Elite/10) (from Sonderverband 288):1 command rifle stand (PzB 39 ATR)2 recon rifle stands (PzB 39 ATR)1 recon engineer flamethrower stand (PzB 39 ATR)

Composite Antitank Company: (Veteran/9)1 command infantry stand1 50L60 AT gun and crew



1 37L45 AT gun and crew1 2-pounder AT gun and crew (captured)1 light truck1 Stuart tank (captured)

775th Pioneer Landing Company & 5/85th Heavy Ferry Company (Veteran/9):(1 x Landwasserschlepper amphibious tracker, carried 20 men)(11-12 x Strumboot 42, assault boat carried 40 men & mounted 1 x 20L113 & 1 MG)(2 x Pioneer Landungsboot 41, carried 40 tons, 150 men or 2 vehicles)(1 x Fuhrungsboot 42)

3rd “Africa Settentrionale” Bn/San Marco Marine Regt. (-): (Italian) (Exp/8)Headquarters:

1 command stand2 Infantry Companies, each with:

1 command infantry stand2 infantry stands

1 Machinegun Company:1 command infantry stand3 MMG stands

1 Antitank Company:1 command infantry stand3 47L32 AT gun stands and crews3 light trucks

Fallschirmjaeger Lehr Parachute Battalion: (at Martuba) (Veteran/9)Headquarters:

1 command stand1 kubelwagen

3 Fallschirmjaeger Companies, each with:1 command paratrooper stand2 paratrooper stands1 weapons stand

1 Heavy Company:2 MMG stands1 8cm mortar stand (ds)

1 Antitank Company:1 command infantry stand2 37L45 AT guns and crews1 50L60 AT gun and crews4 light trucks

1 Infantry Gun Battery:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 75L40 recoilless gun and crew (ds)1 light truck



1 Engineer Platoon:1 engineer flamethrower stand

85th Construction Engineer Battalion: (Regular/8)Headquarters:


4 Engineer Companies, each with:1 command engineer stand 1 light truck2 engineer stands 1 medium truck

200th Construction Engineer Battalion: (Regular/8)Headquarters:


4 Engineer Companies, each with:1 command engineer stand 1 light truck2 engineer stands 1 medium truck

Afrika Security Battalion: (Regular/8):Headquarters:


2 Security Companies, each with:1 command infantry stand2 infantry stands1 MMG stand2 medium trucks

612th Antitaircraft Battalion (- 1st Battery) (Veteran/9):Headquarters:


Headquarters Battery:1 medium supply truck

3 Batteries (2nd, 3rd & 4th) each with:1 command infantry stand3 20L113 AA guns and crews4 light trucks



102nd Flak Regiment: (Experienced/8)Headquarters:

1 command stand1 car

Headquarters Battery:1 staff radio truck1 medium supply truck

II/25th Flak Battalion:Headquarters:



3 Heavy Batteries (1st – 3rd), each with: 1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 88L56 AA gun with crew (ds)1 SdKfz 7 tractor

2 Light Batteries (4th & 5th), each with:1 command infantry stand3 20L113 AA guns with crews4 light trucks

I/43rd Flak Battalion (-3rd Battery):Headquarters:



2 Heavy Batteries (1st & 2nd), each with: 1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 88L56 AA gun with crew (ds)1 SdKfz 7 tractor


I/53rd Flak Battalion:Headquarters:



3 Heavy Batteries (1st – 3rd), each with:



1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 88L56 AA gun with crew (ds)1 SdKfz 7 tractor


Coastal Artillery (non-motorized): (all Experienced/8)523rd Coastal Artillery Battalion (-3rd Battery with 15th Bde):

Headquarters:1 command observation stand1 kubelwagen

Headquarters Battery:1 medium ammo truck

2 Batteries, each with:1 command infantry stand1 155L37 Field Gun (French) and crew (ds)

528th Coastal Artillery Battalion:Headquarters:

1 command observation stand1 kubelwagen



529th Coastal Artillery Battalion:Headquarters:




532nd Coastal Artillery Battalion: Headquarters:



3 Batteries, each with:



1 command infantry stand1 155L14 Howitzer (French) and crew (ds)

363rd Mountain Artillery Battery:1 command infantry stand1 76L39 gun (Russian) and crew (ds)

364th Mountain Artillery Battery:1 command infantry stand1 76L39 gun (Russian) and crew (ds)

4th/149th Coastal Artillery Battery:1 command infantry stand1 170L50 Field Gun and crew (ds)

362nd Coastal Artillery Battery:1 command infantry stand1 170L50 Field Gun and crew (ds)

Gruppe Cruwell: Headquarters: (Veteran/10)


Headquarters Company:1 staff radio truck

15th Rifle Brigade: (Veteran/9)Headquarters:


Headquarters Company:1 staff radio truck1 medium supply truck

1st Battery/612th Antiaircraft Battalion:1 command infantry stand1 light truck3 SdKfz 10/4 AA

533rd Coastal Artillery Battalion (Experienced/8):Headquarters:



3 Batteries, each with:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 155L14 howitzer (French) and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 8 tractor

3rd Battery/523rd Coastal Artillery, with:



1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 155L37 Field Gun (French) and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 8 tractor

200th Infantry Regiment:Headquarters:


Headquarters Company:1 staff radio truck1 recon motorcycle rifle stand1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor1 medium supply truck

708th Infantry Gun Company:1 command infantry stand1 SdKfz 10 tractor1 GW II (15cm IG on Pz II chasis)

I/200th Infantry Battalion1:Headquarters:


Composite Antitank platoons:2 50L60 AT guns and crews2 SdKfz 10 tractors

4 Companies, each with:1 command infantry stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 infantry stand1 medium truck1 weapons stand1 light truck

II/200th Infantry Battalion:Headquarters:

1 command stand1 The infantry battalions of the 90th Light Division were vastly under strength. The entire division had only 44 heavy machineguns and 21 heavy mortars; the six infantry battalions needed 48 heavy mortars and 48 heavy machineguns. By stretching it a bit, you can give each infantry company a weapons stand that represents 2 MMGs and 1 8cm mortar.. Finally, the division was short of the required type of antitank guns. There should have been 18 50L60 in the antitank battalion, 6 50L60 AT in the engineer battalion, 3 50L60 AT in the recon battalion, 3 50L60 AT in each regiment HQ, and an additional 8 guns in each infantry battalion for a total 84 antitank guns. The division had only 13 37L45, 15 (later 40) 50L60 and 32 76.2 guns. Each infantry company were supposed to have 2 76.2 AT guns, but the division had only enough for 2 of the battalions (probably 155th & 361st), a third (probably the 200th) had 50L60 AT guns. Each of the infantry companies (24 total) were supposed to have one 28/20 antitank gun as well, however the division had only 14 heavy PzBs in May 1942. The May 1942 organization for the division shows 3 with each of the two divisional engineer companies and only 1 per infantry company in only the 361st Infantry Regiment. The two other infantry regiments are shown with 1 PzB 39 per infantry company.



1 kubelwagenComposite Antitank platoons:

2 50L60 AT guns and crews2 SdKfz 10 tractors

4 Companies, each with:1 command infantry stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 infantry stand1 medium truck1 weapons stand1 light truck

361st Infantry Regiment:Headquarters:



Infantry Gun Company: (not present, being formed)I/361st Infantry Battalion:

Headquarters:1 command stand1 kubelwagen

Composite Antitank platoons:2 76L39 (r) AT guns and crews2 SdKfz 10 tractors

4 Companies, each with:1 command infantry stand (28/20 ATR)1 medium truck1 infantry stand1 weapons stand1 light truck

II/361st Infantry Battalion:Headquarters:



4 Companies, each with:1 command infantry stand (28/20 ATR)1 medium truck



1 infantry stand1 weapons stand1 light truck

Italian 10th Corps (see Italian Organizations)

Italian 21st Corps (see Italian Organizations)

Italian 20th Mobile Corps (see Italian Organizations)

Deutsches Afrika Korps:

Corps Headquarters: (Elite/10)1 command stand1 car


DAK Kampfstaffel: (Veteran/9)Headquarters:


2nd Battery/606th Flak Battalion:1 command infantry stand1 light truck2 SdKfz 10/4 2cm AA1 SdKfz 7/1 2cm Quad AA

Platoon/39th Antitank Battalion:1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

Tank Platoon:1 PzKw IIIJ1

Engineer Platoon/33rd Engineer Battalion:1 engineer stand1 light truck

Recon Platton/3rd Recon Battalion: (Veteran/10)1 recon SdKfz 222 armored car

135th Flak Regiment: (Veteran/9)Headquarters:


Headquarters Battery:1 staff radio truck1 medium supply truck



I/18th Flak Battalion:Headquarters:



3 Heavy Batteries (1st-3rd), each with: 1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 88L56 AA gun with crew (ds)1 SdKfz 7 tractor


I/33rd Flak Battalion:Headquarters:



3 Heavy Batteries (1st-3rd), each with: 1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 88L56 AA gun with crew (ds)1 SdKfz 7 tractor


617th Flak Battalion: (attached to 15th & 21st Panzer Divisions)Headquarters:


3 Batteries, each with:1 command infantry stand1 light truck2 SdKfz 10/4 AA1 SdKfz 7/1 AA

104th Artillery Brigade: (Veteran/9)Headquarters/221st Artillery Regiment:





II/115th Artillery Battalion:Headquarters:



2 Batteries, each with:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 210L31 Howitzer and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 8 tractor

1 Battery:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 105L32 gun (Italian) and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 7 tractor

408th Artillery Battalion:Headquarters:



3 Batteries, each with:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 105L52 field gun and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 7 tractor

902nd Heavy Battery:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 170L50 field gun and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 8 tractor

15th Panzer Division: (Veteran/9) Headquarters:


Headquarters Company:1 recon SdKfz 2211 staff radio SdKfz 251/61 SdKfz 10/4 SP AA1 50L60 AT gun and crew



1 SdKfz 10 tractor8th Panzer Regiment:

Headquarters:1 command PzKw IIIJ1 tank

Headquarters Company:1 staff radio PzBefWg III tank1 recon PzKw IIF tank1 medium supply truck

I/8th Panzer Battalion:Headquarters:

1 command PzKw IIIJ1 tankHeadquarters Company:

1 recon PzKw IIF tank1 recon motorcycle rifle stand1 kubelwagen with AAMG1 medium supply truck

Engineer Platoon:1 PzKw IIF tank1 engineer stand1 light truck

1 Company:1 command PzKw IIIJ1 tank2 PzKw IIIJ1 tanks1 PzKw IIIJ2 tank

2 Companies, each with:1 command PzKw IIIJ1 tank3 PzKw IIIJ1 tanks

1 Company:1 command PzKw IVF1 tank1 PzKw IVF1 tank1 PzKw IIF tank

II/8th Panzer Battalion:Headquarters:




3 Companies, each with:



1 command PzKw IIIJ1 tank3 PzKw IIIJ1 tanks


115th Rifle Regiment:Headquarters:


Headquarters Company:1 staff radio truck1 recon motorcycle rifle stand1 engineer stand1 light truck1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor1 medium supply truck

13th Infantry Gun Company:1 command infantry stand 1 light truck1 150L11 infantry gun and crew (bg)1 SdKfz 10 tractor2 75L12 infantry gun and crew (bg)2 light trucks

14th Engineer Company:1 command engineer stand (28/20 ATR)2 engineer stands (28/20 ATR)1 weapons stand2 medium trucks1 37L45 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor



2 Companies, each with:1 command rifle stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 rifle stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 medium truck

2 Each infantry company was supposed to have 3 28/20 Antitank guns in the role of antitank rifles per company, however, the division had very few of them (maybe only enough for the engineer companies). On May 21, 1942 the division had only 4 28/20 and 35 PzB 39 ATRs. That is enough for the regimental engineer company to have 28/20s and the infantry companies to have PzB 39 ATRs.



1 weapons stand1 light truck1 37L45 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

2 Companies, each with:1 command rifle stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 rifle stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 medium truck1 weapons stand1 light truck1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor




III/115th Infantry Battalion:Headquarters:

1 command stand1 kubelwagen1 command rifle stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 rifle stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 medium truck1 weapons stand1 light truck1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

1 Company:1 command rifle stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 rifle stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 medium truck1 weapons stand1 light truck1 37L45 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

33rd Recon Battalion: (Veteran/10)



Headquarters:1 command stand1 kubelwagen

1st Armored Car Company:1 command SdKfz 2222 recon SdKfz 2221 recon SdKfz 231/8

2nd Armored Infantry Company:1 command rifle stand (28/20 ATR)2 recon rifle stands (28/20 ATR)3 SdKfz 251/1s1 SdKfz 251/91 50L60 AT gun (SP on light truck)

3rd Heavy Company:1 command engineer stand (28/20 ATR)1 light truck1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor2 SdKfz 250/10 (with 25mm French AT gun)

1 Artillery Battery:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 25-pounder field gun (British) and crew (ds)1 Quad Prime Mover (British)

33rd Antitank Battalion:Headquarters:



2 Towed Companies, each with:1 command infantry stand1 light truck2 50L60 AT guns and crews2 SdKfz 10 tractors

33rd Artillery Regiment:Headquarters:



I/33rd Artillery Battalion:Headquarters:

1 command observation stand



1 SdKfz 253Headquarters Battery:

1 medium supply truck3 Batteries (1st-3rd), each with:

1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 105L28 howitzer and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 11 tractor

II/33rd Artillery Battalion:Headquarters:

1 command observation stand1 SdKfz 253


3 Batteries (4th-6th), each with:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 105L28 howitzer and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 11 tractor

III/33rd Artillery Battalion:Headquarters:



2 Batteries, each with:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 150L30 howitzer and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 7 tractor

1 Battery:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 105L52 gun and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 7 tractor

33rd Engineer Battalion:Headquarters:


Headquarters Company:1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

2 Companies, each with:1 command engineer stand (28/20 ATR)



1 light truck2 engineer stands (28/20 ATR)1 medium truck1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

1 Company (-):1 command engineer stand (28/20 ATR)1 engineer stand (28/20 ATR)1 medium truck1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

21st Panzer Division: (Veteran/9)Headquarters:


Headquarters Company:1 recon SdKfz 2211 staff radio SdKfz 251/61 SdKfz 10/4 SP AA1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

5th Panzer Regiment:Headquarters:


1 staff radio PzBefWg III tank1 recon PzKw IIF tank1 medium supply truck

I/5th Panzer Battalion:Headquarters:




3 Companies, each with:1 command PzKw IIIJ1 tank3 PzKw IIIJ1 tanks




II/5th Panzer Battalion:Headquarters:




3 Companies, each with:1 command PzKw IIIJ1 tank2 PzKw IIIJ1 tank1 PzKw IIIJ2 tank


104th Rifle Regiment:Headquarters:


Headquarters Company:1 staff radio truck1 recon motorcycle rifle stand1 engineer stand1 light truck1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor1 medium supply truck

13th Infantry Gun Company:1 command infantry stand 1 light truck1 150L11 infantry gun and crew (bg)1 SdKfz 10 tractor2 75L12 infantry gun and crew (bg)2 light trucks

14th Engineer Company:



1 command engineer stand (28/20 ATR)2 engineer stands (28/20 ATR)1 weapons stand2 medium trucks1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor







III/104th Infantry Battalion:Headquarters:


4 Companies, each with:1 command rifle stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 rifle stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 medium truck1 weapons stand

3 Each infantry company was supposed to have 3 28/20 Antitank guns in the role of antitank rifles per company, however, the division had very few of them (none were present with the division in August 1942). The antitank strength of the division in May 1942 is unknown, however I have allocated the infantry companies three PzB 39 antitank rifles like the 115th Infantry Regiment.



1 light truck1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

3rd Recon Battalion: (Veteran/10)Headquarters:


1st Armored Car Company (-):1 command SdKfz 2221 recon SdKfz 2221 recon SdKfz 231/8

2nd Motorized Infantry Company:1 command rifle stand (28/20 ATR)1 recon rifle stand (28/20 ATR)1 medium truck1 weapons stand (28/20 ATR)1 light truck1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

Heavy Company:1 command engineer stand (28/20 ATR)1 light truck1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

39th Antitank Battalion:Headquarters:



1 Towed Company:1 command infantry stand1 light truck2 50L60 AT guns and crews2 SdKfz 10 tractors

1 Towed Company (-):1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

155th Artillery Regiment:Headquarters:





I/155th Artillery Battalion:Headquarters:



3 Batteries (1st-3rd), each with:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 105L28 howitzer and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 11 tractor

II/155th Artillery Battalion:Headquarters:



3 Batteries (4th-6th), each with:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 105L28 howitzer and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 11 tractor

III/155th Artillery Battalion:Headquarters:



2 Batteries, each with:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 150L30 howitzer and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 7 tractor

1 Battery:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 105L52 gun and crew (ds)1 SdKfz 7 tractor

200th Engineer Battalion:Headquarters:




3 Companies, each with:1 command engineer stand (28/20 ATR)1 light truck2 engineer stands (28/20 ATR)1 medium truck1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

90th Light Afrika Division: (Veteran/9)Headquarters:



605th SP Antitank Battalion: (Veteran/9)Headquarters:

1 command PzKw IHeadquarters Battery:

1 medium supply truck3 Batteries (1st-3rd), each with:

1 command PzJgr IB1 PzJgr IB1 PzJgr Sf Zgw (7.62 (r) on SdKfz 6 armored portee)

155th Infantry Regiment:Headquarters:



707th Infantry Gun Company:1 command infantry stand1 SdKfz 10 tractor1 GW II (15cm IG on Pz II chasis)

I/155th Battalion:Headquarters:





4 Companies, each with:1 command infantry stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 medium truck1 infantry stand1 weapons stand1 light truck




4 Companies, each with:1 command infantry stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 medium truck1 infantry stand1 weapons stand1 light truck

361st Artillery Battalion:Headquarters:



3 Batteries, each with:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 76L39 gun (Russian) and crew (ds)1 medium truck

900th Engineer Battalion:Headquarters:


2 Companies, each with:1 command engineer stand (28/20 ATR)1 light truck2 engineer stands (28/20 ATR)1 medium truck1 37L45 AT gun and gun crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

580th Mixed Reconnaissance Company: (Veteran/10)1 command rifle stand (PzB 39 ATR)1 light truck (actually kubelwagens)



1 20L113 AA Gun and crew1 light truck2 recon SdKfz 222 armored cars1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 SdKfz 10 tractor

190th Antitank Battalion:Headquarters:



2 Batteries, each with:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 50L60 AT gun and crew1 37L45 AT gun and crew2 SdKfz 10 tractors

606th Flak Battalion (-2nd Battery):Headquarters:


1st Battery (-):1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 SdKfz 10/4 2cm AA1 SdKfz 7/1 AA

3rd Battery:1 command infantry stand1 light truck2 SdKfz 10/4 2cm AA1 SdKfz 7/1 AA

Sonderverband 288 (Regiment): (Veteran/9)Headquarters:


Headquarters Company:1 staff radio truck1 medium supply truck

Recon Section:1 recon SdKfz 2221 recon rifle stand1 light truck (actually kubelwagens)

1st Company (13th Company/800th Brandenburgers, see Heckler) (normal organization:)



1 command rifle stand (PzB 39 ATR)2 recon rifle stands (PzB 39 ATR)1 recon engineer flamethrower stand (PzB 39 ATR)4 light trucks with light AA MG3 2-pdr AT gun portees1 recon jeep with HMG

2nd motorized Mountain Infantry Company:1 command rifle stand (28/20 ATR)2 rifle stands (PzB 39 ATR)1 weapons stand (PzB 39 ATR)2 medium trucks

3rd motorized Infantry Company:1 command rifle stand (28.20 ATR)2 rifle stands (PzB 39 ATR)1 weapons stand (PzB 39 ATR)2 medium trucks

4th motorized Heavy Weapons Company:3 MMG stands3 light trucks1 8cm mortar stand (ds)1 medium truck

5th Antitank Company:1 command infantry stand1 light truck1 37L45 AT gun and crews1 50L60 AT gun and crews2 SdKfz 10 tractors1 StuG IIID

6th Antiaircraft Company:1 command infantry stand3 20L113 AA guns and crews4 light trucks

7th Engineer Company:1 command engineer stand2 engineer stands3 light trucks

NOTES:1. German Tanks: It appears that the Afrika Korps was largely rearmed with PzKw IIIJ1s and a very few PzKw IIIJ2s before the Gazala Campaign. Between January and May, 1942, DAK recieved 20 PzKw IIF, 211 PzKw IIIJ, 49 PzKw IVF, and 4 PzKwBef III. Also the 3rd and 7th companies of the 5th Panzer Regiment were reformed (after being sunk earlier) and came with a total of 10 PzKw IIF and and 34 PzKw IIIJ1 tanks. Thanks to Dave Chappell for bring this to my attention.



2. Infantry Battalion Organization: The infantry battalions were reorganized into four identical companies by disbanding the machinegun and heavy companies and using the personnel to form the new infantry company and the new regimental engineer company. 3. 15th Rifle Brigade: The 200th and 361st Infantry Regiments were detached from the 90th Light Africa Division and were commanded by the 15th Rifle Brigade. To replace them, Special Group 288 was attached from Army Troops.4. Sources: This OB was based on one published in CP9 with revisions based on comments by Frank Chadwick and new research from Jack Greene's and Alessandro Massignani's Rommel's North Africa Campaigns and major changes coming from information contained in George Nafziger’s The Afrika Korps, An Organizational History 1941-1943 and Pier Paolo Battistelli’s Rommel’s Afrika Korps. Also a discussion on Axis History Forum provided more information. There is an endless amount of conflicting information of the organization of some units below the battalion level. Where possible I have decided which organizations seemed most likely given on the various organizations listed. 5. Higher Level Support Units: I’ve omitted German support troops as they would not have a combat role. These include division, corps, and army level units. These included the 11th Artillery Observation Battalion of the 104th Artillery Brigade (which had a sound company as well as a flash company) and divisional replacement battalions which probably had few men in them given the under-strength nature of the divisions.

NORTH AFRICA ORGANIZATIONSGAZALA MAY, · Web view1 kubelwagen. Headquarters Battery: 1 medium...

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