Battle of Gazala

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CHRONOLOGY

18 November 1941

Under command of Lt. Gen. Alan Cunningham, British Eight Army launches Operation 'Crusader' against Axis forces led by Gen. Erwin Rommel to join up with the besieged garrison in Tobruk.

26 November

After protracted and confused fighting during which time the British fail to press the offensive hard enough to achieve a result, the C-in-C Middle East, Gen. Claude Auchinleck, decides to replace Cunningham at the head of Eighth Army with Lt. Gen. Neil Ritchie.

10 December

Further prolonged fighting results in Rommel beginning to withdraw eastwards and Tobruk is relieved after a siege that had lasted eight months.

1 January 1942

Rommel's forces are chased back across Cyrenaica into his old positions at El Agheila where he had started his advance ten months before.

21 January

To the surprise of many within Eighth Army, Rommel resumes the offensive and pushes back the British, forcing them to withdraw across the very ground they had recently won.

4 February

The retreat becomes a flight and Eighth Army are compelled to withdraw into prepared positions at Gazala, 64km to the east of Tobruk.

February-May

A period of rest and replenishment is taken by both sides as they prepare to go on the offensive once again.

26 May

Rommel strikes first and launches an attack against the northern section of eighth Army's line with his mainly Italian Gruppe Crüwell.

27 May

Rommel's planned move to get behind the bulk of Eighth Army starts to fail as British tanks and guns slow his forward movement. Rommel regroups his forces ready for another attack.

29 May

Rommel decides to bring his armour into an area later to be called the Cauldron, a position that is virtually surrounded by eighth Army, but one from which he can strike eastwards when the time is right. As he withdraws into this position his rear comes into contact with a defended 'box' manned by Brigadier Haydon's 150th Brigade.

30 May

Rommel attempts to eliminate 150th Brigade's position and open supply routes to the west through the British minefields. Ritchie now thinks he has Rommel trapped and launches new attacks to crash the Afrika Korps, but they lack strength and are easily repulsed.

31 May

While Rommel continues to batter away at the 150th Brigade 'box', Ritchie plans another attack on the Cauldron.

1 June

Brigadier Haydon is killed and the survivors of 150th Brigade surrender, Ritchie still does not attack the Cauldron in force. Rommel now has a direct supply route eastwards through the monefields and is no longer surrounded.

3 June

Rommel holds the British armour in the centre and dispatches forces southwards to overrun the Free French outpost at Bir Hacheim.

5 June

Ritchie launches Operation 'Aberdeen' to crush Rommel's position in the Cauldron. Rommel holds the attack and then launches a counterattack against the British armour, chasing away three armoured brigades and capturing large numbers of infantry.

10 June

The Bir Hacheim position of the Free French is overrun and captured.

11 June

Rommel once more concentrates his mobile forces and moves against the centre of the British rear. He is met by Norrie's XXX Corps and stopped, but again with great loss to the British tank force.

12 June

A great clash of armour to the south of Knightsbridge is decisive; British losses force a withdrawal to the north and east, leaving those formations of Eighth Army to the west vulnerable.

13 June

The 201st Guards Brigade is forced to retreat from the Knights bridge defensive position in the centre of the British line.

14 June

Rommel's forces begin to pick off the isolated positions west of Tobruk and the 50th and 1st South African divisions begin to withdraw from the Gazala Line. Eighth Army is in danger of collapse.

17 June

Rommel's forces make it to the sea to the east of Tobruk and once more the port is surrounded. All those units of Eighth Army that are able retreat back to the Egyptian border.

20 June

Tobruk is attacked from the east by the Afrika korps. A break-in is soon achieved and Axis forces quickly spread out within the fortress area.

21 June

Major-General Klopper surrenders the Tobruk garrison.

22 June

German troops cross the frontier into Egypt. Eighth Army continues its withdrawal into the defences south of Mersa Matruh.

26 June

Rommel begins his attack on the British positions at Matruh.

28 June

The Matruh position is given up and Aunchinleck orders all units to retire eastwards behind the El Alamein Line.

30 June

All units of Eighth Army that have survived the long retreat are now behind the El Alamein Line waiting for Rommel to launch his next attack.

Rommel's attack on the Gazala Line

1. Afternoon 26 May, Gruppe Crüwell make a feint move towards the northern and centre sections of the British Gazala Line

2. Under cover of darkness the mobile arm of Panzerarmee Afrika drives south to its start line for the attack

3. Early morning 27 may, Rommel launches his attack through the desert to the south of Bir Hacheim

4. Italian Ariete Divisione Armata routs Indian 3rd Motor Brigade then attacks Bir Hacheim

5. The German 90. leichte-Division overruns the Retma Box and puts British 7th Motor Brigade to flight

6. The British 4th Armoured brigade comes south to intercept the Axis attack but runs into the advancing 15. Panzer-Division and withdraws towards El Adem after heavy losses.

7. The 90. leichte-Division overruns British 7th Armoured Division HQ

8. The 22nd Armoured Brigade of 1st Armoured Division moves south and is engaged by both armoured divisions of the Afrika Korps

9. In the late afternoon the 2nd Armoured brigade attacks the advancing 15. Panzer-Division

10. Late afternoon, the 1st Army Tank brigade strikes 21. panzer-Division with its infantry tanks

11. Nightfall sees the Afrika Korps on the Trig Capuzzo track

British Forces – Eighth Army

Army Troops

8th Army HQ Protection Force

--10th Indian Infantry Brigade Group

----2nd Bn, Highland Light Infantry – 4x Rifle Coy; 1x Support Coy

----4th Bn, 10th Baluch Regiment – 4x Rifle Coy; 1x Support Coy

----2nd Bn, 4th Ghurka Rifles – 4x Rifle Coy; 1x Support Coy

----10th Indian Brigade Anti-Tank Company – 9x 37mm ATG

----10th Indian Brigade Machine Gun Company – 12x Vickers MMG

----28th Field Regiment, RA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

----260th battery, 65th Anti-Tank Regiment, RA

----2nd Bengal Field Company, IE

Airfield Defense

--4th Anti-Aircraft Brigade

----14th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA

----68th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA

----69th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA

--12th Anti-Aircraft Brigade

----2nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA

----15th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA

----27th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA

----88th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA

DENCOL – Jarabub Oasis

--B & C Squadrons, 1st Special Service Regiment – SAS and LRDG units?

--B Squadron, Guide's Cavalry – 18x Humber III

--B Squadron, 6th South African Armoured Car Regiment – 18x Marmon- Herrington III

--Detachement Senegalais

--Detachement Marrocains

--Batterie Mixte – 4x 75mm Gun; 2x 25mm ATG

2e Brigade Française Libre (Reduced strength – Personnel and equipment to 1e Brigade Française Libre)

--5e Bataillon de Marche (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

--11e Bataillon de Marche (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

--21e Compagnie Nord-Africaine – 4x 75mm Gun

--23e Compagnie Nord-Africaine – 4x 75mm Gun

--2e Compagnie de sapeurs-mineurs

95th Anti-Tank Regiment, RA (3x Batteries) – 36x 2pdr ATG

149th Anti-Tank Regiment, RA – 48x 2pdr ATG

17th Coastal Regiment, RA (Commands Tobruk Guns)

94th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA – 24x 3.7” AA Gun

16th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA – 48x 40mm Bofors AA Gun

42nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA – 48x 40mm Bofors AA Gun

XIII Corps

Corps Troops

1st Army Tank Brigade

--HQ – 4x Crusader II

--B & C Squadrons, 8th, Royal Tank Regiment – 4x Matilda IICS; 28x Valentine III

--A & C Squadrons, 42nd, Royal Tank Regiment (detached to 1st South African Division)

--B Squadron, 42nd, Royal Tank Regiment (detached to 50th Infantry Division)

--44th, Royal Tank Regiment (detached to 50th Infantry Division)

--SEACOL

----1 troop, 7th South African Recon Battalion – 3x Marmon-Harrington III

----A Squadron, 8th, Royal Tank Regiment – 2x Matilda IICS; 12x Valentine II

----1 Company, 2nd South African Police Battalion (see 6th South African Infantry Brigade)

----4th Field Battery, 2nd Field Regiment, SAA (see) – 8x 25pdr Field Gun

--STOPCOL

----1 Company, 2nd Bn, Transvaal Scottish (see 6th South African Infantry Brigade)

----6th Anti-Tank Battery, 2nd Anti-Tank Regiment, SA (see) – 12x 2pdr ATG

----6th Field Battery, 2nd Field Regiment, SAA (see) – 8x 25pdr Field Gun

32nd Army Tank Brigade

--HQ – 4x Crusader II

--4th, Royal Tank Regiment – 6x Matilda IICS; 40x Valentine III

--7th, Royal Tank Regiment – 6x Matilda IICS; 40x Matilda II

50th Division

69th Brigade Group

--5th Bn, East Yorkshire Regiment – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--6th Bn, Green Howards – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--7th Bn, Green Howards – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--A Company, 2nd Bn, Cheshire Regiment (Machine Guns) – 12x Vickers MMG

--124th Field Regiment, RA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

--257th Anti-Tank Battery, 65th Anti-Tank Regiment, RA – 12x 2pdr ATG

--1 Battery, 25th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA – 12x 40mm Bofors AA Gun

--233rd Field Company, RE

150th Brigade Group

--4th Bn, East Yorkshire Regiment – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--4th Bn, Green Howards – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--5th Bn, Green Howards – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--D Company, 2nd Bn, Cheshire Regiment (Machine Guns) – 12x Vickers MMG

--72nd Field Regiment, RA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

--259th Anti-Tank Battery, 65th Anti-Tank Regiment, RA – 12x 2pdr ATG

--25th/26th Medium battery, 7th Medium Regiment, RA – 8x 4.5” Gun

--1 Battery, 25th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA – 12x 40mm Bofors AA Gun

--132nd Field Company, RE

151st Brigade Group

--6th Bn, Durham Light Infantry – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--8th Bn, Durham Light Infantry – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--9th Bn, Durham Light Infantry – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--C Company, 2nd Bn, Cheshire Regiment (Machine Guns) – 12x Vickers MMG

--74th Field Regiment, RA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

--258th Anti-Tank Battery, 65th Anti-Tank Regiment, RA – 12x 2pdr ATG

--1 Battery, 25th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA – 12x 40mm Bofors AA Gun

--505th Field Company, RE

B Squadron, 42nd, Royal Tank Regiment – 2x Matilda II CS; 12x Matilda II

44th, Royal Tank Regiment – 6x Matilda IICS; 40x Valentine III

2nd Bn, Cheshire Regiment (Machine Guns)(B Company only) – 12x Vickers MMG

6th South African Armoured Car Regiment (see DENCOL) – 40x Marmon-Harrington III

7th Medium Regiment, RA (1 Battery) – 8x 4.5” Gun

1st South African Infantry Division

1st South African Brigade Group

--1st Bn, Royal Natal Carabineers – 4x Rifle Companies; 1x Support Company

--1st Bn, Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles – 4x Rifle Companies; 1x Support Company

--1st Bn, Transvaal Scottish – 4x Rifle Companies; 1x Support Company

--1st Field Regiment, SAA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

--1st Field Company, SAEC

2nd South African Brigade Group

--1st Bn, Natal Mounted Rifles – 4x Rifle Companies; 1x Support Company

--1st Bn, 2nd Field Force Battalion – 4x Rifle Companies; 1x Support Company

--Cape Town Highlanders – 4x Rifle Companies; 1x Support Company

--4th Field Regiment, SAA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

--3rd Field Company, SAEC

3rd South African Brigade Group

--1st Bn, Imperial Light Horse – 4x Rifle Companies; 1x Support -Company

--1st Bn, Royal Durban Light Infantry – 4x Rifle Companies; 1x Support Company

--1st Bn, Rand Light Infantry – 4x Rifle Companies; 1x Support Company

--5th Field Regiment, SAA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

--2nd Field Company, SAEC

Squadrons A & C, 42nd, Royal Tank Regiment – 4x Matilda IICS; 28 Matilda II

Regiment President Steyn (MG)(+ B Coy, Die Middelandse Regiment – 48 + 12 Vickers MMG

3rd South African Reconnaissance Battalion – 58x Marmon-Harrington III

7th Field Regiment, SAA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

2nd Anti-Tank Regiment, SAA (see STOPCOL) – 36x 2pdr ATG

1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, SAA – 48x 40mm Bofors AA Gun

67th Medium Regiment, RA (attached) – 16x 4.5” Gun

68th Medium Regiment, RA (attached) – 16x 4.5” Gun

2nd South African Infantry Division (infantry elements not motorised)

4th South African Infantry Brigade Group

--2nd Bn, Royal Durban Light Infantry – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--Umvoti Mounted Rifles – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--Kaffrarian Rifles – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--3rd Field Regiment, SAA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

--10th Field Company, SAEC

6th South African Infantry Brigade Group

--1st South African Police Battalion – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--2nd South African Police Battalion (see SEACOL) – 3x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--2nd Bn, Transvaal Scotish (see STOPCOL, Commonwealth Keep and Acroma Keep) – 1x Rifle Company

--Commonwealth Keep – 1x Company, 2nd Bn, Transvaal Scottish

--Acroma Keep – 1x Company, 2nd Bn, Transvaal Scottish

--2nd Field Regiment, SAA (1 battery only – see STOPCOL, SEACOL) – 8x 25pdr Field Gun

--4th Field Company, SAEC

9th Indian Infantry Brigade Group (attached)

--2nd Bn, West Yorkshire Regiment – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--3rd Bn, 9th Jat Regiment – 4x Rifle Company; 1x Support Company

--3rd Bn, 12th Frontier Force Regiment – detached at El Adem

--9th Indian Brigade Anti-Tank Company – 9x 37mm ATG

--10th Indian Brigade Machine Gun Company – 12x Vickers MMG

--4th Field Regiment, RA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

--309th Anti-Tank Battery – 12x 2pdr ATG

--20th Bombay Field Company, IE

7th South African Reconnaissance Battalion (see SEACOL) – 55x Marmon-Harrington III

Die Middelanse Regiment (Machine Guns)(see Regiment President Steyn) – 36x Vickers MMG

2nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, SAA – 48x 40mm Bofors AA Gun

XXX Corps

Corps Troops

3rd Indian Motor Brigade

--2nd Bn, Royal Lancers (Cavalry-Carrier) – 2x Recon Squadron; 1x Anti-Tank Squadron

--11th Bn, Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (Cavalry-Carrier) – 2x Recon Squadron; 1x Anti-Tank Squadron

--18th Bn, King Edward's Own Cavalry (Cavalry-Carrier) – 2x Recon Squadron; 1x Anti-Tank Squadron

--3rd Indian Motor Brigade Anti-Tank Company – 16x 2pdr ATG

--2nd Field Regiment, IA – 16x 25pdr Field Gun

--31st Bengal Field Squadron

29th Indian Infantry Brigade Group

--1st Bn, Worcestershire Regiment – 4x Rifle Companies; 1x Support Company

--3rd Bn, 2nd Punjab Regiment – 4x Rifle Companies; 1x Support Company

--1st Bn, 5th Mahratta Light Infantry – 4x Rifle Companies; 1x Support Company

--29th Indian Infantry Brigade Group Anti-Tank Company – 9x 37mm ATG

--3rd Field Regiment, RA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

--308th Anti-Tank Battery, RA – 16x 2pdr ATG

--21st Bombay Field Squadron

1st Armoured Division (HQ – 8x Crusader II)

2nd Armoured Brigade Group (HQ – 10x Crusader II)

--Queen's Bays – 44x Crusader II; 12x Grant

--9th Lancers – 44x Crusader II; 12x Grant

--10th Hussars – 44x Crusader II; 12x Grant

--1st Bn, The Rifle Brigade (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

--11th Royal Horse Artillery Regiment, RA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

--239th Anti-Tank Battery, 60th Anti-Tank Regiment, RA – 16x 6pdr ATG

--44th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RA – 12x 40mm Bofors AA Gun

--88th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RA – 12x 40mm Bofors AA Gun

--1 Troop, 1st Field Squadron, RE

22nd Armoured Brigade Group (HQ – 10c Crusader II)

--2nd, Royal Gloucestershire Hussars – 44x Crusader; 12x Grant

--3rd, County of London Yeomanry – 44x Crusader II; 12x Grant

--4th, County of London Yeomanry – 44x Crusader II; 12x Grant

--50th Bn, Reconnaissance Corps (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

--C Squadron, 12th Lancers (see 7th Armoured Division) – 18x Humber III

--107th Royal Horse Artillery Regiment, RA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

--287th Anti-Tank Battery, 102nd Anti-Tank Regiment, RA – 16x 6pdr ATG

--13th, 7th Field Squadron, RE

201st Guards (Motor) Brigade

--3rd Bn, Coldastream Guards Regiment (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

--2nd Bn, Scots Guards Regiment (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

--9th Bn, The Rifle Brigade (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

--2nd Royal Horse Artillery Regiment, RA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

--288th Anti-Tank Battery, 102nd Anti-Tank Regiment, RA – 16x 6pdr ATG

--1st Field Squadron, RE (see 2nd Armoured Brigade Group)

1st Royal Dragoons – 58x Marmon-Harrington III

61st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA (2 batteries) – 24x 40mm Bofors AA Gun

1st Field park Squadron, RE

3rd Field Squadron, RE (attached)

7th Armoured Division (HQ – 9x Stuart)

4th Armoured Brigade Group (HQ – 4x Stuart; 4x Grant)

--8th Hussars – 20x Stuart; 24x Grant

--3rd, Royal Tank Regiment – 20x Stuart; 24x Grant

--5th, Royal tank Regiment – 20x Stuart; 24x Grant

--1st Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

The battalions of the King's Royal Rifle Corps all retained a four company structure, each of two motor

platoons, a scout platoon, an anti-tank platoon of four guns, a sections of two medium machine-guns and a

section of two 3-inch mortars.

--1st Royal Horse Artillery Regiment, RA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

--ZZ Anti-tank Battery – 16x 6pdr ATG

--1 Troop, 171st Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RA – 4x 40mm Bofors AA Gun

--1 Troop, 4th Field Squadron, RE

7th Motor Brigade Group

--2nd Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

--9th Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

--2nd Bn, The Rifle Brigade (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

--4th Royal Horse Artillery Regiment, RA – 24x 25pdr Field Gun

--289th Anti-Tank Battery, 102nd Anti-Tank Regiment, RA – 16x 6pdr ATG

--4th Field Squadron, RE

1e Brigade Française Libre

--13e Demi-Brigade de Legion Etrangere

----2e Bataillon de Legion Etrangere (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

----3e Bataillon de Legion Etrangere (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

--2e Demi-Brigade Senegalaise

----2e Bataillon de Marche d'Oubangui (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

----Bataillon du Pacifique (Motor) – 3x Motor Companies

--1er Bataillon d'Infanterie de Marine (1x Motor Company)

--1er Bataillon de Fusiliers Marins (Anti-Aircraft) – 12x 40mm Bofors AA Gun; 2x Quad .50 AA Gun

--22e Compagnie Nord-Africaine (Mortar) – 4x 81mm Mortar

--1e Compagnie Antichar – 6x 75mm ATG; 6x 47mm (Italian) ATG

--1er Regiment d'Artillerie – 24x 75mm How; 2x 25pdr Field Gun

--1e Compagnie de Sapeurs-Mineurs

--Troop, 43rd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, 61st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA – 4x 40mm Bofors AA Gun

1st King's Dragoon Guards – 58x Marmon-Harrington III

12th Lancers (see 22nd Armoured Brigade Group) – 40x Humber II

4th South African Armoured Car Regiment (attached) – 58x Marmon-Harrington III

1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA – 48x 40mm Bofors AA Gun

143rd Field Park Squadron, RE

Axis Forces – Panzerarmee Afrika

Armee-Truppen

Kampfgruppe 'Kiehl' – Panzerarmmee-Afrika-Kampstaffel – HQ – 5x Pz II

--2./606. Heer-Fla-Abteilung (sfl)(see 90. leichte-Division) – 8x SdKfz 10/4; 2x SdKfz 7/1

--1 zug, 39. Panzerjager-Abteilung (mot)(see 21. Panzer-Division) – 3x 50mm PaK

--1 zug, 33. Pionier-bataillon (mot)(see 15. Panzer-Division)

--1 Panzerspah zug, 3. Panzeraufklarungs-Abteilung (see 21. Panzer-Division) – 4x SdKafz 222

--beute Panzer-Kompanie – 12x M3 Stuart

Kampfgruppe 'Hecker' (later attached to 90. leichte-Division for the assault on Bir Hacheim)

--13./800. lehr-Regiment-'Brandenburg' (nominally attached to 288. Sonderverband as 1. Kompanie) – 1x StabKompanie; 3x Crusader II; 1x British Armoured Car; 2x StuG IIIf; 10x ATRifle; 3x 45mm Mortar; 3x 50mm Pak; 6x 37mm Pak; 4x 2pdr ATG

--III Battaglione 'Maro', Reggimento 'San Marco – 1x Compagnia Comando; 1x British Armoured Car; 13x HMG; 13x 47mm ATG; 3x 45mm Mortar

--778. Pionier-Landungsboot-Kompanie (amphibious assault unit) – 1x Landwasserschlepper; 2x British Armoured Cars; 11x Sturmboot 42; 2x Pionier-Landungsboot 41; 1x Fuhrungsboot 42

Artilleriekommandeur 104

--221. Artillerie-Regiment-Stab zbV (mot)

--II., 115. schwere-Artillerie-Abteilung (mot) – 8x 210mm M18 How

--408. schwere-Artillerie-Abteilung (mot) – 12x 105mm K18 Gun

--902. schwere-Artillerie-Abteilung (mot) – 3x 150mm sFH18 How

The following units are NOT motorised

--362. Kusten-Artillerie-Batterie – 4x 105mm FH18 How

--363. Gebirgs-Artillerie-Batterie – 4x 75mm leGb How

--364. Gebirgs-Artillerie-Batterie – 4x 75mm leGn How

--4., 149. Artillerie-Regiment – 3x 170mm FK18 Gun

--4., 472. Artillerie-Regiment – 3x 170mm FK18 Gun

--523. Kusten-Artillerie-Abteilung (see KG 'Menny') – 8x 155mm sFH414[f] How

--528. Kusten-Artillerie-Abteilung – 12x 155mm sFH414[f] How

--529. Kusten-Artillerie-Abteilung – 12x 155mm sFH414[f] How

--532. Kusten-Artillerie-Abteilung – 12x 155mm sFH414[f] How

8º Raggruppamento artiglieria (motorised)

--XXX Gruppo – 12x 149/40mm Gun

--LII Gruppo – 4x 152/37mm How

--CXCII Gruppo – 8x 149/28mm How

Gruppe Crüwell

X Corpo d'Armata

Supporti di Corpo d'Armata

9º Reggimento Bersaglieri (motorised)

--XXVIII Battaglione Bersaglieri

----Compagnia Bersaglieri (incl. 6X HMG) – 2x Plotone Fucilieri

----Compagnia Bersaglieri (incl. 6X HMG) – 2x Plotone Fucilieri

----Compagnia controcarri – 8x 47/35mm ATG

--XXX Battaglione Bersaglieri

----Compagnia Bersaglieri (incl. 6X HMG) – 2x Plotone Fucilieri

----Compagnia Bersaglieri (incl. 6X HMG) – 2x Plotone Fucilieri

----Compagnia controcarri – 8x 47/35mm ATG

--Compagnia mitraglieri

XXXI Battaglione Guastatori – 2x Compagnia Guastatori

X Battaglione genio

15º Raggruppamento artiglieria (motorised)

--I Gruppo – 12x 75/27mm Gun

--II Gruppo – 12x 75/27mm Gun

--III Gruppo – 12x 100/17mm How

--IV Gruppo – 12x 100/17mm How

17ª Divisione fanteria 'Pavia' (AS42)

27º Reggimento fanteria (AS42)

--I Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

Compagnia Fucilieri – Plotone Fucilieri; plotone mitraglieri (3x HMG); Plotone contoraerea (3x 20/35mm AA); Plotone controcarri (3x 47/35mm ATG)

--II Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

--III Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

--Compagnia mortai – 6x 81mm Mortar

28º Reggimento fanteria (AS42)

--I Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

--II Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

--III Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

--Compagnia mortai – 6x 81mm Mortar

26º Reggimento artiglieria (motorised)

--I Gruppo – 12x 105/28mm Gun

--II Gruppo – 12x 105/28mm Gun

--77ª Batteria controaerea – 8x 20mm AA

--432ª Batteria controaerea – 8x 20mm AA

XVIII Battaglione genio misto

27ª Divisione fanteria 'Brescia' (see 17º Divisione fanteria 'Pavia')

19º Reggimento fanteria (AS42)

--I Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

--II Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

--III Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

--Compagnia mortai – 6x 81mm Mortar

20º Reggimento fanteria (AS42)

--I Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

--II Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

--III Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

--Compagnia mortai – 6x 81mm Mortar

1º Reggimento articelere (motorised)

--I Gruppo – 12x 75/27mm Gun

--II Gruppo – 12x 75/27mm Gun

--III Gruppo – 12x 100/17mm How

--IV Gruppo – 12x 100/17mm How

--V Gruppo – 8x 88mm Flak

--401ª Batteria controaerea – 8x 20mm AA

--404ª Batteria controaerea – 8x 20mm AA

XXVII Battaglione genio misto

XXI Corpo d'Armata

60ª Divisione fanteria 'Sabratha' (see 17º Divisione fanteria 'Pavia')

85º Reggimento fanteria (AS42)

--I Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

--II Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

86º Reggimento fanteria (AS42)

--I Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

--II Battaglione fanteria – 4x Compagnia Fucilieri

3º Reggimento articelere (motorised)

--I Gruppo – 12x 75/27mm Gun

--II Gruppo – 12x 75/27mm Gun

--III Gruppo – 12x 100/17mm How

102º Divisione motorizzata 'Trento' (transport stripped for XX Corpo d'Armata units)

61º Reggimento fanteria motorizzata

--I Battaglione – 3x Compagnia Fucilieri

Compagnia Fucilieri – 3x Plotone Fucilieri; Plotone mitraglieri (3x HMG; Plotone controaerea (3x 20/35mm AA); Plotone controcarri (3x 47/35mm ATG)

--II Battaglione – 3x Compagnia Fucilieri

--III Battaglione – 3x Compagnia Fucilieri

62º Reggimento fanteria motorizzata

--I Battaglione – 3x Compagnia Fucilieri

--II Battaglione – 3x Compagnia Fucilieri

--III Battaglione – 3x Compagnia Fucilieri

46º Reggimento artiglieria motorizzata (motorised)

--I Gruppo – 12x 75/27mm Gun

--II Gruppo – 12x 75/27mm Gun

--III Gruppo – 12x 100/17mm How

--IV Gruppo – 12x 100/17mm How

--412ª Batteria controaerea – 8x 20mm AA

--414ª Batteria controaerea – 8x 20mm AA

--LI Battaglione genio misto

Kampfgruppe 'Menny' (15. Schutzen Brigade HQ – non-motorised units of 90. leichte-Division)

200. Schutzen-Regiment

--I. Schutzen.Bataillon – 4x Schutzen-Kompanies

--II. Schutzen.Bataillon – 4x Schutzen-Kompanies

--708. schwere-Infanteriegeschutz-Kompanie (sfl.)(attached) – 6x 150mm sIG 33 (pzII)

361. Schutzen-Regiment

--I. Schutzen.Bataillon – 4x Schutzen-Kompanies

--II. Schutzen.Bataillon – 4x Schutzen-Kompanies

612. Heer-Fla-Abteilung (mot)(attached)(see 90. leichte-Afrika-Division) – 36x SdKfz 10/4

III./523. Kusten-Artillerie-Abteilung (attached)(see ARKO 104) – 4x 155mm sFH414[f] How

533. Kusten-Artillerie-Abteilung (attached) – 12x 155mm sFH414[f] How

Gruppe Rommel

Deutsches Afrika Korps

15. Panzer-Division

8. Panzer-Regiment

--I. Panzer-Abteilung – 3x leichte-Panzer-Kompanie; 1x mittler-Panzer-Kompanie

--II. Panzer-Abteilung – 3x leichte-Panzer-Kompanie; 1x mittler-Panzer-Kompanie

TOTALS – ToE

Regt. HQ – 5x Pz II; 2x Pz BefIII

Regt. Total – 55x Pz II; 6x PzBef III; 134x Pz III; 20x Pz IV

Pz. Abt. HQ – 5x Pz II; 1x Pz III; 2x PzBef III

Pz Abt. Kompanien Total – 20x Pz II; 66x Pz III; 10x Pz IV

115. Schutzen-Regiment (mot.)

--I. Schutzen-Bataillon – 4x Schutzen-Kompanien

--II. Schutzen-Bataillon – 4x Schutzen-Kompanien

--III. Schutzen-Bataillon – 4x Schutzen-Kompanien

--Infanteriegeschutz-Kompanie – 4x 75mm leIG; 2x 150mm sIG

--Pionier-Kompanie

33. Panzeraufklarungs-Abteilung

--Panzerspah-Kompanie

--Kradschutzen-Kompanie

--schwere-Kompanie

33. Panzerjager-Abteilung (mot)(2x Kompanien) – 18x 50mm Pak

33. Pionier-Bataillon (mot)(3x Kompanien – see KG 'Kiehl')

33. Artillerie-Regiment (mot.)

--I. leichte-Abteilung – 12x 105mm FH18 How

--II. leichte-Abteilung – 12x 105mm FH18 How

--III. schwere-Abteilung – 4x 105mm FK18 Gun; 8x 150mm sFH18 How

I., 43. Luftwaffe-Flak-Regiment (mot)(attached) – 18x 88mm Flak; 24x 20mm Fla

3., 617 Heer-Fla-Abteilung (sfl)(attached)(see 21. Panzer-Division) – 8x SdKfz 10/4; 2x SdKfz 7/1

21. Panzer-Division (as at 1 August 1941)

5. Panzer-Regiment

--I. Panzer-Abteilung – 3x leichte-Panzer-Kompanie; 1x mittler-Panzer-Kompanie

--II. Panzer-Abteilung – 3x leichte-Panzer-Kompanie; 1x mittler-Panzer-Kompanie

TOTALS – ToE

Regt. HQ – 5x Pz II; 2x Pz BefIII

Regt. Total – 55x Pz II; 6x PzBef III; 134x Pz III; 20x Pz IV

Pz. Abt. HQ – 5x Pz II; 1x Pz III; 2x PzBef III

Pz Abt. Kompanien Total – 20x Pz II; 66x Pz III; 10x Pz IV

104. Schutzen-Regiment (mot)

--I. Schutzen-Bataillon – 4x Schutzen-Kompanien

--II. Schutzen-Bataillon – 4x Schutzen-Kompanien

--III. Schutzen-Bataillon – 4x Schutzen-Kompanien

--Infanteriegeschutz-Kompanie – 4x 75mm leIG; 2x 150mm sIG

--Pionier-Kompanie

3. Aufklarungs-Abteilung (see KG 'Kiehl')

--Panzerspah-Kompanie (18x light & 6x heavy armoured cars)

--Kradschutzen-Kompanie

--schwere-Kompanie + 6x 25pdr Field Gun

39. Panzerjager-Abteilung (mot)(2 Kompanien – see KG 'Kiehl') – 15x 50mm Pak

200. Pionier-Bataillon (mot) – 3x Kompanien

155. Artillerie Regiment (mot.)

--I leichte-Abteilung – 12x 105mm FH18 How

--II leichte-Abteilung – 12x 105mm FH18 How

--III schwere-Abteilung – 105mm FK18 Gun; 8x 150mm sFH18 How

I., 18. Luftwaffe-Flak-regiment (mot)(attached) – 18x 88mm Flak; 24x 20mm Fla

617. Heer-Fla-Abteilung (sfl)(attached)(see 15. Panzer-Division) – 16x SdKfz 10/4; 4x SdKfz 7/1

90. leichte-Division (see KG 'Menny')

155 Schutzen-Regiment (mot)

--I Schutzen-Bataillon – 4x Schutzen-Kompanien

--II Schutzen-Bataillon – 4x Schutzen-Kompanien

--707. schwere-Infanteriegeschutz-Kompanie (sfl)(attached) – 6x 150mm sIG 33 (Pz II)

288. Sonderverband (mot)(attached)(usually split into 2 KG for combat operations)

--Hauptquartier Kompanie – 2x SdKfz 221

--1. 'Brandenburger'-Kompanie (detached to KG 'Hecker')

--2. Gebirgsjager-Kompanie

--3. Schutzen-Kompanie

--4. Maschinengewehr-Kompanie – 12x HMG; 6x 81mm Mortar

--5. Panzerjager-Kompanie – 2x 50mm Pak; 6x 37mm Pak

--6. Fla-Kompanie – 12x 20mm Fla

--7. Pionier-Kompanie

580. Panzeraufklarungs-Kompanie

--1x Panzerspah-Zug

--1x Aufklarungs-Zug

--1x Fla-Zug

190. Panzerjager-Abteilung (mot)(2x Kompanien – HQ not yet in Afrika) – 18x 50mm Pak

1./612. Heer-Fla-Abteilung (attached) – 12x SdKfz 10/4

900. Pionier-Bataillon (mot)(2x Kompanien)

361. Artillerie-Abteilung (mot) – 12x 76mm [r] How; 4x 25pdr Field Gun

605. Panzerjager-Abteilung (sfl)(attached) – 18x Panzerjager Ib; 9x SdKfz 6/3 'Diana'

606. Heer-Fla-Abteilung (mot)(attached)(see KG 'Kiehl') – 20x SdKfz 10/4; 2x SdKfz 7/1

XX Corpo d'Armata di Manovra

Supporti di Corpo d'Armata

CICI Gruppo artiglieria (attached from 8º Raggruppamento artiglieria) – 12x 149/28mm Gun

XXXIV Battaglione genio

132º Divisione corazzata 'Ariete'

132º Reggimento corazzato

--VIII Battaglione carri medi – 53x M13/40-41

--IX Battaglione carri medi – 53x M13/40-41

--X Battaglione carri medi – 53x M13/40-41

--Compagnia controaerea – 8x 20mm AA

8º Reggimento Bersaglieri motorizzato

--III Battaglione Bersaglieri d'accompagnamento

----Compagnia controaerea

----Compagnia mitraglieri

---Compagnia mortai

--V Battaglione Berasaglieri – 2x Compagnia Bersaglieri; 1x Compagnia controcarri

--XII Battaglione Bersaglieri – 2x Compagnia Bersaglieri; 1x Compagnia controcarri

III Battaglione carri, Reggimento 'Lancieri di Novara (2x Compagnias) – 33x L6/40

III Battaglione autoblinda, Reggimento 'Nizza cavalleria' (2x Compagnias) – 40c AB41

132º Reggimento artiglieria motorizzata

--I Gruppo – 12x 75/27mm Gun

--II Gruppo – 12x 75/27mm Gun

--III Gruppo – 10x 105/28mm How

--DLI Battaglione Semovente – 8x Semovente 75/18 (+ 2 unarmed command Semovente)

--DLII Battaglione Semovente – 8x Semovente 75/18 (+ 2 unarmed command Semovente)

--IV Gruppo controaerea – 10x 90mm AA Autocannoni

--II Gruppo controaerea, 24º Reggimento artiglieria – 8x 88mm Flak

XXXII Battaglione genio misto

101ª Divisione motorizzata 'Trieste' (see 102º Divisione motorizzata 'Trento')

65º Reggimento fanteria motorizzata

--I Battaglione motorizzato – 3x Compagnia Fucilieri

--II Battaglione motorizzato – 3x Compagnia Fucilieri

66º Reggimento fanteria motorizzata

--I Battaglione motorizzato – 3x Compagnia Fucilieri

--II Battaglione motorizzato – 3x Compagnia Fucilieri

VIII Battaglione Bersaglieri autoblinda (2 Compagnias) – 40x AB41 – 4x British Morris Armoured Cars; 2x 2pdr Autocannoni; 1x 47mm Autocannoni; 1x 37mm Autocannoni; 1x 40mm AA Autocannoni; 2x 20mm AA Autocannoni; 1x 25pdr Field Gun

21º Reggimento artiglieria motorizzata

--I Gruppo – 10x 75/27mm Gun

--II Gruppo – 10x 75/27mm Gun

--III gruppo – 12x 100/17mm How

--IV Gruppo – 12x 100/17mm How

--V gruppo – 12x 75mm Flak

--CXXXI Gruppo (attached from 8º Raggruppamento artiglieria) – 8x 149/28mm Gun

--CILVIII Gruppo (attached from 8º Raggruppamento artiglieria) – 12x 149/28mm Gun

--146ª Batteria controaerea – 8x 20mm AA

--411ª Batteria controaerea – 8x 20mm AA

LII Battaglione genio misto (motorised)