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 during World War II. The unit was under the command of the Italian chain of command in North Africa.
| Panzerarmee Afrika/Gruppo Corazzato Africa | |
|---|---|
| Active | 15 August 1941 – 13 May 1943 |
| Country |  Nazi Germany Kingdom of Italy |
| Branch |  Heer ( Wehrmacht) Royal Italian Army |
| Type | Field army |
| Role | Desert warfare Expeditionary warfare Tank warfare |
| Part of | Comando Supremo Oberbefehlshaber Süd |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Erwin Rommel Georg Stumme Hans-Jürgen von Arnim |
History
editPanzer Group Africa
editWhen 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
editPanzer 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
editPanzer Army Africa was renamed German-Italian Panzer Army' (Deutsch-Italienische Panzerarmee, Armata Corazzata Italo-Tedesca) and subordinated to the Comando Supremo and to the Oberbefehlshaber Süd 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
editIn 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
editPanzer Army Africa
edit- During the Western Desert Campaign:
Army Group Africa
edit- During the Tunisian Campaign:
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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