Deutsches Afrika Korps
The Deutsches Afrika Korps (in shortened Afrika Korps , Afrikakorps or DAK ) was the general headquarter ordering German divisions of Panzer S in the Désert of Libya and Western Egypt, then in Tunisia, during the Second world war. Little by little, the name Afrika Korps included the military HQ and units which were attached to him.
The DAK was formed the February 19th 1941 after the decision to send a task force in Libya to support the troops of Mussolini. Indeed, the Italy NS were blocked by the counter-offensive of the VIII {{E}} British army corps, counter-offensive called Opération Compass. The German task force was ordered by the marshal Erwin Rommel and had at the origin for only mission of reconquering the Cyrénaïque and the Libya.
Organization of Afrika Korps
Afrikakorps is a Army corps German envoy in Libya to support the effort of the forces Italians vis-a-vis the British.
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15 {{E}} Panzerdivision ( armor-plated division ).
- 5th Leichte Division ( light division , converted into 21 {{E}} fine Panzerdivision 1941).
- 90e Leichte Afrika Division.
In August 1941 these divisions are ordered by the Cruewell general. May 25th, 1942, whereas the Germans launch their offensive large last, Afrikakorps counts:
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320 German tanks
- 240 Italian tanks
Against more than 900 allied tanks of the 8th British army.
June 13rd, 1942, the British do not have any more but 70 tanks… whereas Rommel always has 150 armoured tanks.
At the time of the allied offensive of El-Alamein of October 23rd the reinforced Allies can count on 1.200 tanks whereas the forces of the Axis do not have any more but approximately 500 German and Italian tanks. The reinforcements arriving with difficulty, the lack of matérien is accompanied by a lack of fuel, air support and artillery.
November 3rd, 1942, Afrikakorps does not have any more but… 20 tanks, that will be then the crossing of the desert until its capitulation in Tunisia.
The German units of Panzergruppe “Afrika”, become Panzerarmee “Afrika” then Heeresgruppe “Afrika” were thereafter, in addition to the three above mentioned ones:
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164e Leichte Afrika Division, which compensated the 90e.
- 334e Infantry Division.
- 999e Leichte Afrika Division.
- 10th Panzer Division.
- Fallschirmjäger Brigade “Ramcke”.
- Elements of Fallschirm Panzer Division “Hermann Göring”.
Time-table
When Afrikakorps arrived to Libya, the Italian marshal Rodolfo Graziani had just lost the Cyrénaïque after an attempt at invasion of Egypt which quickly turned to the rout. Rommel succeeds in reconquering the ground lost until Marsa Matrukh (Masah Matrouk), which is located has 200 km of Alexandria. In June 1942, it reached El-Alamein which it lost on November 1st.
In December 1942, the English marshal Bernard Montgomery seized Tobrouk definitively.
Thereafter, the face moved in Tunisia where Rommel gained the combat of Kasserine vis-a-vis the Americans of the general Dwight David Eisenhower.
It was the last success of Rommel, recalled in Europe by Hitler. Its troops, remained in Africa, capitulated the May 12th 1943.
The anthem of Afrika Korps
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Heiß über Afrikas Boden die Sounds glüht,
- Unsere Panzermotoren singen ihr Lied.
- Deutsche Panzer im Sonnenbrand,
- Stehen zur Schlacht gegen Engeland.
- Es rasseln die Ketten, be dröhnt der Motor!
- Panzer rollen in Afrika VOR!
- Unsere Panzermotoren singen ihr Lied.
- Under the sun burning of Africa,
- the engines of our panzers sings.
- Armor-plated German in the fire of the sun,
- Ready with the combat against England.
- Clicks the chains, thunder the engines!
- In Africa, the tanks advance!
- the engines of our panzers sings.
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