AFRIKAKORPS - The 21st Panzer Division From Libya to Tunisia

Originally designated the 5. leichte Division (motorisierte), it was sent to Libya in early February 1941 to support the hard-pressed Italian forces facing the British Empire. Its intervention halted the advance of British troops. It subsequently grew in strength to become the 21. Panzer-Division. It took part in every engagement fought in Africa: El Agheila, Tobruk, Mersa Matruh, El Alamein, Matmata. Threatened with destruction, it was saved by the slow pace of the British advance. It rebuilt its strength and fought hard. But, overwhelmed by the power of the Allied forces, it ended its African campaign with the surrender of the Italo-German troops in Tunisia in May 1943.

This work draws almost exclusively on one primary source: the German archives. All the Gliederungen (order-of-battle tables) still in existence are included, along with other copies of original documents. Numerous maps produced from original cartography, as well as photographs — some previously unpublished — provide solid support for the text. Summary tables present unit strengths. On the Allied side, the War Diaries and After Action Reports were also consulted, notably those of the New Zealanders and Australians who were heavily engaged against the Italo-German forces in Africa. Many accounts — some harrowing — from the various parties in conflict lend a concrete dimension to this work.

Beyond the fighting, uniforms, life behind the front lines, logistics and living conditions are also examined — topics that very few authors address. Yet all these elements had a significant impact on the morale, health and fighting spirit of the soldiers. They also had a meaningful effect on the battles themselves, particularly in terms of logistics, which profoundly influenced the course of this campaign.