German Combat Divisions

North Africa

5th Light Division
gerdiv3pz.gif (1016 bytes) No divisional symbol was used, with the exception of some armoured vehicles still bearing the 3rd Panzer Division sign in the early stages of the North African campaign.
Fifth Light Division was formed from a cadre of the Third Panzer Division, and contingents of the division arrived in Tripoli in February 1941.  The division saw much combat as part of the Afrika Korps in the ensuing six months, and on 1 October 1941 the division was reorganized and renamed 21st Panzer Division.
Main Combatant Units
Panzer Regiment 5
MG Battailon (mot) 2
MG Bataillon (mot) 5

10th Panzer Division

gerdiv10pz.gif (1042 bytes)
Having seen action already in Poland, France and Russia, the division transferred to France in May 1942 and then in November moved to North Africa to become part of XC Corps.

Used in the battles to expand the Tunis Bridgehead, the division saw limited success against Free French troops in January 1943.  The division took part in further successful counterattacks in February, then went into defensive positions and corps reserve.  Committed once again in March 1943, the division suffered heavily in attacks against US positions and by April 8 had joined the general retreat from the hills near Maknassy.  By 21 April the division could field only 25 operational tanks, and after continued defensive fighting, surrendered on 9 May 1943.

Main Combatant Units
Panzer Regiment 7
Infanterie Regiment (mot) 69
Infanterie Regiment (mot) 86
Sturmregiment "Hermann Goering" (mot)
Infanterie Bataillon (mot) A4

15th Panzer Division

gerdiv15pz.GIF (962 bytes)
Tracing its genesis to Infantry Division 33 formed in 1936, the division saw combat in France and was reorganized and renamed in late 1940.  The 15th Panzer Division arrived in Africa in late April 1941, final units completing their transfer to the theater in mid June.  Along with the 5th Light Division, 15th Panzer saw extensive defensive combat during the British Operation Battleaxe, and again was heavily engaged during Crusader in November.  The Division was equally busy throughout 1942 during the lead up to Alamein, and again during the retreat.  The division was placed in reserve during the Tunisian fighting, but in March was twice thrown into action, and with the rest of the Axis forces left in North Africa fought on to the bitter end, surrendering to British forces at 1250 hrs on the 9th of May.

Main Combatant Units
Panzer Regiment 8
Schützen Brigade (mot) 15
Infanterie Regiment (mot) 115
Infanterie Regiment (mot) 200

21st Panzer Division

gerdiv21pz.gif (977 bytes)gerdiv21apz.GIF (977 bytes)
 

Main Combatant Units
Panzer Regiment 5
Infanterie Regiment (mot) 104

90th Light Division

gerdiv90.gif (926 bytes)
 

Main Combatant Units
Infanerie Regiment (mot) 155
Infanterie Regiment (mot) 200
Infanterie Regiment Afrika (mot) 361
Panzergrenadier Regiment (mot) Afrika

164th Light Afrika-Division
gerdiv164e.gif (1580 bytes) gerdiv164l.gif (1840 bytes)
Early December 1942
 

Main Combatant Units
Panzergrenadier Regiment (mot) 125
Panzergrenadier Regiment (mot) 382
Panzergrenadier Regiment (mot) 433

334th Infanterie Division

gerdiv334.gif (1075 bytes)
 

Main Combatant Units
Infanterie Regiment (mot) 754
Infanterie Regiment (mot) 755
Gebirgs Infanterie Regiment (mot) 756

999th Light Afrika-Division
 

Main Combatant Units
Afrika Schützen Regiment (mot) 961
Afrika Schützen Regiment (mot) 962

Division von Broich
Division von Manteuffel
 

Main Combatant Units
Fallschirmjäger Regiment (mot) "Barenthin" (Luftwaffe)
Panzergrenadier Regiment (mot) 160
Bersaglieri Regiment (mot) 10 (Italian)

Division "Hermann Göring"
 

Main Combatant Units
Panzer Regiment "Hermann Göring"
Grenadier Regiment "Hermann Göring"
Jäger Regiment "Hermann Göring"