ORGANIZATION OF GERMAN FORCES IN NORTH AFRICA

The first German forces to arrive in Africa in early 1941 were referred to as Aufklärungsstab Rommel.

Deutsches Afrika Korps

On 19 February 1941, the German forces in theatre were personally designated by Hitler as Deutsches Afrika Korps (DAK).

The DAK fought alongside its Italian allies, and in time, other German forces moved to Africa in addition; by the time of the surrender in 1943, the DAK was only a part of a much larger German-Italian presence in Africa known as Panzerarmee Afrika.

The DAK consisted of 5th Light Division (later renamed 21st Panzer Division) and 15th Panzer Division, as well as corps troops.

Panzergruppe Afrika

The troops under Rommel's command expanded to a Panzer Group   in August 1941.  In addition to the DAK, the Panzer Group also commanded the 90th Light Division and six Italian Divisions; XX Corps (with Ariete and Trieste Divisions), XXI Corps (with Pavia, Bologna and Brescia Divisions) and the Savona Division.

Panzerarmee Afrika

In January 1942, the Panzer Group was renamed Panzer Army Afrika, also being known as Deutsch-Italienische Armee (German-Italian Army).  By August 1942, The Panzer Army consisted of the DAK, the 90th Light Division, 164th Infantry Division, the Ramcke parachute brigade, eight Italian divisions divided into three corps, and various corps units.

1st Italian Army

In February 1943, the Army was retitled as 1st Italian Army (1. Italienische Armee).

XC Corps

On 14 November 1942, Stab Nehring was created; a headquarters whose purpose was to plan for the defence of Tunisia.  The next day, this headquarters was renamed the XC Corps. This headquarters commanded several Italian divisions in addition to a mixture of Army and Luftwaffe troops.

Panzer-Armeeoberkommando 5

The XC Corps was absorbed by another newly formed headquarters unit in December 1942, Pz.A.O.K. 5.   This headquarters absorbed XC Corps, as well as bringing under command 10th Panzer Division, 21st Panzer Division, 334 Infantry Division and several other Army and Luftwaffe units.

Heeresgruppe Afrika

Army Group Africa was created in February 1943, consisting of the 1st Italian Army, and the Panzer-Armeeoberkommando 5, both described above.