15TH PANZER DIVISION 3.42 on Divisional Troops, with: Division Headquarters, with: Headquarters Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio truck 1 band stand 1 light truck Military Police Detachment, with: 1 recon MP stand 1 light truck Admin Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 2 medium baggage trucks 2 support stands Divisional Supply Detachment, with: Headquarters Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 3 Workshop Companies, each with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 2 workshop vans 1 medium baggage truck 1 medium truck 2 support stands 12 Light Truck Columns, each with 2 medium cargo trucks with trailers 3 Heavy Fuel Truck Columns, each with 4 medium fuel trucks with trailers Supply Dump Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 4 support stands 2 medium trucks Signal Battalion, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen Radio Company, with provides staff vehicles for divisionl regiments Telephone Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 medium telephone truck with trailer 1 medium repair truck with trailer 1 support stand 8th Panzer Regiment Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 command PzKw III command variant Headquarters Company, with: 1 staff radio SdKfz 251 1 recon PzKw IIF 1 band 1 light truck 1 light baggage truck with field kitchen Maintenance Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 SdKfz 7 recovery tractor 1 maintenance van 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck 2 Battalions, each with: Headquarters, with: 1 command PzKw IIIG/H 1 recon PzKw IIF 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen Supply Column, with: 2 medium ammo trucks with trailers 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 medium supply truck with trailer 1 medium fuel truck with trailer 3 Light Companies, each with: 1 command PzKw IIIG/H 2 PzKw IIIG/Hs Medium Company 1 command PzKw IVF1 1 PzKw IIIj 1 PzKw IVF1 115th Rifle Regiment, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car Headquarters Company, with: 1 staff radio truck 1 engineer stand 1 band stand 1 gun crew stand 1 50L60 AT gun 3 light trucks 1 recon motorcycle infantry stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen Supply Column, with: 1 medium ammo truck with trailer 1 support stand 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 3 Battalions, each with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck 4 Companies, each with: 1 command infantry stand 2 infantry stands 1 weapons stand 2 medium trucks 1 gun crew stand 1 50L60 AT gun 1 light truck 11th Infantry Gun Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 150L12 infantry gun 1 medium truck 1 medium ammo truck Engineer Company, with: 1 command engineer stand 2 engineer stands 1 weapons stand 2 medium trucks 1 gun crew stand 1 50L60 AT gun 1 light truck 33rd Reconnaissance Battalion Headquarters Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 staff radio truck Scout Car Company, with: 1 command SdKfz 222 1 recon SdKfz 222 2 recon SdKfz 234s Motorized Company, with: 1 command motorcycle infantry stand 1 weapons stand 2 infantry stands 1 gun crew 1 50L60 AT gun 5 light trucks Heavy Company, with: 1 gun crew stand 1 50L60 AT gun 1 engineer stand 2 light trucks Supply Column, with: 3 light ammo trucks with trailers 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 maintenance van 2 support stands 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 33rd Antitank Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 light general supply truck with trailer 1 support stand 1 light baggage truck with field kitchen Self-Propelled Battery, with 1 Marder (76.2mm) Towed Battery, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 2 gun crew stands 2 50L60 AT guns 2 light trucks 33rd Artillery Regiment Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car Headquarters Battery, with: 2 support stands 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck with trailer Supply Column, with 4 medium ammo trucks with trailers 2 Field Battalions, each with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 FO stand 2 kubelwagens 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 3 Artillery Batteries, each with: 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 105L28 howitzer 1 medium tractor Medium Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 FO stand 2 kubelwagens 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 2 Howitzer Batteries, each with: 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 150L30 howitzer 1 medium tractor Gun Battery with: 1 gun crew stand(ds) 1 105L52 gun 1 medium tractor 33rd Engineer Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 3 Engineer companies, each with: 1 command stand 3 engineer stands 2 medium trucks NOTES 1. Each infantry and engineer stand in 104th Rifle Regiment, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, and 200th Engineer Battalion has integral AT rifles. 2. By Alem Halfa and El Alamein, each light tank company has one PzKw IIIH and one PzKw IIIJ, either of which could be the command tank. The medium tank company has one each PzKw IIIJ, PzKw IVF1, and PzKw IVF2, any of which could serve as the command tank. Battalion and regimental HQs remain unchanged, except that the regimental HQ has only one recon PzKw IIF instead of two. 3. The infantry battalions were reorganized into four identical companies, by disbanding the machinegun and heavy companies and using the personnel to form the new infantry company and the new regimental engineer company. 4. By August, the motorized company of the reconnaissance battalion was mounted in halftracks (251/1), and a battery of captured British 25-pounder guns (1 gun model) was added to the battalion. Also, there was a platoon (1 vehicle) of SdKfz 234/3 added to the battalion headquarters. 21ST PANZER DIVISION 3.42 on Divisional Troops, with: Division Headquarters, with: Headquarters Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio truck 1 band stand 1 light truck Military Police Detachment, with: 1 recon MP stand 1 light truck Admin Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 2 medium baggage trucks 2 support stands Divisional Supply Detachment, with: Headquarters Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 3 Workshop Companies, each with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 2 workshop vans 1 medium baggage truck 1 medium truck 2 support stands 12 Light Truck Columns, each with 2 medium cargo trucks with trailers 3 Heavy Fuel Truck Columns, each with 4 medium fuel trucks with trailers Supply Dump Company, each with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 4 support stands 2 medium trucks Signal Battalion, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen Radio Company, with provides staff vehiclesfor divisionlregiments Telephone Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 medium telephone truck with trailer 1 medium repair truck with trailer 1 support stand 5th Panzer Regiment Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 command PzKw III command variant Headquarters Company, with: 1 staff radio SdKfz 251 2 recon PzKw IIFs 1 band 1 light truck 1 light baggage truck with field kitchen Maintenance Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 SdKfz 7 recovery tractor 1 maintenance van 1 medium truck 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck 2 Battalions, each with: Headquarters, with: 1 command PzKw IIIG/H 1 recon PzKw IIF 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen Supply Column 2 medium ammo truck with trailer 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 medium supply truck with trailer 1 medium fuel truck with trailer 3 Light Companies, each with: 1 command PzKw IIIG/H 1 PzKw IIIG/H Medium Company, with: 1 command PzKw IVF1 1 PzKw IIIJ 1 PzKw IVF1 104th Rifle Regiments, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car Headquarters Company, with: 1 staff radio truck 1 engineer stand 1 band 1 gun crew stand 1 50L60 AT gun 3 light trucks 1 recon motorcycle infantry stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen Supply Column, with: 1 medium ammo trucks with trailers 1 support stand 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 3 Battalions, each with: Headquarters 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck 4 Companies, each with: 1 command infantry stand 2 infantry stands 1 weapons stand 2 medium trucks 1 gun crew stand 1 50L60 AT gun 1 light truck 11th Infantry Gun Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 150L12 infantry gun 1 medium truck 1 medium ammo truck Engineer Company, with: 1 command engineer stand 3 engineer stands 1 weapons stand 2 medium trucks 1 gun crew stand 1 50L60 AT gun 1 light truck 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Headquarters Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 staff radio truck Scout Car Company, with: 1 command SdKfz 222 1 recon SdKfz 222 2 recon SdKfz 234/1s Motorized Company, with: 1 command infantry stand 1 weapons stand 2 infantry stands 1 gun crew stand 1 50L60 AT gun 5 light trucks Heavy Company, with: 1 gun crew stand 1 50L60 AT gun 1 engineer stand 2 light trucks Supply Column, with: 3 light ammo trucks with trailers 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 maintenance van 2 support stands 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 39th Antitank Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 light general supply truck with trailer 1 support stand 1 light baggage truck with field kitchen Self-Propelled Battery, with 1 Marder (76.2mm) Towed Battery, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 2 gun crew stands 2 50L60 AT guns 2 light trucks 155th Artillery Regiment Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car Headquarters Battery, with: 2 support stands 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck with trailer Supply Column, with 4 medium ammo trucks with trailers 2 Field Battalions, each with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 FO stand 2 kubelwagens 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 3 Artillery Batteries, each with: 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 105L28 howitzer 1 medium tractor Medium Battalion, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 FO stand 2 kubelwagens 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 2 Howitzer Batteries, each with: 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 150L30 howitzer 1 medium tractor Gun Battery with: 1 gun crew stand(ds) 1 105L52 gun 1 medium tractor 200th Engineer Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 3 Engineer Companies, each with: 1 command engineer stand 2 engineer stands 2 medium trucks  NOTES 1. Each infantry and engineer stand in 104th Rifle Regiment, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, and 200th Engineer Battalion has integral AT rifles. 2. By Alem Halfa and El Alamein, each light tank company has one PzKw IIIH and one PzKw IIIJ, either of which could be the command tank. The medium tank company has one each PzKw IIIJ, PzKw IVF1, and PzKw IVF2, any of which could serve as the command tank. Battalion and regimental HQs remain unchanged, except that the regimental HQ has only one recon PzKw IIF instead of two. 3. The infantry battalions were reorganized into four identical companies, by disbanding the machinegun and heavy companies and using the personnel to form the new infantry company and the new regimental engineer company. 4. By August, the motorized company of the reconnaissance battalion was mounted in halftracks (251/1), and a battery of captured British 25-pounder guns (1 gun model) was added to the battalion. Also, there was a platoon (1 vehicle) of SdKfz 234/3 added to the battalion headquarters. 90TH LIGHT AFRICA DIVISION 3.42-7.42 Divisional Troops, with: Division Headquarters, with: Headquarters Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio truck 1 band stand 1 light truck Military Police Detachment, with: 1 recon MP stand 1 light truck Admin Company, with: 1 command stand 1 car 2 medium baggage trucks 2 support stands Divisional Supply Detachment, with: Headquarters Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 2 Workshop Companies, each with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 2 workshop vans 1 medium baggage truck 1 medium truck 2 support stands 8 Light Truck Columns, each with 2 medium cargo trucks with trailers 2 Light Fuel Truck Columns, each with 2 medium fuel trucks with trailers Supply Dump Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 4 support stands 2 medium trucks Signal Battalion, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen Radio Company, with: provides staff vehicles for divisionl regiments Telephone Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 medium telephone truck with trailer 1 medium repair truck with trailer 1 support stand 15th Rifle Brigade Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio truck 200th Infantry Regiment (Motorized), with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio truck 2 Battalions, each with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 medium ammo truck 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck 4 Companies, each with: 1 command infantry stand 1 weapons stand 2 infantry stands 1 gun crew (ds) 1 76L39(r) AT gun 3 medium trucks 708th Infantry Gun Company (SP), with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 SP 15cm IG 1 medium ammo truck 361st Light Africa Regiment z.b.V, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio truck 2 Battalions, each with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 medium ammo truck 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck 4 Companies, each with: 1 command infantry stand 1 weapons stand 2 infantry stands 1 gun crew (ds) 1 76L39(r) AT gun 3 medium trucks Infantry Gun Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 150L11 infantry gun 1 medium truck 1 medium ammo truck 155th Infantry Regiment (Motorized), with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio truck 2 Battalions, each with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck 4 Companies, each with: 1 command infantry stand 1 weapons stand 2 infantry stands 1 gun crew (ds) 1 76L39(r) AT gun 3 medium trucks 707th Infantry Gun Company (SP), with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 SP 15cm IG 1 medium ammo truck 361st Artillery Regiment Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car Supply Column, with 2 medium ammo trucks with trailers 2 Battalions, each with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 forward observer stand 2 kubelwagens 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck 2 Field Batteries, each with: 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 105L28 howitzer 1 medium truck Medium Battery with: 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 105L62 gun 1 medium truck 1st Battery, 613rd AA Battalion (attached), with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 3 gun crew stands 3 20L113 AA guns 3 light trucks 900th Engineer Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 2 Companies, each with: 1 command engineer stand 2 engineer stands 1 gun crew 1 50L60 AT gun 2 medium trucks Supply Column, with: 2 medium trucks with engineer stores 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 580th Recon Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 infantry stand 1 gun crew stand 1 50L60 AT gun 2 light trucks 1 recon SdKfz 222 190th Antitank Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 light general supply truck with trailer 1 support stand 1 light baggage truck with field kitchen 2 Batteries, each with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 2 gun crew stands 2 50L60 AT guns 2 light trucks NOTES 1. All infantry and weapons stands have integral antitank rifles. 2. The 200th and 361st Regiments were detched for the Gazala battles and were commanded by the 15th Rifle Brigade. These troops were deployed along the coast road as a German stiffener for Gruppe Cruwell. To replace them in the division, Special Group 288 was attached from Army Troops (which see). The 708th SP Infantry Gun Company (of 200th Infantry Regiment) also remained with the division. 3. The infantry battalions were reorganized into four identical companies, by disbanding the machinegun and heavy companies and using the personnel to form the new infantry company. Given a choice between an 8cm mortar platoon and four batteries of 76.2 L39 field guns, one can understand the German conversion. CORPS TROOPS 3.42-7.42 Corps Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio van 2 recon motorcyle stands Corps Headquarters Combat Escort Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 light general supply truck with trailer 1 support stand 1 light baggage truck with field kitchen Tank Company, with: 1 command tank 2 tanks (type unknown) Weapons Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 2 SP 20L113 AA guns 2 PzJgr Is 605th Antitank Battalion (Self-Propelled) Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 light general supply truck with trailer 1 support stand 1 light baggage truck with field kitchen 3 Antitank Batteries, each with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 2 JgdPz Is Heavy Antitank Battery, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 2 Marder Is (SP 76.2) 135th Flak Regiment (Luftwaffe) Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 2 Mixed Flak Battalions (I-18,I-33), each with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 3 Heavy Batteries, each with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 88L56 AA gun 1 heavy tractor 2 Light Batteries, each with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 2 gun crew stands 2 20L113 AA guns 2 light trucks Supply Column, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 3 medium ammo trucks with trailers 2 support stands 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 2 Self-Propelled Flak Battalions (606th, 617th), each with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 light general supply truck with trailer 1 support stand 1 light baggage truck with field kitchen 3 Batteries, each with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 2 SP 2cm AAs Towed Flak Battalion (612th) Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 light general supply truck with trailer 1 support stand 1 light baggage truck with field kitchen 3 Batteries, each with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 3 gun crews 3 20L113 AA guns 3 light trucks  Artillery Command 104 Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio truck II Battalion, 115th Artillery Regiment, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 forward observer 2 kubelwagens 3 Batteries, each with: 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 210L31 howitzer 1 heavy tractor Supply Column, with: 3 medium ammo trucks with trailers 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 408th Artillery Battalion, with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 forward observer 2 kubelwagens 3 Batteries, each with: 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 105L52 gun 1 heavy tractor Supply Column, with: 2 medium ammo trucks 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck with trailer 902nd Separate Heavy Battery, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 1 gun crew (ds) 1 170L50 gun 1 heavy tractor 1 medium ammo truck with trailer Special Group 288 Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 car 1 staff radio truck 1 recon SdKfz 221 1 recon kubelwagen with MG 1st, 2nd & 3rd Companies, with: 1 command stand 3 infantry stands 1 weapons stand 2 medium trucks 4th Company, with: 3 MMG stands 1 8cm mortar stand 1 medium truck 3 light trucks 5th Company, with: 1 command stand 2 gun crew stands 1 37L45 AT gun 1 50L60 AT gun 2 light trucks 1 StuG III D 6th Company, with: 1 command stand 1 kubelwagen 3 gun crew stands 3 20L113 AA guns 3 light trucks 7th Company, with: 1 command stand 3 engineer stands 2 medium trucks Supply Column, with: 2 medium ammo trucks with trailers 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck Coastal and Positional Artillery 4 Coastal Artillery Battalion (523rd, 533rd, 528th, 529th), each with: Headquarters, with: 1 command stand 1 support stand 1 medium baggage truck with field kitchen 1 medium general supply truck 3 Batteries, each with: 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 155L/34(f) 2 Light Coastal Batteries (303rd, 304th), each with: 1 command stand 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 75L19 mountain gun 2 Medium Coastal Batteries (303rd, 304th), each with: 1 command stand 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 155L/34(f) 2 Heavy Coastal Batteries (4-149, 4-772), each with 1 command stand 1 gun crew stand (ds) 1 170L50 NOTES 1. Each infantry and weapons stand has integral AT rifles.  Chadwick's Guide to the Afrika Korps Introduction Part 1: 2.41-7.41 (First Offensive, Assault on Tobruk, Operation Brevity, Operation Battleaxe) Part II: 8.41-2.42 (Rommel's Raid, Operation Crusader) Part III: 3.42-7.42 (Gazala, Matruh) Part IV: 8.42 on (El Alamein) Back to Table of Contents -- Command Post Quarterly #3 To Command Post Quarterly List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1993 by Greg Novak. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com