German Motorized Company facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Compagnia Autocarrata Tedesca |
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The German Motorized Company with a Schwarzlose Mod. 07/12 machine gun
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| Active | 6 October 1940 – 19 May 1941 |
| Country |  Nazi Germany |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Italy |
| Branch |  Royal Italian Army |
| Size | Company |
| Equipment | Carcano 1891 rifles and carbines Breda 30 and Schwarzlose machine guns |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
First Lieutenant (Oberleutnant) Gustav Hamel |
The German Motorized Company (Italian: Compagnia Autocarrata Tedesca, German: Deutsche Motorisierte Kompanie) was a small group of soldiers. It was formed by the Italians during World War II. This happened during the East African Campaign.
Contents
How the German Motorized Company Started
The German Motorized Company was made up of about 140 Germans. These people had escaped from areas controlled by the British. These areas were Kenya and Tanganyika. Many Germans arrived in Italian East Africa on an Italian ship called the Piave. This was before Italy joined World War II.
After June 10, 1940, Italy's leader, Benito Mussolini, declared war. He declared war on Britain and France. The Germans from the Piave then offered to fight for Italy. Other Germans who were already in Italian East Africa also joined the unit.
Training and Purpose of the Unit
On July 2, 1940, the "German Motorized Company" was officially formed. The soldiers trained in Asmara, which is in Eritrea. Most of the volunteers had little or no military experience. The unit was "motorized," meaning they could travel by truck. They also had some armored cars that were made from regular vehicles.
The Italian radio station in Addis Ababa talked about this company. Addis Ababa was the capital of Abyssinia. The company was very useful for Italian propaganda. It showed that Germans were fighting alongside them.
Battles and Campaigns
In November 1940, the German Motorized Company fought for the first time. This happened near the border between Eritrea and the Sudan. The German soldiers were active in two important battles in 1941. These were the Battle of Agordat and the Battle of Keren.
The German Motorized Company helped protect the Italian forces. They covered the retreat from Keren, Eritrea, back to Asmara. About twenty men from the unit survived the loss of Eritrea by Italy. This small group stayed with Amedeo, Duke of Aosta. They were at Amba Alagi during one of the last parts of the East African Campaign.
The company received a special triangular flag. Lieutenant-General Luigi Frusci, the Italian Governor of Eritrea, gave them this flag. One side of the flag showed the flag of Italy. The other side showed the German Swastika flag.
Leaders of the Company
- First Lieutenant (Oberleutnant) Gustav Hamel
How the Company Was Organized
- 3 x Platoon
- 2-3 x Squads (each)
See also
