Panzer Army Africa facts for kids
During World War II, as more German soldiers joined the fight in North Africa, the Germans created a bigger and more organized way to command their forces. This new command structure included the famous Afrika Korps and also Italian army units. Over time, the name of this main command changed several times to manage all the Axis forces in Africa:
- Panzer Group Africa (from August 1941 to January 1942): This was a joint German-Italian force.
- Panzer Army Africa (from January to October 1942)
- German-Italian Panzer Army (from October 1942 to February 1943)
- Army Group Africa (from February to May 1943)
Contents
History of the African Commands
Panzer Group Africa: The Beginning
The Afrika Korps was first formed on January 11, 1941. At the start, it was under the command of the Italian army in Africa. But by mid-1941, the German High Command (called Oberkommando der Wehrmacht or OKW) decided to create a larger command structure. This new group was named Panzer Group Africa.
On August 15, 1941, this new command officially began. It was led by Erwin Rommel, who was a very skilled German general. The Panzer Group controlled the Afrika Korps and other German units, like the 90th Light Infantry Division. It also commanded important Italian units, including the Italian X Corps and XX Corps.
Panzer Army Africa: A New Name
The Panzer Group Africa was renamed Panzer Army Africa on January 30, 1942. This change happened because, as the war continued, many German "Panzer groups" (which were like army-level headquarters) were officially renamed "Panzer Armies." This new name showed its growing importance and size.
German-Italian Panzer Army: Working Together
In October 1942, after a big defeat at the Second Battle of El Alamein, the Panzer Army Africa was renamed again. It became the German-Italian Panzer Army. This new name highlighted that it was a combined force of both German and Italian soldiers. This change happened while the army was retreating after the battle.
Army Group Africa: The Final Stand
By February 1943, the command grew even larger and was given its final name: Army Group Africa. This was done to help manage the defense of Tunisia. Tunisia was where the final battles of the North African Campaign took place.
Army Group Africa included two major armies: the German Fifth Panzer Army and the Italian 1st Army. General Rommel was in command for a while, but then Hans-Jürgen von Arnim took over in March 1943. Sadly, the Army Group had to surrender on May 13, 1943. This surrender marked the end of the Axis forces in North Africa.
Main Commanders
Here are the main commanders who led these important German and Italian forces in North Africa:
| No. | Commander | Took office | Left office | Time in office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Generaloberst Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) |
1 September 1941 | 9 March 1942 | 189 days | |
| 2 | General der Panzertruppe Ludwig Crüwell (1892–1958) |
9 March 1942 | 19 March 1942 | 10 days | |
| (1) | Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) |
19 March 1942 | 22 September 1942 | 187 days | |
| 3 | General der Panzertruppe Georg Stumme (1886–1942) |
22 September 1942 | 24 October 1942 † | 32 days | |
| - | Generalleutnant Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma (1891–1948) Acting |
24 October 1942 | 25 October 1942 | 1 day | |
| (1) | Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) |
25 October 1942 | 26 November 1942 | 32 days | |
| 4 | General der Panzertruppe Gustav Fehn (1892–1945) |
26 November 1942 | 2 December 1942 | 6 days | |
| (1) | Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) |
2 December 1942 | 22 February 1943 | 82 days | |
| 5 | Generaloberst Hans-Jürgen von Arnim (1889–1962) |
10 March 1943 | 13 May 1943 | 64 days |
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See also
- List of World War II military units of Germany
- List of Italian divisions in World War II
- Panzer Division
- Fliegerführer Afrika
- Hans von Luck
