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{{Short description|German-Italian | {{Short description|German-Italian field army in North Africa during WWII}} | ||
{{Redirect|Panzer Armee Afrika|the wargame|Panzer Armee Afrika (board game)}} | {{Redirect|Panzer Armee Afrika|the wargame|Panzer Armee Afrika (board game)}} | ||
{{more footnotes|date=March | {{more footnotes|date=March 2013}} | ||
{{Infobox military unit | |||
| unit_name = Panzer Army Africa | |||
| native_name = {{langx|de|Panzerarmee Afrika}}<br>{{langx|it|Gruppo Corazzato Africa}} | |||
| image = | |||
| image_size = | |||
| dates = 15 August 1941 – 13 May 1943 | |||
| country = {{flagcountry|Nazi Germany}}<br>{{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}} | |||
| branch =[[File:Heer - decal for helmet 1942.svg|16px]] [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|Heer]] ([[File:Balkenkreuz.svg|16px]] [[Wehrmacht]])<br>{{army|Kingdom of Italy}} | |||
| type = [[Infantry]]<br>Panzer | |||
| size = Field army | |||
| battles = {{tree list}} | |||
*[[North African campaign]] | |||
** [[Western Desert campaign]] | |||
** [[Tunisian campaign]] | |||
{{tree list/end}} | |||
| command_structure = [[Comando Supremo]]<br>[[Oberbefehlshaber Süd]] | |||
| past_commanders = | |||
| notable_commanders = [[Erwin Rommel]]<br />[[Georg Stumme]]<br />[[Giovanni Messe]]<br />[[Hans-Jürgen von Arnim]]}} | |||
The '''Panzer Army Africa''' ([[German language|German:]] ''Panzerarmee Afrika''; [[Italian language|Italian:]] ''Gruppo Corazzato Africa'') was a joint German-Italian [[field army]] that fought in the [[North African campaign]] during [[World War II]]. It consisted of one German corps and three Italian corps. In 1943, during the [[Tunisian campaign]], the ''Panzerarmee Afrika'' 's name was changed to ''Army Group Africa'', and its composition became the newly-formed German [[5th Panzer Army|5th Army]] plus the Italian [[Italian 1st Army|1st Army]]. During the campaigns in North Africa, the ''Panzerarmee Afrika'' was subordinate to the Italian command and to German command headquarters in the Mediterranean. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Panzer Group Africa=== | ===Panzer Group Africa=== | ||
When the | When the ''[[Afrikakorps]]'' was formed on 11 January 1941 it was subordinated to the Italian chain of command in Africa. In the middle of 1941 the [[Oberkommando der Wehrmacht]] (OKW, Armed Forces High Command) created a larger command structure in Africa, forming a new headquarters, '''Panzer Group Africa''' ({{lang|de|Panzergruppe Afrika}}, {{lang|it|Gruppo Corazzato Africa}}). On 15 August 1941, Panzer Group Africa was activated with newly promoted {{lang|de|[[General der Panzertruppe]]}} [[Erwin Rommel]] in command. The Panzer Group controlled the {{lang|de|Afrikakorps}} and other units that were sent to North Africa. | ||
===Panzer Army Africa=== | ===Panzer Army Africa=== | ||
| Line 17: | Line 30: | ||
===German-Italian Panzer Army=== | ===German-Italian Panzer Army=== | ||
Panzer Army Africa was renamed ''German-Italian Panzer Army | Panzer Army Africa was renamed ''German-Italian Panzer Army'' ({{lang|de|Deutsch-Italienische Panzerarmee}}, {{lang|it|Armata Corazzata Italo-Tedesca}}) and subordinated to the [[Comando Supremo]] and to the [[Oberbefehlshaber Süd]] in October 1942 during the long retreat after the defeat at the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]] during the [[Western Desert Campaign]]. | ||
===Army Group Africa=== | ===Army Group Africa=== | ||
In February 1943, the headquarters was expanded and called '''Army Group Africa''' ({{lang|de|Heeresgruppe Afrika}}, {{lang|it|Gruppo d'Armate Africa}}) to manage the defence of [[Tunisia]] during the final stages of the [[North African Campaign]]. Army Group Africa included the [[5th Panzer Army|German Fifth Panzer Army]] ({{lang|de|5. Panzerarmee}}) and the Italian [[ | In February 1943, the headquarters was expanded and called '''Army Group Africa''' ({{lang|de|Heeresgruppe Afrika}}, {{lang|it|Gruppo d'Armate Africa}}) to manage the defence of [[Tunisia]] during the final stages of the [[North African Campaign]]. Army Group Africa included the [[5th Panzer Army|German Fifth Panzer Army]] ({{lang|de|5. Panzerarmee}}) under General [[Hans-Jürgen von Arnim]] and the Italian [[1st Army (Italy)|1st Army]] under General [[Giovanni Messe]]. Command of the Army Group was turned over from Rommel to General von Arnim in March. Both General von Arnim and Messe surrendered on May 1943, and the Army Group Africa was disbanded. Thus, ending the Axis presence in Africa. | ||
==Order of battle== | ==Order of battle== | ||
===Panzer Group Africa=== | |||
*During the Western Desert Campaign (in 1941): | |||
** [[Deutsches Afrika Korps]] | |||
** [[XX Army Corps (Italy)|Italian XX Army Corps]] | |||
**[[XXI Army Corps (Italy)|Italian XXI Army Corps]] | |||
===Panzer | ===Panzer Army Africa=== | ||
* | * During the Western Desert Campaign (in 1942): | ||
** [[Deutsches Afrika Korps]] | |||
** [[XX Army Corps (Italy)|Italian XX Army Corps]] | |||
** [[XXI Army Corps (Italy)|Italian XXI Army Corps]] | |||
** [[X Army Corps (Italy)|Italian X Army Corps]] | |||
** [[ | |||
** [[XX Army Corps (Italy)|XX Army Corps]] | |||
** [[XXI Army Corps (Italy)|XXI Army Corps]] | |||
** [[X Army Corps (Italy)| | |||
===Army Group Africa=== | ===Army Group Africa=== | ||
* During the Tunisian Campaign (in 1943): | |||
* [[5th Panzer Army|German | ** [[5th Panzer Army|German Fifth Army]] | ||
** [[1st Army (Italy)|Italian First Army]] | |||
** | |||
==Commanders== | ==Commanders== | ||
| Line 122: | Line 88: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Officeholder table | {{Officeholder table | ||
| order = | | order = 3 | ||
| image = Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1977-018-13A, Erwin Rommel(brighter).jpg | | image = Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1977-018-13A, Erwin Rommel(brighter).jpg | ||
| military_rank = ''Generalfeldmarschall'' | | military_rank = ''Generalfeldmarschall'' | ||
| Line 134: | Line 100: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Officeholder table | {{Officeholder table | ||
| order = | | order = 4 | ||
| image = Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1980-009-34, Georg Stumme.jpg | | image = Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1980-009-34, Georg Stumme.jpg | ||
| military_rank = ''General der Panzertruppe'' | | military_rank = ''General der Panzertruppe'' | ||
| Line 147: | Line 113: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Officeholder table | {{Officeholder table | ||
| order = | | order = 5 | ||
| image = Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1972-083-25, Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma.jpg | | image = Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1972-083-25, Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma.jpg | ||
| military_rank = ''Generalleutnant'' | | military_rank = ''Generalleutnant'' | ||
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}} | }} | ||
{{Officeholder table | {{Officeholder table | ||
| order = | | order = 6 | ||
| image = Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1977-018-13A, Erwin Rommel(brighter).jpg | | image = Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1977-018-13A, Erwin Rommel(brighter).jpg | ||
| military_rank = ''Generalfeldmarschall'' | | military_rank = ''Generalfeldmarschall'' | ||
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}} | }} | ||
{{Officeholder table | {{Officeholder table | ||
| order = | | order = 7 | ||
| image = Gustav Fehn.jpg | | image = Gustav Fehn.jpg | ||
| military_rank = ''General der Panzertruppe'' | | military_rank = ''General der Panzertruppe'' | ||
| Line 184: | Line 150: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Officeholder table | {{Officeholder table | ||
| order = | | order = 8 | ||
| image = Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1977-018-13A, Erwin Rommel(brighter).jpg | | image = Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1977-018-13A, Erwin Rommel(brighter).jpg | ||
| military_rank = ''Generalfeldmarschall'' | | military_rank = ''Generalfeldmarschall'' | ||
| Line 194: | Line 160: | ||
| term_end = 22 February 1943 | | term_end = 22 February 1943 | ||
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1942|12|02|1943|02|22}} | | timeinoffice = {{ayd|1942|12|02|1943|02|22}} | ||
}} | |||
| {{Officeholder table | |||
| order = 9 | |||
| image = Giovanni Messe.jpg | |||
|military_rank = ''Maresciallo d'Italia'' | |||
| officeholder = [[Giovanni Messe]]{{efn|The German-Italian ''Panzerarmee Afrika'' was renamed Italian First Army by General Messe and was deployed in the Southern front in Tunisia and fought until May 1943.}} | |||
| born_year = 1883 | |||
| died_year = 1968 | |||
| term_start = 22 February 1943 | |||
| term_end = 13 May 1943 | |||
| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1943|02|22|1943|05|13}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{Officeholder table | {{Officeholder table | ||
| order = | | order = 10 | ||
| image = Jurgen von Arnim.jpg | | image = Jurgen von Arnim.jpg | ||
| military_rank = ''Generaloberst'' | | military_rank = ''Generaloberst'' | ||
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==Footnotes== | ==Footnotes== | ||
{{ | {{notelist}} | ||
{{Army Groups Germany}} | {{Army Groups Germany}} | ||
{{Armies of the German Army}} | {{Armies of the German Army}} | ||
[[Category:North African campaign]] | [[Category:North African campaign]] | ||
[[Category:Western Desert campaign]] | [[Category:Western Desert campaign]] | ||
[[Category:German units in Africa]] | [[Category:German units in Africa]] | ||
[[Category:Field armies of Italy in World War II]] | |||
[[Category:Panzer armies of Germany in World War II|PA]] | [[Category:Panzer armies of Germany in World War II|PA]] | ||
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1941]] | [[Category:Military units and formations established in 1941]] | ||
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1943]] | [[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1943]] | ||
[[Category:Army groups of the German Army in World War II]] | [[Category:Army groups of the German Army in World War II]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:32, 30 November 2025
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it remains largely unverified because it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2013) |
| Panzer Army Africa | |
|---|---|
| Script error: The function "langx" does not exist. Script error: The function "langx" does not exist. | |
| Active | 15 August 1941 – 13 May 1943 |
| Country |  Germany Italy |
| Branch |  Heer ( Wehrmacht) Royal Italian Army |
| Type | Infantry Panzer |
| Size | Field army |
| Part of | Comando Supremo Oberbefehlshaber Süd |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Erwin Rommel Georg Stumme Giovanni Messe Hans-Jürgen von Arnim |
The Panzer Army Africa (German: Panzerarmee Afrika; Italian: Gruppo Corazzato Africa) was a joint German-Italian field army that fought in the North African campaign during World War II. It consisted of one German corps and three Italian corps. In 1943, during the Tunisian campaign, the Panzerarmee Afrika 's name was changed to Army Group Africa, and its composition became the newly-formed German 5th Army plus the Italian 1st Army. During the campaigns in North Africa, the Panzerarmee Afrika was subordinate to the Italian command and to German command headquarters in the Mediterranean.
History[edit | edit source]
Panzer Group Africa[edit | edit source]
When the Afrikakorps was formed on 11 January 1941 it was subordinated to the Italian chain of command in Africa. In the middle of 1941 the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW, Armed Forces High Command) created a larger command structure in Africa, forming a new headquarters, Panzer Group Africa (Panzergruppe Afrika, Gruppo Corazzato Africa). On 15 August 1941, Panzer Group Africa was activated with newly promoted General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel in command. The Panzer Group controlled the Afrikakorps and other units that were sent to North Africa.
Panzer Army Africa[edit | edit source]
Panzer Group Africa was renamed Panzer Army Africa (Panzerarmee Afrika, Armata Corazzata Africa) on 30 January 1942. (A German Panzer group was an army-level headquarters. As the war progressed all of the Panzer groups were renamed Panzer Armies.)
German-Italian Panzer Army[edit | edit source]
Panzer Army Africa was renamed German-Italian Panzer Army (Deutsch-Italienische Panzerarmee, Armata Corazzata Italo-Tedesca) and subordinated to the Comando Supremo and to the Oberbefehlshaber Süd in October 1942 during the long retreat after the defeat at the Second Battle of El Alamein during the Western Desert Campaign.
Army Group Africa[edit | edit source]
In February 1943, the headquarters was expanded and called Army Group Africa (Heeresgruppe Afrika, Gruppo d'Armate Africa) to manage the defence of Tunisia during the final stages of the North African Campaign. Army Group Africa included the German Fifth Panzer Army (5. Panzerarmee) under General Hans-Jürgen von Arnim and the Italian 1st Army under General Giovanni Messe. Command of the Army Group was turned over from Rommel to General von Arnim in March. Both General von Arnim and Messe surrendered on May 1943, and the Army Group Africa was disbanded. Thus, ending the Axis presence in Africa.
Order of battle[edit | edit source]
Panzer Group Africa[edit | edit source]
- During the Western Desert Campaign (in 1941):
Panzer Army Africa[edit | edit source]
- During the Western Desert Campaign (in 1942):
Army Group Africa[edit | edit source]
- During the Tunisian Campaign (in 1943):
Commanders[edit | edit source]
| No. | Portrait | 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 | |
| 3 | Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) | 19 March 1942 | 22 September 1942 | 187 days | |
| 4 | General der Panzertruppe Georg Stumme (1886–1942) | 22 September 1942 | 24 October 1942 † | 32 days | |
| 5 | Generalleutnant Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma (1891–1948) Acting | 24 October 1942 | 25 October 1942 | 1 day | |
| 6 | Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) | 25 October 1942 | 26 November 1942 | 32 days | |
| 7 | General der Panzertruppe Gustav Fehn (1892–1945) | 26 November 1942 | 2 December 1942 | 6 days | |
| 8 | Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) | 2 December 1942 | 22 February 1943 | 82 days | |
| 9 | Maresciallo d'Italia Giovanni Messe[lower-alpha 1] (1883–1968) | 22 February 1943 | 13 May 1943 | 80 days | |
| 10 | Generaloberst Hans-Jürgen von Arnim (1889–1962) | 10 March 1943 | 13 May 1943 | 64 days |
.jpg)
![Giovanni Messe[lower-alpha 1]](/wiki/File:Giovanni_Messe.jpg)
See also[edit | edit source]
- List of World War II military units of Germany
- List of Italian divisions in World War II
- Panzer Division
- Fliegerführer Afrika
- Hans von Luck
Footnotes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The German-Italian Panzerarmee Afrika was renamed Italian First Army by General Messe and was deployed in the Southern front in Tunisia and fought until May 1943.
Template:Army Groups Germany Template:Armies of the German Army