33rd Infantry Division
15th Panzer Division
15th Panzergrenadier Division

History

This unit was created as the 33rd Infantry Division in 1936, and mobilized in 1939, but it did not take part in the invasion of Poland. In 1940 it participated in the invasions of Belgium and France. It was then reorganized as the 15th Panzer Division in August 1940 at Darmstadt and Landau by incorporating the 8th Panzer Regiment from the 10th Panzer Division and giving up its 110th Infantry Regiment to the 112th Infantry Division. Darmstadt is a city in the Bundesland (federal state) of Hessen in Germany. ... Landau or Landau in der Pfalz (pop. ...

In April 1941 the division began transport to Libya, joining General Erwin Rommel's Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) with the 21st Panzer Division and the 90th Light Division. By June 15th the division was deployed in reserve to the south of Bardia, and the panzer regiment fought in the successful defense during Operation Battleaxe at Halfaya Pass. Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel ( ) (15 November 1891 – 14 October 1944) was one of the most distinguished German field marshals of World War II. He was the commander of the Deutsches Afrika Korps and also became known by the nickname “The Desert Fox” (Wüstenfuchs,  ) for the skillful military campaigns he... The Deutsches Afrikakorps (often just Afrika Korps or DAK) was the corps-level headquarters controlling the German Panzer divisions in Libya and Egypts Western Desert during the North African Campaign of World War II. Since there was little turnover in the units attached to the corps the term is... The 21st Panzer Division was a German armoured division best known for its role in the Battles of El Alamenein (1942) and Normandy (1944) during World War II. Created as 5th Light Division or 5th Light Afrika Division in Africa in early 1941, from an ad hoc collection of smaller... Division zbV Afrika 90th Light Infantry Division 90th Light Afrika Division 90th Panzergrenadier Division Created in August 1941 as Division zbV Afrika, from units already in Africa under the control of . ... June 15 is the 166th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (167th in leap years), with 199 days remaining. ... Bardia is a geographic region in the Kingdom of Nepal. ... Combatants Germany, Italy United Kingdom, India Commanders Erwin Rommel Archibald Wavell Noel Beresford-Peirse Strength Afrika Korps including 5th Light Division and 15th Panzer Division, about 13,000 XIII Corp consisting of 7th Armoured Division and 4th Indian Division 20,000+ troops with 200 tanks Casualties 12 tanks destroyed 700... Halfaya Pass (Hellfire Pass) is located in North Africa. ...

On November 18 the British forces began Operation Crusader with the objective of relieving the besieged forces at Tobruk. The 15th was situated to the east of Tobruk, and by November 20 they joined the 21st Panzer Division to battle the armored forces of the British XXX Corps. November 18 is the 322nd day of the year (323rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Combatants United Kingdom Australia New Zealand Poland Germany Italy Commanders Claude Auchinleck Alan Gordon Cunningham Neil Ritchie Erwin Rommel Ludwig Crüwell Strength 8th Army comprising XIII Corps, XXX Corps and 70th Division. ... Tobruk or Tubruq (Arabic: طبرق; also transliterated as Tóbruch, Tobruch, Ţubruq, Tobruck ) is a town, seaport, municipality, and peninsula in eastern Libya in Northern Africa. ... November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... The XXX Corps was an infantry corps in the British Army. ...

With the XXX Corps situated on the approaches to Tobruk, Erwin Rommel sent his panzer divisions on a rapid advance to the east, threatening the British rear. However the British continued to advance on Tobruk and by November 27th they had linked up with the fortress. The Axis forces were forced to withdraw. Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel ( ) (15 November 1891 – 14 October 1944) was one of the most distinguished German field marshals of World War II. He was the commander of the Deutsches Afrika Korps and also became known by the nickname “The Desert Fox” (Wüstenfuchs,  ) for the skillful military campaigns he... November 27 is the 331st day (332nd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

By December 31, 1941, Rommel's forces halted at the line at El Agheila for refitting his depleted forces. By January 21st he was ready to advance again, and the DAK and Italian forces began another march to the east. December 31 is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Operation Crusader November 18, 1941 - December 31, 1941 El Agheila is on the lower left (Click to enlarge) El Agheila is a coastal city on the Gulf of Sidra in far southwestern Cyrenaica, Libya. ... January 21 is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The British Eighth Army had drawn up in mine-fortified positions on the coastal town of Gazala, to the west of Tobruk. The 15th Panzer was deployed with the other Axis armor on their southern flank, with infantry dividions holding the northern part of the line. The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations in World War II, fighting in the campaigns in North Africa and Italy. ... Minefield redirects here. ...

The Axis began their attack on May 26th, with the DAK sweeping around the southern end of the British line. They were met by the armoured forces of the British, and took losses in tanks. Without a supply line, the Germans had to withdraw into a "Cauldron" position along the front until supplies could be moved through the minefields. May 26 is the 146th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (147th in leap years). ...

On June 11 they began their breakout, advancing to the east and threatening to encircle the British. The Eighth Army was forced to withdraw, leaving Tobruk once more encircled. This time, however, the Tobruk fortifications were weaker, and an attack on June 20, which included 15th Panzer, captured the town and the garrison. June 11 is the 162nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (163rd in leap years), with 203 days remaining. ... June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining. ...

The Axis forces now began a rapid advance to the east, Much of the armor of the XXX Corps had been destroyed at Gazala, so a stand at Mersa Matruh on June 26 quickly broke through the defenses. In this battle the 15th Panzer was held up by the British 1st Armoured Division, but the remainder of the DAK broke through to the north. Mersa Matruh is a seaport in Egypt, Africa. ... June 26 is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 188 days remaining. ...

At the beginning of July the Eighth Army had reached their final defensive position before Alexandria at the railroad junction of El Alamein. The DAK was understrength from its recent battles, but Rommel attempted an attack along Ruweisat with the 15th Panzer and the remainder of the corps. Only minor progress was made, and British counterattacks and mounting losses caused Rommel to call off the attack on July 22. ---- Alexandria (Greek: , Coptic: , Arabic: , Egyptian Arabic: Iskindireyya), (population of 3. ... El Alamein is a town in northern Egypt on the Mediterranean Sea coast. ... July 22 is the 203rd day (204th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 162 days remaining. ...

Another attack was attempted by Rommel on August 30th, with the armored forces attacking the southern flank. The 15th Panzer Division reached as far as the Alam Halfa ridge on September 1st, but failed to break through the British defenses. August 30 is the 242nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (243rd in leap years), with 123 days remaining. ... September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

At this point Rommel went onto the defensive and began to build a deep defensive position with thick minefields. The 15th Panzer Division formed the reserve in the northern part of the front, and the 21st Panzer in the south.

With the able General Bernard Montgomery taking charge of the Allied forces, the Eighth Army now underwent a long, steady buildup that the Axis forces couldn't, or wouldn't, match. By October 23rd, Monty's forces were ready and they began a breakthrough attack in the northern front. Counterattacks by 15th Panzer failed to halt the advance, and by November 4 the British tanks achieved a breakout. Bernard Law Montgomery Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein (November 17, 1887 - March 24, 1976) was a British military officer during World War II often referred to as Monty. ... October 23 is the 296th day of the year (297th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... November 4 is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 57 days remaining. ...

Now began a period of steady British advance to the west, combined with Allied landings in French North Africa on November 8th. So the remains of the 15th Panzer Division, and the remainder of the Axis forces, were continually forced to withdraw. The British XXX Corps reached and flanked the line at El Agheila on December 17th, then took Tripoli on January 23rd, 1943. In various forms, France had colonial possessions since the beginning of the 17th century until the 1960s. ... November 8 is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 53 days remaining. ... December 17 is the 351st day of the year (352nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Tripoli (Arabic: طرابلس Tarābulus) is the capital city of Libya. ... January 23 is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ...

By February 18th the XXX Corps reached the defensive line at Mareth in Tunisia, and were forced to halt. The 21st Panzer Division was drawn away to the Kasserine Pass operation on February 22, so the 15th Panzer held the Mareth Line with the remaining Italian forces. February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... The Battle of the Kasserine Pass took place in World War II during the Battle of Tunisia, fought between the German Afrika Korps under General Erwin Rommel, and the Americans under General Lloyd Fredendall in the Kasserine Pass (a 2 mile wide gap in the Dorsal Chain of the Atlas... February 22 is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... The Mareth Line was a system of fortifications built by the French near the coastal town of Medenine in southern Tunisia prior to World War II. It was designed to defend against attacks from the Italians in Libya, but following the fall of France it fell into Axis hands. ...

On March 6th, with the 21st Panzer having returned, the DAK counter-attacked the Eighth Army at Medenine, but were repulsed. On the 20th, the British 50th Infantry Division breached the defensive position, but they were contained by the 15th Panzer Division. However the Axis position was flanked in the west, and by March 27th they were forced to withdraw northward. March 6 is the 65th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (66th in Leap years). ... Medenine is the major town in southeastern Tunisia, south of the Oasis town of Gabes and the Island of Jerba, on the main route to Libya. ... // 50th Northumbrian Division History This formation was sent to France in 1940 as a Territorial Army division, and was involved in the evacuation at Dunkirk. ... March 27 is the 86th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (87th in leap years). ...

The Axis forces in North Africa were now forced back to their final defensive position in north Tunisia. Hitler chose this time to heavily reinforce his forces in this theater; forces that would have been far more beneficial a year earlier. But by it was now too late, and the US First and British Eighth Armies now relentlessly ground through the enemy defenses. Hitler redirects here. ...

By May 12th, 1943, all German and Italian forces in Tunisia surrendered, including the 15th Panzer Division. May 12 is the 132nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (133rd in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ...

In July 1943 the surviving remnants of the division were reconstituted as the 15th Panzergrenadier Division; it was never brought back up to the strength of a full Panzer division. 15th Panzergrenadier fought the rest of the war in Italy and on the West Front, and surrendered to the British at war's end.

Commanders

November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... March 22 is the 81st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (82nd in leap years). ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... April 13 is the 103rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (104th in leap years). ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... May 26 is the 146th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (147th in leap years). ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... December 6 is the 340th day (341st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... December 9 is the 343rd day (344th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... General Gustav von Värst Gustav Fritz Julius von Värst (April 19, 1894, Meiningen, Prussia – October 10, 1975) was a German General der Panzertruppe during World War II. // Promotions Fahnenjunker: 15 July 1912 Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier: 17 December 1912 Fähnrich: 22 March 1913 Leutnant: 17 February 1914 Oberleutnant: 18... May 26 is the 146th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (147th in leap years). ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... July 15 is the 196th day (197th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 169 days remaining. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... November 11 is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 50 days remaining. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ...

Organization

1940 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ...

• 15th Panzer Division
  • 8th Panzer Regiment
  • 104th Panzergrenadier Regiment
  • 115th Panzergrenadier Regiment
  • 33rd Artillery Regiment
  • 15th Motorcycle Battalion
  • 115th Reconnaissance Battalion
  • 33rd Engineering Battalion
  • 33rd Anti-Tank Battalion

See also

• 15th Infantry Division (an unrelated unit with a confusingly similar name)

• Deutsches Afrikakorps, Western Desert Campaign, North Africa Campaign
• Panzergrenadier, Panzer, Panzer Division
• Division (military), Military unit
• Wehrmacht, List of German divisions in WWII

The Deutsches Afrikakorps (often just Afrika Korps or DAK) was the corps-level headquarters controlling the German Panzer divisions in Libya and Egypts Western Desert during the North African Campaign of World War II. Since there was little turnover in the units attached to the corps the term is... The Western Desert Campaign was the primary early theatre of the North African Campaign of World War II. It is sometimes referred to as the Egypt-Libya Campaign. ... The battle in the North African desert during World War II from 1940-1943. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Panzer IV Ausf. ... Panzer Division is the German term for armored division. ... Symbol of the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division in NATO code A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to twenty thousand soldiers. ... A military unit is an organisation within an armed force. ... Image:Wehrmacht 20 April 1939 Birthday Parade. ... This is a list of German divisions in WWII. Only ground units are covered; divisions of aircraft are not. ...

References

Note: The Web references may require you to follow links to cover the unit's entire history.

• von Mellenthin, Major General F. W. [1956] (1971). Panzer Battles: A Study of the Employment of Armor in the Second World War, First Ballantine Books Edition, New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-24440-0. 
• Wendel, Marcus (2004). "15. Panzer-Division". Retrieved April 2, 2005.
• Wendel, Marcus (2004). "15. Panzergrenadier-Division". Retrieved April 2, 2005.