Afrika Korps
Quick Summary
The Afrika Korps was the German army's expeditionary force in North Africa during World War II. It was initially formed in 1941 under the command of Erwin Rommel. The Afrika Korps engaged in significant battles against Allied forces, including the British Eighth Army, in North Africa.
Key engagements included the Second Battle of El-Alamein in late 1942, where the Afrika Korps suffered heavy losses, and subsequent fighting in Tunisia. Despite initial successes, such as the counterstroke at the Kasserine Pass in early 1943, the Afrika Korps was ultimately defeated. The campaign concluded in May 1943 with the surrender of Axis forces in Tunisia, resulting in over 250,000 prisoners being taken.1234
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logisticsStaged resupplyIn 1941ā42 the German Afrika Korps in Libya was supplied across the Mediterranean through the small port of Tripoli and eastward over a single coastal road that had no bases or magazines and was exposed to enemy air attackāa distance of up to 1,300 miles, depending on the locationā¦
Read MoreIn 1941ā42 the German Afrika Korps in Libya was supplied across the Mediterranean through the small port of Tripoli and eastward over a single coastal road that had no bases or magazines and was exposed to enemy air attackāa distance of up to 1,300 miles, depending on the locationā¦
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World War IITunisia, November 1942āMay 1943ā¦the aim of cutting the Afrika Korpsā line of retreat up the coast to Tunis; but these attacks were checked by the Germans in the passes. In the night of March 20ā21, however, the British 8th Army launched a frontal assault on the Mareth Line, combined with an outflanking movementā¦
Read Moreā¦the aim of cutting the Afrika Korpsā line of retreat up the coast to Tunis; but these attacks were checked by the Germans in the passes. In the night of March 20ā21, however, the British 8th Army launched a frontal assault on the Mareth Line, combined with an outflanking movementā¦
Read More
North Africa campaignsThe First Battle of El-Alameinā¦chief of staff of Rommelās Afrika Korps, estimated that 80 percent of that unitās transport at that time consisted of captured British vehicles. Ritchieās intention was to make a stand at Mersa Matruh, but on the evening of June 25, Auchinleck assumed command and decided to fight a more-mobile engagementā¦
Read Moreā¦chief of staff of Rommelās Afrika Korps, estimated that 80 percent of that unitās transport at that time consisted of captured British vehicles. Ritchieās intention was to make a stand at Mersa Matruh, but on the evening of June 25, Auchinleck assumed command and decided to fight a more-mobile engagementā¦
Read More- North Africa campaignsThe Second Battle of El-Alamein
The Afrika Korps had only 90 tanks left, while the Eighth Army had more than 800. As soon as he saw that his coastward thrust had miscarried, Montgomery decided to revert to his original line of advance, hoping to profit from the northward shift of theā¦
Read MoreThe Afrika Korps had only 90 tanks left, while the Eighth Army had more than 800. As soon as he saw that his coastward thrust had miscarried, Montgomery decided to revert to his original line of advance, hoping to profit from the northward shift of theā¦
Read More - North Africa campaignsRommelās final offensive in Africa
By then the Afrika Korps had also lost Rommel, who was ordered back to Europe, sick and frustrated.
Read MoreBy then the Afrika Korps had also lost Rommel, who was ordered back to Europe, sick and frustrated.
Read More - North Africa campaignsThe final Allied assault and the German collapse
It was aimed at the Afrika Korpsā line of retreat up the coast from the Mareth Line to Tunis, but the advance was first cautiously slow and then definitely checked in the mountain passes that provided the approach to the coastal strip. The Alliesā ultimate victory owed more to theā¦
Read MoreIt was aimed at the Afrika Korpsā line of retreat up the coast from the Mareth Line to Tunis, but the advance was first cautiously slow and then definitely checked in the mountain passes that provided the approach to the coastal strip. The Alliesā ultimate victory owed more to theā¦
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