World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe British Operation Compass offensive that began in late 1940 was so successful the Italian 10th Army in North Africa was nearly wiped out, and the entire region was in danger of falling under Allied control. Although Adolf Hitler's main concern was the planning of opening a new war with the Soviet Union, he decided to reinforce the Italians with a small force in attempt to reverse the unfavorable situation. On 6 Feb 1941, the German High Command ordered Operation Sonnenblume, which called for the German Army and Air Force to organize a force to be transferred to North Africa. This operation was completed in two phases.

ww2dbaseThe first phase began only two days later, on 8 Feb, when the first German units departed Naples, Italy aboard transports, arriving 11 Feb. On 12 Feb, Erwin Rommel arrived in North Africa; charged with all German operations in North Africa, he immediately set out to observe the situation. The first sizable force, consisted of 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion and the 39th Anti-Tank Battalion, arrived in Tripoli, Libya on 14 Feb. On 18 Feb, the German 5th Light Division (later renamed the 21st Panzer Division) was established in Italy for operations in North Africa, which was to encompass the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion and the 39th Anti-Tank Battalion; the main strength of the 5th Light Division, the 5th Panzer Regiment with more than 100 vehicles, was transported to North Africa in two convoys between 8 and 10 Mar 1941.

ww2dbaseThe second phase began on 25 Apr when the 8th Panzer Regiment of the 15th Panzer Division embarked on three convoys for their journey from Italy to North Africa; the convoys arrived by 6 May, delivering the regiment's 146 vehicles.

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Operation Sonnenblume Timeline