21. Panzer-Division
Unit History
- 1941-08-01
- Formed in North Africa from 5. leichte Division, Panzer-Regiment 5 and parts of 3. Panzer-Division.
- 1941-02/1943-05
- Fighting in North Africa against British and later US forces.
- 1942-07
- Heavy losses at Alam Halfa.
- 1942-10
- Heavy losses at El Alamein.
- 1943-05
- Rearguard for German retreat to Tunisia, under heavy losses.
- Surrenders to Allied forces in Tunis.
- 1943-07/1944-06
- Reformed in Normandy.
- Occupational duties in France.
- 1944-06/1945-02
- Combat against the Allied invasion in France.
- Retreat through Saar and Northern Alsace.
- 1945-02/1945-04
- Transferred to Eastern Front.
- Defends Lauban, Görlitz and Cottbus.
- 1945-04
- Overrun by Soviet forces.
Panzer strength
Panzer strength of the 21. Panzer-Division
| Date |
Pz I |
Pz II |
Pz III |
Pz IV |
Pz Bef |
| 1941-02 |
25 |
45 |
75 |
20 |
0 |
| 1941-03 |
25 |
45 |
71 |
20 |
0 |
| 1941-11-18 |
0 |
35 |
58 |
17 |
0 |
| 1942-05-25 |
0 |
29 |
122 |
19 |
4 |
| 1942-08-15 |
0 |
14 |
87 |
18 |
2 |
Sources
- ELLIS, Chris. 21st Panzer Division : Rommel's Afrika Korps Spearhead. Surrey : Ian Allan Publishing, 2001. 96 p. Spearhead 1. ISBN 0-7110-2853-2.
- WINDROW, Martin & HOOK, Richard. The Panzer Divisions. Oxford : Osprey Publishing, 1998. 40 p. Men-At-Arms 24. ISBN 0-85045-434-4.