Afrikakorps Nachrichten Units and Roles

[ClintHardware]

Hi All

Various nachrichten (signals) units were sent to join the Deutsches Truppen im Libyen then Afrikakorps, and amongst them I believe was 3./ Nachrichten Abteilung 56 (or was it 39). I believe a Horch-zug was initially sent in late February to undertake a signals and a funkaufklaerungs role. There was also a Funk Kompanie of a Korps Nachrichten Abteilung arriving on the 21st March followed two days later by the remainder of a Fernsprech Kompanie (Telephones only??)

Can anyone please list what units arrived and date, what their German title/designation was, what their role was and also what units absorbed them (if at all) on arrival.

Many Thanks

[Urmel]

3./N56 was a radio intercept unit, specialising in intel gathering. 3./N56 was directly under HQ D.A.K.

The Luftwaffe had a similar unit in theatre, elements from Luftnachrichtenregiment 40. http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=27378

A Korpsnachrichtenabteilung (KNA) was responsible for Corps level signals, it was a battalion level unit. It would have been directly under HQ D.A.K. Fernsprech would operate phones, teleprinters (remember those?), cypher equipment, lay cables, etc. This one was officially called Korpsnachrichtenabteilung Libyen.

[ClintHardware]

Nice Thanks Urmel

Do you know if the Horchzug was a cover name, and was its role funkaufklaerung or just straight signals for the first elements of 5. leichte Division landed? Would it have been of a platoon in size or nearer that of a kompanie despite its name?

I think I saw a reference to a Horchzug within 15. Panzer Division OOB so it seems to have a consistent meaning as a type of unit.

[Urmel]

Horch - Listening (hence the vehicle name 'Audi', but that's a different story). It would have been a platoon, sole purpose to listen in on the enemy, no traditional signals role. The company was 3./N56.

This should be helpful:

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... &p=1682424

[Alanmccoubrey]

It was called 3/53 when it left Germany but for most of its life in Africa it was called Nachrichten Fern-Aufklärungs-Kompanie. 621. Most of it was destroyed/captured by the Australians in July 1942 when it got a bit too close to the front.

[ClintHardware]

Thanks everyone. Very useful links and info.

Urmel when 3.Kompanie, Nachrichten Abteilung 56 arrived at the front and brought the Horchzug under command, did 3. Kompanie only provide signals intelligence or was it providing normal signals communication for 5. Leichte Division. I am only asking because I would like to get the orbat right in respect of signals at korps level and also in each division (5. and 15.) before Operation Brevity.

[Urmel]

It was called 3/53 when it left Germany but for most of its life in Africa it was called Nachrichten Fern-Aufklärungs-Kompanie. 621. Most of it was destroyed/captured by the Australians in July 1942 when it got a bit too close to the front.

'No' and 'well yes but a bit more differentiated', and 'that's not all' I am afraid my friend.

It was called 3./N.56

While the official name change was on 15 Feb 42 (see here), it called itself that at least until 10 March 1942, so for just under half its time in North Africa. So technically correct on 'most of the time', but the reality is that for about a year it was 3./N56.

While most of it was overrun, and many men and material captured, it was reorganised and continued in operation after Tel el Eisa, although it could never reach the same impact it had prior to 9 July.

[Urmel]

Thanks everyone. Very useful links and info.

Urmel when 3.Kompanie, Nachrichten Abteilung 56 arrived at the front and brought the Horchzug under command, did 3. Kompanie only provide signals intelligence or was it providing normal signals communication for 5. Leichte Division. I am only asking because I would like to get the orbat right in respect of signals at korps level and also in each division (5. and 15.) before Operation Brevity.

The whole of 3./N56 was a highly specialised intercept company, I am not even sure they would have had the manpower and equipment to do normal signalling.

As for the Horchzug, I have now looked into the loading lists, and it is listed separately on the Kybfels, where it was loaded with remaining elements of N.A.39, the signals battalion of 5. leichte (Kybfels arrived Tripoli 25 Feb 42). I would guess it wasn't brought under 3./N56, but remained as an organic unit with the division. I have in my memory somewhere that the armoured divisions had such a capability.

[Urmel]

Okay, found it. In an OOB from probably around April, the Horchzug was part of the Korpsnachrichtenabteilung Libyen, i.e. a D.A.K. level organic unit.

Now, interestingly, I can not find 3./N56 anywhere in the OOBs of the German forces. Too secret maybe?

[Urmel]

On the loading lists, I have 3./N56 arriving in two vessels, in the same supply column (22nd), on 24 April in Tripoli, discharging began on 25 April.

Arcturus
2/90 (Off/OR)
11 medium trucks
2 buses
1 Truck Type 17 (Kfz 17)
2 Truck type 12
1 light passenger car
8 Vehicle Type 2 (Kfz 2)
1 single-axle trailer

Leverkusen
2/96 (Off/OR)
11 trucks
1 bus
2 Truck Type 17 (Kfz 17)
3 Truck type 12
1 light passenger car
8 Vehicle Type 2 (Kfz 2)
1 trailer
4 motor cycles

[ClintHardware]

Excellent stuff Urmel. I am so glad I asked.

I am fairly certain I have seen a "Horchzug" listed with 15. Panzer Division in about May 1941 - do you think it might have been another Horchzug from 3. Kompanie and placed under that Divisionsstab?

[Urmel]

It could simply be the Horchzug that arrived in February, which was then under KNA Libyen. I somehow doubt this had anything to do with 3./N56