Division z.b.V. "Afrika" commander, 1941

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CNE503
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Division z.b.V. "Afrika" commander, 1941

#1

Post by CNE503 » 29 Jul 2015, 18:39

Hello,

I easily found that from September 1st to November 26th, 1941, Generalmajor Max Sümmermann was commander of the Division zbV "Afrika". He stayed at its head a couple of weeks longer, when it was renamed 90. Leichte Division, until he was killed by a British aircraft on December 10th, 1941.

But the Divisionskommando zbV "Afrika" was activated on June 26th, 1941, and I couldn't find who was its commander from this day to September 1st, 1941, when Generalmajor Sümmermann took command.

Could anyone help me to solve this?

Thanks for your help,
Cheers,

CNE503
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Leo Niehorster
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Re: Division zbV "Afrika" commander, 1941

#2

Post by Leo Niehorster » 30 Jul 2015, 08:13

Activated on 15 June 1941 (OKH/GenStdH u BdE/AHA/Org.Abt. (I)/4706 geh.)
Colonel Sümmermann was "beauftragt mit der Wahrnehmung der Geschäfte des Divisions-Kommandeurs" (appointed to take care of matters of the divisional commander) on 5 July 1941. (DivKdo. zbV Afrika/Abt, Ia/1841 geh., Divisionstagesbehfehl 1).
CO as of 17 July 1941.
Promoted to Generalmajor on 1 September 1941.

Haven't found any record who was in charge between 15 June and 5 July, though.

Leo
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Re: Division zbV "Afrika" commander, 1941

#3

Post by CNE503 » 30 Jul 2015, 11:42

Leo,

Many thanks. I note that the divisional staff was activated on June 15th and not on June 26th, 1941. For the commander, this black hole between June 15th and July 5th is a pity, but your piece of information is very valuable and precious, as usual.
Very best regards,

CNE503
"Sicut Aquila" / "Ils s'instruisent pour vaincre" / "par l'exemple, le coeur et la raison" / "Labor Omnia Vincit"

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askropp
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Re: Division zbV "Afrika" commander, 1941

#4

Post by askropp » 17 May 2017, 17:15

The Division was established on 26 June 1941. Until Sümmermann arrived on 17 July, the Ia (Major Heinz von Ziegler und Klipphausen) managed affairs. Source: KTB.
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Re: Division zbV "Afrika" commander, 1941

#5

Post by Leo Niehorster » 18 May 2017, 08:49

Nice find!
Thanks

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Urmel
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Re: Division z.b.V. "Afrika" commander, 1941

#6

Post by Urmel » 02 May 2023, 10:18

Does anyone have the Beurteilung of von Ziegler und Klipphausen?
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41

The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42

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Re: Division z.b.V. "Afrika" commander, 1941

#7

Post by Rossano » 02 May 2023, 11:32

Interesting (I just saw this topic for the first time)
Who can help me ? I have since long 2 questions regarding this Div.zbV. Afrika....
1) I still miss, if present, the O1, O2, O3, the Kdt. d. St.Qu., the WuG., the V(Ing.), the DiNaFü. (if possible pls. with their first names too.......)
2) Does anybody have the first names of the following staff officers ?
The Ib, Ic, IIb, III ?
Many thanks in advance for any piece of info and additional data

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Re: Division z.b.V. "Afrika" commander, 1941

#8

Post by ewir54.69 » 02 May 2023, 12:45

18/02 - 16/05/41 Obdt. Stretch Johannes;
20/05 - 31/07/41 Obdt. Ravenstein;
Ia 18/02 -31/07/41 Maj.i.G Hauser.

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Re: Division z.b.V. "Afrika" commander, 1941

#9

Post by Urmel » 02 May 2023, 13:00

ewir54.69 wrote:
02 May 2023, 12:45
18/02 - 16/05/41 Obdt. Stretch Johannes;
20/05 - 31/07/41 Obdt. Ravenstein;
Ia 18/02 -31/07/41 Maj.i.G Hauser.
The Division did not exist until June or July 1941.
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41

The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42

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Urmel
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Re: Division z.b.V. "Afrika" commander, 1941

#10

Post by Urmel » 02 May 2023, 13:28

Through 1941 to March 1942
O1 Olt. Oswalt Gamber und Hptm. Helmut Möller und Olt. Wenzel-Heinz Kraus
O2 Ltn. d.R.z.V. Erich Akt
O3 Ltd. d.R. Gerhard Dollmann von Oye
Kdt. d. St.Qu. Hptm. Franz Kolbeck (Div. Adj.) to 21 July 1941 followed by Olt. Hans-Heinrich von Bötticher
WuG. Olt. Kurt Hartwig
V(Ing.) Leiter der Abteilung Verw.Rat Willi Weiss und Olt. Heinz Wacker
DiNaFü. Olt. Heinz Wacker

First names:
Ib, Rudolf Übigau
Ic, (from 1 March 42) Horst von Wiese und Kaiserswaldau
IIb,N.N.
III Richter Dr. Erich Schlüter (nicht Tropentauglich) then Richter Karl Lang-Heinrich
Last edited by Urmel on 03 May 2023, 08:26, edited 1 time in total.
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41

The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42

Rossano
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Re: Division z.b.V. "Afrika" commander, 1941

#11

Post by Rossano » 02 May 2023, 18:20

Ewir
The officers You mentioned refer to the 5. le. Div. (not to the Div. zbV. Afrika)
P.S.: not Stretch but Streich correct !

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Re: Division z.b.V. "Afrika" commander, 1941

#12

Post by Rossano » 02 May 2023, 18:50

Hello Urmel
Many thanks for Your kind + helpful reply. I guess that You have a Kriegsrangliste, sure it is dated 26.8.41 ? (Because I´ve partially different officers)
Do You have Kriegsranglisten of the 90. le. ID too ?
Rgds., Rossano

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Re: Division z.b.V. "Afrika" commander, 1941

#13

Post by Urmel » 03 May 2023, 08:27

Quite right, and I have edited the post. This is the Kriegsrangliste up to March 1942, in the war diary which ended 26 February 1942. Last appointment/departure date I can make out at quick glance is 31 March 1942.

I will turn this into a more readable table and publish it on the blog. Once done will link it here.
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41

The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42

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