21 Pz div in battle of Alam Halfa

[Aida1]

NARA T 315 roll 768

Excerpt from Activity report 21 pz div.

" 30.08 The evening report reads in excerpt :
Fuel: Pz and wheeled units 1,5 VS
Water: 2 days rations: 3 days
Panzer: 14/ II, 50 III, 39 III long, 8 IV, 14 IV long , 4 captured veh.

1900 : The division moves to the starting line along the two ordered tracks marked by illuminating canisters
It is a pitch-dark night and despite the good preparations severe difficulties are partially encountered at the sand passages and Gebel
descents. Already before the starting line parts of the 15. Pz Div get in the own sector
2300 : The corps staff integrates itself behind the command echelon of the division.
The starting line is crossed at
2330 with the mass of the division. No enemy action until now.
A Ic report reveals that the enemy has recognized 300 trucks in the deployment area.
The advance goes swiftly for 10 km and without enemy action. A big distance has developed between the PzRegt 104 and the command
echelon and the mass of the division

31.08 0015 The liaison officer of Pz rgt 104 informs that both batallions have hit a minefield. Engineers are already making lanes.
0045 Division reports to DAK :
1)div staff and Pz regt have wheeled to compass direction 44
2 ) no accurate report from pz regt 104 , apparently pass through mine obstacle

0115 liaison off. Pz Gren rgt 104 reports that I and II / PzGrenRgt 104 have passed through mine lanes and are at the moment fixed by enemy
MG fire from the flank

0116 Div commander and Ia drive forward in Kubelwagen to I/104 . From the left the artillery, mortar and MG fire gets stronger "

to be continued

[Aida1]

" 0150 According to a Ic report enemy transmits to superior authority " enemy behind us. tanks at point 115. Bigger march column at point 108"
0135 Liaison recce troop of the AA33 reports that 15 Pz has pushed the AA 33 to the right and thereupon AA 33 has moved between the two divisions
0200 the O5 of DAK informs :
in the opinion of the commanding general the div marches too far north. Division should establish contact with 15 pz div further south.
0210 The division marches 2 km south ,then again to the east.
0240 Continuous night attacks by bombers start on the division and temporarily hinder the movements by illuminating larger areas
0300 Ordonnanz officer of PzGren Regt 104 reports: I/104 lies with parts before and parts behind the minefield. Where II/104 is, is unknown,
probably deviated to the south. Oberst Ewert has advanced with small parts.
0323 Ia returns to div. Div commander , General von Bismarck , is killed probably by mortar fire in the vehicle in the forward infantry line , Ia
wounded.
Ia informs: under enemy fire I/104 only slowly gains room . The engineers work on expanding the mine lanes, Oberst Ewerst has both batallions
under control again.
0325 Oberst Bruer takes over command of the division, Major Bohles Ia, Major Beil command of AR 155. Oblt Guderian reports that 15 Pz div is
fixed before minefield "

to be continued

[Aida1]

" 0330 Hptm Hundt reports that two mine lanes are ready on a width for two march columns. Div. advances further. DAK orders at
0335 Radio free
0339 O4 drives to DAK with the report;
Div. commander killed. Mine lane created for 2 columns. Div. advances further. Enemy fire is noticeably weaker. Infantry has withdrawn.
Chief DAK informed by O4 ;
Commanding general wounded, command of DAK taken over by General v Vaerst when he arrives
Order: Oberst Bruer div commander. The march is to be continued with acceleration
0356 Div. reports to DAK:
II/104 crosses a second minefield in a quickly cleared lane. In a wide arera mines are laid
Intent: guiding I and II/104 until behind second minefield , at the same time expansion of the mine lanes. Until
0400 18 enemy attacks by night bombers on the division cause some losses and breakdowns
0450 adjudant PzGrenRgt receives the order that the II/104 should secure the guiding through of the tanks 3 km east of second minefield .
0515 Div. staff reaches TP 115
0525 Order to PzRgt 5 :
one Abteilung in direction north west, the second Abteilung pull apart in direction southeast . At
0525 order to AR 155: one light Abteilung immediately in position, keep ready other light Abteilung for Pz.Rgt

0526 Div. reports to DAK through O4:
2,5 km behind second minefield a new(third)minefield. Engineers make extant mine lanes broader
DAK orders clear demarcating of mine lanes
0534 II/104 reports enemy strongpoint with armored vehicles 350 m behind third minefield and requests artillery support
0550 by liaison officer a company of III/104 is pulled forward to indicate the mine lanes
0555 by liaison officer order to I/Flak 18:
Pull forward air protection battery
Mission: protection of the area around the mine lanes
0619: III/AR 155 reports readiness to fire"

to be continued

[David W]

Nice work

[Aida1]

" 0625 to Oberst Müller :
third mine lane ready. II/104 forms an infantry screen 4 km in front of the minefield. Pz Rgt 5 overtakes infantry screen a further 4 km and
forms a broad tank screen.March order of the div. behind the Pz Rgt:
II/AR 155, Pz.Jg.Abt. 39, command echelon, I/AR 155, Flak, III/AR 155, III/104
0635 Commander and Ia of ital.XX. mot. corps come to div. and request support for clearing a second mine lane , because the engineers of XX
mot.corps have suffered heavy losses. Div. sends two mine detection troops.
0640 Commander I/Flak 18 reports:
I/Flak ready for air protection, 3./Flak 18 ready to march behind tanks
0642 Div. Recce kp reports that enemy tanks retreat to the southeast
0720 Commander Pz.Jg.Abt 39 receives order concerning 1. march order , 2. at deploying assume protection of left flank
0727 Order from DAK received:
Ordered objectives must be reached quicker
Div. reports position to DAK:
Front 21 Pz.Div 0730 122 right 12,8
0803 Div recce kp reports that enemy retreats to the east with trucks and tanks
Recce kp receives order to keep at the enemy
0830 PzRgt 5 reports that it is on the forward slope under heavy artillery fire and that an urgently needed refuelling is impossible there. PzRgt 5
request order to retreat with mass in backslope position ca 3 km
0835 an urgent radio message from DAK reaches the division:
Await new mission, do not cross line on both sides of 173 right 8 to the east

0840 PzRgt 5 receives order to retreat with mass ca 3 km to the west and refuel while leaving a recce screen"

to be continued

[Aida1]

" 0915 Position report to DAK :
Div. at 473 right 8, Littorio 2 km back
0916 O1 DAK arrives at div and gives a preliminary orientation about the new attack objective Alam el
Halfa. Starting line through point 115. Start 12.00
11.30 Commander meeting. New situation
DAK attacks at 1200 crossing start line through point 115 with march number 55-56 on height 132(Alam el Halfa)
21 Pz left, 15 Pz div right. Left connection DAK: XX. ital. mot. corps
Recce units to the right of DAK
Combat organisation ordered as in attack order. Subordination Pz.Pi.Btln 200 is cancelled, III/104 is subordinated to div., Flak Btln 617 at
III/104 , II/AR 155 follows behind tanks, I and III/AR 155 change position when division starts
Difficulties in not scouted attack terrain must be overcome by fast and agile command

1132 DAK orders : start not until 1300
Attack direction Alam el Halfa , 21 Pz div 2 km west of the telegraph track

1135 Div. reports to DAK:
Littorio has closed at the height of the div. , therefore repositioning middle line DAK to the west because of necessary shifts not possible until
1300
Terrain to the west of the since then ordered middle line partially mined, partially sharp Gebel edges
Request decision
1230 Oblt Guderian reports : area march impossible because of strong sand dunes
1232 DAK orders:
First objective: sand depressions
second objective: point 132
start: 1300
Ia again Major von Heuduck "

to be continued

[Aida1]

" The division starts at
1300 to attack . A strong sandstorm already prevents the sight at 100m , only seldomly can one get a look into the wide hilly terrain
1315 Division reports to DAK that the left neighbour division Littorio has not started because it reportedly stands before a mine obstacle
1335 belatedly answer from DAK to the message of 1135:
attack on small front from the present area on all favourable descents
1400 Chief DAK informs div: commanding general attaches great importance to quickly attaining the attack objective. Special caution to the left,
enemy breakthrough has to be prevented by deep disposition to the left
1430 a short stop occurs through a Gebel descent at 468,5 right 8
1445 From the northeast sporadic artillery fire . The first echelon has crossed Gebel descent 468,5 right 8
by 1500 Littorio has reached the level of the second echelon of PzRgt 5
Lt Greb liaison off. PzGrenRgt 104 receives at
1515 order to fetch the fuel column from the area of the first minefield
1518 PzRgt 5 reports :
at 3 km tanks, antitank and artillery
1520 Guidance to artillery commander:
tanks report tanks, antitank and artillery before itself
Deploy whole regiment , observe what the enemy is doing
To the DAK goes
1535 report:
Front of div. 134,5 right 10,3 in front of enemy tanks
View before the front bad
1600 Order from DAK arrives that 21Pzdiv should swing to the left around Managir el Talgara
1605 Conforming guidance to PzRgt 5
Ia: "We have to get to grips so the enemy cannot fix himself "
1640 the div.commander has a view into a wide hollow from a small ridge. Enemy retreats to northeast. Own tanks halt on next elevation
Order to PzRgt 5 : attack"

to be continued

[Aida1]

" 1705 Ia to artillery commander :
" put pressure behind it, keep close, we have to be able to support strongly. When near point 132 the whole regiment must be ready to fire"
1706 Radio message to PzRgt 5 :
Attack quickly , forward, forward, deploy no forces to the left , going around to the east is the motto
1710 Div. informs DAK:
front 464 left 2,6 , artillery fire medium caliber from the north
1725 In case 15 Pz envelops 151,5 right 4 fast to the east, prospects are favourable
1730 Radio message from DAK arrives:
Drive further forward until 1830 then defense in the area
1732 Ia orally orders to adjudant Pz.Gren.Rgt 104 :
Deploy one batallion in the west part of the depression Deir el Tarfa, the other batallion to the northeast depression with bend back
wings and front northeast
1745 Div. reports to DAK :
Division stands before enemy strongpoint, strong antitank fire on left Pz.rgt 5
There is the following impression of the enemy :
From a strongpoint with field positions there is strong defensive fire on the whole front of Pz.rgt 5
From backslope positions in small depressions, tanks fire mainly on the left wing
The Pz.rgt has turned to the left with its left Abteilung and stands in strong fire combat with well built in and camouflaged enemy. Before the
right wing there are loosely some enemy tanks, which later slowly push up to the own right wing

1747 through liaison officer order to Pz.JgAbt. 39 :
Defensive deployment on right wing and on right flank
1750 Order from DAK arrives:
Advance further until 1830 , than take up deeply structured concentric defense in areas reached.
Prevent breakout attempts from the west and relief attempts. Make contact between each other. "

to be continued

[Aida1]

" at
1752 Pzrgt 5 reports:
Counterattack by weak enemy tank forces on own left wing
Division orders PzRgt:
Let the enemy come up, tankhunters are immediately deployed from here.
1803 Div.commander orders Oberst Müller personally :
PzRgt builds defensive front until Panzergrenadiere are deployed, do not retreat.
Repeated demand on 15 Pzdiv, where is your frontline? remains without answer
1820 Own Stuka attack on enemy field positions is observed. Enemy batteries continue to fire
1830 30 enemy tanks attack hesitatingly along the telegraph track. Enemy vehicles come down the slope from the northwest at a distance of 4 km.
Pz.Jg.Abt 39 pulls behind the tanks on the left wing
1839 Message from DAK:
Interrupt telephone line el Alamein-Kairo
Inquiry by division: where is the line?
1850 Enemy tank opponent is stopped at the height point 74
1930 PzGrenRgt 104 that just dismounts in the depression Deir el Tarfa receives the order to close up with 2 batallions to the east to the
1./Pz.Jg.Abt 39 which is in position( to the north of the northern edge of Deir el Tarfa)
Middle line of the rgt is the Telegraph track. At
2000 the following evening report goes to DAK:
Situation as regularly reported. Div. command post 466 left 1
Tank components 0,25 VS
Wheeled components 0,45 VS
Hitherto reported successes: 12 tank kills, 6 antitank guns destroyed
20 prisoners of the infantry brigade of the 1. english pz.div
2210 Oberst Langershausen arrives and takes over command of the division
At the order of the DAK the following situation report is given: enemy defends stubbornly with tanks,artillery and Pak at attacks by the
division. For the night hedgehog position at 466 left 1"

to be continued

[Aida1]

" 2215 The O1 who had been sent to make contact with 15 Pz.div returns to div without result( vehicle imobilised with motor damage)
Ia and div commander come to the following judgment of the situation:
Frontal attack on the positions before the division would cause too heavy losses. A pushing up to the 15 Pz.div would be possible during the
night without further ado and insofar the fuel column arrives in time the correct starting position for further attack.
Ia is of the opinion that with the removal and an own strong occupation of height 132, the enemy would be forced to give up the whole Alamein
position.
2230 Pz.Gren.Rgt reports forward line:
464 left 2 465 left 2,5 until 465 left 4
to the west 466 right 1 to 468 right 1
to the south 469 left 6,5 to 2,5
01/9/42
0130 Pz.Rgt 5 reports that the infantry has not moved into the ordered positions.
Oberst Müller requests fast order to pull out
0110 Message from DAK arrives :
Organisation for defense. Set up for night attack. Keep ready for further attack to the north east.
0200 Pz.Gren.rgt 104 reports that it has moved into the ordered positions
Pz.Rgt. 5 receives order to pull out to the area southwest of Deir el Tarfa"

to be continued

[Aida1]

" 0500 Div. command post moves to 465,5 left 1,5
0630 the enemy situation presents itself as follows:
On the crest of the height 6-8 km norteast and north of the division stands a continuous screen of tanks with big spacing
To the north of the division(460 left ) truck traffic
Individual tanks move forward in the bottom.
PzGrenRgt 104 reports no immediate enemy contact, groups of enemy in the individual hollows at a distance of 3-4 km
0645 Order goes out to Major Ehle to deploy III/104 on the range of hills in the left flank of the division(from west edge Deir el Tarfa to the
southwest) The batallion is supported by I/A.R. 155
0650 On a call from DAK Ia reports that on the ridge 460 left 3 40-50 tanks and strongly occupied field positions have been identified
In case of enemy attack division expects advance from northnortwest. From the formation of the enemy tanks one can conclude defense
0800 Commanding general visits division and gives guidance on the army objectives:
Permanent pressure to northwest
15 Pz.div reports that it consistently gains terrain in the attack on Alam el Halfa
Commanding general orders that the gap between 15. and 21. Pz.div. has to be closed by one btln. At
0820 the left neighbour , div. Littorio has reached the ridge to the left of the div. with strong armored forces and stands between the positions of
III/104 on the backslope
The III/104 is ordered to the right wing of the division to close the gap between 15. and 21.pz.div. and is again subordinated to the rgt.
Fla.btln. 617 is ordered in the area behind III/104 as division reserve."

to be continued

[Aida1]

" 1017 Cdr PzPi.Btln 200 receives order to scout and mark a supply track to the west on the supply track of 90.Le div.
Until 1300 5 bombing attacks took place on the artillery positions and Pz.Rgt 5
1330 DAK orders departure to Deir el Agram at 1500
This order is retracted at
1345 Enemy situation : on the area of the division there is lively artillery fire of medium caliber , a heavy battery fires from the northwest.
Enemy before the front behaves quietly ; armored recce troops feel ahead occasionally. With greater intervals vehicles come down the slope
of the ridge at 6 km and disappear in the hollows of the ground at 3,5 km before the own line.
Until
1500 the division Littorio has appeared at the height of our left wing and from 1600 stands in fire combat from a dominating height with a few
enemy tanks that feel ahead at point 78
1510 Written order arrives from DAK : DAK organises for defense and carries out supply
1600 Reports arrive continuously about strong shifts with the enemy , which can also be observed from the division command post.
Enemy tanks and vehicles relocate in strong mass in the ground west and east of line of advance figure 460
At
1605 Order goes out to Pz.Rgt 5 : make ready
After personal briefing of Oberst Müller by div. commander , one Abteilung pulls forward until the height of div. command post
Artillery works with good success against identified enemy targets . The enemy groups disperse.
1645 A Ic report states that enemy initially has ordered troop concentrations at 458,5 right point 5
(passed on to DAK)"

to be continued

[Aida1]

" 1655 Div. informs DAK that armored forces of Littorio hold a small height 2 km west of the left wing of the div. in combat with 30 enemy tanks.
Individual enemy armored recce vehicles and light armored vehicles feel forward and are beaten back by artilery and antitank fire.
Pz.Rgt 5 stands combat ready at the telegraph track and with one Abteilung to the west of that around the division command post.
1800 The evening report to DAK containen besides the summarized informations of the day :
7 bombing attacks ontanks, artillery , Flak and div. command post cause some losses and breakdowns
successes(included 31.08) : 18 tanks, 6 PAK
loss: 16 tanks, 6 trucks
Supply report: fuel 1,2 VS , water and food 2 days
1840 New information to DAK goes out
1) Enemy tank forces in small depressions outside the range of own antitankweapons. No offensive intentions recognisable
2) After a successful firefight of the italian armored forces, the reported armored enemy pulled back 2 km to the west of the own left wing
Thereupon, the div. Littorio pulled back 3 km behind the own left wing
3) To cover the open left wing caused by this, the div. uses the div. armored recce company
4) PzRgt 5 is taken back in the old area
5) In the area of the division command post strong artillery fire by medium and partially heavy caliber from long distances"
1845 Commander Div recce kp receives order to protect left flank . Connection right to Pz.Jg 39, left making contact with div. Littorio"

to be continued

[Aida1]

" 1900 For the defence in the second line, the Fla.Btln 617 is subordinated to Pz.Gren.Rgt 104
1905 I/104 reports that 3 km before the front ,10 tanks and bren carriers secure unloading weak infantry forces
2100 To PzGrenRgt 104 :
Push forward strong combat recce until 3 km before the front inclusive height 74
Judgment of the situation:
A summary of the enemy situation does not allow to conclude to offensive intentions
Defensive position on the forward slope which continuously drops off in the direction of the enemy is to be considered not very
favourable
The supply road is absolutely secured
0445 Radio messge from DAK :
Defend, increase readiness to defend with all means, set up for night and twilight attacks
Be ready to attack again on specific order
0520 Pz.Gren.Rgt 104 reports the results of the reconnaissance:
free of enemy until 4 km before the front. During the night clearly audible track sounds got weaker in the morning
The morning reports goes at
0640 to DAK:
Enemy situation unchanged . In the night strong bomber attacks on Pz.Rgt and Flak. Several losses and breakdown of trucks.
0800 In a conversation with chief of staff DAK , Ia again alludes to promising attack together with 15 Pz.div on height 132"

to be continued

[Aida1]

" A pulling out of the division while leaving securities behind seems absolutely possible
0800 From the reports of the troop units results the following picture of the enemy:
Enemy has pushed at bit closer to the front during the night and with stronger units repositioned in the long hollow north and northwest of the
the own forward line
At own air reconnaissance a considerable strengthening of enemy Flak is discernible.
In the early morning hours displacement of weak enemy forces from northeast to southwest at a distance of 10 km
1000 Order goes out to Pz.Gren.Rgt 104:
1) sharpest onservation with use of officers
2) combat reconnaissance on the enemy forces in the holows before the front is to be pushed forward
3) the vehicles have to be dug in

1040 DAK orders:
1) Provide one btln, one tank company, 2 light batteries, one Pz.Jg.kp . In addition command staff.
(15 Pz provides the same forces)
Start towards 1500 . Mission folows.
2)All damaged vehicles are to be sent back
Div. orders to the troop units according to the above order:
I/104, 2 light batteries of I/AR 155, one light Pz company , 1. /Pz.Jg.39
Prepare change of position
1400 Ia drives to DAK
1) to message 1040 DAK orders:
Building of battlegroup Ewert from the ordered parts of both divisions
Mission: march back in the old accomodation areas in the north sector. There deployment for mobile defense.
Taking away damaged trucks of the troop units."

to be continued