ENEMY FORCES NORTH AFRICA
Status as of 5 February 1942
1. 8th Army Controls the following formations:
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Formation |
Estimated Combat Power |
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Infantry Battalions |
Artillery Regiments |
Tanks |
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a) XIII Corps Area Tobruk Gazala B. Hacheim with: |
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4th Indian Division |
5th Ind. Bde (1) |
6 |
2 light |
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7th Ind. Bde (1) |
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11th Ind. Bde |
1 medium |
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8 R.T.R. (2) |
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40 (I) |
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1st Armd. Division |
2nd Armd. Bde. |
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1 |
30 (m) |
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1st Support Grp. |
2 |
1 |
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200th Guards Bde. |
3 |
1 |
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Force E |
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1 |
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150th Bde. |
3 |
1 |
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Polish Bde. |
3 |
1 |
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1st Light Free French Div. (3) |
5 |
2 |
40 (m) |
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Reinforced 70th Div. (4) |
9 (garrison) |
Fortress Art. |
25 (I) |
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1st South African Div. |
6 |
2 |
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b) XXX Corps in area Sollum – Bardia – Tobruk and south of it with: |
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2nd South African Division |
9 (garrison) |
2 light 2 medium |
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(Remains 1st Army Tank Bde) |
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22nd Armd. Bde (rebuilding) |
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30 (m) |
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Total |
31 18 garrison |
10 light 1 medium 2 light and 2 medium Bardia and Tobruk art. |
100 (m) 65 (I) |
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c) In the Delta and Western Egypt: |
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7th Armd. Div. |
1 brigade ready middle of February |
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2/3rd 50th Engl. Div. |
Occupation Troops |
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7th Engl. Division |
Occupation Troops |
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12th Engl. Division |
Occupation Troops |
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Elements 5th Indian Div. |
Occupation Troops |
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2 Greek Brigades |
Occupation Troops |
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(1) heavy losses
(2) subordinated from 1st Army Tank Brigade
(3) mechanised
(4) Tobruk garrison
Rommel,Böttcher, observing operations, most likely in the autumn/winter period of 1941, at an unknown location. Rommelsriposte.com collection.
2. Analysis
In Marmarica there are currently British formations with a strength of 6 – 7 infantry divisions, of which 2 divisions are tied down as occupation troops of Tobruk, Bardia, and Halfway. Also 1st Armoured Division with 60 cruiser tanks and army tank regiments with about 90 infantry tanks.
The enemy formations in the Delta and Western Egypt are tied down there as occupation troops, apart from 7th Armoured Division, of which, according to orientation from the OKH (1), 1 armoured brigade is ready by early February.
The accordingly available British troops ready to take the field (4-5 partially motorised infantry divisions, 150 cruiser tanks and 90 infantry tanks) are only capable of defensive battle. The announced departure of 8 infantry and 2 armoured divisions from mainland Britain has not been noticed yet in the Middle East, according to orientation from OKH. The arrival of infantry divisions has to be expected in the near future, furthermore additions and replacements for the rebuilding of the heavily hit formations.
Whether the British formations sent from home will be used in the Middle or the Far East is not clear yet, but in any case a new British offensive, if any, is not expected before the beginning of April.
(1) Oberkommando des Heeres – High Command of the Army.
The Crusader Project 