Continuing with the war diary of the D.A.K.

Arrival and Departure of Subordinated Troops

Arrived in Tripoli:

Panzerjaeger 39, A.A.3[2]

During the night air attack on Soluch and Agedabia.

14.2. first Luftwaffe day attack. Destroyers and Stuka on vehicle columns, accommodation, and tanks.[3]

Stuka dive bombers in North Africa, date and place unknown, likely early 1941. Rommelsriposte.com collection

Lieutenant Hundt with instruction to reconnoitre and instruct departed to Sirt by car.

Commanding General visited units already in Tripoli (Field Hospital 4/572, Light Truck Column 800/804, Light Truck Column for Filter Equipment and Tyre Section 13) in their accommodations at Kilo 5 south of Tripoli.

At 11.00 hours welcome reception in the Castello with the Vice-Governor of Libya, His Excellency De Rubeis. Participants Commanding General, Colonel Schmundt, and Chief of Staff.

At 13.00 hours breakfast in Grand-Hotel Tripoli, with welcome addresses by both sides.

Colonel Schmundt departed with first situation report.

Afternoon reconnaissance trip by Commanding General and Chief of Staff to Homs, visit at General Della Bone. Inspection of the position, anti-tank ditch, 7,000 men.

18.30 hours the first combat troops enter the harbour of Tripoli, A.A.3 and Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 39. Commanding General and Chief of Staff inspect the disembarkation, which is carried out immediately during the night, within the space of 12 hours. Risk of illuminating the vessels is taken. Ghibli today.

[1]See previous post notes for explanations as well.

[2]AT battalion 39 and Reconnaissance Battalion 3.

[3] The attack is very well described at this link (scroll down to ‘Air attacks on EL AGHEILA 13/14 February’). One Me 110 was shot down and the crew captured in the Me 110 strafing attack, while one Ju87 was shot down in the later dive bombing attack, with the pilot killed and the rear gunner captured.