A Panzer I command tank (kleiner Befehlswagen)[1] being unloaded in Tripoli, March 1941
8 March 1941
Arrival and Departure of Subordinated Troops
Arrived in Tripoli:
Regimental Staff, Pz.Regiment 5, II./Pz.Regiment 5[2]
The Commander goes into the forward line and to the blocking position at the salt lakes.[3] Around midday he instructs the commander of Div.Ariete regarding his new sector and discusses all measures to be taken. During the evening General Rommel returns to Tripoli.
Notes
[1] This command vehicle had a special superstructure to accommodate radio sets and was only equipped with a light machine gun. It equipped battalion HQs.
[2] Pz.Regiment 5 was the armoured force element of 5.lei.Division with eight tank companies in two battalions. II./Pz.Regiment 5 was its second battalion, with companies 5, 6, 7, and 8.
[3] The salt lakes at el Agheila created a natural blocking position, because they could not be crossed easily or at all by motorised forces. They therefore channeled any possible advance.
Hello.
PzR 5 had only 6 companies in 1941.
Companies 3. and 7. (i think) arrived only around Dec41/Jan42.
regards
-Nuno
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Hi Nuno, you are correct in that only six companies arrived. 3. and 7. Kompanie arrived in December on Ankara, in Benghazi, but were handed over to PR8 then, since the 3. and 7. Kompanie of that regiment had been sunk during the transport.
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