Operation Brevity Axis Forces May 15, 1941

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Operation Brevity Axis Forces May 15, 1941 Kampfgruppe von Herff ( everything on this page ) II/5th severely Panzer under- Regiment strength These two battalions after recent were stationed at x 1 x 2 x 1 x 1 campaign Bardia and were the mobile reaction force Italian for any trouble along from the the border. I/61st Trento Motorized division Infantry Battalion x 9 x 2 x 1 x 1 x 13 15th This reinforced company held the top of Halfaya Motorcycle pass for the early part of Battalion the battle before finally (1 company) x 3 x 1 x 2 x 3 being overrun. These two recon 3rd battalions from the Recon two Panzer Divisions Battalion were stationed be- x 1 x 1 x 1 x 3 x 3 x 1 x 2 hind the border and ready to respond to any enemy threats as needed. 33rd Recon 33rd was ordered to coun- Recon terattack late in the Battalion first day but called it off when 7 Matildas x 1 x 1 x 1 x 3 x 3 x 2 x 4 were spotted. Possibly stationed represents near the top of two 105 Halfaya Pass. howitzers x 1 x 1 x 2 x 2 x 1 x 1 15th Stationed at Motorcycle Bir Hafid Battalion (-) x 5 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 8 Kampfgruppe von Herff mainly acted as mobile reserve to back up the Italians who were defending the border. When the battle started, nearly all By Greg Moore these forces were put on the move to respond to the British. The reaction gregpanzerblitz.com group participated in the retaking of Ft. Capuzzo. May, 2009 German Reinforcements sent immediately shown at half I/8th strength to Flak Panzer reflect losses Battery Battalion since begin- ning of cam- x 2 x 1 x 2 x 1 paign x 3 x 3 This group was sent when the battle started immediately and arrived during the night of the first day, ready for a counterattack. The British pulled back to “Hellfire” Pass the next day and the Axis decided to wait for more reinforcements and additional preparation. Further German Reinforcements sent on May 16 Kampfgruppe von Esebeck I/5th Panzer Panzer Jager Battalion Company (1 company) (-) x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 Machine from 200th Gun Infantry regi- Battalion ment of 5th Light Division x 9 x 6 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 18 Artillery Battalion (-) x 2 x 2 Because of reports of large concentrations of Allied tanks, Rommel decided to send even more of his own tanks into the area This kampfgruppe was ordered to move on the morning of the second day of the battle (May 16) but arrived late in the day and low on fuel and did not see any action. .

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