History
Division von Broich was a German provisional infantry division active in 1942–43 in North Africa. It was created in November 1942 and named after its notable commander Friedrich von Broich. In February 1943, the division was renamed Division von Manteuffel after its new commander, Generalmajor Hasso von Manteuffel. Despite its makeshift nature, the unit proved itself as a capable force, taking part in numerous actions until forced to capitulate with the rest of Army Group Africa in May 1943.
The German action in Tunisia came in response to the Allied Landings in North Africa that took place 8 November 1942 and was intended to protect the Axis lines of communication. The unit was created on 15 November 1942 by renaming the Schützen-Brigade (Rifle Brigade) von Broich, a provisional unit formed from Ortskommandeur II/960 on 10 November. The unit was specifically designed to command and control a variety of units flown in by the Germans to defend the Bizerte and Tunis Bridgeheads in Tunisia.
Although it was never given a formal organizational structure, it was quickly organized along the lines of a standard infantry division, but composed of a variety of German Fallschirmjäger (paratrooper) units, Tunis Field Battalions and Africa March (replacement) Battalions, as well as an Italian Bersaglieri Regiment. Virtually all of its artillery and logistics had to be improvised using a variety of German, Italian and captured Allied equipment.
On 7 February 1943, the division was renamed Division von Manteuffel after its new commander, Generalmajor Hasso von Manteuffel, succeeding Generalmajor von Broich.
In the last battle of the campaign the Manteuffel Group was bypassed when the Allies broke through the northern front at Hill 609, and was forced to capitulate it ran out of fuel and ammunition near Bizerte on 9 May 1943.
The German action in Tunisia came in response to the Allied Landings in North Africa that took place 8 November 1942 and was intended to protect the Axis lines of communication. The unit was created on 15 November 1942 by renaming the Schützen-Brigade (Rifle Brigade) von Broich, a provisional unit formed from Ortskommandeur II/960 on 10 November. The unit was specifically designed to command and control a variety of units flown in by the Germans to defend the Bizerte and Tunis Bridgeheads in Tunisia.
Although it was never given a formal organizational structure, it was quickly organized along the lines of a standard infantry division, but composed of a variety of German Fallschirmjäger (paratrooper) units, Tunis Field Battalions and Africa March (replacement) Battalions, as well as an Italian Bersaglieri Regiment. Virtually all of its artillery and logistics had to be improvised using a variety of German, Italian and captured Allied equipment.
On 7 February 1943, the division was renamed Division von Manteuffel after its new commander, Generalmajor Hasso von Manteuffel, succeeding Generalmajor von Broich.
In the last battle of the campaign the Manteuffel Group was bypassed when the Allies broke through the northern front at Hill 609, and was forced to capitulate it ran out of fuel and ammunition near Bizerte on 9 May 1943.
Featured Missions
| Campaign | Mission |
|---|---|
| Tunisia : Northern Operations | Battle for Bizerte |