OPERATION SONNENBLUME

March April 1941

OVERVIEW Operation Sonnenblume (Sunflower) actually refers to the German emergency operation which sent troops to North Africa in February after the Italian 10th Army was destroyed by Allied forces. The original force of a few tanks was quickly upgraded to enough forces to cobble together a make-shift "armored" division designated the 5th Light Division. Rommel took this division along with some supporting Italian troops transferred over from the Fifth Army and began an offensive against the weakened Allied forces (several divisions had been sent to Greece). Additional forces were added as they became available, including the 15th Panzer Division in May and the Italian 'Ariete' Armored Division.

Order of Battle

Commonwealth 9th Australian Division, 20th Australian Brigade 2nd Armoured Division (elements) Axis 5. leichte Division (elements) Divisione Corazzata 132 'Ariete' (elements) Divisione Fanteria 27 'Brescia' (elements)

9th Australian Division 20th Australian Brigade Table of Organisation March 1941
Headquarters 1x commander, 1x light truck 2/13th Australian Infantry Battalion Headquarters 1x commander, 1x light truck 'A' Company 1x commander, 9x infantry (1 w/Boys ATR), 1x 2 inch mortar 'B' Company 1x commander, 9x infantry (1 w/Boys ATR), 1x 2 inch mortar 'C' Company 1x commander, 9x infantry (1 w/Boys ATR), 1x 2 inch mortar 'D' Company 1x commander, 9x infantry (1 w/Boys ATR), 1x 2 inch mortar 'S' Company 1x 3 inch mortar Carrier/Scout Platoon 1x commander, 1x scout/carrier, 4x infantry/recon, 4x scout/carrier 2/15th Australian Infantry Battalion Headquarters 1x commander, 1x light truck 'A' Company 1x commander, 9x infantry (1 w/Boys ATR), 1x 2 inch mortar 'B' Company 1x commander, 9x infantry (1 w/Boys ATR), 1x 2 inch mortar 'C' Company 1x commander, 9x infantry (1 w/Boys ATR), 1x 2 inch mortar 'D' Company 1x commander, 9x infantry (1 w/Boys ATR), 1x 2 inch mortar 'S' Company 1x 3 inch mortar Carrier/Scout Platoon 1x commander, 1x scout/carrier, 4x infantry/recon, 4x scout/carrier 2/17th Australian Infantry Battalion Headquarters 1x commander, 1x light truck 'A' Company 1x commander, 9x infantry (1 w/Boys ATR), 1x 2

inch mortar 'B' Company 1x commander, 9x infantry (1 w/Boys ATR), 1x 2 inch mortar 'C' Company 1x commander, 9x infantry (1 w/Boys ATR), 1x 2 inch mortar 'D' Company 1x commander, 9x infantry (1 w/Boys ATR), 1x 2 inch mortar 'S' Company 1x 3 inch mortar Carrier/Scout Platoon 1x commander, 1x scout/carrier, 4x infantry/recon, 4x scout/carrier 20th Australian Brigade Anti-Tank Company 3x 2pdr antitank gun, 3x light truck 51st Field Regiment, RA (attached) Battery 1x forward observer, 1x light truck, 6x 18pdr gun, 6x truck Battery 1x forward observer, 1x light truck, 6x 18pdr gun, 6x truck

2nd Armoured Division Table of Organisation March 1941

3rd Armoured Brigade 5th Royal Tank Regiment Headquarters 1x Vickers Mk VIC light tank 'A' Squadron 1x Mk VIC 15mm light tank, 4x Mk VIB MG light tank 'B' Squadron 1x M13/40 captured tank, 4x M13/40 captured tank 'C' Squadron 1x Mk VIC 15mm light tank, 4x Mk VIB MG light tank 'A' Squadron, 1st King's Dragoon Guards 2x Morris CS9 armoured car, 4x Marmon-Herrington Mk II 'B' Battery, 16th Australian Brigade Anti-Tank Company (attached) 1x 2pdr antitank gun portee 9th Battalion, 1st Tower Hamlet Rifles, 2nd Support Group Headquarters 1x commander, 1x light truck 'A' Company 1x commander, 1x 2 inch mortar, 1x light truck, 8x infantry (4 with Boys-ATR), 1x Vickers MMG, 1x 2 inch mortar, 8x light truck 'B' Company 1x commander, 1x 2 inch mortar, 1x light truck, 8x infantry (4 with Boys-ATR), 1x Vickers MMG, 1x 2 inch mortar, 8x light truck 'C' Company 1x commander, 1x 2 inch mortar, 1x light truck, 8x infantry (4 with Boys-ATR), 1x Vickers MMG, 1x 2 inch mortar, 8x light truck 'S' Company 1x 3 inch mortar, 1x universal carrier 1st Scout/Carrier Platoon 1x commander, 1x scout carrier, 3x infantry/recon, 3x scout carrier 2nd Scout/Carrier Platoon 1x commander, 1x scout carrier, 3x infantry/recon, 3x scout carrier 3rd Scout/Carrier Platoon 1x commander, 1x scout carrier, 3x infantry/recon, 3x scout carrier

Battery, 3rd Royal Horse Artillery (attached) 3x 2pdr antitank gun portee 1ere Bataillon d'Infanterie de Marine (attached) Headquarters 1x commander, 1x light truck Infantry Company 1x commander, 9x infantry, 1x Vickers MMG, 6x light truck Battery3rd Royal Horse Artillery (attached) 1x 2pdr antitank gun portee Battery, 104th (Essex Yeomanry) Royal Horse Artillery (attached) 1x forward observer, 1x Daimler scout car, 4x 25pdr gun 18th King Edward VII's Own Cavalry, 3rd Indian Motor Brigade (attached) Headquarters 1x commander, 1x light truck 'A' Squadron 1x commander, 6x infantry, 3x infantry w/Boys ATR, 5x light truck 'B' Squadron 1x commander, 6x infantry, 3x infantry w/Boys ATR, 5x light truck 'C' Squadron 1x commander, 6x infantry, 3x infantry w/Boys ATR, 5x light truck Battery, 2/3rd Australian Anti-Tank Regiment (attached) 1x 2pdr antitank gun portee Battery, 104th (Essex Yeomanry) Royal Horse Artillery (attached) 1x forward observer, 1x Daimler scout car, 4x 25pdr gun

5. leichte Division Table of Organisation March 1941

I/Panzer-Regiment 5 Stab 1x PzBefWG III command tank, 1x PzKpfw III G medium tank, 2x PzKpfw II A-C,F light tank, 2x PzKpfw I A-B light tank 1. Kompanie 1x PzKpfw III H medium tank, 6x PzKpfw III G medium tank, 2x PzKpfw II A-C, F light tank 2. Kompanie 1x PzKpfw III H medium tank, 6x PzKpfw III G medium tank, 2x PzKpfw II A-C, F light tank 3. Kompanie 1x PzKpfw IV E medium tank, 3x A-B light tank Kompanie, Panzerjaeger-Abteilung 39 (attached) 1x PzKpfw I A-B light tank, 4x PzJaeg I B 4.7cm SP antitank gun Zug, Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilung 3 (attached) 1x SdKfz 221 armoured car, 2x SdKfz 222 armoured car, 1x SdKfz 231 armoured car Heeres-Flakartillerie Abteilung 609 (attached) 1x SdKfz 10/4 SP antiaircraft gun Panzer-Aufkarungs-Abteilung 3 Stab 1x SdKfz 221 armoured car Panzer-Spah-Kompanie 1x SdKfz 221 armoured car, 6x SdKfz 222 armoured car, 2x SdKfz 231 armoured car Kradschutzen-Kompanie 1x commander, 3x infantry, 6x light machine gun, 1x heavy machine gun, 1x 5cm light mortar, 12x motorcycle Zug, Panzerjaeger-Abteilung 39 (attached) 1x 3.7cm Pak 35/36 antitank gun, 1x light truck Batterie, Artillerie-Regiment 75 (attached) 1x 7.5cm infantry gun, 1x light truck Maschinengewehr-Bataillon 2 Stab 1x commander, 1x Horsch field car PzKpfw IV E medium tank, 1x PzKpfw II A-C, F light tank, 1x PzKpfw I

1. Kompanie 1x commander, 1x 5cm mortar, 1x light truck, 1x infantry w/PzB 39, 5x heavy machine gun, 6x light truck 2. Kompanie 1x commander, 1x 5cm mortar, 1x light truck, 1x infantry w/PzB 39, 5x heavy machine gun, 6x light truck 3. Kompanie 1x commander, 1x 5cm mortar, 1x light truck, 1x infantry w/PzB 39, 5x heavy machine gun, 6x light truck Pionier-Kompanie 1x commander, 9x pioniere, 2x SdKfz 251/1 halftrack, 3x light truck Pionier-Kompanie 1x commander, 9x pioniere, 2x SdKfz 251/1 halftrack, 3x light truck Panzerjaeger Kompanie 3x 3.7cm Pak 35/36 antitank gun, 3x light truck schwere Kompanie 3x 8cm mortar, 2x light truck Kompanie, Panzerjaeger-Abteilung 39 (attached) 1x commander, 1x Horsch field car, 1x 5cm Pak 38 antitank gun, 3x 3.7cm Pak 35/36 antitank gun, 4x light truck Batterie, Artillerie-Regiment 75 (attached) 1x forward observer, 1x Horsch field car, 2x 10.5cm light field howitzer schwere Flak-Abteilung 163 1x 8.8cm Flak 36 antiaircraft gun, 1x SdKfz 7 heavy prime mover

Divisione Corazzata 132 'Ariete' Table of Organisation March 1941

Reggimento Carri 132 Battaglione Carri I(L) Commando 1x commander, 1x Fiat 508 CM, 1x L3/35 tankette, 2x L3/35lf flamethrower tank Compagnia Carri 1x L3/35 tankette, 4x L3/35 tankette, 2x L3/35lf flamethrower tank Compagnia Carri 1x L3/35 tankette, 4x L3/35 tankette, 2x L3/35lf flamethrower tank Compagnia Carri 1x L3/35 tankette, 4x L3/35 tankette, 2x L3/35lf flamethrower tank Batteria, Compagnia Controcarri di Divisione 1x 37mm antitank gun, 1x TL 37 light prime mover Battaglione Carri II(L) Commando 1x commander, 1x Fiat 508 CM, 1x L3/35 tankette, 2x L3/35lf flamethrower tank Compagnia Carri 1x L3/35 tankette, 4x L3/35 tankette, 2x L3/35lf flamethrower tank Compagnia Carri 1x L3/35 tankette, 4x L3/35 tankette, 2x L3/35lf flamethrower tank Compagnia Carri 1x L3/35 tankette, 4x L3/35 tankette, 2x L3/35lf flamethrower tank Batteria, Compagnia Controcarri di Divisione 1x 37mm antitank gun, 1x TL 37 light prime mover Battaglione Carri III(L) Commando 1x commander, 1x Fiat 508 CM, 1x L3/35 tankette, 2x L3/35lf flamethrower tank Compagnia Carri 1x L3/35 tankette, 4x L3/35 tankette, 2x L3/35lf flamethrower tank Compagnia Carri 1x L3/35 tankette, 4x L3/35 tankette, 2x L3/35lf flamethrower tank Compagnia Carri 1x L3/35 tankette, 4x L3/35 tankette,

2x L3/35lf flamethrower tank Batteria, Compagnia Controcarri di Divisione 1x 37mm antitank gun, 1x TL 37 light prime mover Battaglione Carri VII(M) Commando 1x commander, 1x Fiat 508 CM, 1x M13/40 medium tank flamethrower tank Compagnia Carri 1x M13/40 medium tank, 4x M13/40 medium tank Compagnia Carri 1x M13/40 medium tank, 4x M13/40 medium tank Compagnia Carri 1x M13/40 medium tank, 4x M13/40 medium tank Batteria, Compagnia Controcarri di Divisione 1x 37mm antitank gun, 1x TL 37 light prime mover Reggimento Bersaglieri 8 Commando 1x commander, 1x Fiat 508 CM Battaglione Bersaglieri Motociclisti 3 Commando 1x commander, 1x Fiat 508 CM Compagnia Motociclisti 1x commander, 1x 20mm Solothurn antitank rifle, 6x Bersaglieri, 8x motorcycle, 1x Breda machine gun, 1x AS 37 light truck, 1x 37mm antitank gun, 1x TL 37 prime mover Compagnia Motociclisti 1x commander, 1x 20mm Solothurn antitank rifle, 6x Bersaglieri, 8x motorcycle, 1x Breda machine gun, 1x AS 37 light truck, 1x 37mm antitank gun, 1x TL 37 prime mover Compagnia Motociclisti 1x commander, 1x 20mm Solothurn antitank rifle, 6x Bersaglieri, 8x motorcycle, 1x Breda machine gun, 1x AS 37 light truck, 1x 37mm antitank gun, 1x TL 37 prime mover Plotone Ricognizione 1x commander, 1x motorcycle, 3x bersaglieri, 3x motorcycle Battaglione Bersaglieri Motorizzato 5 Commando 1x commander, 1x Fiat 508 CM Compagnia Motorizzata 1x commander, 1x 20mm Solothurn antitank rifle, 8x Bersaglieri, 5x AS 37 light

truck, 1x Breda machine gun, 1x AS 37 light truck, 1x 37mm antitank gun, 1x TL 37 prime mover Compagnia Motorizzata 1x commander, 1x 20mm Solothurn antitank rifle, 8x Bersaglieri, 5x AS 37 light truck, 1x Breda machine gun, 1x AS 37 light truck, 1x 37mm antitank gun, 1x TL 37 prime mover Plotone Ricognizione 1x commander, 1x motorcycle, 3x bersaglieri, 3x motorcycle Battaglione Bersaglieri Motorizzato 12 Commando 1x commander, 1x Fiat 508 CM Compagnia Motorizzata 1x commander, 1x 20mm Solothurn antitank rifle, 8x Bersaglieri, 5x AS 37 light truck, 1x Breda machine gun, 1x AS 37 light truck, 1x 37mm antitank gun, 1x TL 37 prime mover Compagnia Motorizzata 1x commander, 1x 20mm Solothurn antitank rifle, 8x Bersaglieri, 5x AS 37 light truck, 1x Breda machine gun, 1x AS 37 light truck, 1x 37mm antitank gun, 1x TL 37 prime mover Plotone Ricognizione 1x commander, 1x motorcycle, 3x bersaglieri, 3x motorcycle

Divisione Fanteria 27 'Brescia' Table of Organisation March 1941

I/19 Reggimento Fanteria Commando 1x commander, 1x Fiat 508 CM Plotone Ricognizione 1x commander, 1x rifle infantry, 3x Breda light machine gun Compagnia Accompagnamento 3x 81mm mortar Compagnia Assalto 1x commander, 6x rifle infantry, 3x Breda light machine gun, 1x Breda medium machine gun, 1x 65mm infantry gun, 1x AS 37 light truck Compagnia Assalto 1x commander, 6x rifle infantry, 3x Breda light machine gun, 1x Breda medium machine gun, 1x 65mm infantry gun, 1x AS 37 light truck Compagnia Riserva 1x commander, 6x rifle infantry, 3x Breda light machine gun, 1x Breda medium machine gun, 2x 47mm antitank gun, 2x AS 37 light truck Compagnia Controaerea (attached) 2x 20mm antiaircraft gun Gruppo II, Reggimento Articelere 1 (attached) Batteria 1x forward observer, 1x Fiat 508 CM, 2x 75/27 light gun Batteria 1x forward observer, 1x Fiat 508 CM, 2x 75/27 light gun Batteria 1x forward observer, 1x Fiat 508 CM, 2x 100/17 medium howitzer Gruppo XV, Raggruppamento Artiglieria del Corpo d'Armata XVI (attached) Batteria 1x forward observer, 1x Fiat 508 CM, 2x 100/17 medium howitzer Batteria 1x forward observer, 1x Fiat 508 CM, 2x 105/28 medium howitzer