Generalmajor Johannes Streich ................................... 20/2/41 - 22/7/41
Generalmajor Johann von Ravenstein .......................... 23/7/41 - 29/11/41
Oberstleutnant Gustav-Georg Knabe ............................ 29/11/41 - 30/11/41
Generalleutnant Karl Bottcher ...................................... 30/11/41 - 30/1/42
Generalmajor Georg von Bismark ................................. 30/1/42 - 31/8/42
Oberst Carl-Hans Lungershausen ................................. 31/8/42 - 18/9/42
Generalmajor Heinz von Randow ................................. 18/9/42 - 21/12/42
Oberst Hans-Georg Hilderbrandt .................................... 1/1/43 - 25/4/43
Generalmajor Heinrich-Hermann Hulsen ....................... 25/4/43 - 13/5/43

This was the specificly formed for service in Africa and was the first unit to see service in Africa. It was formed from a cadre originating from 3rd Panzer Division including the 5th Panzer Regiment. The 3rd Panzer Division had been raised before the war in 1935 at Wunsendorf, Berlin and as a result most of the troops that made up it's numbers were from Berlin or Prussians from Western Silesia or Brandenburg, these men went on to form the nucleas of the 5th leichte Division. Numbering 9,300 strong, they were one of the first units to arrive in North Africa in February 1941 along with it's armour a short while later which still carried the old 3rd Panzer Divison markings on them. The armoured crews were fairly expeienced having already seen service in Poland and France. It was fairly weak in terms of infantry but was fully mechanized and with a large contingent of armour comprising of around 120 tanks: 25 Pzkpfw I
45 Pzkpfw II
61 Pzkpfw III
17 Pzkpfw IV's.
Losses during transit and loading amounted to:
10 Pzkpfw II
3 Pzkpfw IV

Divisional Staff
Map Store Troop
Map Printing Troop
DR Section
Panzer Regiment 5
Anti-tank Battalion 39 (mot)
Infantry Regiment 104 (mot)
MG Battalion 8
Atillerie Regiment 155
Aufklarungs Abteilung 3 (mot)
Signals Battalion 200
Engineer Battalion 200 (mot)
Reinforcement Battalion 200 (mot)
Supply Battalion 200 (mot)
Medical Company 200
Field Hospital 200
Ambulance Platoon 200
Bakery Company 200
Butchery Comapany 200
Divisional Supply Section 200
Felgendarmerie Truppen 200
Field Post Office 200 (mot)

The division was heavily involved in the "Crusader" Offensive in November 1941 taking a heavy toll on the British 7th Armoured Brigade before the Germans were forced back to El Agheila. In January 1942 21st Panzer Division took part in the thrust on Bengahzi and the subsequent action around the Gazala Line and the assault on Tobruk. It was after the failure to take Tobruk the Rommel blamed the commander of the 5th leichte Division General Streich and Colonel Olbrich who commanded the 5th Panzer Regiment for the failure in capturing the Libyan port and promtly sent them back to Germany.
During the Battle of El Alamein the 21st Panzer Division it sustained heavy losses in both armour and manpower during the British "Lightfoot" and "Supercharge" offensives which forced the German forces to retreat. During this retreat the 21st Panzer Division provided the rearguard remaining totally dependable throughout.
By February 1943 the division was reinforced and boasted a compliment of 90 tanks. It saw further action during the battle for Sidi Bou Zid on 14th and 15th February and in the capture of Sbeitla. It fought in the battles around the are of the Kasserine Pass before they were halted at Sbida. From then on they fought more defensive actions before surrendering between 11th and 13th May.

Panzer Regiment 5
I/Panzerjägerabteilung (mot) 39
Infanterie Regiment (mot) 104
Machinengehwer Battalion (mot) 2
Machinengehwer Battalion (mot) 8
I/ Artillerie Regiment (mot) 75
I/ Artillerie Regiment (mot) 155
Luftwaffe Flak-Abteilung 605
Luftwaffe Flak-Abteilung 606
Aufklarungs -Abteilung (mot) 3