As ambitious PanE eyes turned toward North Africa and the access to vast oilfields of the middle east, the PAK was formed for operations in this theatre of operations. Initially a corps strength formation (hence the PAK title), the North African Expeditionary Force was later expanded to almost double its initial strength with the addition of the 256th Infantry Division, and the formation of the 90th Light `Afrika' Division. Subordinate to the standing PanE 2nd Army, the PAK essentially operated autonomously within the North Africa Theatre of Operations, more commonly known as the Sahara Combat Zone (SCZ).
Like its predecessor over a century before, the PAK was predominantly of non-standard organisation. Force composition was comprised of many standard, non standard and captured vehicles. Units were frequently below documented strength due to unreplaced combat losses or mechanical breakdown in the severe SCZ conditions. It was not unknown for units of either side to commandeer civilian vehicles and press them into service on an ad-hoc basis. Organisations shown below are those authorised prior to deployment to the Theatre of Operations, but as stated bore little semblance to reality later in the campaign.
PanEuropean Africa Korps (PAK)
Corps HQ
21st (German) LuftPanzer Division (Leutnant General de Panzer H. Geyer)
132nd (Italian) Armoured Division "Ariete"
17th (French) DBLE, Regiment de le Legion Etrangere
12th Indep FAC Group
22nd Cyberstrike Group
31st Independent Heavy Armour Battalion
22nd Military Intelligence and EW Battalion
22nd Tactical Bombardment Group
22nd Supply and Logistics Grouping
Nomenclature Note: The `22' designation was used to denote the second detachment from 2nd Army. Typically the 21st Groups were utilised in theatre for organic 2nd Army assets
For Detailed Unit Organisations: follow the links on the left
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