Tunisian's in the Afrika Korp

Discussion in 'North Africa & the Med' started by Django, Nov 14, 2008.

  1. Django

    Django Treadhead

    I found this short you-tube clip of Tunisian's pressed into service for the Afrika Korp.I read about this some time ago so it was interesting to see some film on it, I wish I could remember where I read the short blurb on the subject...

    YouTube - 1943 Incredible: Tunisian Troops in the Afrika Korps!!!

    Looks like the links on the youtube link look interesting also.......
     
  2. Kuno

    Kuno Very Senior Member

    It is questionable, if these Tunisians were pressed into German service or not. However; the unit did not see much fighting but was -as far as I know- involved in guarding the coastline against eventual landing operations.
     
  3. Django

    Django Treadhead

    It is questionable, if these Tunisians were pressed into German service or not. However; the unit did not see much fighting but was -as far as I know- involved in guarding the coastline against eventual landing operations.

    Hello Kuno,welcome to the forum!
    If you get the chance please post in the User Introductions Forum and say hi!
    Yes "pressed" into service was probably a bad choice in words:unsure:
    Thanks for the input about them doing guard duty, you seem quite knowledgable about the African Theatre and its great to have your input!

    Cheers
    Django
     
  4. Kuno

    Kuno Very Senior Member

    Will do something for my introduction but I am still thinking about how to present myself in the best light ;-)
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Not a Tunisian but a Tripolitanian soldeir called Hamed was 'lifted' by B Sqn LRDG and ended the war happily working in the LRDG base cookhouse.
     
  6. Kuno

    Kuno Very Senior Member

    Lucky chap!
     
  7. Kuno

    Kuno Very Senior Member

    The Unit was called "Deutsch-Arabische Lehrabteilung". Later renamed to "Freiwilligenbataillon Tunesien". All in all about 6'000 Tunisians (and Algerians and Morocans) joined the German forces. They were mainly employed in coastal guard in the area Envidaville - Hammamet. The commander of the unit was Oberstleutnant Meyer-Ricks.

    At least in the beginning, their equipemnt and the uniforms were those of the French forces but with a German helmet.
     
  8. texavion

    texavion Junior Member

    Based on a glance at a few threads KUNO (in Libya) and others may be able to give me some pointers on what's what and where in Tunisia re Allied and Axis airfields, installations/encampments, condensed (hand-to-hand and direct fire) engagements, and cemeteries. I'll be motoring around the country for several months and would like to visit as many sites as possible. Visited Sidi Bou Zid last weekend & spoke with a couple of locals at Sidi Salem that remember the battle.
     
  9. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    How do Texavion,

    Welcome to the forum.....are you going by bike by any chance?

    Cheers
    Andy
     

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