361 Artillerie Battailon (Afrika)

[David W]

I have seen references to this unit (361 Art' Bat' Afrika).

But as I understand, the Afrika Artillerie Regiments had between them, seven Abteilungen. Three in Afrika Regiment 1. Four in Afrika Regiment 2.

Is the 361 Art' Bat' (Afrika) one of those seven, or a seperate entity?

Does anyone know?

Yours confusedly Dave.

[Ron Klages]

David,

Afrika-Artillerie-Abteilung 361 was established on 1 June 1941 from foreign legioneers. The Stab and 1. Batterie were organized in Baumholder in Wehrkreis XII and the 2. Batterie and the 3. Batterie were organized in Rheine in Wehrkreis VI.

At the same time verst. Afrika-Regiment 361 was established on 15 June 1941 also from foreign legioneers. The Stab and 1. Bataillon were organized in Baumholder in Wehrkreis XII and the 2. Bataillon was organized in Rheine in Wehrkreis VI.

Afrika-Artillerie-Abteilung 361 was then assigned to verst. Afrika-Regiment 361 as it's artillerie section.

On 26 November 1941 both units became part of 90. leichte Afroka-Division although they were separated at that time within the division.

Then on 1 August 1942 Afrika-Artillerie-Abteilung 361 was renamed as I./Atillerie-Regiment 190 of the 90. leichte Afrika-Division. While verst. Afrika-Regiment 361 was renamed as leichtes Infanterie-Regiment 361 on 1 April 1942 then renamed as Schützen-Regiment 361 on 22 July 1942 and finally Panzergrenadier-Regiment 361 on 27 July 1942.

To even confuse the situation further there was also the following units in Afrika.

Afrika-Artillerie-Regiment 1 which was established in the winter of 1942/1943 as follows:
Stab from Artillerie-Regiment 221
I. Bataillon from II./Artillerie-Regiment 115
II. Bataillon from Heeres-Küsten-Artillerie-Abteilun 533
III. Bataillon from schwere Artillerie-Abteilung 408

Afrika-Artillerie-Regiment 2 which was established in the winter of 1942/1943 as follows:
Stab from Artillerie-Regiment 623
I. Bataillon from Batterien 902 and 4./Heeres Küsten Artillerie-Abteilung 149 and Heeres Küsten Batterie 362
II. Bataillon from Heeres-Küsten-Artillerie-Abteilun 528
III. Bataillon from Heeres-Küsten-Artillerie-Abteilun 523
IV. Bataillon from Heeres-Küsten-Artillerie-Abteilun 529

Hope this data answers your query.

Best regards,

Ron Klages

[David W]

Yes Ron, it answers it perfectly

Thank you

Dave.