by John Baumann
After much thought I wondered if it was possible to list all of Rommel's vehicles and any other information to enable one to model them. I have put down my findings for the benefit of other readers. There are many books on Rommel and the DAK, but none give any exact details of the vehicles he used; this prompted me to try and rectify this by producing this article.
The article has been compiled from available material on Rommel's vehicles, a little of the history behind them, and any other known facts.
I don't pretend that this is absolutely correct, and I would be glad to hear of any comments or corrections from other readers. My grateful thanks to Geoff Lacey for his help in collecting this material together.
AEC Armoured Command Vehicle Dorchester
LP and HP Version (Diesel Motor Model 0853)
The early versions were powered by a petrol motor and known as model 853. These vehicles were specially built versions of the standard Matador chassis. There were two types of the short-nosed LP version. The Mark 2 being the same externally as the Mark 1, the differences being internally. In the Mark 2 version there was a partition dividing it into staff and wireless compartments. It carried a No. 19 set and RCA receiver. It carried three aerials, two on the right side and one on the left; all on the rear half of the vehicle.
The HP version carried a No. 19 HP set and was sometimes fitted with a false projecting bonnet. It had curved plates over the sloping corners and aerial mast carried centrally on the roof (front and between the second and last roof hatch). It was used in the same way as the LP version.
There was also an Armoured Demolition Vehicle version. It differed in that the body was not fitted with the wireless ventilators and had only one roof hatch (at the rear). In all 416 Armoured Command Vehicles (LP and HP versions) and Armoured Demolition Vehicles were produced. They were used as mobile headquarters for the commanders of armored formations and their staff. It was also used by the Royal Signals in forward areas for providing wireless links with rear units.
Production started in 1941. The Dorchester chassis differed from the Matador 0853 lorry chassis in that the fuel tank was carried on the nearside instead of the offside of the Matador chassis, a wireless generator was fitted in place of the winch of the Matador and special brackets were fitted to the chassis to carry the 12-mm thick armor plates. The new fuel tank was square in section, 1 foot 3 inches by 9 inches high and 2 feet 11½ inches long. It was mounted level with the top of the chassis. 13.50-20 run-flat tires were fitted as standard. (The Armoured Demolition Vehicle was fitted with 14.00-20 run-flat tires as standard.) On early production versions of the Armoured Command Vehicle a simple rolled canopy was fitted on the side with a folding canopy frame below, but on later production vehicles complete tentage was provided with the tent roof in rolls on the vehicle sides and the remaining tentage carried in packs strapped in other locations. The tent extensions served as living accommodation or extra office space for staff and crew.
History of Rommel's Mammute (Mammoths)
In the "Great Retreat to the Wire" the 2nd Armoured Division headquarters waited too long at Mechili (Mekili) for the survivors of its armored brigades. The headquarters troops, complete with their vehicles, plus the 7th Indian Motor Brigade, were compressed into Mechili camp where most of them were captured between 7 and 8 April 1941.
After Gen. O'Connor's victory over the original Italian Army, he was recalled to Cairo leaving the Eighth Army Headquarters at Barce. Lieutenant Gen. Neil Methuen Ritchie took over command of the Eighth Army in his absence. Lord Wavell was not happy with the way Lt. Gen. Ritchie was handling the battle and so recalled Gen. O'Connor from leave and sent him to Ritchie's headquarters at Barce. They remained there dangerously long after most of the retreating army had gone through-including their own headquarters vehicle which had left about twenty-four hours before. The two generals accompanied by Lt. Col. John F. B. Combe in their Humber Snipe staff car, motored hard to catch up with their headquarters vehicles. They were held up in a traffic jam in their car on the outskirts of Derna, behind a long convoy of British vehicles trying to get through Derna by road. They were captured by a German motorcycle platoon; men from the Ponath Group, along with other vehicles. Their headquarters vehicles had already passed through, but they were also captured on 8 April near the outskirts of Mechili.
Among the captured vehicles were three ACVs which originally belonged to:
Major Gen. Gambier-Parry, commander of the 2nd Armoured Division (himself captured on 8 April).
Lieutenant Gen. Sir Philip Neams, VC, commander of the Eighth Army.
Lieutenant Gen. Sir Richard O'Connor, assistant commander of the Eighth Army at the time of capture (2 and 3 were both captured on 7 April).
These vehicles carried large (headquarters?) numbers 2, 3 and 5 respectively on their body sides; number 5 carried the British vehicle registration (WD) number L4426428. Rommel used the ACVs with the numbers 2 and 3, and I believe Gen. Streich received number 5.
The ACVs were captured by the 3rd Reconnaissance unit of the DAK and they were presented to Rommel for his own use. They were nicknamed there and then "Mammute" (Mammoths). From all the equipment that was cleared out from the three Mammute, Rommel took a fancy to a pair of sun/sand glasses and these became part of his distinguishing insignia as from then on. All the photos of him show him wearing them around his cap or his throat.
The two ACVs kept by Rommel were christened "Max" and "Moritz"; they were famous characters from a German children's story by Wilhelm Busch. Rommel personally supervised the painting of the vehicles (sometime after April 1941). "Moritz" became his own vehicle which he often drove himself and "Max" was given over to his operations staff, originally under Lt. Gen. Westphal as the 1A (Chief of Operations Section) with Maj. Gen. F. W. von Mellenthin as the 1C. Colonel Bayerlin, who was the Chief of Staff, always traveled with Rommel on all his journeys. "Max" and "Moritz" were fitted with German number plates, and the diesel engines were modified to run on German tank engine diesel fuel which was of a thicker consistency than the British fuel and also had a distinctive smell.
These vehicles were never re-captured in all the battles that followed, although Gen. Cruwell's Mammut came very close on 23 November (Cruwell was Rommel's successor; whether another ACV was captured or one of Rommel's was passed over to him is not known). The vehicles' German crosses were not recognized and the vehicle being British became surrounded by British tanks, tank crews dismounted to investigate who the occupants were, and one of them being brave as well as polite knocked on the door. General Cruwell opened the door and came face to face with a British soldier. At this moment firing suddenly resumed on all sides; Cruwell and his staff threw themselves to the floor of the Mammut, and the tankman beating a hasty retreat back to his tank. The British did not realize who they nearly captured, the Mammut with Gen. Cruwell on board disappeared in the confusion of the battle.
The Mammute were found deserted in the Cape Bon Peninsula area after the Italian/German armies in Africa had surrendered, along with a vast collection of Italian, German and British vehicles which had been used by the Axis forces.
(Note: Whether No. 2 became "Max" and No. 3 became "Moritz" is not exactly known.)
Rommel's ACV Just After Capture
Color: Sand, light blue and dark brown (faded).
Markings: The British vehicle registration (WD) number was painted on the nose sides and the rear over the door. The vehicle also carried a large (headquarters?) number 3 on the sides and on the left of the rear door; these markings were painted white. German crosses were added on the nose, sides and the rear.
Other Information: A metal framed rack had been added to the ACV sometime before its capture. This was a British field modification and it was very usual to be fitted to ACVs. The ACV was used by Rommel for a very short time in its British camouflage after its capture.
Rommel's ACV After First Repaint
Color: Sand with blue or gray mottle over it (hard to tell from black and white photographs).
Markings: Painted on the right hand front mudguard is the Afrika Korps palm, over the top of this is what looks like the letters CH in a box. On the left mudguard is the DAK 21st Panzer Division sign; these are in white paint. German crosses were just over half way up the side, and underneath the last bar of the rack support.
Other Information: The headlights had now gained German slits. On the left hand side of the roof rack there is a neatly stacked row of jerrycans, and a camouflage net on the rear of the roof. (Photo in Kraftfahrzeuge und Panzer by Oswald.)
Rommel's ACV "Moritz" After Second Repaint
Number Plate: WH 819 834. Brand new number plates placed on the bottom of the nose (and rear?).
Color: Sand faded
Markings: German crosses on the nose, sides and rear. On the left hand mudguard of the vehicle is the corps headquarters sign, this is on a plate which slots into a pocket. To the left of this and lower down is the battalion headquarters sign. Above the slotting plate is the usual Afrika Korps palm. The battalion sign and the palm are painted white as well as the name "Moritz." The name is on the sloping front body plate above the headlight, on the left hand side only.
General Information: Jerrycans scattered over the roof. The front roof hatch was clear of equipment as Rommel always sat here dangling his legs into the hatch. Welded frame luggage rack on the roof.
Rommel's ACV "Max"
Number Plate: WH 819 835, brand new, front only.
Color: Sand, front and sides. Rear has been left in British colors.
Markings: German crosses on the nose, sides and rear. Battalion and corps headquarters signs, plus the Afrika Korps palm, carried on the front of the vehicle. The name "Max" was painted on the sloping front plate on the left-hand side. The rear was not overpainted sand, but was left in its British sand, blue and brown camouflage. The British vehicle number over the rear door cannot be seen, but the prefix letter 'L' is still there in the left hand corner, painted white. The Afrika Korps palm is beneath the number 2 halfway down.
Other information: On the rear of the vehicle, on the right hand side is the usual stowed towing chain. The tools usually stowed on the left are absent. The only aerial mounted is the right-hand one on the roof.
Sd.Kfz. 250/3 Funkpanzerwagen "Greif" (Griffon)
Number Plate: WH 937 835
Color: Sand with very faded gray patches just showing through.
Markings: The letters of the name "GREIF" are in red, with a German cross ahead of it on both sides of the vehicle. Rear number plates are hand-painted on the rear track mudguards, the one on the left had lost most of the paint which had peeled away and only two figures are noticeable (the middle figures 7 and 8). The name GREIF was edged in white.
Equipment, Top and Rear: Usual MG 34 machine gun and the frame antenna, plus a radio aerial on the left-hand side. A rack for six jerrycans was attached on the rear of the right of the door. Starting from the front mudguard, a large bed roll on top of which is a large sack. Rear track mudguard, small box built into the body and a periscope tripod. Front headlight missing.
Equipment, Left-hand Side: Headlight intact, spade, rolled up sack, rods and a kit bag hanging from the aerial mounting.
Equipment, Front: On the right-hand side of the front grille are two rod frames, purpose unknown.
Other Information: This half-track was a standard command vehicle equipped with a Fu12 medium wave receiver and 80 watt sender operating in the 835-3000/1120-3000 Kc/s band. In addition, a 2 meter rod aerial was fitted to the left rear of the vehicle. This wireless was used by the ground forces to control mobile formations.
Auto-Union Horch 40 Late Model Medium Car 4×4 Kfz. 15
Number Plate: WH 909 953
Color: Sand
Markings: On the driver's door the usual Afrika Korps palm sign. On the passenger door there is a white '20' which is the same size as the door handle impression in the body. No divisional signs or German crosses. Number plates on the front and rear. Dotted weight-box (marking) on right-hand rear door, painted black and faded.
Other Information: Usual storage boxes, pick carried on right-hand side of the front wing.
Length: 4700mm
Width: 1860mm
Height: 70mm
Wheelbase: 100mm
Caravan
Color: Brown, green and gray mottle. This was soon changed to sand.
Markings: White crosses (until overpainted sand).
Other Information: This was used by Rommel as his map caravan. He also slept in it if it was close by. Most of the time it was behind the lines trying to catch up with him. When it was delivered to Africa with the other DAK vehicles it was still in its Polish campaign camouflage and markings.
Auto-Union Horch and Opel Efm Kfz. 15 Medium Staff Car
Color: Sand
Markings: Afrika Korps palm on the driver's door. No other information known.
Other Information: This vehicle was Rommel's until he gave it to his aide-de-camp, Heinz Schmidt at Mechili after the capture of the ACVs.
Armored Personnel Carrier Sd.Kfz. 251/6
Number Plate: WH 839 988
Color: Sand
Other Information: This half-track was a standard command vehicle equipped with the same radio equipment types as 'GREIF.' Normal armament of an MG 34 was retained. This was used to tow his caravan.
Auto-Union Horch EFM Kfz. 21 Heavy Car Command
Four-door coach convertible. Rommel used this car in Libya when he was not at the battle area. It carried the corps headquarters standard with the word 'AFRIKA' on the lower red portion.
Horch 830 Medium Staff Car 4×2 Kfz. 11 Closed Body
Color: Black or gray.
This is the car in which Rommel was strafed whilst driving through France on 17 July 1944. The car was destroyed. Daniel, his driver, died from his wounds that night and Rommel received a fractured skull; he later recovered. No other information known about this vehicle.
Auto-Union Horch 40 Heavy Car 4×4 Kfz. 70
Number Plate: WH 183 844
Color: Sand
Markings: On the passenger door was painted in white a large number '4.' On the rear right-hand door was painted the Army headquarters sign. Afrika Korps palm on the driver's door.
Other Information: Exact dates Rommel used this car are not known. It was the late version, without the stub axle mounted spare wheels, and the hood was wide and rounded. Instead of the spare wheels, usually mounted on the right-hand side of the vehicle, there was a long cut-out going up nearly to the top of the body. There was also another cut-out on the same side but at the rear.
Length: 4850mm
Width: 2000mm
Height: 2040mm
Wheelbase: 3000mm
Fieseler Fi 156 "Storch"
Rommel used one of these light aircraft when he was in Africa, flying over the battle area and his troops. Often he risked his own life as well as his pilot's, by insisting on going up during sand storms. It is recorded that after the capture of Benghazi he saw his troops stop for no apparent reason and dropped a message saying "Unless you get going at once, I'm coming down. Rommel."
Codes were '5F+YK,' the 'Y' in red, the rest of the codes in black.
Armored Car Sd.Kfz. 233
This was part of a Kampfstaffel which Rommel sometimes borrowed. There was possibly more than one used. Number plates not known.
Addendum
After completing this article, the author has done further work and adds the following corrections and comments.
Concerning Rommel's AEC Dorchester ACV 'Moritz,' a marking 'CH' in a box is described in the notes on this vehicle. Further examination has made me now believe that this was in fact the sign for any vehicle that belongs to a tank unit (company or battalion). It is the sign:
Also, I have since seen Bruce Quarrie's book, Panzers in the Desert, which has three unpublished Bundesarchiv photos of 'Moritz.' The numbers are 438/1254/12, 439/1254/13, and 439/1254/18. One picture shows the rear in detail. Although it is very faint, one can just make out the large (headquarters?) number '2' and not '3' as I have previously stated. Anyway, the details are below, but the details listed for 'Max' can be disregarded for the moment as there does not seem to be any photographic evidence available. Therefore the rear of 'Moritz' has been left in British dazzle camouflage, the number over the rear door has been painted out but the prefix 'L' can still be seen. It also has a net on the roof covering the jerrycans.
Other changes are as follows:
The large number '2' on the rear has either faded or it had been dubbed over with dark paint, but the impression of it is still faintly visible.
The German cross has been repainted centrally on the back door between the hinges. The earlier cross which was on the lower portion of the back door has been overpainted.
In the bottom left-hand corner of the vehicle is the corps headquarters plate.
Next to this is the number plate.
The tow chain is missing from the right-hand side.
On the left side of the rear door are strapped a pick and shovel-the latter on the outside.
The roof rack on 'Max' is the same as on 'Moritz.' 'Max' was therefore number '3'—which became Rommel's communications vehicle. I can only assume that 'Max' was very similar to 'Moritz' as regards colors, names, markings, etc.
Bibliography
After the Battle Number 8.
Bender, R. J., and R. D. Law. The Uniforms, Organization and History of the Afrika Korps.
Carell, Paul. The Foxes of the Desert.
Davies. Wehrmacht Camouflage and Markings 1939-45.
Ellis, C., ed. Wheeled Vehicles of the Wehrmacht.
Futter, G. ACV drawing in Airfix Magazine, August 1970.
Imperial War Museum, London, photographs in Rommel Collection.
Lewin, R. Rommel as Military Commander.
Lucas, J. Panzer Army Afrika.
Liddell-Hart, B. H. The Rommel Papers.
Macksey, K. J. Afrika Korps, Campaign Book No. 1.
Mellenthin, Maj. Gen. von. Panzer Battles.
Military Modelling Magazine, July 1976 (Sd.Kfz. 250/3), April, May and November 1974 (ACV photos and British Army colors).
Oswald, W. Kraftfahrzeuge und Panzer.
Purnell's History of the Second World War, No. 13, The Desert Fox.
Quarrie, Bruce. Afrika Korps, Airfix Magazine Guide No. 12.
Schmidt, H. With Rommel in the Desert.
Sibley, R., and M. Fry. Rommel, War Leader Book No. 27.
Tankette, Vol. 3 No. 5.
Vanderveen, B. H. The Fighting Vehicles Directory.
World War II Magazine No. 56, The Atlantic Wall.
WW2 German Military Vehicles (Japanese magazine).
Young, D. Rommel.
Thanks are also due to Larry Horsfield for help given to the author.
 |
| Rommel's "Moritz" as captured in British Army scheme, and 1st and 2nd repaints. |
 |
| Rommel in his staff car, Belgium, 1940. |
 |
| Rommel and Fritz Bayerlein in the SdKfz. 250/3 command vehicle 'Greif,' near Tobruk, Libya, June 1942. |
 |
| Rommel, commander of the Afrika Korps and brilliant tank tactician, during the opening operations of the German offensive in Cyrenaica, March 1941. His vehicle is a Sd.Kfz. 250/3 command half-track. |
 |
| Erwin Rommel (first from the left) in his command halftrack, SdKfz 250/3, "Greif." |
 |
| Rommel in SdKfz. 250/3 command vehicle in North Africa, 1942-1943. |
 |
| Rommel in his SdKfz 250 armored command vehicle in North Africa. |
 |
| Rommel and Major General Georg von Bismarck in conference by SdKfz. 250/3 'Greif,' North Africa, Jun 1942. |
 |
| Rommel and Fritz Bayerlein in the SdKfz. 250/3 command vehicle 'Greif,' near Tobruk, Libya, June 1942. |
 |
| Rommel observing the field from his SdKfz. 250/3 command vehicle 'Greif,' North Africa. |
 |
| Rommel in SdKfz. 250/3 'Greif' armored vehicle in North Africa, August-September 1942. |
 |
| Rommel observing the field from his SdKfz. 250/3 command vehicle 'Greif,' North Africa. |
 |
| Rommel observing the field from his SdKfz. 250/3 command vehicle 'Greif,' North Africa. |
 |
| Rommel in SdKfz. 250/3 'Greif' armored vehicle in North Africa, 1942. |
 |
| Rommel in the SdKfz. 250/3 command vehicle 'Greif,' North Africa, 1942. |
 |
| Rommel in the SdKfz. 250/3 command vehicle 'Greif,' North Africa, 1942. |
 |
| Rommel observing smoke on the horizon in his SdKfz. 250/3 command vehicle 'Greif,' North Africa, 1942; note Panzer III tank just ahead of his vehicle. |
 |
| Rommel in conversation with his men from his command vehicle SdKfz. 250/3 'Greif,' North Africa, 1942. |
 |
| Rommel in conversation with his men from his command vehicle SdKfz. 250/3 'Greif,' North Africa, 1942. |
 |
| Rommel in conversation with his men from his command vehicle SdKfz. 250/3 'Greif,' North Africa, 1942. |
 |
| Rommel in conversation with his men from his command vehicle SdKfz. 250/3 'Greif,' North Africa, 1942. |
 |
| Rommel and Fritz Bayerlein in the Sd.Kfz. 250/3 command vehicle 'Greif,' near Tobruk, Libya, June 1942. |
 |
| Rommel having a meal in the field in his SdKfz. 250/3 command vehicle 'Greif,' North Africa, 1942. |
 |
| Rommel in his SdKfz 250/3 half-track, "Greif," 1942. |
 |
| Rommel in his SdKfz 250/3 command half-track "GREIF" discusses a situation map with Oberstleutnant Crasermann in North Africa in June 1942. Crasermann is wearing the casual and comfortable shirt sleeve and shorts uniform. |
 |
| Rommel in his SdKfz 250/3, "Greif." |
 |
| Sd.Kfz. 250 "IGEL" (hedgehog) another of Rommel's command vehicles. |
 |
| Sd.Kfz. 250 "ADLER" (eagle) another of Rommel's command vehicles. |
 |
| Rommel's "Max." |
 |
| Rommel's "Max." |
 |
| Rommel's "Max." |
 |
| Rommel's "Max." |
 |
| Rommel on "Max." |
 |
| Rommel's "Max." |
 |
| Rommel's "Max" with his Opel Blitz Bus (right background) and an Italian Fiat 508 C.M. (aka Fiat 1100 Torpedo Militare) staff car (foreground). |
 |
| Rommel's "Max." |
 |
| Resting in the shade of Rommel's "Max." |
 |
| Rommel on "Max." |
 |
| Rommel on the Via Balbia (Lybian Coastal Highway), April 1941, in the Mammoth, a British armored command vehicle, captured during Rommel's first advance through Cyrenaica. Left, Lt.-Colonel von dem Borne, his Chief of Staff at the time. |
 |
| Rommel on the roof of "Max." |
 |
| Sd.Kfz. 251 /3 command radio half-track together with AEC Dorchester "Max", both of Rommel's staff. |
 |
| Rommel alongside "Max." |
 |
| Rommel's "Moritz." |
 |
| Rommel's "Moritz." |
 |
| Rommel's "Moritz." |
 |
| Rommel's "Moritz." |
 |
| Rommel's "Moritz." |
 |
| Captured AEC Matador. |
 |
| Rommel with one of his Mammoth command vehicles. |
 |
| One of Rommel's AEC Mammoths in background with an Leichter Panzerspähwagen Sd.Kfz. 222 armored car in the foreground. |
 |
| Rommel speaks with troops who are using a captured American M3 Half-track, Tunisia. |
 |
| Rommel in Horch (WH 1041788), North Africa, 1942. |
 |
| Rommel with the same vehicle as previous photo. |
 |
| Rommel in Horch staff car (WH 1404945), Normandy. |
 |
| Rommel and General der Kavallerie Siegfried Westphal help push their stuck mittlerer Einheits-PKW, North Africa, early 1941. |
 |
| Another view of Rommel and General der Kavallerie Siegfried Westphal help push their stuck mittlerer Einheits-PKW, North Africa, early 1941. |
 |
| Rommel in Kfz. 21 Horch, North Africa. |
 |
| Rommel in the same Kfz. 21 Horch as previous photo, North Africa. |
 |
| Rommel, North Africa. |
 |
| Rommel, North Africa. |
 |
| Rommel, North Africa. |
 |
| Rommel studying a map with his staff officers, North Africa, August 1942. |
 |
| Rommel in his staff car, North Africa. |
 |
| Rommel and Bayerlein survey the harbor at Tobruk, still crowded with bombed out ships that had accumulated in over a year's fighting. 21 June 1942. |
 |
| Rommel in staff car, North Africa. |
 |
| Rommel in Kfz. 15, North Africa. |
 |
| Rommel, North Africa. |
 |
| Rommel in staff car, Normandy. |
 |
| Rommel with his driver, Luftwaffe Unterfeldwebel Karl Daniel, in a 1939 Horch 930v Cabriolet, Normandy, June 1944. |
 |
| Rommel's staff car after being strafed by Allied fighters, 17 July 1944. |
 |
| Rommel's Mercedes-Benz 770K W150 after capture and marked by U.S. forces. |
 |
| A view of the engine of Rommel's Mercedes-Benz 770K W150 after capture by U.S. forces. |
 |
| Rommel congratulating Hans-Joachim Marseille on his 150th victory. Note the Mammute vehicle in the background. |
 |
| Fieseler Fi 156 reconnaissance aircraft of the Afrika Korps. Erwin Rommel personally flew recon missions in this aircraft. |
 |
| Rommel alongside a Fi 156 speaking with a pilot. |
 |
| Rommel alongside a Fi 156. |
 |
| Rommel took this photo of a Fi 156 he flew in on reconnaissance flights. |
 |
| Rommel with Italian officers, Benghazi, 1942. |
