The 21st Panzer Division was reformed in 1941 as the 5th Light Division; the first of the formations which soon grew to become the legendary Afrika Korps, commanded by Erwin Rommel. After the battles at Tobruk, the 21st was stationed in Tunisia where it would eventually greet the Americans near Kasserine Pass in 1943. By June 6th, 1944, the 21st had been reorganized near Caen in Normandy, where it led the attack against British forces on D-Day. After being pulled out of battle, the 21st was again reorganized in the Lorraine region of France, where it took part in Operation Winterstorm.
