Division von Broich / von Manteuffel Division von Broich was a German provisional infantry division active in 1942 - 43 in North Africa . It was created on 15 November 1942 by renaming " Schützen - Brigade " ( Rifle Brigade ) von Broich , a provisional unit formed from " Ortskommandeur II / 960 " on 10 November specifically for the command and control of miscellaneous units flown in by the Germans to defend the Bizerte and Tunis Bridgeheads in Tunisia . The German action was in response to the Allied Landings in North Africa that took place 8 November 1942 and was intended to protect the Axis lines of communication . Although it was never given a formal organizational structure , it was quickly organized along the lines of a standard infantry division , but composed of a variety of German " Fallschirmjäger " ( paratrooper ) units , Tunis Field Battalions and Africa March ( replacement ) Battalions , as well as an Italian Regiment . Virtually all of its artillery and logistics had to be improvised using a variety of German , Italian and captured Allied equipment . Though it was a makeshift force in all respects , it quickly proved itself as a capable force , especially in the hands of its highly talented commanders , scoring impressive German defensive victories at Mateur , Djedejda , Medjez el Bab and Sedjnane in November and December 1942 . Throughout most of its short service , it defended the northern sector of the Tunisian Front , spanning the northern coast of Tunisia as far south as the town of Pont du Fahs . One of its regiments , " Fallschirmjäger Regiment Barenthin " , was called " perhaps the best German troops in Africa " by none other than General Harold Alexander , Commander of the Allied 18th Army Group . On 7 February 1943 , the division was renamed Division von Manteuffel after its new commander , " Generalmajor " Hasso von Manteuffel , succeeding " Generalmajor " von Broich , who had departed to take command of the 10th Panzer Division . As the German defensive campaign in Tunisia wore on into 1943 , the division underwent several actions designed to bring its structure within the lines of a conventional infantry division , having two regiments being given formal numerical designations before it ran out of fuel and ammunition and was forced to capitulate near Bizerte on 9 May 1943 . Order of Battle ( January 30 , 1943 ) . Division Headquarters " Fallschirmjäger " Regiment ( motorized ) " Barenthin " ( Luftwaffe ) Tunis Field Battalion T3 4th and 12th Batteries , Artillery Regiment ( motorized ) 2 4th Battery , Artillery Regiment 190 " Panzerjäger " ( Antitank ) Battalion 605 Reconnaissance Company " Fallschirmjäger Pionier Battalion " ( motorized ) 11 ( Luftwaffe ) " Panzer " Communications Platoon ( motorized ) 190 " Bersaglieri " Regiment 10 ( Italian ) Maintenance Platoon ( motorized ) 215 Division Rations Office Order of Battle ( March 18 , 1943 ) . Division Headquarters " Fallschirmjäger Regiment " ( motorized ) " Barenthin " ( Luftwaffe ) Tunis Field Battalion T3 Africa March Battalion A30 4th Battalion , Artillery Regiment ( motorized ) 2 " Flak " Battlegroup ( Luftwaffe ) " Fallschirmjäger Pionier Battalion " ( motorized ) 11 ( Luftwaffe ) " Panzer " Communications Platoon ( motorized ) 190 " Bersaglieri " Regiment 10 ( Italian ) Transportation Battalion " Weber " Maintenance Company ( motorized ) 215 Medical Company ( motorized ) " Burgass " Division Rations Office Division Field Post Office Order of Battle ( March 23 , 1943 ) . Division Headquarters " Fallschirmjäger " Regiment ( motorized ) " Barenthin " ( Luftwaffe ) with : I - III Battalions " Panzergrenadier Regiment 160 " ( aka " Kampfgruppe " Ballerstedt ) with : - Tunis Field Battalion T3 - Tunis Field Battalion T4 - Africa March Battalion A30 " Bersaglieri " Regiment 10 ( Italian ) with : - XVI " Bersaglieri " Battalion - XXXIV " Bersaglieri " Battalion - LXIII " Bersaglieri " Battalion IV Battalion , Artillery Regiment ( motorized ) 2 with : - 10th Battery , Artillery Regiment 2 - 11th Battery , Artillery Regiment 2 - 12th Battery , Artillery Regiment 2 4th Battery , Artillery Regiment 190 " Fallschirmjäger Pionier Battalion " ( motorized ) 11 ( Luftwaffe ) " Flak " Battlegroup ( Luftwaffe ) " Panzer " Communications Platoon ( motorized ) 190 Medical Company " Burgass " Heavy Truck Column " Weber " Maintenance Platoon ( motorized ) 215 Division Rations Office