First Arrival of Erwin Rommel in Africa

Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel (Kommandierender General Deutsches Afrikakorps) during the parade of the first Afrikakorps contingent - newly arrived in North Africa - in Tripoli, Libya, February 15, 1941. Behind him stands two Italian officers (who were allies of Germany in World War II). The officer on the left of the picture (Rommel's right) is wearing the berretto (cap) insignia of colonnello (colonel) of the Stato Maggiore (Army High Command). However the shoulder board edging looks more like the thinner braid of a ufficiali inferiori than the thicker braid edging of a ufficiali superiori. The officer on the right of the picture (Rommel's left) appears to be a maresciallo of the CC.RR (Carabinieri Reali) or Military Police. In this photo, Rommel is still wearing his Continental uniform and hasn't changed into his tropical uniform, just like the majority of his troops. The first unit that was quick to change uniforms when it arrived in Africa was Flak-Regiment 33 (motorisiert) from the Luftwaffe, while its compatriots from the Army still wore "European" uniforms.

The military parade of the first contingent of the Afrikakorps which were held in Tripoli, Libya, 15 February 1941. From left to right: Oberstleutnant Claus von dem Borne (Chef des Stabes Deutsches Afrikakorps), Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel (Kommandierender General Deutsches Afrikakorps), and two unidentified Italian officers. In the background is an equestrian statue of Mussolini holding the "Sword of Islam". This statue was inaugurated on October 28, 1938, as a tribute to the Italian dictator's status as "Protector of Islam".


Tripoli, Libya, February 15, 1941. Parade of the first contingent of the newly arrived Afrikakorps in North Africa. This photo was taken by Kriegsberichter Sturm of KBK Lw 7 (Kriegsberichter-Kompanie Luftwaffe 7), and shows the Commander of the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK), Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel (second from right), who had just arrived at the parade site. He was greeted by Generale d'Armata Italo Gariboldi (left, Italian Governor-General in Libya). Joining the salute to Rommel's left was Generalmajor Johannes Streich (Kommandeur 5. leichte-Division), while between Gariboldi and Rommel stood Oberstleutnant Claus von dem Borne (Chef des Stabes Deutsches Afrikakorps)

Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
"Deutsche Afrikakorps" by Ricardo Recio Cardona
https://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/dba/de/search/?yearfrom=&yearto=&query=rommel
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=238546&start=45