This is perhaps an overly obscure Order of Battle question. I recently began a PBEM game of HPS’s El Alemein’42. It includes a Gazala Scenario --- May 1942. When sifting through the various unit strengths, I was a bit surprised to discover a panzer platoon of long barreled PzKfw MkIVF2s (MkIV-specials). Five tanks. The platoon is part of the organic OoB of 8th Panzer Regiment/15th Panzer Division.

May 1942 still seems pretty early for MkIV-specials in the Afrika Korps. A couple OoB buffs were kind enough to dig into their collective haversacks and it seems that Thomas Jentz places 5 MkIV-specials spread between the 15th and 21st Panzer Divisions during the time period encompassed by the Gazala Battles. If I recall correctly the count was 1 x MkIV-special in the 15th PzD, and 4 x Mk-specials in the 21st PzD.

On the other hand a reference of George Nafziger’s indicates no MkIV-specials in either Panzer Division during the Gazala Battles.

So the evidence at this point is certainly not definitive either for or against these AFVs being present at Gazala. The interest is purely academic on my part. The collective impact of five MkIV-specials on an operational level wargame is pretty inconsequential. But the answer to this question is of interest nonetheless.

Thanks for any input.