The Sonderverband 288 was raised on July 1st, 1941 at Potsdam (near Berlin). It was composed of units from all over Germany.
Special Unit 288 or z.b.V.288, was also known as Combat Group Menton, after its commander. It originally contained crack units from all branches of the German army: anti-tank men, Alpine troops, engineers, and eventually 3 of the new StuG.III assault guns. There was also a company of Brandenburgers, trained for special operations behind enemy lines.
These units were intended to prepare the way for the DAK as it flowed across the Nile and into the Middle East and on to India. Their most important component was a group of interpreters with their own printing presses. These men knew all the languages that would be needed, from Arabic and Persian dialects to Hindi, Urdi and Sanskrit. There was also a specialized group who had been trained to seize and rebuild the oil fields of the region.
When it became obvious that Rommel's rush to the Nile was not going to be a cake walk, the 288th minus its interpreters and technicians was sent to Africa as special reinforcements. During the Gazala Line battles the 288th saw action supporting the Italian Ariete against the French forces defending Bir Hacheim at the southern tip of the British defenses. They also participated in the El Alamein battles, and the last of their StuG.IIIs was left behind for the British to contemplate.
By October 31 the Sonderverband 288 was reorganized and renamed Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment Afrika.
