In early May 1943, after the destruction of the original 21. Panzer-Division in Africa, Hitler ordered the upgrade of a mobile brigade forming in France, Schnelle Brigade West, to a full panzer division and renamed it 21. Panzer-Division. Veterans of the original division who had not been killed or captured were made available and formed the core of the new formation. To avoid confusion, the division was officially referred to as 21. Panzer-Division "Neu" (for "new") until 1 January 1944…
