| XI Corps | |
|---|---|
| Active | World War I World War II |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Field corps |
| Engagements | World War I[1]
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Sir Richard Haking |
XI Corps was an army corps of the British Army in World War I that served on the Western Front and in Italy. It was recreated as part of Home Forces defending the United Kingdom during World War II.
Contents |
XI Corps was formed in France on 29 August 1915 under Lt-Gen Richard Haking.[2] Its first serious engagement (as part of Sir Charles Monro's First Army) was the Battle of Fromelles (19 July 1916), a diversion to the Somme offensive in which two untried divisions were launched into an ill-planned subsidiary attack in Flanders. It achieved nothing but cost thousands of casualties, and caused great resentment in Australia.[3]
Order of Battle at Fromelles[4]
General Officer Commanding Lt-Gen R. Haking
XI Corps was one of two corps HQs moved to the Italian Front in November 1917.[2]
Order of Battle in Italy 1 December 1917[5]
GOC Lt-Gen Sir Richard Haking
Corps Troops:
XI Corps returned to the Western Front in March 1918 in time to take part in the defence against the German Spring Offensive (the Battle of the Lys) and the final battles of the war as part of Sir William Birdwood's Fifth Army.
Order of Battle 27 September 1918[6]
GOC Lt-Gen Sir Richard Haking
Brigadier-General, General Staff: Brig-Gen J.E.S. Brind
Deputy Adjutant & Quartermaster-General: Brig.-Gen A.F.U. Green
Commander, Royal Artillery: Brig-Gen S.F. Metcalfe
Commander, Heavy Artillery: Brig-Gen F.A. Twiss
Commander, Engineers: Brig-Gen H.J.M. Marshall
XI Corps was reformed in the United Kingdom early in World War II.
Order of Battle Autumn 1940[7]
Commanders included:[10]