XIV Corps (United Kingdom)

XIV Corps
Active 1916-18
Country  United Kingdom
Branch British Army
Type Field corps
Part of Fourth Army
Engagements

World War I[1]

XIV Corps was a British infantry corps during World War I. During World War II the identity was recreated for deceptive purposes.

World War I

XIV Corps was formed in France on 3 January 1916 under Lieutenant-General the Earl of Cavan.[1] It took part in the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and then redeployed to Italy in November 1917.[1]

General Officers Commanding

Commanders included:

Second World War

In the Second World War, the XIV corps was notionally reformed in North Africa in late 1943 as part the cover plan for the Anzio landings. Initially assigned to the British Twelfth Army, the corps was later depicted as being under the command of the United States Seventh Army and finally under the 15th Army Group as the theater reserve for the Italian campaign[4]

Insignia

The corps insignia in World War II was that of a black wolf's head, with a lolling red tongue superimposed on a white square.

Subordinate units

As with its original parent formation the British Twelfth Army, the units notionally under command of the British XIV Corps varied depending on the nature of the threat being depicted.

1943 (Operation Oakfield)

1944 (Operation Zeppelin)

1945 (15th Army Group reserve)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Baker, Chris. "The British Corps of 1914-1918". The Long, Long Trail: The British Army of 1914-1918. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  2. ↑ Heathcote, Anthony pg 198
  3. ↑ Simkins, Peter. "From Somme to Victory". The Long, Long Trail: The British Army of 1914-1918. Retrieved 2015-01-01.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Holt, Thaddeus. pg 914 & 915

Bibliography