| XIV Corps | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1916-18 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 British Army |
| Type | Field corps |
| Part of | Fourth Army |
| Engagements | |
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:
- January 1916 - March 1918 Lieutenant General the Earl of Cavan[2]
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[3]
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)[]
- Corps headquarters & supporting troops.[3]
- British 40th Infantry Division (fictional)
- British 42nd Division (fictional)
- British 57th Infantry Division (fictional)
1944 (Operation Zeppelin)[]
- Corps headquarters & supporting troops.[3]
- British 5th Airborne Division (fictional)
- British 40th Infantry Division (fictional)
- British 42nd Division (fictional)
- British 57th Infantry Division (fictional)
1945 (15th Army Group reserve)[]
- Corps headquarters & supporting troops.[3]
- British 42nd Division (fictional)
- British 57th Infantry Division (fictional)
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Baker, Chris. "The British Corps of 1914-1918". The Long, Long Trail: The British Army of 1914-1918. http://www.1914-1918.net/corps.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- ↑ Heathcote, Anthony pg 198
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Holt, Thaddeus. pg 914 & 915
Bibliography[]
- Heathcote, T.A. (1999). The British Field Marshals 1736–1997. Pen & Sword Books Ltd. ISBN 0-85052-696-5
- Holt, T (2005). The Deceivers: Allied Military Deception in the Second World War. Phoenix. ISBN 0-7538-1917-1
The original article can be found at XIV Corps (United Kingdom) and the edit history here.