I Canadian Corps
Encyclopedia
I Canadian Corps was one of the two corps
fielded by the Canadian Army during World War II
. From December 24, 1940 until the formation of the First Canadian Army
in April 1942, there was a single unnumbered Canadian Corps
. I Canadian Corps became operational in Italy in November 1943 when the 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division
joined the 1st Canadian Infantry Division
, which had been assigned to the British Eighth Army immediately prior to the invasion of Sicily. I Canadian Corps was commanded successively by Lieutenant-General Harry Crerar
(April 6, 1942 to March 19, 1944), Lieutenant-General Eedson Burns
(March 20, 1944 to November 5, 1944), and Lieutenant-General Charles Foulkes (November 10, 1944 to July 17, 1945).
However, 1st Canadian Infantry Division took part in the Moro River Campaign
and the Battle of Ortona
in December 1943 as part of British V Corps
and it was not until the fourth Battle of Monte Cassino
(Operation Diadem) in May 1944 that I Canadian Corps fought its first battle as a corps. Eighth Army held the Corps in reserve until after the Gustav defences in the Liri valley had been broken and then brought it forward to assault successfully the next defensive line, the Hitler Line
, shortly before the Allied capture of Rome
in early June. Having taken part in the Allies' northward advance to Florence, the Corps then took part in Operation Olive, the assault on the Gothic Line
in September 1944 before being transported during January–February 1945 in Operation Goldflake
to rejoin the First Canadian Army in Belgium
and the Netherlands
. There the Corps participated in the campaign to complete the liberation of the Netherlands. On May 6, 1945 at Wageningen
, Lieutenant-General Foulkes received the final surrender
by Colonel General
Johannes Blaskowitz
of all remaining German forces still active in the Netherlands. The Corps was deactivated on July 17, 1945 as part of general demobilization.
Although nominally a Canadian formation, I Canadian Corps contained significant elements at different times from other Allied countries
. For example in Italy, during the assault on the Gothic Line in the Fall of 1944, the Corps included the 4th British Infantry Division
, the 2nd New Zealand Division and the 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade
. During the final campaign to liberate the Netherlands, the Corps included for a time the British 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division.
Corps
A corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
fielded by the Canadian Army during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. From December 24, 1940 until the formation of the First Canadian Army
First Canadian Army
The First Canadian Army was the senior Canadian operational formation in Europe during the Second World War.The Army was formed in early 1942, replacing the existing unnumbered Canadian Corps, as the growing number of Canadian forces in the United Kingdom necessitated an expansion to two corps...
in April 1942, there was a single unnumbered Canadian Corps
Canadian Corps (World War II)
The unnumbered Canadian Corps was the first corps-level military formation established by the Canadian Army during World War II. A four-division Canadian Corps had existed during the First World War...
. I Canadian Corps became operational in Italy in November 1943 when the 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division
5th Canadian (Armoured) Division
5th Canadian Division was a Canadian division during World War II. Following its redesignation from '1st Canadian Armoured Division', the bulk proceeded overseas in one main convoy, arriving in the UK at the end of November 1941....
joined the 1st Canadian Infantry Division
1st Canadian Infantry Division
The 1st Canadian Infantry Division was a formation mobilized on 1 September 1939 for service in the Second World War. The division was also reactivated twice during the Cold War....
, which had been assigned to the British Eighth Army immediately prior to the invasion of Sicily. I Canadian Corps was commanded successively by Lieutenant-General Harry Crerar
Harry Crerar
Henry Duncan Graham "Harry" Crerar CH, CB, DSO, KStJ, CD, PC was a Canadian general and the country's "leading field commander" in World War II.-Early years:...
(April 6, 1942 to March 19, 1944), Lieutenant-General Eedson Burns
E. L. M. Burns
Eedson Louis Millard "Tommy" Burns, was a Canadian Army Lieutenant General and diplomat.-Early Education:...
(March 20, 1944 to November 5, 1944), and Lieutenant-General Charles Foulkes (November 10, 1944 to July 17, 1945).
However, 1st Canadian Infantry Division took part in the Moro River Campaign
The Moro River Campaign
The Moro River Campaign was a military campaign during the Second World War fought between units of the British 8th Army and the LXXVI Panzer Corps of the German Tenth Army . Lasting from 4–26 December 1943, the campaign occurred primarily in the vicinity of the Moro River in eastern Italy...
and the Battle of Ortona
Battle of Ortona
The Battle of Ortona was a small, yet extremely fierce, battle fought between a battalion of German Fallschirmjäger from the German 1st Parachute Division under Generalleutnant Richard Heidrich, and assaulting Canadian forces from the 1st Canadian Infantry Division under Major General Chris Vokes...
in December 1943 as part of British V Corps
V Corps (United Kingdom)
V Corps was an army corps of the British Army in both the First and Second World War. It was first organised in February 1915 and fought through World War I on the Western front...
and it was not until the fourth Battle of Monte Cassino
Battle of Monte Cassino
The Battle of Monte Cassino was a costly series of four battles during World War II, fought by the Allies against Germans and Italians with the intention of breaking through the Winter Line and seizing Rome.In the beginning of 1944, the western half of the Winter Line was being anchored by Germans...
(Operation Diadem) in May 1944 that I Canadian Corps fought its first battle as a corps. Eighth Army held the Corps in reserve until after the Gustav defences in the Liri valley had been broken and then brought it forward to assault successfully the next defensive line, the Hitler Line
Hitler Line
The Hitler Line was a German defensive line in central Italy during the Second World War. The strong points of the line were at Aquino and Piedimonte. In May 1944, the line was re-named the Senger Line, after General von Senger und Etterlin, one of the generals commanding Axis forces in the area...
, shortly before the Allied capture of Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
in early June. Having taken part in the Allies' northward advance to Florence, the Corps then took part in Operation Olive, the assault on the Gothic Line
Gothic Line
The Gothic Line formed Field Marshal Albert Kesselring's last major line of defence in the final stages of World War II along the summits of the Apennines during the fighting retreat of German forces in Italy against the Allied Armies in Italy commanded by General Sir Harold Alexander.Adolf Hitler...
in September 1944 before being transported during January–February 1945 in Operation Goldflake
Operation Goldflake
Operation Goldflake was the administrative move of I Canadian Corps from Italy to North-West Europe during the Second World War. British-led forces had been fighting in Italy since the invasion of Sicily in July 1943...
to rejoin the First Canadian Army in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. There the Corps participated in the campaign to complete the liberation of the Netherlands. On May 6, 1945 at Wageningen
Wageningen
' is a municipality and a historical town in the central Netherlands, in the province of Gelderland. It is famous for Wageningen University, which specializes in life sciences. The city has 37,414 inhabitants , of which many thousands are students...
, Lieutenant-General Foulkes received the final surrender
Surrender (military)
Surrender is when soldiers, nations or other combatants stop fighting and eventually become prisoners of war, either as individuals or when ordered to by their officers. A white flag is a common symbol of surrender, as is the gesture of raising one's hands empty and open above one's head.When the...
by Colonel General
Colonel General
Colonel General is a senior rank of General. North Korea and Russia are two countries which have used the rank extensively throughout their histories...
Johannes Blaskowitz
Johannes Blaskowitz
Johannes Albrecht Blaskowitz was a German general during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
of all remaining German forces still active in the Netherlands. The Corps was deactivated on July 17, 1945 as part of general demobilization.
Although nominally a Canadian formation, I Canadian Corps contained significant elements at different times from other Allied countries
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
. For example in Italy, during the assault on the Gothic Line in the Fall of 1944, the Corps included the 4th British Infantry Division
4th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)
The 4th Infantry Division is a regular British Army division with a long history having been present at the Peninsular War the Crimean War , the First World War , and during the Second World War.- Napoleonic Wars :...
, the 2nd New Zealand Division and the 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade
3rd Greek Mountain Brigade
The 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade was a unit of mountain infantry formed by the Greek government in exile in Egypt during World War II. It was formed from politically reliable right-wing and pro-royalist personnel following a pro-EAM mutiny among the Greek armed forces in Egypt in April 1944...
. During the final campaign to liberate the Netherlands, the Corps included for a time the British 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division.
Major Operations
- Operation TIMBERWOLF, December 1943
- Operation MORNING GLORY, December 1943
- Operation DIADEMOperation DiademOperation Diadem, also referred to as the Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino was an offensive operation undertaken by the Allies in May 1944, as part of the Italian Campaign. It was launched at 2300 Hours on 11 May 1944 to break the German defenses on the western half of the Winter Line and open up...
, Liri Valley Offensive, May 1944 - Operation OLIVEGothic LineThe Gothic Line formed Field Marshal Albert Kesselring's last major line of defence in the final stages of World War II along the summits of the Apennines during the fighting retreat of German forces in Italy against the Allied Armies in Italy commanded by General Sir Harold Alexander.Adolf Hitler...
, Assault on the Gothic Line, September 1944 - Operation GOLDFLAKEOperation GoldflakeOperation Goldflake was the administrative move of I Canadian Corps from Italy to North-West Europe during the Second World War. British-led forces had been fighting in Italy since the invasion of Sicily in July 1943...
, transport from Italy to the NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, February–March 1945 - Operation DESTROYER, advance from Nijmegen to ArnhemArnhemArnhem is a city and municipality, situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and located near the river Nederrijn as well as near the St. Jansbeek, which was the source of the city's development. Arnhem has 146,095 residents as one of the...
, April 1945 - Advance to HarderwijkHarderwijk' is a municipality and a small city in the eastern Netherlands.- The history of Harderwijk :Harderwijk received city rights from Count Otto II of Guelders in 1231. A defensive wall surrounding the city was completed by the end of that century. The oldest part of the city is near where the...
on the coast of the IJsselmeerIJsselmeerIJsselmeer is a shallow artificial lake of 1100 km² in the central Netherlands bordering the provinces of Flevoland, North Holland and Friesland, with an average depth of 5 to 6 m. The IJsselmeer is the largest lake in Western Europe....
, April 1945 - Liberation of the Netherlands, March–May 1945
- Lieutenant-General Foulkes receives the surrender of all German forces in the Netherlands, May 6, 1945
- Delivery of relief supplies and infrastructure repair projects in the Netherlands, May–July, 1945
Order of Battle in Italy, 1944-45
- 1st Canadian Infantry Division1st Canadian Infantry DivisionThe 1st Canadian Infantry Division was a formation mobilized on 1 September 1939 for service in the Second World War. The division was also reactivated twice during the Cold War....
- 5th Canadian Armoured Division
- Corps Troops
- I Corps Defence Company, Lorne Scots
- 7th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA)
- 1st Survey Regiment, RCA
- 9th Field Park Company, Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE)
- 12th Field Company, RCE
- 13th Field Company, RCE
- 14th Field Company, RCE
- 1st Drilling Company, RCE
- I Canadian Corps Headquarters Signals, Royal Canadian Corps of SignalsRoyal Canadian Corps of SignalsThe Royal Canadian Corps of Signals was a corps of the Canadian Army. Major Wallace Bruce Matthews Carruthers established the corps in 1903, making it the first independent Signal Corps in the British Empire...
- No. 31 Corps Troops Company, Royal Canadian Army Service CorpsRoyal Canadian Army Service CorpsFor successor see Logistics BranchThe Royal Canadian Army Service Corps was an administrative and transport corps of the Canadian Army....
(RCASC) - No. 32 Corps Troops Company, RCASC
- I Canadian Corps Transport Company, RCASC
- No. 1 Motor Ambulance Company, RCASC
- No. 1 Headquarters Corps Car Company, RCASC
- Nos. 4 & 5 Casualty Clearing StationCasualty Clearing StationA Casualty Clearing Station is the name used by the British Army and the armies of other Commonwealth nations to describe a medical facility behind the front lines that is used to treat wounded soldiers. A CCS would usually be located just outside of the range of enemy artillery and often near...
s, Royal Canadian Army Medical CorpsRoyal Canadian Army Medical CorpsThe Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps was an administrative corps of the Canadian Army. The Militia Medical Service was established in 1899. The Militia Medical Service was redesignated the Canadian Army Medical Corps in 1904. The Canadian Army Medical Corps was redesignated The Royal Canadian...
(RCAMC) - No. 8 Field Dressing Section, RCAMC
- No. 5 Field Hygiene Section, RCAMC
- Nos. 1, 3 & 8 Dental Companies, Canadian Dental CorpsRoyal Canadian Dental CorpsThe Royal Canadian Dental Corps was an administrative corps of the Canadian Army. The Canadian Dental Corps was authorized on 31 Aug 1939. The Regular and Reserve components of the Canadian Dental Corps were collectively redesignated The Royal Canadian Dental Corps on 15 Jan 1947...
(CDC) - No. 11 Base Dental Company, CDC
- No. 1 Corps and Army Troops Sub-Park, Royal Canadian Ordnance CorpsRoyal Canadian Ordnance CorpsThe Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps was an administrative corps of the Canadian Army. The Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps RCOC can trace its roots back to the Canadian Stores Department. Formed in 1871, the Canadian Stores Department was a civil department of the Canadian Government...
(RCOC) - I Corps Troops Workshop, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME)
- No. 1 Recovery Company, RCEME
- No. 3 Provost Company, Canadian Provost CorpsCanadian Provost CorpsThe Canadian Provost Corps was the military police corps of the Canadian Army. The Canadian Provost Corps was authorized on 15 Jun 1940. The Canadian Provost Corps was amalgamated into the Canadian Forces in 1968.-Canadian Military Police Corps:...
(C Pro C)
- Attached First Canadian ArmyFirst Canadian ArmyThe First Canadian Army was the senior Canadian operational formation in Europe during the Second World War.The Army was formed in early 1942, replacing the existing unnumbered Canadian Corps, as the growing number of Canadian forces in the United Kingdom necessitated an expansion to two corps...
Troops- No. 1 Army Group Royal Canadian Artillery
- 11th Army Field Regiment, RCA
- 1st Medium Regiment, RCA
- 2nd Medium Regiment, RCA
- 5th Medium Regiment, RCA
- No. 41 Army Transport Company, RCASC
- "H" Squadron, 25th Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment31 Combat Engineer Regiment (The Elgins)31 Combat Engineer Regiment , is currently a combat engineer regiment of the Canadian Forces, supporting 31 Canadian Brigade Group. It consists of two squadrons: 48 Engineer Squadron in Waterloo, Ontario, and 7 Engineer Squadron in St. Thomas, Ontario. The Elgins existed before the Confederation of...
(The Elgin Regiment), Canadian Armoured Corps - Nos. 1, 2 & 3 Field Transfusion Units, RCAMC
- Nos. 3 & 16 Field Dressing Stations, RCAMC
- Nos. 1, 3, 5, 14, 15 & 28 General Hospitals, RCAMC
- No. 1 Convalescent Depot, RCAMC
- Nos. 1, 2 & 3 Field Surgical Units, RCAMC
- No. 1 Army Group Royal Canadian Artillery
Commanders
- Lieutenant-General Andrew G. L. McNaughtonAndrew McNaughtonGeneral Andrew George Latta McNaughton, CH, CB, CMG, DSO, CD, PC was a Canadian army officer, politician and diplomat.- Early life :...
, (July 19, 1940 to April 5, 1942) - Lieutenant-General Harry CrerarHarry CrerarHenry Duncan Graham "Harry" Crerar CH, CB, DSO, KStJ, CD, PC was a Canadian general and the country's "leading field commander" in World War II.-Early years:...
(April 8, 1942 to March 19, 1944) - Lieutenant-General Eedson BurnsE. L. M. BurnsEedson Louis Millard "Tommy" Burns, was a Canadian Army Lieutenant General and diplomat.-Early Education:...
(March 20, 1944 to November 5, 1944) - Lieutenant-General Charles Foulkes (November 10, 1944 to July 17, 1945)
See also
- The Moro River CampaignThe Moro River CampaignThe Moro River Campaign was a military campaign during the Second World War fought between units of the British 8th Army and the LXXVI Panzer Corps of the German Tenth Army . Lasting from 4–26 December 1943, the campaign occurred primarily in the vicinity of the Moro River in eastern Italy...
- Battle of OrtonaBattle of OrtonaThe Battle of Ortona was a small, yet extremely fierce, battle fought between a battalion of German Fallschirmjäger from the German 1st Parachute Division under Generalleutnant Richard Heidrich, and assaulting Canadian forces from the 1st Canadian Infantry Division under Major General Chris Vokes...
- Battle of Monte CassinoBattle of Monte CassinoThe Battle of Monte Cassino was a costly series of four battles during World War II, fought by the Allies against Germans and Italians with the intention of breaking through the Winter Line and seizing Rome.In the beginning of 1944, the western half of the Winter Line was being anchored by Germans...
- Gothic LineGothic LineThe Gothic Line formed Field Marshal Albert Kesselring's last major line of defence in the final stages of World War II along the summits of the Apennines during the fighting retreat of German forces in Italy against the Allied Armies in Italy commanded by General Sir Harold Alexander.Adolf Hitler...