Australian Corps | |
---|---|
Active | 1 November 1917–1918 |
Country | Australia |
Branch | Australian Army |
Size | 5 divisions |
Part of | British Expeditionary Force |
Engagements | World War I |
Commanders | |
November 1917 – May 1918 | General William Birdwood |
May – November 1918 | Lieutenant General John Monash |
November 1918 – May 1919 | Lieutenant General Talbot Hobbs |
The Australian Corps was a World War I army corps that contained all five Australian infantry divisions serving on the Western Front. It was the largest corps fielded by the British Empire in France.[1] At its peak the Australian Corps numbered 109,881 men.[2] By 1918 the headquarters consisted of more than 300 personnel of all ranks, including senior staff officers, as well as supporting personnel such as clerks, drivers and batmen.[3] Formed on 1 November 1917, the corps replaced I Anzac Corps while II Anzac Corps, which contained the New Zealand Division, became the British XXII Corps on 31 December.[4] While its structure varied, Australian Corps usually included 4–5 infantry divisions, corps artillery and heavy artillery, a corps flying squadron and captive balloon sections, anti-aircraft batteries, corps engineers, corps mounted troops (light horse and cyclists), ordnance workshops, medical and dental units, transport, salvage and an employment company.[5]