I Anzac Corps

I Anzac Corps

The I Anzac Corps was an Australian and New Zealand World War I army corps formed in Egypt in February 1916 as part of the reorganization of the Australian Imperial Force following the evacuation of Gallipoli in November 1915. This corps, along with the II Anzac Corps, replaced the original Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC).

The corps was initially commanded by General Alexander Godley and comprised the three "veteran" Anzac divisions — the Australian 1st and 2nd divisions and the newly formed New Zealand Division.

The corps' divisions were initially manning the defences east of the Suez Canal against the anticipated Turkish invasion of Egypt. On March 29 1916 the corps embarked for France, now under the command of General Sir William Birdwood, the original commander of ANZAC. In France the I Anzac Corps was attached to the British Second Army, positioned on the relatively quiet sector south of Ypres. The corps went into the line south of Armentières, taking over from the British III Corps which was moving to the British Fourth Army in preparation for the Somme Offensive. The Australian 2nd Division was the first into the line on April 9, 1916.

With the Somme Offensive faltering in mid-July, the British Commander-in-Chief, General Douglas Haig, required fresh divisions to continue the advance. The corps was moved to General Hubert Gough's Fifth Army and directed to capture Pozières.

By this time the II Anzac Corps had started to arrive in France from Egypt under the command of General Godley. As Godley was also the commander of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, it was decided that the New Zealand Division would be more appropriately located under his command so it swapped with the Australian 4th Division in time for the move to the Somme.

Engagements involving ANZAC

*Battle of Gallipoli [1915]
*Battle of the Somme [1916]
*Battle of Passchendale [1917]

ee also

Military history of Australia during World War I


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • ANZAC Corps — /ˈænzæk kɔ/ (say anzak kaw) noun See I ANZAC Corps, II ANZAC Corps …  

  • II Anzac Corps — The II Anzac Corps was an Australian and New Zealand First World War army corps formed in Egypt in February 1916 as part of the reorganization of the Australian Imperial Force following the evacuation of Gallipoli in November 1915, under the… …   Wikipedia

  • II ANZAC Corps — noun an army corps formed in 1916 during World War I from two newly created Australian divisions (the 4th and 5th); with I ANZAC Corps replaced the original Australian and NZ Army Corps (ANZAC); a NZ division later allocated here from I ANZAC… …  

  • I ANZAC Corps — noun an army corps formed in 1916 during World War I from several Australian divisions and a NZ division; with II ANZAC Corps replaced the original Australian and NZ Army Corps (ANZAC); the NZ division later re allocated to II ANZAC Corps; saw… …  

  • First Anzac Corps — noun → I ANZAC Corps …  

  • Second Anzac Corps — noun → II ANZAC Corps …  

  • ANZAC — army formations and units include both Australian and New Zealand troops. The term ANZAC originated as an acronym for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, an army corps of Australian and New Zealand troops who fought against the Turks in… …   Wikipedia

  • Corps d'Armée australien et néo-zélandais — Pour les articles homonymes, voir ANZAC (homonymie). Le Corps d armée australien et néo zélandais (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, populairement appelé ANZAC) était à l origine un corps d armée formé de troupes australiennes et néo… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Anzac Day — Dawn Service at Kings Park, Western Australia, 25 April 2009, 94th anniversary Observed by Memorial services, public holiday Type Patriotic, Historical …   Wikipedia

  • ANZAC biscuit — ANZAC Biscuits are a sweet biscuit made using rolled oats, flour, coconut, sugar, butter, golden syrup, bicarbonate of soda and boiling water. ANZAC biscuits have long been associated with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC)… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”