XVI Army Corps (Germany)
Encyclopedia
The XVI Corps was a corps in the German Army during both world wars.
The original XVI Army Corps was formed in Metz in 1891 and fought in the First World War on the western front. The XVI Corps ended the war under command of the 3rd Army.
The XVI (motorized) Corps was activated as a headquarters for motorized units in February 1938 in Berlin. The XVI Corps was assigned to the 10th Army in the German invasion of Poland and to Army Group B
during the invasion of France
. During the French campaign, the corps fought at the battles of Hannut
and Gembloux
. On February 17, 1941, the corps headquarters was inactivated in order to form the 4th Panzer Group.
In July 1944, Generalkommando z.b.V. Kleffel was organized as an ad-hoc corps headquarters subordinated to the 16th Army in northern Russia. On October 30, 1944, this headquarters was made permanent and designated the XVI Army Corps. As such, the corps remained under 16th Army command until the surrender of the 16th Army in Courland
in May 1945.
The original XVI Army Corps was formed in Metz in 1891 and fought in the First World War on the western front. The XVI Corps ended the war under command of the 3rd Army.
The XVI (motorized) Corps was activated as a headquarters for motorized units in February 1938 in Berlin. The XVI Corps was assigned to the 10th Army in the German invasion of Poland and to Army Group B
Army Group B
Army Group B was the name of three different German Army Groups that saw action during World War II.-Battle for France:The first was involved in the Western Campaign in 1940 in Belgium and the Netherlands which was to be aimed to conquer the Maas bridges after the German airborne actions in Rotterdam...
during the invasion of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
. During the French campaign, the corps fought at the battles of Hannut
Battle of Hannut
The Battle of Hannut was a Second World War battle fought during the Battle of Belgium which took place between 12 and 14 May 1940 at Hannut, Belgium...
and Gembloux
Battle of Gembloux (1940)
The Battle of Gembloux was a battle fought between French and German forces in May 1940 during the Second World War....
. On February 17, 1941, the corps headquarters was inactivated in order to form the 4th Panzer Group.
In July 1944, Generalkommando z.b.V. Kleffel was organized as an ad-hoc corps headquarters subordinated to the 16th Army in northern Russia. On October 30, 1944, this headquarters was made permanent and designated the XVI Army Corps. As such, the corps remained under 16th Army command until the surrender of the 16th Army in Courland
Courland
Courland is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. The regions of Semigallia and Selonia are sometimes considered as part of Courland.- Geography and climate :...
in May 1945.
Area of operations
- XVI Army Corps (First World War):
- LorraineLorraine (région)Lorraine is one of the 27 régions of France. The administrative region has two cities of equal importance, Metz and Nancy. Metz is considered to be the official capital since that is where the regional parliament is situated...
- Lorraine
- XVI motorized Corps:
- Poland - September 1939
- Belgium and northern France - May to June 1940
- XVI Army Corps:
- Northern Russia - 1944
- Latvia (Courland) - 1945
Commanders
- Pre-First World War:
- General der Kavallerie Gottlieb Graf von HaeselerGottlieb Graf von HaeselerGottlieb Ferdinand Albert Alexis Graf von Haeseler was a German military officer of the Imperial Wilhelmine period, with final rank of Generalfeldmarschall.-Biography:...
, 1891 to 1903 - General der Infanterie Louis Stoetzer, 1904 to 1906
- General der Infanterie Maximilian von Prittwitz und Gaffron, 1907 to 1913
- General der Kavallerie Gottlieb Graf von Haeseler
- First World War:
- General der Infanterie Bruno von Mudra, 1914 to 1915
- Generalleutnant Adolf Wild von HohenbornAdolf Wild von HohenbornAdolf Wild von Hohenborn was a Prussian general during the First World War. From 21 January 1915 to 29 October 1916 he also served as minister of war.-Life:...
, 1915
- Second World War:
- Generaloberst Erich HoepnerErich HoepnerErich Hoepner was a German general in World War II. A successful panzer leader, Hoepner was executed after the failed 20 July Plot in 1944.- Life :Hoepner was born in Frankfurt an der Oder, Brandenburg...
, February 1938 to February 1941 - General der Kavallerie Philipp KleffelPhilipp KleffelPhilipp Kleffel was a highly decorated General der Kavallerie in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded several corps. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful...
, July to October 1944 - Generalleutnant Horst von MellenthinHorst von MellenthinHorst von Mellenthin was a highly decorated General der Artillerie in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded several corps. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, October 1944 to November 1944 - General der Kavallerie Philipp Kleffel, November 1944 to December 1944
- General der Infanterie Ernst-Anton von KrosigkErnst-Anton von KrosigkErnst-Anton von Krosigk was a German general who from 1943 commanded the 1. Infanterie Division during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, December 1944 to March 1945 - Generalleutnant Gottfried WeberGottfried Weber (general)Gottfried Weber was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II and a Generalmajor in the Bundeswehr. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, March 1945 to May 1945
- Generaloberst Erich Hoepner