XI Corps (United Kingdom)


XI Corps was a corps-sized formation of the British Expeditionary Force, active during the First World War that served on the Western Front and in Italy. It was recreated as part of Home Forces defending the United Kingdom during the Second World War.

First World War

Western Front

XI Corps was formed in France on 29 August 1915 under Lieutenant-General Richard Haking. Its first serious engagement was the Battle of Fromelles, a diversion to the Somme offensive in which two untried divisions were launched into an ill-planned subsidiary attack in Flanders. It achieved nothing but cost thousands of casualties and caused great resentment in Australia.
;Order of Battle at Fromelles
General Officer Commanding Lieutenant-General Richard Haking

Italian Front

XI Corps was one of two corps HQs moved to the Italian Front in November 1917.
;Order of Battle in Italy 1 December 1917
GOC Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Haking
Corps Troops:

Return to the Western Front

XI Corps returned to the Western Front in March 1918 in time to take part in the defence against the German spring offensive and the final battles of the war as part of the Fifth Army.

Order of Battle 27 September 1918

Source:
Corps Headquarters Command Staff

Second World War

XI Corps was reformed in the United Kingdom early in the Second World War. It was based at Bishop's Stortford in Hertfordshire with a major operational base at Felsted School.
;Order of Battle Autumn 1940

General Officers Commanding

Commanders included:

External sources