Click for details of the locations of the headquarters of each Corps; its commanding officers; and the battles and engagements in which it participated.
The Corps in sequence of arrival or formation in France and Flanders
–1914–
–1915–
XII Corps later served in the Salonika theatre of war
–1916–
XIV Corps later served in the Italy theatre of war
–1917–
British Corps that did not serve in France and Flanders
Australian and New Zealand Army Corps “(“Anzac”) served in Gallipoli and Egypt
Tigris Corps served in Mesopotamia
XVI Corps was in the Salonika theatre of war
XX and XXI Corps were formed in the Egypt and Palestine theatre of war
Maps
Please note that these maps are for guidance only. The location markers are placed at the named villages rather than the specific buildings occupied by corps HQ.
Locations of the Corps headquarters on 25 September 1915 (the first day of the Battle of Loos)
Locations of the Corps headquarters on 1 July 1916 (the first day of the Battles of the Somme)
Locations of the Corps headquarters on 31 July 1917 (the first day of the Third Battles of Ypres)
Locations of the Corps headquarters at 1am on 21 March 1918 (the first day of The First Battles of the Somme, 1918)
Locations of the Corps headquarters at 1am on 8 August 1918 (taken as the first day of the “Hundred Days Offensive”)
Locations of the Corps headquarters at 11am on 11 November 1918 (when the Armistice came into effect)
Links
Other aspects of the Order of Battle
Books
There are not too many books that focus of the role and work of a Corps. Andy Simpson’s “Directing Operations” is a must:
Andy Simpson’s PhD submission at University College, London (pdf): ” The Operational Role of British Corps Command on the Western Front, 1914-18“