15th Army Group

15th Army Group

15th Army Group Shoulder Insignia
Active 1943–45
Country United Kingdom & United States,
numerous Allies attached
Allegiance Allies of World War II
Type Army group
Role Army Group Headquarters
Size 2 Field Armies
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Harold Alexander
Mark W. Clark

The 15th Army Group was an army group of British and American field armies that included corps, divisions and brigades from numerous Allied forces (Canada, Indian, Poland, South Africa, Greece, Brazil and New Zealand) in World War II Africa and Europe.

History

The 15th Army Group was activated in 1943 in Algiers, North Africa, to plan the invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky. Its main forces for this job were the U.S. Seventh Army, under Lieutenant General George Patton, and the British Eighth Army, under General Bernard Montgomery. Following the capture of Sicily the army group became responsible for the invasion of mainland Italy for which the U.S. Seventh Army was replaced by the U.S. Fifth Army, under Lieutenant General Mark Clark. In January 1944 the army group was re-designated successively Allied forces in Italy and then Allied Central Mediterranean Force.

In March 1944 the army group was renamed Allied Armies in Italy. Throughout this period the army group was under command of the British General Sir Harold Alexander. By late 1944 the army group had pushed northward through Italy, capturing Rome, and driving the retreating Axis forces into Northern Italy. In December, American Lieutenant General Mark Clark became the new commander and the army group was renamed 15th Army Group once again. The Axis forces in Italy were finally defeated in the army group's Spring 1945 offensive in Italy, their surrender taking place in May.

On 5 July 15 Army Group was reorganized and redesignated the U.S. Occupational Forces Austria. The Headquarters Company II Corps, 11th Armored Division, 42nd Infantry Division and 65th Infantry Division, previously assigned to U.S. Third Army and 12th Army Group, were assigned on 6 July to the newly formed U.S. Occupational Forces Austria, the commanding general of which was General Mark Clark.

Order of Battle

Order of Battle for 15th Army Group, August 1944

References

  1. ↑ Army Tank Brigade

External links

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