Montbrun
Posts: 1498
Joined: 2/7/2001
From: Raleigh, NC, USA
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I have seen references to Infantry, Airborne, Mechanized, and Armored Corps. I have not seen any references to Mountain or Cavalry Corps.
Mountain Corps:
The Germans formed approximately ten Heer Gebirgs-Divisionen, and six SS Gebirgs-Divisionen, and nine Heer Gebirgs-Korps, and two SS Gebirgs-Korps. Obviously, the Heer Korps did not all exist at the same time, and were fleshed-out with other types of divisions. However, I think that this allows for about three Heer Gebirgs-Korps, and one SS Gebirgs-Korps.
The Italians formed six of their famous Divisione Alpina, which were considered elite troops, and approximately fifteen “mountain” divisions, which were just lighter versions of the continental infantry divisions, meant for employment in the Balkans. There was one Alpino Corps formed, but I think that the justification for two Italian Mountain Corps is there.
The Rumanians formed four Divisia Munte (initially “Brigada Mixta Munte”) formed into one Corpul Munte. These were also condidered elite troops, and could warrant one Mountain Corps.
The Hungarians only formed two small Mountain Brigades during the war, and shouldn’t warrant a corps.
The pre-armistice French formed six Division d'Infanterie (27e, 30e, 31e, 64e, 65e, and 66e) specifically trained in mountain warfare. I believe that this could warrant two mountian-capable corps.
On 06/22/41, the Soviet Union had fifteen Mountain Rifle Divisions, mostly concentrated in the Transcaucasus Military District. As these divsions were “burnt-out” or destroyed, the remnants were converted to, or incorporated into regular Rifle Divisions. This still might warrant the inclusion of one or two Mountain Corps.
Cavalry Corps:
At the beginning of the war, the Germans had one Kavallerie-Division. This unit was withdrawn from the Russian Front during November of 1941, and converted to the 24. Panzer-Division. Later, the Heer formed several Kavallerie-Brigaden which were eventually combined into two Kavallerie-Divisionen. The SS also formed three Kavallerie-Divisionen, and one Kavallerie-Korps. I believe that this could warrant the inclusion of one Heer Kavallerie-Korps, and one SS Kavallerie-Korps.
The Italians formed three Cavalry Divisions, the 1a Divisione di Cavalleria “Eugenio di Savoia,” the 2a Divisione di Cavalleria “Emanuele Filiberto Testa di Ferro,” and the 3a Divisione di Cavalleria “Principe Amedeo Duca d'Aosta.” However, these divisions were a combination of horsed regiments, Bersaglieri regiments, an armored battalion, and motorized assets. These units could represent a Mechanized Corps, rather than a Cavalry Corps.
The Rumanians formed six Divisia Cavalerie (originally Brigada Cavalerie) and one Guards Cavalry Regiment (the “Regiment Garda Calare”), and one Cavalry Corps. However, I think that two Cavalry Corps could be warranted.
The Hungarians only formed one Cavalry Brigade during the war, and shouldn’t warrant a corps.
Like the Italians, the French formed five Division Légère de Cavalerie (DLC), which were comprised of mixed horsed cavalry, motorized, and armored assets. This could probably be better represented as a Mechanized Corps.
The Soviet Union was the most prolific user of horsed cavalry units. The horsed cavalry in the Soviet army was used to exploit gaps created in the line, and fill a perceived niche between the “leg infantry” and mechanized units. On 06/22/41, there were thirteen Cavalry Divisions in four Cavalry Corps. There were another one hundred and four Cavalry, Light Cavalry, Mountain Cavalry, and Guards Cavalry Divisions created during the war. However, several were disbanded, or absorbed by Rifle Divisions. The Guards Cavalry Divisions were created from the line Cavalry Divisions. I think that this could warrant the inclusion of approximately twenty Cavalry Corps.
Also, I have a question. After late 1942, would all US or Commonwealth Corps be considered Mechanized Corps, considering, at this scale, the motorization, and “typical” organization of the inclusion of armored formations within the corps?
< Message edited by Montbrun -- 6/23/2019 6:35:35 PM >
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