II Corps (United States)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= II Corps


caption=II Corps shoulder sleeve insignia
dates= 1918-
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= U.S. Army
type=
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garrison=Camp Kilmer
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battles=World War I
World War II
*Battle of Sidi Bou Zid
*Battle of the Kasserine Pass
*Battle of El Guettar
*Operation Husky
*Battle of Monte Cassino
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battle_honours=
current_commander=
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colonel_of_the_regiment=
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notable_commanders=George Patton (CO until took over 7th Army)
Omar Bradley (XO/CO)
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aircraft_attack=
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aircraft_transport=The US II Corps was a corps of the United States Army and the first American formation of any size to see combat in Europe or Africa during World War II.

History

World War I

The II Corps saw battle in Europe in the Second Battle of the Somme, attached to the British Third Army.

World War II

In late 1942, under the command of Major-General Lloyd Fredendall the II Corps landed in Oran as part of Operation Torch. The corps struggled during the Tunisian Campaign and was defeated by German Colonel-General Hans-Jürgen von Arnim at the Battle of Sidi Bou Zid. The II Corps was defeated decisively during the Battle of the Kasserine Pass by troops under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.

In March 1943, after a change of command to General George Patton, the II Corps recovered its cohesion and fought well for the rest of the Tunisia Campaign, winning the Battle of El Guettar. The corps held the southern flank of British 1st Army during the destruction of the remaining Axis forces in North Africa.

In July 1943, the II Corps landed in Sicily as part of Operation Husky under command of the U.S. 7th Army. It played a key part in the liberation of the western part of the island. The corps consisted of the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division, U.S. 9th Infantry Division, and 45th Infantry Division (United States), all under the command of Lieutenant-General Omar Nelson Bradley.

The II Corps participated in a further amphibious operation at Salerno during the Allied invasion of Italy (Operation Avalanche). This operation included the U.S. 36th Infantry Division and 45th Infantry Division.

During the Spring offense in May 1944, the II Corps consisted of the US 85th and 88th Infantry Divisions. For the assault of the German Gothic Line, the II Corps consisted of the 34th Infantry Division, 88th Infantry Divisions, and 91st Infantry Division.

After the Anzio landings (Operation Shingle), Major-General Geoffrey Keyes was assigned commander of the II Corps. The corps fought from Monte Cassino, moved up the western side of Italy, and ended up on the right flank of US Fifth Army in May 1945.

See also

* United States Army