XVIII Corps (United Kingdom)

History

The XVIII Corps was a British infantry formation during World War I. It was formed in France in January 1917 under Lieutenant General Sir Ivor Maxse.

### Formation and Early Operations

Upon its formation, the XVIII Corps Cavalry Regiment was provided by A and B Squadrons, South Irish Horse and B Squadron, 1/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry. In May 1917, F Squadron South Irish Horse replaced the Herts Yeomanry, and the XVIII Corps Cavalry Regiment was also known as 2nd South Irish Horse.

### Battles

The XVIII Corps participated in several battles during World War I, including:

* The Battle on the Somme
* The Battle of Arras
* Pursuit to the Hindenberg Line

In July 1918, the XVIII Corps was merged into VIII Corps.

Interwar Period and World War II

During World War II, the XVIII Corps was briefly reactivated as a fictional unit in Cyprus in 1941, as part of the Cyprus Defence Plan deception. However, it was later renamed XXV Corps (25th Indian Corps).

### Commanders

The following officers commanded the XVIII Corps during its existence:

* Lieutenant General Sir Ivor Maxse (1917)

External Links

* British Corpses in World War I
* British Designs Fighting the Western Front During World War I
* British Recruits in World War I