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15th Army Group

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15th Army Group
15th Army Group Shoulder Insignia
Active1943–45
CountryUnited Kingdom & United States,
numerous Allies attached
AllegianceAllies of World War II
TypeArmy Group
RoleArmy Group Headquarters
Size2 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

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 British Eighth Army and the U.S. Seventh Army. Following the capture of Sicily the group became responsible for the invasion of mainland Italy for which the U.S. Seventh Army was replaced by U.S. Fifth Army. 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 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 W. 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 15th Army Group was reorganized and redesignated the US Occupational Forces Austria. The Headquarters Company II Corps, 11th Armored Division, 42nd Division and 65th Division, previously assigned to U.S. Third Army and 12th Army Group, were assigned on 6 July to the newly formed US 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
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