LXXIV Army Corps (Wehrmacht)
The LXXIV Army Corps (German: LXXIV. Armeekorps) was a German military formation during World War II. It was a corps-level headquarters responsible for commanding various divisions and units within the Wehrmacht.
Formation and Deployment:
The LXXIV Army Corps was formed on August 16, 1943, in France. It was primarily deployed in the coastal defense of France following the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Its initial purpose was to hold sections of the Atlantic Wall and prevent Allied forces from advancing further inland.
Command and Control:
As an army corps, the LXXIV Army Corps was subordinate to a higher-level command, usually an army or army group. It received orders from these higher headquarters and, in turn, issued directives to the divisions and other units under its control. The specific units assigned to the LXXIV Army Corps varied throughout the war depending on the strategic situation and the overall allocation of forces.
Operational History:
Following its initial deployment in France, the LXXIV Army Corps was involved in heavy fighting during the Allied advance through France and into Germany. It participated in defensive operations against the Allied forces as they pushed eastward. The corps sustained significant losses as it was forced to retreat under pressure from the Allied armies.
Surrender:
The LXXIV Army Corps eventually surrendered to Allied forces at the end of World War II in May 1945, along with the rest of the German military.
Organization:
The organization of the LXXIV Army Corps, like other German corps, consisted of a headquarters staff and a varying number of subordinate divisions. The divisions assigned to the corps could include infantry divisions, panzer divisions, or other specialized units depending on the specific mission and the available resources. Detailed orders of battle changed frequently.
Commanding Officers:
- General der Infanterie Erich Straube (August 16, 1943 – March 1945)
- Generalleutnant Carl Püchler (March 1945 - April 1945)
- General der Artillerie Anton Reichard von Mauchenheim gen. Bechtolsheim (April 1945 – May 1945)