XX Corps (Ottoman Empire) explained

Unit Name:	XX Corps Yirminci Kolordu
Dates:	1916–
Type:	Corps
Patron:	Ottoman Sultan
Battles:	Macedonian Front (World War I) Sinai and Palestine Campaign (World War I) Battle of Jerusalem Battle of Megiddo
Notable Commanders:	Mirliva Abdul Kerim Pasha Mirliva Ali Fuad Pasha (June 30, 1917-June 26, 1920^[1])

The XX Corps of the Ottoman Empire (Turkish: 20 nci Kolordu or Yirminci Kolordu) was one of the corps of the Ottoman Army. It was formed during World War I.

World War I

Order of Battle, December 1916

In December 1916, the corps was structured as follows:^{[2] [3]}

• XX Corps (Macedonian Front, Commander: Mirliva Abdülkerim Pasha)
  • 49th Division (Commander: Miralay Mahmut Bey), withdrawn to Turkey on March 19, 1917.^[4]
    • 144th Infantry Regiment (Commander: Kaymakam Adil Bey)
    • 145th Regiment (Commander: Binbaşı Ali Rıza Bey)
    • 146th Regiment (Commander: Kaymakam Schierholz)
    • 46th Artillery Regiment (Commander: Binbaşı M. Behçet Bey).
  • 50th Division (Commander: Kaymakam Şükrü Naili Bey, Chief of Staff: Yüzbaşı Tevfik Bey), withdrawn to Turkey in May 1917.^[5]
    • 157th Infantry Regiment (Commander: Kaymakam Akif Bey)
    • 158th Infantry Regiment (Commander: Binbaşı Nedim Bey)
    • 169th Inıfantry Regiment (Commander: Kaymakam Servet Bey)
    • 50th Artillery Regiment (Commander: Binbaşı Sadık Bey)

Order of Battle, August 1917

In August 1917, the corps was structured as follows:^[6]

• XX Corps (Syria-Palestine), Commander was Ali Fuat Cebesoy
  • 16th Division, 54th Division

Order of Battle, June 1918, September 1918

In June 1918, September 1918, the corps was structured as follows:^[7]

• XX Corps (Palestine)
  • 26th Division, 53rd Division

After Mudros

Order of Battle, November 1918

In November 1918, the corps was structured as follows:^[8]

• XX Corps (Syria)
  • 1st Division, 43rd Division

Order of Battle, January 1919

In January 1919, the corps was structured as follows:^{[9] [10]}

• XX Corps (Anatolia, Ereğli)
  • 23rd Division (Afyon)
    • 3rd Infantry Regiment, 58th Infantry Regiment, 143rd Infantry Regiment
  • 24th Division (Ereğeli)
    • 69th Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Regiment, 159th Infantry Regiment

See also

• Macedonian front (World War I)
  • Monastir Offensive

Notes and References

1. T.C. Genelkurmay Harp Tarihi Başkanlığı Yayınları, Türk İstiklâl Harbine Katılan Tümen ve Daha Üst Kademelerdeki Komutanların Biyografileri, Genkurmay Başkanlığı Basımevi, Ankara, 1972, p. 154.
2. İsmet Görgülü, On Yıllık Harbin Kadrosu: 1912 - 1922 (Balkan-Birinci Dünya ve İstiklâl Harbi), Türk Tarih Kurumu, 1993, p. 183.
3. Edward J. Erickson, Order to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War, Greenwood Press, 2001,, p. 154.
4. http://www.turkeyswar.com/macedonia.html
5. http://www.turkeyswar.com/macedonia.html
6. Edward J. Erickson, Order to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War, Greenwood Press, 2001,, p. 170.
7. Edward J. Erickson, Order to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War, Greenwood Press, 2001,, p. 188, 197.
8. Edward J. Erickson, Order to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War, Greenwood Press, 2001,, p. 202.
9. Edward J. Erickson, Order to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War, Greenwood Press, 2001,, p. 209.
10. Zekeriya Türkmen, Mütareke Döneminde Ordunun Durumu ve Yeniden Yapılanması (1918-1920), Türk Tarih Kurumu Basımevi, 2001,, p. 326.