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14th Army (Wehrmacht)

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14th Army
German: 14. Armee
Army insignia
Active1 August – 13 October 1939
5 November 1943 – 2 May 1945
Country Nazi Germany
Branch German Army ( Wehrmacht)
SizeField army
Engagements
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Wilhelm List
Eberhard von Mackensen
Joachim Lemelsen

The 14th Army (German: 14. Armee) was a German field army in World War II.

History

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Poland

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The 14th Army was activated on 1 August 1939 with General Wilhelm List in command and saw service in Poland until the end of the Polish campaign on 13 October 1939.

Italy

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14th Army troops in the Anzio battle

The 14th Army was reactivated for the defence of Italy in late 1943 when its headquarters was created using the headquarters personnel of Army Group B which had been abolished when Albert Kesselring was given command of all Axis troops in Italy. 14th Army was initially responsible for the defence of Rome and dealing with any amphibious landings the Allies might make to the rear of the German 10th Army, which was fighting on the defensive lines south of Rome.[1]

The 14th Army faced the Allied amphibious landings at Anzio in January 1944 and after the Allied breakthrough in May 1944 took part in the fighting retreat to the Gothic Line. The German armies in Italy finally surrendered on 2 May 1945 after being defeated during the Allies' Spring offensive.[2]

Commanders

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No. Portrait Commander Took office Left office Time in office
1
Wilhelm List
List, WilhelmGeneraloberst
Wilhelm List
(1880–1971)
1 August 193913 October 193973 days
2
Eberhard von Mackensen
Mackensen, EberhardGeneraloberst
Eberhard von Mackensen
(1889–1969)
5 November 19434 June 1944212 days
3
Joachim Lemelsen
Lemelsen, JoachimGeneral der Panzertruppe
Joachim Lemelsen
(1888–1954)
5 June 194415 October 1944132 days
4
Fridolin von Senger und Etterlin
Etterlin, FridolinGeneral der Panzertruppe
Fridolin von Senger und Etterlin
(1891–1963)
15 October 194424 October 19449 days
5
Heinz Ziegler
Ziegler, HeinzGeneral der Artillerie
Heinz Ziegler
(1894–1972)
24 October 194422 November 194429 days
6
Traugott Herr
Herr, TraugottGeneral der Panzertruppe
Traugott Herr
(1890–1976)
24 November 194416 December 194422 days
7
Kurt von Tippelskirch
Tippelskirch, KurtGeneral der Infanterie
Kurt von Tippelskirch
(1891–1957)
16 December 194417 February 194563 days
(3)
Joachim Lemelsen
Lemelsen, JoachimGeneral der Panzertruppe
Joachim Lemelsen
(1888–1954)
17 February 19452 May 194574 days

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Carver, Field Marshal Lord (2001). The Imperial War Museum Book of the War in Italy 1943-1945. London: Sidgwick & Jackson. ISBN 0-330-48230-0., p. 92
  2. ^ James Holland, Italy's Sorrow. A Year of War, 1944-1945, London, 2008, Harper Press. ISBN 978-0007176441