The 18th Corps
The 18th Corps, first formed in the year 160 A.S., is a Corps of the United Commonwealth Army, currently serving under the 8th Army, the " (H)'Ating Eighth". It's current General Officer Commanding is Lieutenant General Gustav J. Schmidt, and is headquartered at the Soriysk Barracks, Republic of Kievansk.
The current mission of the 18th Corp is the defence of the United Commonwealth nations on the continent of Alphania, where it is currently deployed, within the Republic of Kievansk. It's specific current threat is the People's Union of Bothnia, a nation formed after a revolution during the Second Great War, and which shares a border with Kievansk. Alongside it's sibling Corps, namely, the 5th and 27th Corps, it forms the backbone of the U.C. Army's forces in the theater, under the command of the 8th Army. The 18th Corps also acts as the commanding unit for the soldiers of non U.C. but still allied nations in the region fighting in its Front of Control, in case of a full war with the People's Union of Bothnia.
- Lieutenant General Gustav J. Schmidt, G.O.C.Lieutenant Kito Adesida, Aide de Camp
Brigadier Jean Dumont, Corp Chief of Staff
CSM Petro Sytnyk, Corp Senior Enlisted
Current Deployment
The current mission of the 18th Corp is the defence of the United Commonwealth nations on the continent of Alphania, where it is currently deployed, within the Republic of Kievansk. It's specific current threat is the People's Union of Bothnia, a nation formed after a revolution during the Second Great War, and which shares a border with Kievansk. Alongside it's sibling Corps, namely, the 5th and 27th Corps, it forms the backbone of the U.C. Army's forces in the theater, under the command of the 8th Army. The 18th Corps also acts as the commanding unit for the soldiers of non U.C. but still allied nations in the region fighting in its Front of Control, in case of a full war with the People's Union of Bothnia.
Senior Leadership
- Lieutenant General Gustav J. Schmidt, G.O.C.
Composition
Manpower
Roughly 80,000 people in the unit itself, with roughly another 30,000 more maximum added if most units that are to be assigned in time of war are.
Vehicles
Across the three Divisions and 2 Regiments, there is a net total of approximately 800 "Conqueror" Armtracks, 420 "Harvest" Armoured Howitzers, 500 "Cartwright" Armoured Infantry Transports,
and 60 Mark XIII "Gryphon" Tactical Aero-gunship ", which make up the organic combat vehicles of the Corp, with hundreds more vehicles possibly added if certain other formation are redeployed or mobilized.
It would not be inaccurate to say that for every single combat vehicle, from Armtracks to aero-gunships, from Armoured Infantry Transports to scout cars and Armoured Howitzers, there are likely to be many support vehicles, ranging from the General Cargo Transports, hauling everything from explosive shells to chocolate bars, to repair vehicles capable of lifting twice their weight in wrecked vehicle, to field ambulances and earth diggers, all of which work together to create a working unit.
Structure
Current Order of Battle
18 Corps, Sand Vipers -Headquarter Company, 18th Corps- 47th Armoured Regiment, the Duke of Readham's Own
- 83rd Armoured Regiment, the Winged Hussars
- 152nd Infantry Regiment, the Wardens
- 45th Army Aviation Regiment, the Screaming Hawks
- 67th Field Artillery Regiment, the Desert Thunder
- 203rd Supply and Sustainment Regiment, the Oiled Machine
- 22nd Movement Support Group, the Helping Hands
- 14th Armoured Regiment, the Battlewagons
- 21st Armoured Regiment, the Green Dragoons
- 64th Infantry Regiment, the Kaiser's Hunters
- 11th Army Aviation Regiment, the Fireflies
- 26th Field Artillery, the Sandstorms
- 116th Supply and Sustainment Regiment, the Supply Train
- 41st Movement Support Group, the Enablers
- 31st Armoured Regiment, the Sultan's Lancers
- 15th Infantry Regiment, the Grenadiers
- 39th Infantry Regiment, the Lions
- 44th Army Aviation Regiment, the Sharp Talons
- 53rd Field Artillery Regiment, the Cold Hail
- 61st Supply and Sustainment Regiment, the Depot's Guards
- 13th Movement Support Group, the Guide Lights
Logistics
Logistical Support
Auxilia
Alongside their own divisions, the three Corps would also gain command of one Active duty division and two Territorial Guard Divisions each in time of war, the former being shipped or flown in from nearby United Commonwealth nations, primarily Albion, and the latter being reservists mobilized from the local population of their respective garrisons.
The Corps are also assigned various assets from 8th Army, ranging from military hospitals and police, to Civil Affairs, Judge Advocate's Corp and Adjudant General's Corp Assets for Civilian, Legal and Administrative duties, to Theater Air Defense Batteries, which are deployed around important infrastructure such as bridges, ports, dams, depots and others.
The Corp, owing to its position on the northern coastline of Alphania, also works with the United Commonwealth Navy, and has wartime command of the single U.C. Marine Corp Division in the area. It also has access to Naval assets in the region, operating under the 14th Fleet, including 2 Naval Air Groups, operating from Albion, and whatever land attack ordnance is carried on the Navy's surface and subsurface vessels.
The Corps has the ability to call up air support from the 25th Air Fleet, soon to be renamed 25 Theater Command, which is deployed from bases across Alphania, and is in charge of all Army Air Corps, soon to be Air Force, assets in the theater, and which consists of a multitude of air superiority, strategic and tactical strike, command and control, communication, intelligence and transportation assets, all of which work together with 8th Army to defend the United Commonwealth's citizen's in the area.
History
The 18th Corps has a history longer than many, despite its relatively recent formation, owing to the sheer amount of violent turbulence that the 12 Worlds had went went through during that 20 year period, and the horrible wars that were fought.
In addition, it is also one of the most decorated units of any size in the entirety of the Army, both in terms of individuals and the unit as a whole.
The Corps was mobilized in 160 in response to the growing international tension that came after the formation of the Ocrisian Empire, and it's expansion from its original continent of Alphania to other lands and even other world's through the creation of colonies and vassals. It was formed at the Weslich Empire's Fort Bergmann, under Lieutenant General Conrad Schneider, and was comprised of 3 Divisions, two independent Regiments, and an Army Air Fleet, alongside a multitude of support units. It first saw combat in the Alphanian campaign, in 164. There, it acted as part of the 3rd Army's armoured spearhead through the Firenzo Gap, and towards the River Stygs, under Operation Firefly, where it helped encircle the Imperial Ocrisian Army's 14th and 9th Army's. During this operation, the Corps' units all fought at the Battle of the River Bend, where it blocked the Ocrisian 14th Army's attempt to break out, but suffered heavy casualties in the process. One sub unit that distinguished itself particularly strongly at the time was 1st Platoon, A Company, 183rd Infantry Battalion, the 3rd Internationals. This platoon, under the then Lieutenant Gustav Johann Schmidt, who would one day serve as the G.O.C. the entirety of the Corp itself, was caught at the sharp point of the Ocrisian breakout attempt, where, under the Lieutenant's command, the platoon emplaced itself on the crucial Sosprin Bridge, and underwent a full two days of fighting, where the platoon faced off against an entire Armoured Regiment before it was relieved, leading to the deaths of a third of the Platoon's force. For it's actions, the Battalion was awarded the Army Bravery Citation, the highest award an army unit can be given, and the soldiers surviving and fallen were given a total of 10 Valorous Hearts, 7 Valorous Stars, and 15 Orders of merit, with the platoon commander, Lieutenant Schmidt, receiving all three and a promotion to Captain for his bravery, thinking and injuries. After the battle, and the subsequent surrender of the two Ocrisian Army's, the Ocrisian Empire sued for peace in late 164, surrendered, and underwent a political reformation under United Commonwealth supervision to democratize and gain membership in the U.C. The Corp would garrison the region for two more years, before being demobilised and having it's units either reserved or reassigned.
Following the assassination of Sir Ahmad Fazir, the coup in the Federation of Griffmark early in 168, and the revelation of multiple atrocities committed by the new government of the People's Republic of Griffmark later that year, the 18th Corps was remobilized once more, to take part in the restoration of democracy into Griffmark, and the overthrow of the Security and Order Party that ruled it. While other parts of the Army dealt with the Republic's allies, the 18th Corps, now under the newly formed 15th Army, was sent to invade Griffmark itself, as part of Operation Restoration. The former Lieutenant Schmidt, now Lieutenant Colonel, led his previous battalion, the 3rd International, into battle, as part of the 11th Armoured Regiment. Once again, the Corps would form part of an armoured spearhead, this time taking place after a beachhead ad been established by infantry and marine assault. Now, the objective of the Corp was to head northeast, and surround the the major industrial regions in Griffmark. It's side mission was to free as many prisoners and internees locked inside the P.R.G.'s labour camps, who were also being used by the P.R.G. as sources of magic for their experiments, and as sacrifices to the creatures they attempted to summon to save themselves. Some of these experiments and creatures would face the 18th Corps as it advanced, culminating in a series of bloody rampages, by hordes of possessed thralls, bound to the will of the generals who imprisoned their souls, and who would force them to throw themselves at the dancing U.C. armed forces. The carnage wrought by these occult forces annihilated much of what they were to protect, and the fierce fighting saw heavy casualties to the 11th Armoured Regiment including the death of it's Commanding Officer, who was replaced by the freshly promoted Colonel Gustav J. Schmidt. After the war ended in 171, marked by the taking of the capital city of Griffview and the capitulation of the P.R.G.'s allies, the energy of the United Commonwealth set its aim to be the rebuilding of the fallen nations, and the rehabilitation of the civilian population, especially the victims of the atrocities committed by the war's losers. With that, the 18th Corps was sent back to Weslich, and demobilised once more.
The third and final time that the 18th Corps was remobilised was in response to the increasing expansion of the Tsardom of Vostokya in 174, on the eastern portion of the continent of Alphania, and the Empire's invasion of multiple surrounding neutral nations. This time, the Corps was sent to the Republic of Shatihab, an important United Commonwealth member which bordered another nation closely aligned with the Tsardom, the Emirate of Adman, and which had significantly increased its active military strength, seemingly looking to invade Shatihab. At this time in 175, Colonel Schmidt was promoted to Major General, skipping the rank of Brigadier, in light of his conduct during the war with Griffmark, and was appointed as deputy commanding officer of the 18th Corps, under Lieutenant General Malcolm Teller. The arrival of the Corp in Shatihab occurred a mere three days after after simultaneous declarations of war were sent out by the Tsardom of Vostokya, and its allies, including the Emirate of Adman. It was a race against time for the 18th Corps to unload from its transport convoy and rush towards the frontlines of the desert, where it was immediately thrown into a literal and figurative sandstorm, resulting in a mostly uncoordinated, bloody mess of a battle with the Admani Army's 1st Army, which lasted for a week straight, and left the Corp victorious, but bloodied. In the middle of the battle, General Teller was wounded by artillery fire, and General Schmidt took over as G.O.C., and proceeded to regain communication and control over the Corp. This resulted in them extracting from the sandstorm, and towards friendly supply lines, where they formed and held defensive line against the advancing enemy. This War would last for three straight years, and the 18th Corps would see combat for every last one. General Teller was evacuated due to his severe injuries, but made sure that General Gustav, despite his youth, would be promoted and appointed as his replacement, which was eased by his excellent handling of the first battle, which would be known as the Battle of Al Balireen. The fierceness of the fighting in that battle, and the subsequent battles fought by the Corps in that vast, open desert would soon give the 18th Corps its nickname, the "Sand Vipers", known for their ability to strike hard from the desert, and disappear again. The now Lieutenant General Gustav Schmidt would serve as G.O.C of the Corps for the duration of the war, and would be the mastermind behind Operation Sandstorm Lightning, the offensive that would eventually force the capitulation of the Emirate of Adman. This involved coordination with the Navy and Corps of Marines, as well as other Army assets in the form of the 16th Army, which would launch a naval invasion of the Emirate. The success of the operation freed up significant resources which were quickly redeployed to the main front, which was once again in Alphania. The 18th Corps would not be joining this campaign, however, as it was decided that the unit, which had experienced non stop fighting for 3 years straight, was in need of respite. Hence, it was relocated to Albion, to lick its wounds and fill up its ranks.
The unit was kept in service, alongside all of its subordinate units and most of the surviving officers and enlisted. The Corps would stay under Lieutenant General Schmidt's command, and was subordinated to the 8th Army, under which it now serves, back on the Alphanian continent, the same place where its history first started.
The First Great War
The Corps was mobilized in 160 in response to the growing international tension that came after the formation of the Ocrisian Empire, and it's expansion from its original continent of Alphania to other lands and even other world's through the creation of colonies and vassals. It was formed at the Weslich Empire's Fort Bergmann, under Lieutenant General Conrad Schneider, and was comprised of 3 Divisions, two independent Regiments, and an Army Air Fleet, alongside a multitude of support units. It first saw combat in the Alphanian campaign, in 164. There, it acted as part of the 3rd Army's armoured spearhead through the Firenzo Gap, and towards the River Stygs, under Operation Firefly, where it helped encircle the Imperial Ocrisian Army's 14th and 9th Army's. During this operation, the Corps' units all fought at the Battle of the River Bend, where it blocked the Ocrisian 14th Army's attempt to break out, but suffered heavy casualties in the process. One sub unit that distinguished itself particularly strongly at the time was 1st Platoon, A Company, 183rd Infantry Battalion, the 3rd Internationals. This platoon, under the then Lieutenant Gustav Johann Schmidt, who would one day serve as the G.O.C. the entirety of the Corp itself, was caught at the sharp point of the Ocrisian breakout attempt, where, under the Lieutenant's command, the platoon emplaced itself on the crucial Sosprin Bridge, and underwent a full two days of fighting, where the platoon faced off against an entire Armoured Regiment before it was relieved, leading to the deaths of a third of the Platoon's force. For it's actions, the Battalion was awarded the Army Bravery Citation, the highest award an army unit can be given, and the soldiers surviving and fallen were given a total of 10 Valorous Hearts, 7 Valorous Stars, and 15 Orders of merit, with the platoon commander, Lieutenant Schmidt, receiving all three and a promotion to Captain for his bravery, thinking and injuries. After the battle, and the subsequent surrender of the two Ocrisian Army's, the Ocrisian Empire sued for peace in late 164, surrendered, and underwent a political reformation under United Commonwealth supervision to democratize and gain membership in the U.C. The Corp would garrison the region for two more years, before being demobilised and having it's units either reserved or reassigned.
The Second Great War
Following the assassination of Sir Ahmad Fazir, the coup in the Federation of Griffmark early in 168, and the revelation of multiple atrocities committed by the new government of the People's Republic of Griffmark later that year, the 18th Corps was remobilized once more, to take part in the restoration of democracy into Griffmark, and the overthrow of the Security and Order Party that ruled it. While other parts of the Army dealt with the Republic's allies, the 18th Corps, now under the newly formed 15th Army, was sent to invade Griffmark itself, as part of Operation Restoration. The former Lieutenant Schmidt, now Lieutenant Colonel, led his previous battalion, the 3rd International, into battle, as part of the 11th Armoured Regiment. Once again, the Corps would form part of an armoured spearhead, this time taking place after a beachhead ad been established by infantry and marine assault. Now, the objective of the Corp was to head northeast, and surround the the major industrial regions in Griffmark. It's side mission was to free as many prisoners and internees locked inside the P.R.G.'s labour camps, who were also being used by the P.R.G. as sources of magic for their experiments, and as sacrifices to the creatures they attempted to summon to save themselves. Some of these experiments and creatures would face the 18th Corps as it advanced, culminating in a series of bloody rampages, by hordes of possessed thralls, bound to the will of the generals who imprisoned their souls, and who would force them to throw themselves at the dancing U.C. armed forces. The carnage wrought by these occult forces annihilated much of what they were to protect, and the fierce fighting saw heavy casualties to the 11th Armoured Regiment including the death of it's Commanding Officer, who was replaced by the freshly promoted Colonel Gustav J. Schmidt. After the war ended in 171, marked by the taking of the capital city of Griffview and the capitulation of the P.R.G.'s allies, the energy of the United Commonwealth set its aim to be the rebuilding of the fallen nations, and the rehabilitation of the civilian population, especially the victims of the atrocities committed by the war's losers. With that, the 18th Corps was sent back to Weslich, and demobilised once more.
The Third Great War.
The third and final time that the 18th Corps was remobilised was in response to the increasing expansion of the Tsardom of Vostokya in 174, on the eastern portion of the continent of Alphania, and the Empire's invasion of multiple surrounding neutral nations. This time, the Corps was sent to the Republic of Shatihab, an important United Commonwealth member which bordered another nation closely aligned with the Tsardom, the Emirate of Adman, and which had significantly increased its active military strength, seemingly looking to invade Shatihab. At this time in 175, Colonel Schmidt was promoted to Major General, skipping the rank of Brigadier, in light of his conduct during the war with Griffmark, and was appointed as deputy commanding officer of the 18th Corps, under Lieutenant General Malcolm Teller. The arrival of the Corp in Shatihab occurred a mere three days after after simultaneous declarations of war were sent out by the Tsardom of Vostokya, and its allies, including the Emirate of Adman. It was a race against time for the 18th Corps to unload from its transport convoy and rush towards the frontlines of the desert, where it was immediately thrown into a literal and figurative sandstorm, resulting in a mostly uncoordinated, bloody mess of a battle with the Admani Army's 1st Army, which lasted for a week straight, and left the Corp victorious, but bloodied. In the middle of the battle, General Teller was wounded by artillery fire, and General Schmidt took over as G.O.C., and proceeded to regain communication and control over the Corp. This resulted in them extracting from the sandstorm, and towards friendly supply lines, where they formed and held defensive line against the advancing enemy. This War would last for three straight years, and the 18th Corps would see combat for every last one. General Teller was evacuated due to his severe injuries, but made sure that General Gustav, despite his youth, would be promoted and appointed as his replacement, which was eased by his excellent handling of the first battle, which would be known as the Battle of Al Balireen. The fierceness of the fighting in that battle, and the subsequent battles fought by the Corps in that vast, open desert would soon give the 18th Corps its nickname, the "Sand Vipers", known for their ability to strike hard from the desert, and disappear again. The now Lieutenant General Gustav Schmidt would serve as G.O.C of the Corps for the duration of the war, and would be the mastermind behind Operation Sandstorm Lightning, the offensive that would eventually force the capitulation of the Emirate of Adman. This involved coordination with the Navy and Corps of Marines, as well as other Army assets in the form of the 16th Army, which would launch a naval invasion of the Emirate. The success of the operation freed up significant resources which were quickly redeployed to the main front, which was once again in Alphania. The 18th Corps would not be joining this campaign, however, as it was decided that the unit, which had experienced non stop fighting for 3 years straight, was in need of respite. Hence, it was relocated to Albion, to lick its wounds and fill up its ranks.
Post-War
The unit was kept in service, alongside all of its subordinate units and most of the surviving officers and enlisted. The Corps would stay under Lieutenant General Schmidt's command, and was subordinated to the 8th Army, under which it now serves, back on the Alphanian continent, the same place where its history first started.
Type
Armour
Vehicles Used
Founding
160 A.S.
Overall training Level
Elite
Assumed Veterancy
Decorated/Honored
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Thank you for the material! I'd like to add a few prompts to embellish the article. Feel free to ignore as you wish; the last thing I want is to harm your creation! Did the 18th Corps suffer any defeats, or pyrrhic victories? It seems that they've succeeded in every engagement in which they've participated, even with the loss of their leadership in a couple engagements. In the real world, certain battalion numbers have a luck element attached to them. For example, you don't want to be given the same designation of a battalion that was historically wiped out. Does the "18th" moniker have an element of luck, then, if it succeeded for that long? More broadly, what is the culture inside the Corps? Are they elitist? Do they adhere to commands vigorously, or do they like to play things fast and loose? Since the Corps is comprised of units from several nations, is there need for translation? How does international relations work within the Corps?
Thank you for taking he time to comment here! It really means a lot. Now, about your prompts: 1. In the list of pyrrhic victories, most major victories end up being one. The first one that comes to mind is the River Bend. The main reason a single platoon had to defend such a major location was because pretty much the entire battalion it was under had been cut down over the past few days, and the platoon itself would sustain 1/3rd casualties, dead or wounded. 2. Well, the 18th Corp is definitely one of the most famous ones, and though few would attribute success to luck, there are a small number of traditions carried by the Corp, including some involving it's members cultural traditions. 3. I wouldn't say they are elitist, though they certainly favour "their" veteran units, which have served in at least one of the wars the Corp has fought in, over newer members of the Corp, who replaced the older ones who have either dies or retired. 4. The Army as a whole function s under the principle of allowing lower level leaders discretion about what they wish to do, while ensuring they follow their superiors general plans and instructions. This is reflected in the Corp as well. 5. Well, joining the Army, either as enlisted or officer, requires one to be able to speak relatively fluent English, the common political and economic language of the United Commonwealth, and are encouraged to learn German, the language spoken by a great deal of soldiers. 5. All the nations with troops deployed in the Corp are members of the United Commonwealth, which is like a bigger EU, so relations are handled at a higher political level.
Intriguing! Thank you for your quick response; I appreciate the thought and effort you put into your creation. Upon reading it (my mistake, of course), I figured that the United Commonwealth was the United Kingdom/British Commonwealth. 1/3 casualties are understandable for barely escaping with a victory!