Commonwealth Corps
| Commonwealth Corps | |
|---|---|
| Active | Proposed for 1946 |
| Country |
 Australia Canada United Kingdom New Zealand
|
| Allegiance | Allied |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | 3 divisions |
The Commonwealth Corps was the name given to a proposed British Commonwealth army formation, which was scheduled to take part in the planned Allied invasion of Japan in during 1945 and 1946. The corps was never formed, however, as the Japanese surrender obviated any need for it. Under the proposals the corps would have comprised Australian, British, Canadian and New Zealand forces.
By July 1945, United Kingdom leaders were proposing that five Commonwealth divisions be assembled in India, and that they be committed to the invasion of Japan from March 1946, a few months after the first planned landings by United States forces. The corps was to be accompanied by a 15-squadron tactical air force known as Tiger Force, consisting mostly of Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force squadrons. However, the Australian Advisory War Council did not endorse this plan, instead feeling that the Australia's heavy involvement in the Pacific War meant that Australian Army units should be involved in the initial landing, whilst it was also considering the attachment of units to US formations.
By the time of the Potsdam Conference General Douglas MacArthur—as commander of Allied land forces for the proposed invasion—was insisting that the total Commonwealth land forces involved should be only three divisions and that a combined Commonwealth corps should be formed as part of a US army-level formation. Further, it was proposed that the formation should use only US equipment and logistics, that it should be kept in reserve rather than taking part in initial landings, and that it should not include Indian Army units, due to "linguistic and administrative complications". Besides questions of American national prestige, which undoubtedly weighed heavily, behind these conditions was a desire to simplify the lines of communication and the logistic support arrangements of the invasion force. Indeed, once established in Japan MacArthur intended to switch his strategic lines of communication direct to America.
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