Fourteenth Army (United Kingdom)

Fourteenth Army
Shoulder badge of Fourteenth Army
Active	1943–45
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army British Indian Army
Type	Field army
Nickname(s)	The Forgotten Army
Engagements	Burma Campaign
Battle honours	Burma
Commanders
Notable commanders	Lieutenant-General William Slim

The British Fourteenth Army was a multinational force comprising units from Commonwealth countries during World War II. Many of its units were from the Indian Army as well as British units and there were also significant contributions from West and East African divisions within the British Army.

It was often referred to as the "Forgotten Army" because its operations in the Burma Campaign were overlooked by the contemporary press, and remained more obscure than those of the corresponding formations in Europe for long after the war.

For most of the Army's existence, it was commanded by Lieutenant-General William Slim.

The army was formed in 1943 in eastern India. With the creation of South East Asia Command in late 1943, the Eastern Army which formerly controlled operations against the Japanese Army in Burma and also had large rear-area responsibilities, was split into two. Eastern Command (reporting to GHQ India) took over the rear areas of Bihar, Odisha and most of Bengal. Fourteenth Army, part of the British 11th Army Group, became responsible for operations against the Japanese.

The Army's commander was Lieutenant General William Slim. Its principal subordinate formations were IV Corps in Assam and XV Corps in Arakan. During the early part of 1944, the Army also had loose operational control over the American and Chinese Northern Combat Area Command, and the Chindits operating behind enemy lines under Major General Orde Wingate.