**Seventeenth Army**
**Definition:**
The Seventeenth Army was a military formation used by various nations during different periods, most notably by the German Wehrmacht during World War II. It typically referred to a field army-level command responsible for large-scale operations in specific theaters of war.
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# Seventeenth Army
The designation „Seventeenth Army” has been used by several countries to denote a major military formation, usually at the field army level. Most prominently, the term is associated with the German Seventeenth Army during World War II, which played significant roles on the Eastern Front and in the defense of occupied territories. Other nations have also employed similarly numbered armies, but the German Seventeenth Army remains the most historically significant and well-documented.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Seventeenth Army, focusing primarily on the German formation during World War II, its origins, organizational structure, operational history, and legacy. Additionally, it briefly touches upon other uses of the term in military history.
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## Origins and Formation
### German Seventeenth Army
The German Seventeenth Army (17. Armee) was formed in January 1940 during the early stages of World War II. It was established as part of the Wehrmacht’s expansion and reorganization to prepare for large-scale operations in Western and Eastern Europe. Initially, the army was tasked with defensive and occupation duties in France following the successful German campaign in the West.
The formation of the Seventeenth Army was part of a broader strategy to create multiple field armies capable of conducting independent operations or supporting larger army groups. The army was subordinated to Army Group B during the Battle of France and later reassigned to Army Group South and Army Group North on the Eastern Front.
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## Organizational Structure
### Command and Control
The Seventeenth Army was commanded by several notable generals throughout its existence. Its leadership was responsible for coordinating corps-level units, managing logistics, and executing strategic directives from higher command echelons such as Army Groups and the Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH).
### Composition
The army typically consisted of several corps, each comprising multiple infantry, panzer (armored), and specialized divisions. The exact composition varied over time depending on operational requirements, losses, and reinforcements. The army included:
– Infantry Divisions
– Panzer Divisions
– Motorized Infantry Divisions
– Artillery and Anti-Aircraft Units
– Engineer and Reconnaissance Units
The Seventeenth Army’s structure was flexible, adapting to the changing conditions of warfare on the Eastern Front and in defensive operations.
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## Operational History
### Western Front (1940)
During the Battle of France in May and June 1940, the Seventeenth Army was part of Army Group B, which was responsible for the northern sector of the German offensive. The army’s role was primarily defensive, holding positions and securing lines of communication while other formations advanced rapidly through the Ardennes and northern France.
Following the French capitulation, the Seventeenth Army was assigned occupation duties in northern France, maintaining security and suppressing resistance activities.
### Eastern Front (1941–1944)
The most significant period in the history of the Seventeenth Army was its deployment on the Eastern Front following Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941.
#### Initial Deployment and Advances
The Seventeenth Army was initially part of Army Group South, tasked with advancing through Ukraine and the southern Soviet Union. It participated in key battles, including the encirclement operations around Kiev and the push towards the Donets Basin.
#### Defensive Operations and Retreats
As the war progressed and Soviet resistance stiffened, the Seventeenth Army was increasingly engaged in defensive battles. It faced major Soviet offensives such as the Battle of Kursk in 1943 and the subsequent Soviet counteroffensives that pushed German forces westward.
The army suffered heavy casualties and was forced into a series of retreats, eventually becoming part of the defensive perimeter in the Baltic States and East Prussia.
### Courland Pocket (1944–1945)
In late 1944, the Seventeenth Army was encircled in the Courland Peninsula (modern-day Latvia) along with other German forces, forming the so-called Courland Pocket. Cut off from the main German forces, the army remained trapped there until the end of the war in Europe in May 1945.
Despite repeated Soviet attempts to eliminate the pocket, the Seventeenth Army held its positions, conducting defensive operations and delaying Soviet advances.
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## Commanders
Several generals commanded the Seventeenth Army during its existence, including:
– Generaloberst Carl-Heinrich von Stülpnagel (early 1940)
– Generaloberst Karl-Adolf Hollidt (1942–1944)
– General der Infanterie Friedrich Wiese (1944–1945)
These commanders were responsible for directing the army’s operations, managing retreats, and maintaining morale under increasingly difficult conditions.
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## Legacy and Historical Assessment
The Seventeenth Army’s history reflects the broader trajectory of the German Army during World War II: initial successes followed by protracted defensive battles and eventual defeat. Its role in major Eastern Front campaigns and the prolonged defense of the Courland Pocket exemplify the challenges faced by German forces in the latter stages of the war.
The army’s operational record has been studied extensively by military historians seeking to understand the dynamics of large-scale warfare, command challenges, and the impact of strategic decisions on battlefield outcomes.
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## Other Uses of the Term „Seventeenth Army”
While the German Seventeenth Army is the most notable, other countries have used the designation „Seventeenth Army” for their military formations, though these are less prominent in historical records.
### Imperial Japanese Army
The Imperial Japanese Army briefly formed a Seventeenth Army during World War II, primarily for operations in the Pacific theater. This formation was involved in defensive operations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands.
### Soviet Red Army
The Soviet Red Army also designated various numbered armies, including a Seventeenth Army, during World War II. These formations were involved in offensive and defensive operations on the Eastern Front but are distinct from the German Seventeenth Army.
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## Conclusion
The Seventeenth Army, particularly the German formation during World War II, played a significant role in several key military campaigns. Its history illustrates the complexities of command, the evolution of warfare on the Eastern Front, and the eventual collapse of German military power. While the term has been used by other nations, the German Seventeenth Army remains the most studied and historically significant.
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## See Also
– Army Group South (Wehrmacht)
– Battle of France
– Operation Barbarossa
– Courland Pocket
– Wehrmacht Field Armies
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## References
*Note: This article is a synthesis of historical military records and scholarly research on the Seventeenth Army and does not include direct citations.*
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**Meta Description:**
The Seventeenth Army was a major German field army during World War II, known for its operations on the Eastern Front and defense in the Courland Pocket. This article explores its formation, campaigns, and legacy.