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Introduction
1. Background: the XII Corps History Association
During the summer of 1945 headquarters of XII U.S. Army Corps was situated at Regensburg,
on the Danube River, in the southeastern most territories of Germany. Still a part of the Third US Army,
as it had been all through combat in Europe, the corps was then dispersed over a large area in
occupation of two provinces of the "land" of Bavaria. The corps headquarters and its other component
units were resting on the considerable laurels won during the recent fighting on the Continent, and
sentiment became widespread that a history of the XII Corps should be undertaken to record its
accomplishments in permanent form.
To this end there was established, in accordance with Army regulations and the common custom
for such undertakings, the XII Corps History Association. This was the designed as a non-profit
organization, under a set of by-laws drawn up by the XII Corps Judge Advocate General, with
consultation of the Corps Inspector General and Finance officer. The by-laws provided for active
control by an Executive Committee with the dual duty of supervising the work of preparing the history,
and making sure that funds contributed by subscribers should be properly expended to produce and
distribute the best possible volume as a memorial to the exploits of the corps and its members, both unit
and individual. The association was designed solely for the accomplishment of this end, and for that
reason was made a temporary agency. It was to go out of existence automatically on 7 August 1947, by
which time it was assumed the history, however elaborate it might prove, could be produced and
distributed to the subscribers. The interest in the project was such that while the volume was in
preparation over 7,000 former members of the corps and a number of other persons subscribed for one
or more copies.
At an organization meeting in the Command Post War Room on 10 August 45, the association
came into existence, and the following XII Corps officers agreed to serve on the Executive Committee
and otherwise as indicated:
Brig. Gen. Ralph J. Canine, Chairman
Col. Paul M. Martin, Deputy Chairman
Col. Frank R. Veale
Col. John H. Claybrook
Col. Jack H. Griffith
Col. Ernest C. Norman
Col. Asa W. K. Billings
Col. Clyde E. Dougherty
Col. Alfred H. Anderson
Col. A. J. DeLorimier
Col. Rodney C. Gott
Maj. George Dyer, Historian
Capt. C. L. Dyer, Treasure
Lt. L. D. Gilbertson, Secretary
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