The XXVII Corps (, or XXVII.AK) was an infantry corps in the German army. It fought in several notable actions during World War II. The corps was originally raised in August 1939 in Wehrkreis VII. Wartime service 1939 Organisation (September 1939): 16th, 69th, 211th and 216th Infantry Divisions During September 1939 the XXVII Corps was used to screen the Dutch-German border. 1940 Organisation (June 1940): 211th, 213th, 218th and 239th Infantry Divisions The Corps participated in Nazi Germany's Invasion of France as part of Army Group C. In May, it crossed the southern Netherlands and Belgium towards Roubaix, where it helped in surrounding the French 1st Army. Later in the campaign, it attacked from the east bank of the Rhine towards Colmar. It then remained on occupation duties in eastern France until the following year. 1941 Organisation (November 1941): 86th, 129th and 162nd Infantry Divisions; Gruppe Landgraf (parts of 6th and 7th Panzer Divisions) The XXVII Corps did not take part in the initial stages of Operation Barbarossa, but was transferred to the Ninth Army, Army Group Centre, for Operation Typhoon, the attack on Moscow. On the Army's north flank, it advanced towards Kalinin, but by December had been forced to retreat into the Rzhev salient. 1942 Organisation (early November 1942): 6th, 72nd, 87th, 95th, 129th, 251st and 256th Infantry Divisions; heavy artillery and assault gun detachments The Corps suffered heavy losses during 1942 in the series of defensive battles around Rzhev. Its organisation changed several times during this period, but included up to eight infantry divisions at various points. Along with the remainder of Army Group Centre, it was ordered to evacuate the Rzhev salient the following year in Operation Büffel. 1943 Organisation (July 1943): 52nd, 197th, 246th and 256th Infantry Divisions In the autumn of 1943 the Corps, now assigned to Fourth Army, took part in the defence against the Soviet offensive Operation Suvorov around Smolensk. By the next year, it had been pushed back to positions east of Orsha. 1944 Organisation (June 1944): 25th Panzergrenadier Division, 78th Sturm Division, 260th Infantry Division During 1944, the Corps was positioned in the sector of the strategically important Minsk - Moscow road near Orsha, having been specially reinforced for the purpose. In late June the Soviets commenced their summer offensive, Operation Bagration; the XXVII Corps was attacked by forces of the 3rd Belorussian Front and took heavy casualties. Bypassed by