From December 24, 1940 until the formation of the First Canadian Army in April 1942, there was a single unnumbered Canadian Corps. I Canadian Corps became operational in Italy in November 1943 when the 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division joined the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, which had been assigned to the British Eighth Army immediately prior to the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943. I Canadian Corps was commanded successively by Lieutenant-General Harry Crerar (April 6, 1942 to March 19, 1944), Lieutenant-General Eedson Burns (March 20, 1944 to November 5, 1944), and Lieutenant-General Charles Foulkes (November 10, 1944 to July 17, 1945).