IX Reserve Corps (German Empire)
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German Empire| IX Reserve Corps IX. Reserve-Korps | |
|---|---|
 Flag of the Staff of a Generalkommando (1871–1918) | |
| Active | 2 August 1914 - post November 1918 |
| Country | German Empire |
| Type | Corps |
| Size | Approximately 38,000 (on formation) |
| Engagements | World War I |
| Insignia | |
| Abbreviation | IX RK |
The IX Reserve Corps (German: IX. Reserve-Korps / IX RK) was a corps level command of the German Army in World War I.
Structure on formation
IX Reserve Corps was formed on the outbreak of the war in August 1914[1] as part of the mobilisation of the Army. It was initially commanded by General der Infanterie Max von Boehn, brought out of retirement.[2] It was still in existence at the end of the war[3] in the 5th Army, Heeresgruppe Gallwitz on the Western Front.[4]
On formation in August 1914, IX Reserve Corps consisted of two divisions, made up of reserve units. In general, Reserve Corps and Reserve Divisions were weaker than their active counterparts
- Reserve Infantry Regiments did not always have three battalions nor necessarily contain a machine gun company[5]
- Reserve Jäger Battalions did not have a machine gun company on formation[6]
- Reserve Cavalry Regiments consisted of just three squadrons[7]
- Reserve Field Artillery Regiments usually consisted of two abteilungen of three batteries each[8]
- Corps Troops generally consisted of a Telephone Detachment and four sections of munition columns and trains [9]
The IX Reserve Corps was exceptional as it formed the major part of the North Army so was provided with more Corps Troops than other Reserve Corps: a Foot Artillery Battalion, a Pioneer Regiment and a Field Airship Detachment.
In summary, IX Reserve Corps mobilised with 25 infantry battalions, 5 machine gun companies (30 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns), 4 heavy batteries (16 guns), a Field Airship Detachment and 7 pioneer companies. 17th Reserve Division was slightly stronger than the norm as it included an active infantry brigade.
| Corps | Division | Brigade | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| IX Reserve Corps[10] | 17th Reserve Division | 81st Infantry Brigade | 162nd Infantry Regiment |
| 163rd Infantry Regiment | |||
| 33rd Reserve Infantry Brigade | 75th Reserve Infantry Regiment | ||
| 76th Reserve Infantry Regiment[11] | |||
| 6th Reserve Hussar Regiment | |||
| 17th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment | |||
| 4th Company, 9th Pioneer Battalion | |||
| 17th Reserve Divisional Pontoon Train | |||
| 9th Reserve Medical Company | |||
| 18th Reserve Division | 34th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 31st Reserve Infantry Regiment | |
| 90th Reserve Infantry Regiment[12] | |||
| 35th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 84th Reserve Infantry Regiment[13] | ||
| 86th Reserve Infantry Regiment | |||
| 9th Reserve Jäger Battalion | |||
| 7th Reserve Hussar Regiment | |||
| 18th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment | |||
| 1st Reserve Company, 9th Pioneer Battalion | |||
| 2nd Reserve Company, 9th Pioneer Battalion | |||
| 13th Reserve Medical Company | |||
| Corps Troops | II Battalion, 2nd Guards Foot Artillery Regiment[14][15] | ||
| 31st Pioneer Regiment[16][17] | |||
| 9th Reserve Telephone Detachment | |||
| 5th Field Airship Detachment | |||
| Munition Trains and Columns corresponding to the III Reserve Corps |
Combat chronicle
On mobilisation, IX Reserve Corps was assigned to the North Army, which was held back in Schleswig to defend the German North Sea Coast in case of British landings. It was soon transferred to the Western Front, joining 1st Army in late August.
Commanders
IX Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:[18][19]
| From | Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 August 1914 | General der Infanterie | Max von Boehn |
| 2 February 1917 | Generalleutnant | Viktor Kühne |
| 12 March 1917 | Generalleutnant | Karl Dieffenbach |
