I Royal Bavarian Reserve Corps
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| I Royal Bavarian Reserve Corps I. Königlich Bayerisches Reserve-Korps | |
|---|---|
 Flag of the Staff of a Generalkommando (1871–1918) | |
| Active | 2 August 1914 - post November 1918 |
| Country |  German Empire Bavaria |
| Branch | Bavarian Army |
| Type | Corps |
| Size | Approximately 38,000 (on formation) |
| Engagements | World War I |
| Insignia | |
| Abbreviation | I Bavarian RK |
The I Royal Bavarian Reserve Corps / I Bavarian RK (German: I. Königlich Bayerisches Reserve-Korps) was a corps level command of the Royal Bavarian Army, part of the Imperial German Army, in World War I.[a]
Structure on formation
I Royal Bavarian 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 Karl von Fasbender, brought out of retirement.[2] It was still in existence at the end of the war[3] in the 17th Army, Heeresgruppe Kronprinz Rupprecht on the Western Front.[4]
On formation in August 1914, I Royal Bavarian 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]
In summary, I Royal Bavarian Reserve Corps mobilised with 25 infantry battalions, 5 machine gun companies (30 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 3 pioneer companies. 5th Bavarian Reserve Division was formed mostly by units drawn from the III Bavarian Corps District.[10]
| Corps | Division | Brigade | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| I Royal Bavarian Reserve Corps[11] | 1st Bavarian Reserve Division | 1st Bavarian Reserve Infantry Brigade | 1st Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| 2nd Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment | |||
| 2nd Bavarian Reserve Infantry Brigade | 3rd Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment | ||
| 12th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment[12] | |||
| 1st Bavarian Reserve Cavalry Regiment | |||
| 1st Bavarian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment | |||
| 1st Reserve Company, 1st Bavarian Pioneer Battalion | |||
| 1st Bavarian Reserve Divisional Pontoon Train | |||
| 1st Bavarian Reserve Medical Company | |||
| 5th Bavarian Reserve Division | 9th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Brigade | 6th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment | |
| 7th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment[12] | |||
| 11th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Brigade | 10th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment | ||
| 13th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment[12] | |||
| 1st Bavarian Reserve Jäger Battalion | |||
| 5th Bavarian Reserve Cavalry Regiment | |||
| 5th Bavarian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment | |||
| 4th Company, 2nd Bavarian Pioneer Battalion | |||
| 1st Reserve Company, 2nd Bavarian Pioneer Battalion | |||
| 5th Bavarian Reserve Divisional Pontoon Train | |||
| 5th Bavarian Reserve Medical Company | |||
| Corps Troops | 1st Bavarian Reserve Telephone Detachment | ||
| Munition Trains and Columns corresponding to the III Reserve Corps |
Combat chronicle
On mobilisation, I Royal Bavarian Reserve Corps was assigned to the predominantly Bavarian 6th Army forming part of the left wing of the forces for the Schlieffen Plan offensive in August 1914.
Commanders
I Bavarian Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:[13][14]
| From | Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 August 1914 | General der Infanterie | Karl von Fasbender |
| 8 November 1918 | Generalleutnant | Paul von Kneußl |
