VIII Reserve Corps (German Empire)
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German Empire| VIII Reserve Corps VIII. 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 | VIII RK |
The VIII Reserve Corps (German: VIII. Reserve-Korps / VIII RK) was a corps level command of the German Army in World War I.
Structure on formation
VIII 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 Wilhelm Freiherr von Egloffstein.[2] It was still in existence at the end of the war[3] in the 7th Army, Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz on the Western Front.[4]
On formation in August 1914, VIII 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, VIII Reserve Corps mobilised with 21 infantry battalions, 4 machine gun companies (24 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 3 pioneer companies.
| Corps | Division | Brigade | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIII Reserve Corps[10] | 15th Reserve Division | 30th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 25th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| 69th Reserve Infantry Regiment[11] | |||
| 32nd Reserve Infantry Brigade | 17th Reserve Infantry Regiment[12] | ||
| 30th Reserve Infantry Regiment[13] | |||
| 5th Reserve Uhlan Regiment | |||
| 15th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment | |||
| 4th Company, 8th Pioneer Battalion | |||
| 15th Reserve Divisional Pontoon Train | |||
| 8th Reserve Medical Company | |||
| 16th Reserve Division | 29th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 29th Reserve Infantry Regiment | |
| 65th Reserve Infantry Regiment[14] | |||
| 31st Reserve Infantry Brigade | 28th Reserve Infantry Regiment[15] | ||
| 68th Reserve Infantry Regiment | |||
| 2nd Reserve Schwere Reiter Regiment | |||
| 16th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment | |||
| 1st Reserve Company, 8th Pioneer Battalion | |||
| 2nd Reserve Company, 8th Pioneer Battalion | |||
| 12th Reserve Medical Company | |||
| Corps Troops | 8th Reserve Telephone Detachment | ||
| Munition Trains and Columns corresponding to the III Reserve Corps |
Combat chronicle
On mobilisation, VIII Reserve Corps was assigned to the 4th Army forming part of the centre of the forces for the Schlieffen Plan offensive in August 1914.
Commanders
VIII Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:[16][17]
| From | Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 August 1914 | General der Infanterie | Wilhelm Freiherr von Egloffstein |
| 2 January 1915 | Generalleutnant | Paul Fleck |
| 7 September 1916 | Generalleutnant | Georg Wichura[18] |
| 22 March 1917 | General der Infanterie |
