V Reserve Corps (German Empire)
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German Empire| V Reserve Corps V. 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 | V RK |
The V Reserve Corps (German: V. Reserve-Korps / V RK) was a corps level command of the German Army in World War I.
Structure on formation
V 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 Erich von Gündell, 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, V 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, V Reserve Corps mobilised with 22 infantry battalions, 7 machine gun companies (42 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 3 pioneer companies. 10th Reserve Division was slightly stronger than the norm as it included an active infantry brigade.
| Corps | Division | Brigade | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| V Reserve Corps[10] | 9th Reserve Division | 17th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 6th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| 7th Reserve Infantry Regiment | |||
| 19th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 19th Reserve Infantry Regiment | ||
| 5th Reserve Jäger Battalion | |||
| 3rd Reserve Dragoon Regiment | |||
| 9th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment | |||
| 4th Company, 5th Pioneer Battalion | |||
| 9th Reserve Divisional Pontoon Train | |||
| 19th Reserve Medical Company | |||
| 10th Reserve Division | 77th Infantry Brigade | 37th Füsilier Regiment | |
| 155th Infantry Regiment | |||
| 50th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 37th Reserve Infantry Regiment | ||
| 46th Reserve Infantry Regiment | |||
| 6th Reserve Uhlan Regiment | |||
| 10th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment | |||
| 1st Reserve Company, 5th Pioneer Battalion | |||
| 2nd Reserve Company, 5th Pioneer Battalion | |||
| 10th Reserve Divisional Pontoon Train | |||
| 5th Reserve Medical Company | |||
| Corps Troops | 5th Reserve Telephone Detachment | ||
| Munition Trains and Columns corresponding to the III Reserve Corps |
Combat chronicle
On mobilisation, V Reserve Corps was assigned to the 5th Army forming part of the centre of the forces for the Schlieffen Plan offensive in August 1914.
Commanders
V Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:[11][12]
| From | Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 August 1914 | Generalleutnant | Erich von Gündell[13] |
| 2 September 1914 | General der Infanterie | |
| 3 September 1916 | Generalleutnant | Otto von Garnier |
| 27 August 1917 | Generalleutnant | Viktor Kühne[14] |
| 21 November 1917 | General der Infanterie | Franz Freiherr von Soden[15] |
