XXVI Reserve Corps (German Empire)
WWI army unit
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The XXVI Reserve Corps (German: XXVI. Reserve-Korps / XXVI RK) was a corps-level command of the German army during World War I.
German Empire| XXVI Reserve Corps XXVI. Reserve-Korps | |
|---|---|
Flag of the Staff of a Generalkommando (1871–1918) | |
| Active | October 1914 - post November 1918 |
| Country | German Empire |
| Type | Corps |
| Size | Approximately 32,000 (on formation) |
| Engagements | World War I |
| Insignia | |
| Abbreviation | XXVI RK |
Formation
XXVI Reserve Corps was formed in October 1914.[1] It was part of the first wave of new Corps formed at the outset of World War I consisting of XXII - XXVII Reserve Corps of 43rd - 54th Reserve Divisions (plus 6th Bavarian Reserve Division). The personnel was predominantly made up of kriegsfreiwillige (wartime volunteers) who did not wait to be called up.[2] It was still in existence at the end of the war[3] in the 18th Army, Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz on the Western Front.[4]
Structure on formation
On formation in October 1914, XXVI Reserve Corps consisted of two divisions.[5] but was weaker than an Active Corps
- Reserve Infantry Regiments consisted of three battalions but only had a machine gun platoon (of 2 machine guns) rather than a machine gun company (of 6 machine guns)[6]
- Reserve Jäger Battalions did not have a machine gun company on formation, though some were provided with a machine gun platoon[7]
- Reserve Cavalry Detachments were much smaller than the Reserve Cavalry Regiments formed on mobilisation[8]
- Reserve Field Artillery Regiments consisted of three abteilungen (2 gun and 1 howitzer) of three batteries each, but each battery had just 4 guns (rather than 6 of the Active and the Reserve Regiments formed on mobilisation)[9]
In summary, XXVI Reserve Corps mobilised with 26 infantry battalions, 8 machine gun platoons (16 machine guns), 2 cavalry detachments, 18 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 2 pioneer companies.
| Corps | Division | Brigade | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 51st Reserve Division[10] | 101st Reserve Infantry Brigade | 233rd Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| 234th Reserve Infantry Regiment | |||
| 102nd Reserve Infantry Brigade | 235th Reserve Infantry Regiment | ||
| 236th Reserve Infantry Regiment | |||
| 23rd Reserve Jäger Battalion[11] | |||
| 51st Reserve Field Artillery Regiment | |||
| 51st Reserve Cavalry Detachment | |||
| 51st Reserve Pioneer Company | |||
| 52nd Reserve Division[12] | 103rd Reserve Infantry Brigade | 237th Reserve Infantry Regiment | |
| 238th Reserve Infantry Regiment | |||
| 104th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 239th Reserve Infantry Regiment | ||
| 240th Reserve Infantry Regiment | |||
| 24th Reserve Jäger Battalion[13] | |||
| 52nd Reserve Field Artillery Regiment | |||
| 52nd Reserve Cavalry Detachment | |||
| 52nd Reserve Pioneer Company | |||
Commanders
XXVI Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:[14][15]
| From | Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 25 August 1914 | Generalleutnant | Otto von Hügel[16] |
| 30 September 1914 | General der Infanterie | |
| 5 March 1918 | Generalleutnant | Oskar von Watter |
