I Reserve Corps (German Empire)

Formation

I Reserve Corps was formed on the outbreak of the war in August 1914 as part of the mobilisation of the Army. It was initially commanded by Generalleutnant Otto von Below. It was still in existence at the end of the war in the 3rd Army, Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz on the Western Front.

Structure on formation

On formation in August 1914, I 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 Reserve Jäger Battalions did not have a machine gun company on formation Reserve Cavalry Regiments consisted of just three squadrons Reserve Field Artillery Regiments usually consisted of two abteilungen of three batteries each Corps Troops generally consisted of a Telephone Detachment and four sections of munition columns and trains

In summary, I Reserve Corps mobilised with 26 infantry battalions, 11 machine gun companies (66 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 2 pioneer companies. 1st Reserve Division was particularly strong in machine gun formations as the 1st, 3rd and 18th Reserve Infantry Regiments all had two machine gun companies. 36th Reserve Division was formed by units drawn from the XVII Corps District. It included one active Infantry Regiment (54th).

Combat chronicle

On mobilisation, I Reserve Corps was assigned to the 8th Army on the Eastern Front, intended to defend East Prussia while the rest of the German Army executed the Schlieffen Plan offensive against France.

Commanders

I Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence: