Country German Empire Type Cavalry | Branch Army Engagements World War I | |
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Active 2 August 1914-23 January 1915 Size Approximately 22,000 (on mobilisation) | ||
The II Cavalry Corps (German: Höhere Kavallerie-Kommando 2 / HKK 2 literally: Higher Cavalry Command 2) was a formation of the German Army in World War I. The corps was formed on mobilization of the German Army in August 1914 and dissolved 23 January 1915 as the onset of trench warfare in the west negated the requirement for large cavalry formations. It was commanded throughout its existence by General der Kavallerie Georg von der Marwitz.
Contents
Combat chronicle
Initially on the Western Front with 2nd, 4th and 9th Cavalry Divisions preceding 1st and 2nd Armies. Withdrawn to Belgium at the end of November 1914. Dissolved 23 January 1915.
Order of Battle on mobilisation
Initially, the Corps simply consisted of 3 Cavalry Divisions (with 7 Jäger battalions attached) without any Corps troops; in supply and administration matters, the Cavalry Divisions were entirely autonomous. The commander was only concerned with tactics and strategy, hence his title of Senior Cavalry Commander Höherer Kavallerie-Kommandeur.
On formation in August 1914, the Corps consisted of:
Each cavalry division consisted of 3 cavalry brigades (6 regiments each of 4 squadrons), a horse artillery Abteilung (3 four-gun batteries), a machine gun detachment (company size, 6 MGs), plus pioneers, signals and a motor vehicle column. A more detailed Table of Organisation and Equipment can be seen here. The Jäger battalions each consisted of 4 light infantry companies, 1 machine gun company (6 MGs), 1 cyclist company and a motorised vehicle column.
Commanders
II Cavalry Corps was commanded throughout its existence by General der Kavallerie Georg von der Marwitz.