X Reserve Corps (German Empire)

Formation

X 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 General der Infanterie Günther Graf von Kirchbach, formerly President of the Military Tribunal. It was still in existence at the end of the war in the 4th Army, Heeresgruppe Kronprinz Rupprecht on the Western Front.

Structure on formation

On formation in August 1914, X 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 companyReserve Jäger Battalions did not have a machine gun company on formationReserve Cavalry Regiments consisted of just three squadronsReserve Field Artillery Regiments usually consisted of two abteilungen of three batteries eachCorps Troops generally consisted of a Telephone Detachment and four sections of munition columns and trains

In summary, X Reserve Corps mobilised with 25 infantry battalions, 9 machine gun companies (54 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 3 pioneer companies.

Despite its name, 2nd Guards Reserve Division was not formed by units drawn predominantly from the Guards Corps but from II Corps District (divisional cavalry), VII Corps District (26th Reserve Infantry Brigade) and X Corps District (38th Reserve Infantry Brigade, field artillery regiment and pioneers).

Combat chronicle

On mobilisation, X Reserve Corps was assigned to the 2nd Army as part of the right wing of the forces that invaded France and Belgium as part of the Schlieffen Plan offensive in August 1914.

Commanders

X Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence: