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Active 2 August 1914 (1914-08-02)–1919 (1919) Size Approximately 38,000 (on formation) Engagements World War IBattle of the Frontiers | ||
The XII (Royal Saxon) Reserve Corps (German: XII. (Königlich Sächsisches) Reserve-Korps / XII RK) was a corps level command of the German Army in World War I.
Contents
Formation
XII 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 Artillerie Hans von Kirchbach, recalled from retirement. It was still in existence at the end of the war in Armee-Abteilung C, Heeresgruppe Gallwitz on the Western Front.
Structure on formation
On formation in August 1914, XII 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 each, though the Reserve Field Artillery Regiments of XII Corps had three abteilungenCorps Troops generally consisted of a Telephone Detachment and four sections of munition columns and trainsIn summary, XII Reserve Corps mobilised with 26 infantry battalions, 6 machine gun companies (36 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 18 field artillery batteries (108 guns) and 3 pioneer companies.
24th Reserve Division was formed by units drawn from the XIX Corps District.
Combat chronicle
On mobilisation, XII Reserve Corps was assigned to the predominantly Saxon 3rd Army on the right wing of the forces that invaded France as part of the Schlieffen Plan offensive in August 1914.
Commanders
XII Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence: