VII Reserve Corps

The VII Reserve Corps () was a corps level command of the German Army in World War I.

Formation

VII 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 Hans von Zwehl, recalled from retirement. It was still in existence at the end of the war in the 1st Army, Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz on the Western Front.

Structure on formation

On formation in August 1914, VII 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, VII Reserve Corps mobilised with 24 infantry battalions, 8 machine gun companies (48 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 3 pioneer companies. 14th Reserve Division was slightly stronger than the norm as it included an active infantry brigade.

Combat chronicle

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

Commanders

VII Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:

See also

• German Army order of battle (1914)
• German Army order of battle, Western Front (1918)

References

Bibliography

Further reading