XVIII Reserve Corps (German Empire)

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

Formation

XVIII 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 Kuno von Steuben, formerly of the Prussian War Academy. It was still in existence at the end of the war in the 18th Army, Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz on the Western Front.

Structure on formation

On formation in August 1914, XVIII 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, XVIII Reserve Corps mobilised with 24 infantry battalions, 5 machine gun companies (30 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 3 pioneer companies. It included one active Infantry Regiment (168th).

Combat chronicle

On mobilisation, XVIII Reserve Corps was assigned to the 4th Army forming part of the centre of the forces for the Schlieffen Plan offensive in August 1914.

Commanders

XVIII 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