XXVI Reserve Corps (German Empire)

The XXVI Reserve Corps () was a corps-level command of the German army during World War I.

Formation

XXVI Reserve Corps was formed in October 1914. It was part of the first wave of new Corps formed at the outset of World War I consisting of XXII - XXVII Reserve Corps of 43rd - 54th Reserve Divisions (plus 6th Bavarian Reserve Division). The personnel was predominantly made up of (wartime volunteers) who did not wait to be called up. It was still in existence at the end of the war in the 18th Army, on the Western Front.

Structure on formation

On formation in October 1914, XXVI Reserve Corps consisted of two divisions. but was weaker than an Active Corps

• Reserve Infantry Regiments consisted of three battalions but only had a machine gun platoon (of 2 machine guns) rather than a machine gun company (of 6 machine guns)
• Reserve Jäger Battalions did not have a machine gun company on formation, though some were provided with a machine gun platoon
• Reserve Cavalry Detachments were much smaller than the Reserve Cavalry Regiments formed on mobilisation
• Reserve Field Artillery Regiments consisted of three (2 gun and 1 howitzer) of three batteries each, but each battery had just 4 guns (rather than 6 of the Active and the Reserve Regiments formed on mobilisation)

In summary, XXVI Reserve Corps mobilised with 26 infantry battalions, 8 machine gun platoons (16 machine guns), 2 cavalry detachments, 18 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 2 pioneer companies.

Commanders

XXVI Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:

See also

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

References

Bibliography