XXXVIII Reserve Corps (German Empire)

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

Formation

XXXVIII Reserve Corps was formed in December 1914. It was part of the second wave of new Corps formed in the early stages of World War I consisting of XXXVIII - XXXXI Reserve Corps of 75th - 82nd Reserve Divisions (plus 8th Bavarian Reserve Division). The personnel was predominantly made up of (wartime volunteers) who did not wait to be called up. From 28 March 1915 to 31 December 1917 it was known as (Beskids Corps). The Corps was still in existence at the end of the war in the 3rd Army, Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz on the Western Front.

Structure on formation

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

the divisions were organised as triangular rather than square divisions with three infantry regiments rather than four, but had a brigade of two field artillery regiments
Reserve Infantry Regiments consisted of three battalions but lacked a machine gun company
Reserve Cavalry Detachments were much smaller than the Reserve Cavalry Regiments formed on mobilisation
Reserve Field Artillery Regiments consisted of two (1 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, XXXVIII Reserve Corps mobilised with 18 infantry battalions, 2 cavalry detachments, 24 field artillery batteries (96 guns), 2 cyclist companies and 2 pioneer companies.

Commanders

XXXVIII Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:

References

Bibliography