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{{short description|Unit of the Imperial German Army during World War I}}
{{Infobox Military Unit
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{infobox military unit
| unit_name = I Reserve Corps<br>''I. Reserve-Korps''
| unit_name = I Reserve Corps<br>''I. Reserve-Korps''
| image=Stab eines Generalkommandos.svg
| abbreviation = I RK
| image=[[image:Stab_eines_Generalkommandos.svg|200px]]
| caption=Flag of the Staff of a Generalkommando (1871–1918)
| caption=Flag of the Staff of a Generalkommando (1871–1918)
| dates = 2 August 1914 - post November 1918
| dates = 2 August 1914 - post November 1918
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| mascot =
| mascot =
| battles = [[World War I]]
| battles = [[World War I]]
:[[Eastern Front (World War I)|Eastern Front]]
::[[Battle of Gumbinnen|Gumbinnen]]
::[[Battle of Tannenberg (1914)|Tannenberg]]
::[[First Battle of the Masurian Lakes|1st Masurian Lakes]]
| anniversaries =
| anniversaries =
| decorations =
| decorations =
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| colonel_of_the_regiment_label=
| colonel_of_the_regiment_label=
| notable_commanders =
| notable_commanders =
| identification_symbol=
| identification_symbol=I RK
| identification_symbol_label=
| identification_symbol_label=Abbreviation
| identification_symbol_2=
| identification_symbol_2=
| identification_symbol_2_label=
| identification_symbol_2_label=
}}
}}
⚫
The '''I Reserve Corps''' ({{lang-de|'''I. Reserve-Korps / I RK'''}}) was a [[corps]] level command of the [[German Empire|German]] [[German Army (German Empire)|Army]] in [[World War I]].


⚫
== Formation ==
⚫
The '''I Reserve Corps''' ({{lang-de|'''I. Reserve-Korps / I RK'''}}) was a [[corps]] level command of the [[German Empire|German]] [[German Army (German Empire)|Army]] in [[World War I]].
⚫
I Reserve Corps was formed on the outbreak of the war in August 1914<ref>{{harvnb|Cron|2002|p=86}}</ref> as part of the mobilisation of the Army. It was initially commanded by [[Generalleutnant]] [[Otto von Below]].<ref>[http://home.comcast.net/~jcviser/aok/below_o.htm The Prussian Machine] Accessed: 3 March 2012</ref> It was still in existence at the end of the war<ref>{{harvnb|Cron|2002|pp=88–89}}</ref> in the [[3rd Army (German Empire)|3rd Army]], ''Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz'' on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]].<ref>{{harvnb|Ellis|Cox|1993|pp=186–187}}</ref>


⚫
=== Structure on formation ===
⚫
==Formation==
⚫
I Reserve Corps was formed on the outbreak of the war in August 1914<ref>{{harvnb|Cron|2002|p=86}}</ref> as part of the mobilisation of the Army. It was initially commanded by [[Generalleutnant]] [[Otto von Below]].<ref>[http://home.comcast.net/~jcviser/aok/below_o.htm The Prussian Machine] Accessed: 3 March 2012</ref> It was still in existence at the end of the war<ref>{{harvnb|Cron|2002|pp=88-89}}</ref> in the [[3rd Army (German Empire)|3rd Army]], ''Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz'' on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]].<ref>{{harvnb|Ellis|Cox|1993|pp=186-187}}</ref>

⚫
===Structure on formation===
On formation in August 1914, I Reserve Corps consisted of two divisions, made up of reserve units. In general, Reserve Corps and Reserve Divisions were weaker than their active counterparts
On formation in August 1914, I 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<ref>About a third of Reserve Infantry Regiments formed in August 1914 lacked a machine gun company {{harvnb|Cron|2002|p=111}}</ref>
:Reserve Infantry Regiments did not always have three battalions nor necessarily contain a machine gun company<ref>{{harvnb|Cron|2002|p=111}} About a third of Reserve Infantry Regiments formed in August 1914 lacked a machine gun company</ref>
:Reserve Jäger Battalions did not have a machine gun company on formation<ref>Active Jäger Battlions had a machine gun company with the exceptions of the 1st and 2nd Bavarian Jäger Battalions {{harvnb|Cron|2002|p=116}}</ref>
:Reserve Jäger Battalions did not have a machine gun company on formation<ref>{{harvnb|Cron|2002|p=116}} Active Jäger Battalions had a machine gun company with the exceptions of the 1st and 2nd Bavarian Jäger Battalions</ref>
:Reserve Cavalry Regiments consisted of just three squadrons<ref>Most active cavalry regiments had four squadrons, some were raised to six squadrons {{harvnb|Cron|2002|p=128}}</ref>
:Reserve Cavalry Regiments consisted of just three squadrons<ref>{{harvnb|Cron|2002|p=128}} Most active cavalry regiments had four squadrons, some were raised to six squadrons</ref>
:Reserve Field Artillery Regiments usually consisted of two [[Abteilung|''abteilungen'']] of three batteries each<ref>Active Divisions had a Field Artillery Brigade of two regiments {{harvnb|Cron|2002|p=134}}</ref>
:Reserve Field Artillery Regiments usually consisted of two [[Abteilung|''abteilungen'']] of three batteries each<ref>{{harvnb|Cron|2002|p=134}} Active Divisions had a Field Artillery Brigade of two regiments</ref>
:Corps Troops generaly consisted of a Telephone Detachment and four sections of munition colums and trains <ref>Active Corps Troops included a battalion of heavy howitzers (Foot Artillery), an Aviation Detachment, a Telephone Detachment, a Corps Pontoon Train, a searchlight section, 2 munition column sections, one Foot Artillery munitions column section and two Train sections {{harvnb|Cron|2002|p=86}}</ref>
:Corps Troops generally consisted of a Telephone Detachment and four sections of munition columns and trains <ref>{{harvnb|Cron|2002|p=86}} Active Corps Troops included a battalion of heavy howitzers (Foot Artillery), an Aviation Detachment, a Telephone Detachment, a Corps Pontoon Train, a searchlight section, 2 munition column sections, one Foot Artillery munitions column section and two Train sections</ref>


In summary, I Reserve Corps mobilised with 26 infantry battalions, 11 machine gun companies (66 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 2 pioneer<ref>Field Engineers</ref> companies. [[1st Reserve Division (German Empire)|1st Reserve Division]] was particularly strong in machine gun formations as the 1st, 3rd and 18th Reserve Infantry Regiments all had two machine gun companies. [[36th Reserve Division (German Empire)|36th Reserve Division]] was formed by units drawn from the [[XVII Corps (German Empire)|XVII Corps District]].<ref>{{harvnb|War Office|1918|p=72}}</ref> It included one active Infantry Regiment (54th).
In summary, I Reserve Corps mobilised with 26 infantry battalions, 11 machine gun companies (66 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 2 [[Pioneer (military)|pioneer]] companies. [[1st Reserve Division (German Empire)|1st Reserve Division]] was particularly strong in machine gun formations as the 1st, 3rd and 18th Reserve Infantry Regiments all had two machine gun companies. [[36th Reserve Division (German Empire)|36th Reserve Division]] was formed by units drawn from the [[XVII Corps (German Empire)|XVII Corps District]].<ref>{{harvnb|War Office|1918|p=72}}</ref> It included one active Infantry Regiment (54th).


{| style="float: right;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 100%; border: gray solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: center;"
{| style="float: right;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 100%; border: gray solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: center;"
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! Units
! Units
|-
|-
| ROWSPAN=22 | '''I Reserve Corps<ref>{{harvnb|Cron|2002|pp=324-325}}</ref>
| ROWSPAN=22 | '''I Reserve Corps'''<ref>{{harvnb|Cron|2002|pp=324–325}}</ref>
| ROWSPAN=10 | [[1st Reserve Division (German Empire)|1st Reserve Division]]
| ROWSPAN=10 | [[1st Reserve Division (German Empire)|1st Reserve Division]]
| ROWSPAN=2 | 1st Reserve Infantry Brigade
| ROWSPAN=2 | 1st Reserve Infantry Brigade
| 1st Reserve Infantry Regiment<ref>With two machine gun company</ref>
| 1st Reserve Infantry Regiment<ref>With two machine gun companies</ref>
|-
|-
| 3rd Reserve Infantry Regiment<ref>With two machine gun company</ref>
| 3rd Reserve Infantry Regiment<ref>With two machine gun companies</ref>
|-
|-
| ROWSPAN=3 | 42nd Reserve Infantry Brigade
| ROWSPAN=3 | 42nd Reserve Infantry Brigade
| 18th Reserve Infantry Regiment<ref>With two machine gun company</ref>
| 18th Reserve Infantry Regiment<ref>With two machine gun companies</ref>
|-
|-
| 59th Reserve Infantry Regiment
| 59th Reserve Infantry Regiment
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|}
|}


==Combat Chronicle==
== Combat chronicle ==
On mobilisation, I Reserve Corps was assigned to the [[8th Army (German Empire)|8th Army]] on the [[Eastern Front (World War I)|Eastern Front]], intended to defend East Prussia while the rest of the German Army executed the [[Schlieffen Plan]] offensive agianst [[France]].
On mobilisation, I Reserve Corps was assigned to the [[8th Army (German Empire)|8th Army]] on the [[Eastern Front (World War I)|Eastern Front]], intended to defend East Prussia while the rest of the German Army executed the [[Schlieffen Plan]] offensive against France.

== Commanders ==
I Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deutsche-kriegsgeschichte.de/akrkgk.html|title=German War History|access-date=21 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Armee-Reserve-Korps |publisher=The Prussian Machine |url=http://home.comcast.net/~jcviser/army/corps2.htm |access-date=21 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121220022943/http://home.comcast.net/~jcviser/army/corps2.htm |archive-date=20 December 2012 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! From !! Rank !! Name
|-
|2 August 1914 || [[Generalleutnant]] || rowspan=2|[[Otto von Below]]<ref>Promoted. {{cite web|title=Otto von Below|publisher=The Prussian Machine|url=http://home.comcast.net/~jcviser/aok/below_o.htm|access-date=21 December 2012}}</ref>
|-
|30 August 1914 || [[General of the Infantry (Germany)|General der Infanterie]]
|-
|28 November 1914 || [[Generalleutnant]] || [[Kurt von Morgen]]<ref>Took over command of [[XIV Reserve Corps (German Empire)|XIV Corps]] from Wellman. {{cite web|title=Kurt von Morgen|publisher=The Prussian Machine|url=http://home.comcast.net/~jcviser/aka/morgen.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121220002628/http://home.comcast.net/~jcviser/aka/morgen.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 December 2012|access-date=21 December 2012}}</ref>
|-
|24 August 1918 || [[Generalleutnant]] || Richard Wellmann<ref>Relinquished command of [[XIV Reserve Corps (German Empire)|XIV Corps]] to von Morgen. {{cite web|title=Richard Wellmann|publisher=The Prussian Machine|url=http://home.comcast.net/~jcviser/akb/wellmann.htm|access-date=21 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230061255/http://home.comcast.net/~jcviser/akb/wellmann.htm|archive-date=30 December 2011}}</ref>
|}


== See also ==
== See also ==
{{portal|Germany}}
*[[German Army order of battle (1914)]]
*[[German Army order of battle (1914)]]
*[[German Army order of battle, Western Front (1918)]]
*[[German Army order of battle, Western Front (1918)]]
*[[Order of battle at Tannenberg (1914)#German Eighth Army|Order of battle at Tannenberg]]


== Notes ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
*
*
*
*


== References ==
== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book
* {{cite book

| ref = harv
| last = Cron | first = Hermann
| last = Cron | first = Hermann
| year = 2002
| year = 2002
Line 141: Line 157:
}}
}}
* {{cite book
* {{cite book

| ref = harv
| last1 = Ellis | first1 = John
| last1 = Ellis | first1 = John
| last2 = Cox | first2 = Michael
| last2 = Cox | first2 = Michael
Line 160: Line 176:
| title = The German Forces in the Field; 7th Revision, 11th November 1918; Compiled by the General Staff, War Office
| title = The German Forces in the Field; 7th Revision, 11th November 1918; Compiled by the General Staff, War Office
| publisher = Imperial War Museum, London and The Battery Press, Inc (1995)
| publisher = Imperial War Museum, London and The Battery Press, Inc (1995)
| isbn = 1-870423-95-X and 0-89839-217-9
| isbn = 1-870423-95-X <!--and 0-89839-217-9-->
| ref = {{harvid|War Office|1918}}
| ref = {{harvid|War Office|1918}}
}}
}}


{{German Empire Corps}}
{{German Empire Armies|3rd=y|8th=y}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:0*001}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1st Corps (German Empire)}}
[[Category:Corps of Germany in World War I]]
[[Category:Corps of Germany in World War I]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1914]]

[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1918]]
[[de:I. Reserve-Korps (Deutsches Kaiserreich)]]

Latest revision as of 14:14, 11 February 2024

I Reserve Corps
I. Reserve-Korps
Flag of the Staff of a Generalkommando (1871–1918)
Active2 August 1914 - post November 1918
Country German Empire
TypeCorps
SizeApproximately 38,000 (on formation)
EngagementsWorld War I
Eastern Front
Gumbinnen
Tannenberg
1st Masurian Lakes
Insignia
AbbreviationI RK

The I Reserve Corps (German: I. Reserve-Korps / I RK) was a corps level command of the German Army in World War I.

Formation

[edit]

I Reserve Corps was formed on the outbreak of the war in August 1914[1] as part of the mobilisation of the Army. It was initially commanded by Generalleutnant Otto von Below.[2] It was still in existence at the end of the war[3] in the 3rd Army, Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz on the Western Front.[4]

Structure on formation

[edit]

On formation in August 1914, I 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[5]
Reserve Jäger Battalions did not have a machine gun company on formation[6]
Reserve Cavalry Regiments consisted of just three squadrons[7]
Reserve Field Artillery Regiments usually consisted of two abteilungen of three batteries each[8]
Corps Troops generally consisted of a Telephone Detachment and four sections of munition columns and trains [9]

In summary, I Reserve Corps mobilised with 26 infantry battalions, 11 machine gun companies (66 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 2 pioneer companies. 1st Reserve Division was particularly strong in machine gun formations as the 1st, 3rd and 18th Reserve Infantry Regiments all had two machine gun companies. 36th Reserve Division was formed by units drawn from the XVII Corps District.[10] It included one active Infantry Regiment (54th).

Corps Division Brigade Units
I Reserve Corps[11] 1st Reserve Division 1st Reserve Infantry Brigade 1st Reserve Infantry Regiment[12]
3rd Reserve Infantry Regiment[13]
42nd Reserve Infantry Brigade 18th Reserve Infantry Regiment[14]
59th Reserve Infantry Regiment
1st Reserve Jäger Battalion
1st Reserve Uhlan Regiment
1st Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
4th Company, 2nd Pioneer Battalion
1st Reserve Divisional Pontoon Train
1st Reserve Medical Company
36th Reserve Division 69th Reserve Infantry Brigade 21st Reserve Infantry Regiment
61st Reserve Infantry Regiment
2nd Reserve Jäger Battalion
70th Reserve Infantry Brigade 54th Infantry Regiment
5th Reserve Infantry Regiment
1st Reserve Hussar Regiment
36th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
1st Reserve Company, 2nd Pioneer Battalion
36th Reserve Divisional Pontoon Train
15th Reserve Medical Company
Corps Troops 1st Reserve Telephone Detachment
Munition Trains and Columns corresponding to the
III Reserve Corps

Combat chronicle

[edit]

On mobilisation, I Reserve Corps was assigned to the 8th Army on the Eastern Front, intended to defend East Prussia while the rest of the German Army executed the Schlieffen Plan offensive against France.

Commanders

[edit]

I Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:[15][16]

From Rank Name
2 August 1914 Generalleutnant Otto von Below[17]
30 August 1914 General der Infanterie
28 November 1914 Generalleutnant Kurt von Morgen[18]
24 August 1918 Generalleutnant Richard Wellmann[19]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Cron 2002, p. 86
  2. ^ The Prussian Machine Accessed: 3 March 2012
  3. ^ Cron 2002, pp. 88–89
  4. ^ Ellis & Cox 1993, pp. 186–187
  5. ^ Cron 2002, p. 111 About a third of Reserve Infantry Regiments formed in August 1914 lacked a machine gun company
  6. ^ Cron 2002, p. 116 Active Jäger Battalions had a machine gun company with the exceptions of the 1st and 2nd Bavarian Jäger Battalions
  7. ^ Cron 2002, p. 128 Most active cavalry regiments had four squadrons, some were raised to six squadrons
  8. ^ Cron 2002, p. 134 Active Divisions had a Field Artillery Brigade of two regiments
  9. ^ Cron 2002, p. 86 Active Corps Troops included a battalion of heavy howitzers (Foot Artillery), an Aviation Detachment, a Telephone Detachment, a Corps Pontoon Train, a searchlight section, 2 munition column sections, one Foot Artillery munitions column section and two Train sections
  10. ^ War Office 1918, p. 72
  11. ^ Cron 2002, pp. 324–325
  12. ^ With two machine gun companies
  13. ^ With two machine gun companies
  14. ^ With two machine gun companies
  15. ^ "German War History". Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  16. ^ "Armee-Reserve-Korps". The Prussian Machine. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  17. ^ Promoted. "Otto von Below". The Prussian Machine. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  18. ^ Took over command of XIV Corps from Wellman. "Kurt von Morgen". The Prussian Machine. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  19. ^ Relinquished command of XIV Corps to von Morgen. "Richard Wellmann". The Prussian Machine. Archived from the original on 30 December 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2012.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Cron, Hermann (2002). Imperial German Army 1914-18: Organisation, Structure, Orders-of-Battle [first published: 1937]. Helion & Co. ISBN 1-874622-70-1.
  • Ellis, John; Cox, Michael (1993). The World War I Databook. Aurum Press Ltd. ISBN 1-85410-766-6.
  • Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty-One Divisions of the German Army which Participated in the War (1914-1918), compiled from records of Intelligence section of the General Staff, American Expeditionary Forces, at General Headquarters, Chaumont, France 1919. The London Stamp Exchange Ltd (1989). 1920. ISBN 0-948130-87-3.
  • The German Forces in the Field; 7th Revision, 11th November 1918; Compiled by the General Staff, War Office. Imperial War Museum, London and The Battery Press, Inc (1995). 1918. ISBN 1-870423-95-X.
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