51st Corps (German Empire)


The 51st Corps was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed in September 1916 and was still in existence at the end of the war.

Chronicle

The 51st Corps was formed in September 1916. With the onset of trench warfare, the German Army recognised that it was no longer possible to maintain the traditional Corps unit, that is, one made up of two divisions. Whereas at some times a Corps of two divisions was sufficient, at other times 5 or 6 divisions were necessary. Therefore, under the Hindenburg regime, new Corps headquarters were created without organic divisions. These new Corps were designated
General Commands for Special Use.
The 51st Corps was sent to the Italian Front in September 1917 to help shore up the Austro-Hungarian Army. It commanded 26th and 200th Divisions and played a prominent part in the Battle of Caporetto under 14th Army. Following the successful offensive, the front soon froze again in trench warfare. The German High Command decided to withdraw its forces again to use on other fronts. On 23 January 1918 the Army Command was recalled. The German troops remaining on the Italian front came under the command of 51st Corps until it was withdrawn in February 1918.
By the end of the war, the Corps was serving on the Western Front as part of 2nd Army, Heeresgruppe Kronprinz Rupprecht with the following composition:
The 51st Corps had the following commanders during its existence:
CommanderFromTo
Generalleutnant Albert von Berrer27 August 191628 October 1917
Generalleutnant Eberhard von Hofacker3 November 191723 August 1918
Generalleutnant Hans von Below23 August 1918end of war