III Reserve Corps (German Empire)


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

Formation

III 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 General der Infanterie Hans von Beseler, recalled from retirement. It was still in existence at the end of the war.

Structure on formation

On formation in August 1914, III Reserve Corps consisted of two divisions, made up of reserve units. In general, Reserve Corps and Reserve Divisions were weaker than their active counterparts
In summary, III Reserve Corps mobilised with 25 infantry battalions, 7 machine gun companies, 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries and 3 pioneer companies.

Combat chronicle

On mobilisation, III Reserve Corps was assigned to the 1st Army on the right wing of the forces that invaded France and Belgium as part of the Schlieffen Plan offensive in August 1914. It was detached from 1st Army to take part in the Siege of Antwerp thereby missing the 1st Army's early battles. With the conclusion of the siege on 10 October 1914, it was assigned to 4th Army and took part in the First Battle of Ypres.

Commanders

III Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:
FromRankName
2 August 1914General der InfanterieHans von Beseler
26 August 1915General der InfanterieAdolph von Carlowitz
8 August 1917GeneralleutnantAlfred von Böckmann
5 September 1917GeneralleutnantAnatol Graf von Bredow