VIII Reserve Corps (German Empire)


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

Formation

VIII 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 Wilhelm Freiherr von Egloffstein. It was still in existence at the end of the war in the 7th Army, Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz on the Western Front.

Structure on formation

On formation in August 1914, VIII 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, VIII Reserve Corps mobilised with 21 infantry battalions, 4 machine gun companies, 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries and 3 pioneer companies.

Combat chronicle

On mobilisation, VIII Reserve Corps was assigned to the 4th Army forming part of the centre of the forces for the Schlieffen Plan offensive in August 1914.

Commanders

VIII Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:
FromRankName
2 August 1914General der InfanterieWilhelm Freiherr von Egloffstein
2 January 1915GeneralleutnantPaul Fleck
7 September 1916GeneralleutnantGeorg Wichura
22 March 1917General der InfanterieGeorg Wichura