VII Reserve Corps (German Empire)


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

Formation

VII 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 Zwehl, recalled from retirement. It was still in existence at the end of the war in the 1st Army, Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz on the Western Front.

Structure on formation

On formation in August 1914, VII 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, VII Reserve Corps mobilised with 24 infantry battalions, 8 machine gun companies, 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries and 3 pioneer companies. 14th Reserve Division was slightly stronger than the norm as it included an active infantry brigade.

Combat chronicle

On mobilisation, VII Reserve Corps was assigned to the 2nd Army forming part of the right wing of the forces that invaded France and Belgium as part of the Schlieffen Plan offensive in August 1914.

Commanders

VII Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:
FromRankName
2 August 1914General der InfanterieHans von Zwehl
17 December 1916General der InfanterieFranz Freiherr von Soden
27 August 1917GeneralleutnantOtto von Garnier
3 December 1917GeneralleutnantRichard Wellmann
15 June 1918GeneralleutnantArthur von Lindequist