XVIII Reserve Corps (German Empire)


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

Formation

XVIII 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 Generalleutnant Kuno von Steuben, formerly of the Prussian War Academy. It was still in existence at the end of the war in the 18th Army, Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz on the Western Front.

Structure on formation

On formation in August 1914, XVIII 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, XVIII Reserve Corps mobilised with 24 infantry battalions, 5 machine gun companies, 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries and 3 pioneer companies. It included one active Infantry Regiment.

Combat chronicle

On mobilisation, XVIII 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

XVIII Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:
FromRankName
2 August 1914GeneralleutnantKuno von Steuben
19 August 1914General der InfanterieKuno von Steuben
5 June 1917GeneralleutnantKarl von Wenninger
11 September 1917GeneralleutnantLudwig Sieger