IV Reserve Corps (German Empire)

The IV Reserve Corps (IV. Reserve-Korps / IV RK) was a corps level command of the German Army in World War I.

Formation
IV 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 Artillerie Hans von Gronau, who was recalled from retirement. From 24 July 1916 to 19 December 1917, the Corps was known as Karpathenkorps (Carpathian Corps). The Corps was still in existence at the end of the war as part of the 2nd Army, Heeresgruppe Kronprinz Rupprecht on the Western Front.

Structure on formation
On formation in August 1914, IV Reserve Corps consisted of two divisions, made up of reserve units. In general, Reserve Corps and Reserve Divisions were weaker than their active counterparts
 * Reserve Infantry Regiments did not always have three battalions nor necessarily contain a machine gun company
 * Reserve Jäger Battalions did not have a machine gun company on formation
 * Reserve Cavalry Regiments consisted of just three squadrons
 * Reserve Field Artillery Regiments usually consisted of two abteilungen of three batteries each
 * Corps Troops generally consisted of a Telephone Detachment and four sections of munition columns and trains

In summary, IV Reserve Corps mobilised with 25 infantry battalions, 4 machine gun companies (24 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 3 pioneer companies.

22nd Reserve Division was formed by units drawn from the XI Corps District.

Combat chronicle
On mobilisation, IV Reserve Corps was assigned to the 1st Army, which was on the right wing of the forces that invaded France and Belgium as part of the Schlieffen Plan offensive in August 1914.

Commanders
IV Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence: