54th Corps (German Empire)

The 54th Corps (Generalkommando zbV 54) was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed in September 1916 and was still in existence at the end of the war.

Chronicle
The 54th Corps (z.b.V.) was formed in September 1916. With the onset of trench warfare, the German Army recognised that it was no longer possible to maintain the traditional Corps unit, that is, one made up of two divisions. Whereas at some times (and in some places) a Corps of two divisions was sufficient, at other times 5 or 6 divisions were necessary. Therefore, under the Hindenburg regime (from summer 1916), new Corps headquarters were created without organic divisions. These new Corps were designated General Commands for Special Use (Generalkommandos zur besonderen Verwendung).

By the end of the war, the Corps was serving on the Western Front as part of 2nd Army, Heeresgruppe Kronprinz Rupprecht with the following composition:
 * 21st Reserve Division
 * 22nd Division
 * 4th Division
 * 113th Division
 * 239th Division
 * 12th Reserve Division
 * Jäger Division
 * 185th Division

Commanders
The 54th Corps had the following commanders during its existence:

Glossary

 * Armee-Abteilung or Army Detachment in the sense of "something detached from an Army". It is not under the command of an Army so is in itself a small Army.
 * Armee-Gruppe or Army Group in the sense of a group within an Army and under its command, generally formed as a temporary measure for a specific task.
 * Heeresgruppe or Army Group in the sense of a number of armies under a single commander.