VIII Reserve Corps (German Empire)

The VIII Reserve Corps (VIII. Reserve-Korps / VIII RK) 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
 * 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, VIII Reserve Corps mobilised with 21 infantry battalions, 4 machine gun companies (24 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns) 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: