# V Reserve Corps (German Empire)

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

## Formation

V 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 Erich von Gündell, brought out of retirement. It was still in existence at the end of the war in the 5th Army, Heeresgruppe Gallwitz on the Western Front.

### Structure on formation

On formation in August 1914, V 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, V Reserve Corps mobilised with 22 infantry battalions, 7 machine gun companies (42 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 3 pioneer companies. 10th Reserve Division was slightly stronger than the norm as it included an active infantry brigade.
| Corps | Division | Brigade | Units |
| V Reserve Corps | 9th Reserve Division | 17th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 6th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| V Reserve Corps | 9th Reserve Division | 17th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 7th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| V Reserve Corps | 9th Reserve Division | 19th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 19th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| V Reserve Corps | 9th Reserve Division | 19th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 5th Reserve Jäger Battalion |
| V Reserve Corps | 9th Reserve Division | | 3rd Reserve Dragoon Regiment |
| V Reserve Corps | 9th Reserve Division | | 9th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment |
| V Reserve Corps | 9th Reserve Division | | 4th Company, 5th Pioneer Battalion |
| V Reserve Corps | 9th Reserve Division | | 9th Reserve Divisional Pontoon Train |
| V Reserve Corps | 9th Reserve Division | | 19th Reserve Medical Company |
| V Reserve Corps | 10th Reserve Division | 77th Infantry Brigade | 37th Füsilier Regiment |
| V Reserve Corps | 10th Reserve Division | 77th Infantry Brigade | 155th Infantry Regiment |
| V Reserve Corps | 10th Reserve Division | 50th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 37th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| V Reserve Corps | 10th Reserve Division | 50th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 46th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| V Reserve Corps | 10th Reserve Division | | 6th Reserve Uhlan Regiment |
| V Reserve Corps | 10th Reserve Division | | 10th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment |
| V Reserve Corps | 10th Reserve Division | | 1st Reserve Company, 5th Pioneer Battalion |
| V Reserve Corps | 10th Reserve Division | | 2nd Reserve Company, 5th Pioneer Battalion |
| V Reserve Corps | 10th Reserve Division | | 10th Reserve Divisional Pontoon Train |
| V Reserve Corps | 10th Reserve Division | | 5th Reserve Medical Company |
| V Reserve Corps | Corps Troops | | 5th Reserve Telephone Detachment |
| V Reserve Corps | Corps Troops | | Munition Trains and Columns corresponding to the III Reserve Corps |

## Combat chronicle

On mobilisation, V Reserve Corps was assigned to the 5th Army forming part of the centre of the forces for the Schlieffen Plan offensive in August 1914.

## Commanders

V Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:
| From | Rank | Name |
| 2 August 1914 | Generalleutnant | Erich von Gündell |
| 2 September 1914 | General der Infanterie | Erich von Gündell |
| 3 September 1916 | Generalleutnant | Otto von Garnier |
| 27 August 1917 | Generalleutnant | Viktor Kühne |
| 21 November 1917 | General der Infanterie | Franz Freiherr von Soden |