# VIII Reserve Corps (German Empire)

The VIII Reserve Corps (German: 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.
| Corps | Division | Brigade | Units |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 15th Reserve Division | 30th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 25th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 15th Reserve Division | 30th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 69th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 15th Reserve Division | 32nd Reserve Infantry Brigade | 17th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 15th Reserve Division | 32nd Reserve Infantry Brigade | 30th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 15th Reserve Division | | 5th Reserve Uhlan Regiment |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 15th Reserve Division | | 15th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 15th Reserve Division | | 4th Company, 8th Pioneer Battalion |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 15th Reserve Division | | 15th Reserve Divisional Pontoon Train |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 15th Reserve Division | | 8th Reserve Medical Company |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 16th Reserve Division | 29th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 29th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 16th Reserve Division | 29th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 65th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 16th Reserve Division | 31st Reserve Infantry Brigade | 28th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 16th Reserve Division | 31st Reserve Infantry Brigade | 68th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 16th Reserve Division | | 2nd Reserve Schwere Reiter Regiment |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 16th Reserve Division | | 16th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 16th Reserve Division | | 1st Reserve Company, 8th Pioneer Battalion |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 16th Reserve Division | | 2nd Reserve Company, 8th Pioneer Battalion |
| VIII Reserve Corps | 16th Reserve Division | | 12th Reserve Medical Company |
| VIII Reserve Corps | Corps Troops | | 8th Reserve Telephone Detachment |
| VIII Reserve Corps | Corps Troops | | Munition Trains and Columns corresponding to the III Reserve Corps |

## 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:
| From | Rank | Name |
| 2 August 1914 | General der Infanterie | Wilhelm Freiherr von Egloffstein |
| 2 January 1915 | Generalleutnant | Paul Fleck |
| 7 September 1916 | Generalleutnant | Georg Wichura |
| 22 March 1917 | General der Infanterie | Georg Wichura |