# XXVI Reserve Corps (German Empire)

The XXVI Reserve Corps (German: XXVI. Reserve-Korps / XXVI RK) was a corps-level command of the German army during World War I.

## Formation

XXVI Reserve Corps was formed in October 1914. It was part of the first wave of new Corps formed at the outset of World War I consisting of XXII - XXVII Reserve Corps of 43rd - 54th Reserve Divisions (plus 6th Bavarian Reserve Division). The personnel was predominantly made up of kriegsfreiwillige (wartime volunteers) who did not wait to be called up. It was still in existence at the end of the war in the 18th Army, Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz on the Western Front.

### Structure on formation

On formation in October 1914, XXVI Reserve Corps consisted of two divisions. but was weaker than an Active Corps
* Reserve Infantry Regiments consisted of three battalions but only had a machine gun platoon (of 2 machine guns) rather than a machine gun company (of 6 machine guns)
* Reserve Jäger Battalions did not have a machine gun company on formation, though some were provided with a machine gun platoon
* Reserve Cavalry Detachments were much smaller than the Reserve Cavalry Regiments formed on mobilisation
* Reserve Field Artillery Regiments consisted of three abteilungen (2 gun and 1 howitzer) of three batteries each, but each battery had just 4 guns (rather than 6 of the Active and the Reserve Regiments formed on mobilisation)
In summary, XXVI Reserve Corps mobilised with 26 infantry battalions, 8 machine gun platoons (16 machine guns), 2 cavalry detachments, 18 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 2 pioneer companies.
| Corps | Division | Brigade | Units |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 51st Reserve Division | 101st Reserve Infantry Brigade | 233rd Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 51st Reserve Division | 101st Reserve Infantry Brigade | 234th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 51st Reserve Division | 102nd Reserve Infantry Brigade | 235th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 51st Reserve Division | 102nd Reserve Infantry Brigade | 236th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 51st Reserve Division | | 23rd Reserve Jäger Battalion |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 51st Reserve Division | | 51st Reserve Field Artillery Regiment |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 51st Reserve Division | | 51st Reserve Cavalry Detachment |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 51st Reserve Division | | 51st Reserve Pioneer Company |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 52nd Reserve Division | 103rd Reserve Infantry Brigade | 237th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 52nd Reserve Division | 103rd Reserve Infantry Brigade | 238th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 52nd Reserve Division | 104th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 239th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 52nd Reserve Division | 104th Reserve Infantry Brigade | 240th Reserve Infantry Regiment |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 52nd Reserve Division | | 24th Reserve Jäger Battalion |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 52nd Reserve Division | | 52nd Reserve Field Artillery Regiment |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 52nd Reserve Division | | 52nd Reserve Cavalry Detachment |
| XXVI Reserve Corps | 52nd Reserve Division | | 52nd Reserve Pioneer Company |

## Commanders

XXVI Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:
| From | Rank | Name |
| 25 August 1914 | Generalleutnant | Otto von Hügel |
| 30 September 1914 | General der Infanterie | Otto von Hügel |
| 5 March 1918 | Generalleutnant | Oskar von Watter |