VII Reserve Corps
The VII Reserve Corps was a corps level command of the German Army in World War I.
Formation
VII 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 Hans von Zwehl, recalled from retirement. It was still in existence at the end of the war in the 1st Army, Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz on the Western Front.Structure on formation
On formation in August 1914, VII Reserve Corps consisted of two divisions, made up of reserve units. In general, Reserve Corps and Reserve Divisions were weaker than their active counterpartsIn summary, VII Reserve Corps mobilised with 24 infantry battalions, 8 machine gun companies, 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries and 3 pioneer companies. 14th Reserve Division was slightly stronger than the norm as it included an active infantry brigade.
Combat chronicle
On mobilisation, VII Reserve Corps was assigned to the 2nd Army forming part of the right wing of the forces that invaded France and Belgium as part of the Schlieffen Plan offensive in August 1914.Commanders
VII Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:| From | Rank | Name |
| General | Max von Gallwitz | |
| 2 August 1914 | General der Infanterie | Hans von Zwehl |
| 17 December 1916 | General der Infanterie | Franz Freiherr von Soden |
| 27 August 1917 | Generalleutnant | Otto von Garnier |
| 3 December 1917 | Generalleutnant | Richard Wellmann |
| 15 June 1918 | Generalleutnant | Arthur von Lindequist |