XXXIX Reserve Corps was formed in December 1914. It was part of the second wave of new Corps formed in the early stages of World War Iconsisting of XXXVIII - XXXXI Reserve Corps of 75th - 82nd Reserve Divisions. The personnel was predominantly made up of kriegsfreiwillige who did not wait to be called up. It was still in existence at the end of the war.
Structure on formation
On formation in December 1914, XXXIX Reserve Corps consisted of two divisions. but was weaker than an Active Corps
the divisions were organised as triangular rather than square divisions with three infantry regiments rather than four, but had a brigade of two field artillery regiments
Reserve Infantry Regiments consisted of three battalions but lacked a machine gun company
Reserve Field Artillery Regiments consisted of two Abteilung of three batteries each, but each battery had just 4 guns
In summary, XXXIX Reserve Corps mobilised with 18 infantry battalions, 2 cavalry detachments, 24 field artillery batteries, 2 cyclist companies and 2 pioneer companies.
Combat chronicle
In 1915, the German offensive in Courland was intended to be a diversion while the main effort was made further south by the German 11th Army and Austro-Hungarian 4th Army in the Gorlice–Tarnów Offensive. Armee-Abteilung Lauenstein was formed by upgrading XXXIX Reserve Corps of 10th Army on 22 April 1915. It was named for its commander, GeneralleutnantOtto von Lauenstein, who retained simultaneous command of XXXIX Reserve Corps. It was directly under the command of OB East. Due to its success, it was continuously reinforced until it was raised to the status of an army as the Army of the Niemen on 26 May 1915. Generalleutnant von Lauenstein remained as commander of XXXIX Reserve Corps.
Commanders
XXXIX Reserve Corps had the following commanders during its existence:
Armee-Abteilung or Army Detachment in the sense of "something detached from an Army". It is not under the command of an Army so is in itself a small Army.
Armee-Gruppe or Army Group in the sense of a group within an Army and under its command, generally formed as a temporary measure for a specific task.
Heeresgruppe or Army Group in the sense of a number of armies under a single commander.
