| 51st Corps (Generalkommando zbV 51) | |
|---|---|
 Flag of the Staff of a Generalkommando (1871–1918) | |
| Active | September 1916-1919 |
| Disbanded | 1919 |
| Country |  German Empire |
| Branch | Army |
| Engagements | World War I |
| Insignia | |
| Abbreviation | Genkdo zbV 51 |
The 51st Corps (German : Generalkommando zbV 51) was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed in September 1916 and was still in existence at the end of the war. [1]
The 51st [2] Corps (z.b.V.) [3] was formed in September 1916. [4] With the onset of trench warfare, the German Army recognised that it was no longer possible to maintain the traditional Corps unit, that is, one made up of two divisions. Whereas at some times (and in some places) a Corps of two divisions was sufficient, at other times 5 or 6 divisions were necessary. Therefore, under the Hindenburg regime (from summer 1916), new Corps headquarters were created without organic divisions. [5] These new Corps were designated General Commands for Special Use (German : Generalkommandos zur besonderen Verwendung).
The 51st Corps was sent to the Italian Front in September 1917 to help shore up the Austro-Hungarian Army. It commanded 26th (1st Württemberg) and 200th Divisions [6] and played a prominent part in the Battle of Caporetto under 14th Army. Following the successful offensive, the front soon froze again in trench warfare. The German High Command decided to withdraw its forces again to use on other fronts. On 23 January 1918 the Army Command was recalled (to form a new 17th Army on the Western Front). The German troops remaining on the Italian front came under the command of 51st Corps until it was withdrawn in February 1918.
By the end of the war, the Corps was serving on the Western Front as part of 2nd Army, HeeresgruppeKronprinz Rupprecht with the following composition: [7]
The 51st Corps had the following commanders during its existence: [8] [9]
| Commander | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Generalleutnant Albert von Berrer | 27 August 1916 | 28 October 1917 [10] |
| Generalleutnant Eberhard von Hofacker | 3 November 1917 | 23 August 1918 |
| Generalleutnant Hans von Below | 23 August 1918 | end of war |
The IV Army Corps / IV AK was a corps level command of the Prussian and then the Imperial German Armies from the 19th Century to World War I.
The history of the German Cavalry in World War I is one of an arm in decline.
The I Cavalry Corps was a formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed on the mobilization of the German Army in August 1914 and disbanded in March 1918.
The III Cavalry Corps was a formation of the German Army in World War I. The corps was formed on mobilization of the German Army in August 1914 and disbanded in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after World War I.
The 9th Army was an army level command of the German Army in World War I. It was formed in September 1914 in Breslau to command troops on the southern sector of the Eastern Front. The army was dissolved on 30 July 1916, but reformed in Transylvania on 6 September 1916 for the Romanian Campaign. It was transferred to the Western Front on 19 June 1918 where it was finally dissolved on 18 September 1918.
The V Cavalry Corps was a formation of the German Army in World War I.
The VI Cavalry Corps was a formation of the German Army in World War I.
Cavalry Corps Schmettow was a formation of the German Army in World War I.
The 54th Corps was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed in September 1916 and was still in existence at the end of the war.
The 53rd Corps was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed in September 1916 and was still in existence at the end of the war.
The 52nd Corps was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed in September 1916 and was still in existence at the end of the war.
The 55th Corps was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed as a temporary Bernhardi Corps on 6 June 1916 before being established on 1 October 1916. It was still in existence at the end of the war.
The 64th Corps (Württemberg) was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed in January 1917 and was still in existence at the end of the war.
The 66th Corps was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed on 9 May 1917 and was still in existence at the end of the war.
The 60th Corps was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed on 20 November 1916 by the establishment of Gruppe Mitau and was still in existence at the end of the war.
The 63rd Corps (Bavarian) (German: Generalkommando zbV 63 (Bayern)) was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed in January 1917 and was still in existence at the end of the war.
The 61st Corps was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed in November 1916 and was still in existence at the end of the war.
The 67th Corps was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed on 17 September 1917 and was still in existence at the end of the war.
The 68th Corps was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed in March 1918 and was still in existence at the end of the war.
The 62nd Corps was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed in January 1917 and dissolved in October 1918.
