XV Corps (German Empire)
The XV Corps (XV. Armeekorps) was a military formation of the German Army during World War I. It was formed in 1871 as part of the Prussian Army, and became part of the Imperial German Army upon its creation.
Formation and Organization
The corps headquarters was located in Strasbourg. It was part of the XIV Army Inspectorate and in peacetime was responsible for a portion of Alsace-Lorraine. The XV Corps was typically composed of two divisions, along with artillery and support units. Specific units assigned to the corps changed over time.
World War I Service
At the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, the XV Corps was part of the 7th Army on the Western Front. It participated in the Battle of Mulhouse, part of the larger Battle of the Frontiers. The corps was involved in fighting in Alsace during the early stages of the war. Later in the war, it participated in other battles on the Western Front, including actions in the Somme and Champagne regions. The XV Corps remained active throughout the war until the armistice in November 1918.
Commanders
The XV Corps was commanded by a series of generals throughout its existence. Notable commanders included:
- Generalleutnant Ernst von Pritzelwitz (1871-1872)
- General der Infanterie Gustav von Alvensleben (1872-1878)
- General der Infanterie Ludwig von Mutius (1878-1884)
- General der Infanterie Emil With von Wirsing (1884-1887)
- General der Infanterie Bernhard von Werder (1887-1891)
- General der Infanterie Albert von Barnekow (1891-1893)
- General der Infanterie Gustav von der Goltz (1893-1898)
- General der Infanterie Berthold von Deimling (1907-1914)
- General der Infanterie Erich von Webern (1914-1915)
- General der Infanterie Remus von Woyrsch (1915)
- General der Infanterie Adolf Wild von Hohenborn (1915-1916)
- Generalleutnant Richard von Schubert (1916-1917)
- Generalleutnant Arthur von Gabain (1917-1919)
Disbandment
Following the end of World War I and the Treaty of Versailles, the XV Corps, along with the rest of the German Imperial Army, was disbanded.