51st Corps (German Empire)

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]

51st Corps
(Generalkommando zbV 51)
Flag of the Staff of a Generalkommando (1871–1918)
ActiveSeptember 1916-1919
Disbanded1919
Country German Empire
BranchArmy
EngagementsWorld War I
Battle of Caporetto
Insignia
AbbreviationGenkdo zbV 51

Chronicle

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 The German troops remaining on the Italian front came under the command of 51st Corps until it was withdrawn in February 1918.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, Heeresgruppe Kronprinz Rupprecht with the following composition:[7]

Commanders

The 51st Corps had the following commanders during its existence:[8][9]

CommanderFromTo
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[11] 23 August 1918 end of war

See also

References
  1. Cron 2002, pp. 88–89
  2. Note that Corps (z.b.V.) were designated with Arabic, not Roman, numerals.
  3. General Commands for Special Use Generalkommandos zur besonderen Verwendung (Genkdo z.b.V.)
  4. Cron 2002, p. 89
  5. Cron 2002, p. 87
  6. A division formed of elite Jäger Regiments.
  7. Ellis & Cox 1993, p. 187
  8. "The Prussian Machine, GenKdo". Archived from the original on 11 April 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  9. "German War History". Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  10. Killed in action "Albert von Berrer". The Prussian Machine. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  11. Last commander was Hans von Below according to The Prussian Machine, but Ernst von Below according to German War History.

Bibliography
  • Cron, Hermann (2002). Imperial German Army 1914-18: Organisation, Structure, Orders-of-Battle [first published: 1937]. Helion & Co. ISBN 1-874622-70-1.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Ellis, John; Cox, Michael (1993). The World War I Databook. Aurum Press Ltd. ISBN 1-85410-766-6.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

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