II Cavalry Corps (German Empire)

The II Cavalry Corps (German: Höhere Kavallerie-Kommando 2 / HKK 2 literally: Higher Cavalry Command 2) was a formation of the German Army in the First World War. The corps was formed on mobilization of the German Army in August 1914 and dissolved 23 January 1915 as the onset of trench warfare in the west negated the requirement for large cavalry formations. It was commanded throughout its existence by General der Kavallerie Georg von der Marwitz.

II Cavalry Corps
(Höhere Kavallerie-Kommando Nr 2)
Higher Cavalry Command No. 2
Flag of the Staff of a Generalkommando (1871–1918)
Active2 August 1914-23 January 1915
Disbanded23 January 1915
Country German Empire
BranchArmy
TypeCavalry
SizeApproximately 22,000 (on mobilisation)
EngagementsFirst World War
Insignia
AbbreviationHKK 2

Combat chronicle

Initially on the Western Front with the 2nd, 4th and 9th Cavalry Divisions preceding the 1st and 2nd Armies.[1] Withdrawn to Belgium at the end of November 1914; dissolved 23 January 1915.[2]

Order of Battle on mobilisation

The Corps consisted of three cavalry divisions (with seven Jäger battalions attached) without corps troops; in supply and administration matters, the cavalry divisions were autonomous. The commander was only concerned with tactics and strategy, hence his title of Senior Cavalry Commander Höherer Kavallerie-Kommandeur.[3]

On formation in August 1914, the corps consisted of:[4]

Each cavalry division consisted of three cavalry brigades (six regiments each of four squadrons), a horse artillery detachment (Abteilung) with three four-gun batteries, a machine gun detachment (company sized, six machine-guns), plus pioneers, signals and a motor vehicle column. A more detailed Table of Organisation and Equipment can be seen here. The Jäger battalions each consisted of four light infantry companies, a machine gun company (six machine-guns), a cyclist company and a motorised vehicle column.[5]

Commanders

II Cavalry Corps was commanded throughout its existence by General der Kavallerie Georg von der Marwitz.[6]

See also

References
  1. Cron 2002, pp. 299–300
  2. Cron 2002, pp. 94
  3. Cron 2002, p. 94
  4. Cron 2002, pp. 299–300
  5. Cron 2002, p. 116
  6. The Prussian Machine, HKK Accessed: 20 May 2012

Bibliography
  • Cron, Hermann (2002) [1937]. Imperial German Army 1914–18: Organisation, Structure, Orders-of-Battle [Geschichte des deutschen Heeres im Weltkriege 1914–1918, pub. K. Siegismund, Berlin] (trans. repr. ed.). Helion & Co. ISBN 1-874622-70-1.
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