Mobilization

FALKENHAYN MOBILIZATIONSFor further details about mobilization, military drill, and first operational use during the first battle of Ypres and at Langemarck during the first half of November 1914, please see…

Mobilization-8 The more densely populated regions of the empire tended to have more trained reservists on the rolls of their Bezirks-Kommandos than the less populated regions. To balance the numbers of…

Mobilization 7 Mobilization of Reserve Units in 1914  Infantry reserve regiments (Reserve Infanterie Regimenter–RIR) were mobilized from reserve personnel who had completed their training and service with the active army—men 22-26…

 Mobilization six-Recruit Classes and Volunteers The large bulk of the reserve and Landwehr soldiers were absorbed in the initial expansion of the Army that took place in July and August 1914.…

Railroads During Mobilization-5 During the first days, the army’s railroad personnel and the railroad formations had to carry out their own mobilization operation. During the first and second mobilization day the…

Railroads During Mobilization-4During the wars of 1866 and 1870-71, railroads played a major role, carrying both men and supplies forward. Based upon this experience, Article 41 of the Imperial Constitution…

Mobilization-3-Planning The war plan was amended and issued by the Chief of the General Staff on a biannual basis. For example, planning for 1904-1905 took effect from 1 April 1904 to…

Mobilization-2   The Total Requirement   The dispute about the size of the army between the War Minister and the Chief of the General Staff is well documented. Schlieffen always…

Mobilization-1914State of WarImperial Germany as a whole did not decide to go to war in 1914. A small group of officials appointed personally by the Kaiser made that decision. Nonetheless,…