German Army cavalry re-enactmentGerman Army hussars on the attack during maneuvers, 1912
The peacetime Imperial German Army was organised as 25 Corps (Guards, I - XXI and I - III Bavarian) each of two divisions (1st and 2nd Guards, 1st - 42nd and 1st - 6th Bavarian). Each division included a cavalry brigade (of two regiments) numbered as their parent division with the following exceptions:
A complete list of the pre-war regiments, their peacetime corps assignments and garrisons is shown here.
Mobilisation
On mobilisation, the pre-war cavalry brigades were withdrawn from their divisions (as detailed below). 33 brigades (66 regiments) were used to form the 11 cavalry divisions. The remaining 22 brigades (44 regiments) were broken up and their regiments were employed as divisional cavalry for the 50 active divisions. This necessitated 6 regiments being raised to a strength of 6 squadrons before being split into two half-regiments of 3 squadrons each. The regiments involved were:
The other active regiments had a strength of 4 squadrons.
33 Reserve Cavalry Regiments, 2 Landwehr Cavalry Regiments and an Ersatz Cavalry Regiment were also formed and assigned to field formations. Each of these had a strength of 3 squadrons.[3] Finally, there were 38 Landwehr squadrons (assigned to the mixed Landwehr brigades) and 19 Ersatz detachments (assigned to the mixed Ersatz brigades).
Reserve, Landwehr and Ersatz Regiments raised on mobilisation
German cavalry of the 11th Reserve Hussar Regiment in a trench in France in 1916
The 110 active regiments were assigned to the Field Army on mobilisation. Each regiment formed a depot squadron which remained in Germany and took 4 squadrons into the field. 6 regiments were brought up to a strength of 6 squadrons and split into two half regiments; they joined the two divisions of their Corps. 33 Reserve Regiments, 2 Landwehr Regiments and 1 Ersatz Regiment also joined the Field Army, but were only at a strength of 3 squadrons.
Soldier of the Grenadier-Regiment "König Friedrich Wilhelm I." (2. Ostpreußisches) Nr. 3 in Königsberg during equestrian training
In September 1916, the establishment of cavalry regiments within the Cavalry Divisions was reduced to 675 horses instead of 769. The Supreme Command did not stop there, but also took away the horses of entire regiments and used them as infantry.[5] These regiments were redesignated as Cavalry Schützen Regiments (as detailed below). By the end of the war, just 22 Cavalry Regiments remained mounted, a fifth of the active regiments mobilised in 1914.[6]
Divisional Cavalry
A measure was put into force through the War Ministry at the beginning of August 1916 whereby every division and autonomous brigade in the Army of the West was to command just one squadron of cavalry. The measure also came into force immediately in the Army of the East. The Landwehr and Ersatz formations, together with the individual squadrons and Reserve Detachments set up during the war for the new divisions were dissolved.[7]
For the cavalry regiments allocated as individual squadrons to the divisions, the regimental unit ceased to exist for all practical purposes. The Regimental Staffs were not dissolved, but were for the most part left with the divisions they happened to find themselves with, to be used for special purposes. 16 Regimental Commanders found new employment as horse inspectors;[8] two Regimental Staffs were changed into Infantry Regiment Staffs;[9] and three Regimental Staffs were changed into Jäger Regiment Staffs.[10]
By the end of war, about 250 individual mounted squadrons remained, representing 61 active and 22 reserve cavalry regiments.[6]
Nomenclature
Although the various regiments were divided into a number of different categories (cuirassiers, dragoons, hussars, uhlans, etc.) all had the same role.[11] Regiments bore a number within its category, a state (or province in the case of Prussian regiments) and usually an honour title. For example,
33 pre-war brigades were used to form the 11 cavalry divisions. The remaining 22 brigades were broken up (only the 39th Cavalry Brigade was reconstituted) and their regiments were used to form the divisional cavalry for the 50 pre-war infantry divisions. Other than these, only a handful of other Cavalry Brigades were formed:[13]
Provisional Guards Cavalry Brigade operated in the East from 5 January 1915 to 12 November 1916
Siebenbürg Cavalry Brigade formed for the Romanian Campaign out of the remnants of the dissolved 3rd Cavalry Division, later renamed 7th Bavarian Cavalry Brigade
4th Landwehr Cavalry Brigade as the 4th Landwehr Division was the only division to mobilise with two cavalry regiments
All other Cavalry Brigades named for their commanders were temporary formations and merely consisted of reinforced cavalry regiments, for example Cavalry Brigade Kaufmann under the Staff of 6th Uhlans.
By the end of the war, just 10 cavalry brigades remained as mounted formations:[14]
Formed by 2nd Cavalry Division on 5 January 1915; 15 January 1915 became independent; 12 November 1916 dissolved.
1st Cavalry
On mobilisation, assigned to 1st Cavalry Division; 3 October 1916 became independent; 13 October to 1 November 1916 Brigade Staff joined 3rd Cavalry Division; 2 November 1916 renamed Siebenbürg Cavalry Brigade.
2nd Cavalry
On mobilisation, assigned to 1st Cavalry Division and remained with the division throughout.
3rd Cavalry
On mobilisation, assigned to 4th Cavalry Division; 30 November 1914 became independent; 17 October 1916 joined 6th Cavalry Division; 6 May 1918 renamed Cavalry Schützen Command 3.
On mobilisation, assigned to 2nd Cavalry Division; 8 August 1916 became independent; 19 October 1916 joined 6th Cavalry Division; 11 May 1918 renamed Cavalry Schützen Command 5.
On mobilisation, assigned to 5th Cavalry Division; 20 February 1918 became independent.
13th Cavalry
On mobilisation, assigned to 9th Cavalry Division; 8 February 1916, Brigade Staff renamed Cavalry Inspector for the Warsaw General Government; 13 December 1916 joined the Staff of the Quartermaster-General as Representative for Equine Affairs.
On mobilisation, assigned to 8th Cavalry Division; 1 February 1917 joined 1st Cavalry Division; 22 October 1917 became independent. Remained as a mounted unit to the end of the war (in the East).
On mobilisation, assigned to 2nd Cavalry Division; became independent on 20 August 1916. Remained as a mounted unit to the end of the war (in the East).
On mobilisation, assigned to Bavarian Cavalry Division; 3 July 1917 became independent. Remained as a mounted unit to the end of the war (in the East).
1 June 1917 renamed from Siebenbürg Cavalry Brigade; joined 2nd Cavalry Division at some point; 18 February 1918 became independent. Remained as a mounted unit to the end of the war (in the Caucasus).
Siebenbürg Cavalry
2 November 1916 Staff renamed from 1st Cavalry Brigade, remained attached to 3rd Cavalry Division to 31 May 1917; 1 June 1917 became independent and renamed 7th Bavarian Cavalry Brigade.
4th Landwehr Cavalry
Established at the end of September 1914 with the 4th Landwehr Division; 1 October 1916 dissolved. Brigade Staff became the Staff of 215th Infantry Brigade.
Divisions
The German Army constituted 11 cavalry divisions at the outbreak of war - the existing Guards Cavalry Division and 10 more formed on mobilisation. Each consisted of 3 cavalry brigades (6 regiments each of 4 squadrons), a horse artillery Abteilung (3 four-gun batteries), a machine gun detachment (company size, 6 MGs), plus pioneers, signals and a motor vehicle column. A more detailed Table of Organisation and Equipment can be seen here.
Apart from the opening actions of the war, the use of these divisions as proper cavalry was only possible in the offensive in Courland and on Vilna in 1915, for a short time in Romania, and in 1918 in support of Ukraine. Most of the time they were used as infantry.
The increasing shortage of horses led to the 4th, 5th and 9th Cavalry Divisions being dismounted in October 1916. The 3rd Cavalry Division was dissolved in November 1916 and the 6th and 7th Cavalry Divisions were also dismounted in November 1917. The Guards Cavalry Division followed in March 1918.
The dismounted divisions were converted to Cavalry Schützen Divisions. Here, the cavalry brigades were renamed Cavalry Schützen Commands and performed a similar role to that of an infantry regiment command. Likewise, the cavalry regiments became Cavalry Schützen Regiments and allotted the role of an infantry battalion and their squadrons acted as infantry companies. However, these units were much weaker than normal infantry formations (for example, a Schützen squadron had a strength of just 4 officers and 109 NCOs and other ranks, considerably less than that of an infantry company).[6] However, the 5th, 8th and 9th Cavalry Divisions were dissolved before conversion to Schützen.
By the end of the war, there were only 3 Cavalry Divisions in the East (1st, 2nd and Bavarian with just 5 brigades between them) and 4 Schützen Divisions in the West (Guards, 4th, 6th and 7th though the 4th was more akin to a Landwehr Division).
On the Western Front until December 1914, then frontier guard duties against the Netherlands until 30 June 1915, then to Russia. From 16 March 1918 to 9 April 1918 dismounted, re-formation and training on the Zossen troop training ground. Thereafter, Guards Cavalry Schützen Division on the Western Front.[17] In Artois to May 1918, then Champagne / Aisne.
Remained in the East throughout the war. 6 January 1915 to 22 August 1917, Coastal Defence duties in northern Courland. To Ukraine in March 1918 (until 29 January 1919). From 16 January 1918 it contained just one brigade of 3 regiments.
On the Western Front. From 12 November 1914 transferred to Russia until 25 November 1916; in Romania until December 1916; then back to the West. Frontier Guard on the Dutch border from 26 February 1917 to 10 September 1917; then again to Russia and finally in Ukraine from March 1918.
On the Western Front until December 1914, then occupation duties in Belgium. From 6 April 1915 transferred to Russia and dissolved there on 1 September 1916. Reformed on 9 September 1916 in Hungary and after that in Transylvania.
On the Western Front until November 1914. Transferred to Russia until March 1918. Returned to the Western Front, in Alsace until the end of the war. Dismounted in October 1916 and restructured to form 4th Cavalry Schützen Division.[18]
On the Western Front until October 1914, then to the Eastern Front. From 14 July 1915 to 1 September 1915 designated as Cavalry Corps Hendebreck. From October 1916 dismounted.
On the Western Front until October 1914, transferred to Russia until October 1916, and to Romania until February 1917. Returned to the Western Front and in Alsace until July 1918, Flanders until August 1918, Artois to October 1918 and back to Flanders until the end of the war. Dismounted on 5 May 1918 and restructured to form 6th Cavalry Schützen Division.[18]
On the Western Front until October 1915, occupation duties in Belgium until October 1916 and to Romania until January 1917. Returned to the Western Front and in Alsace until May 1918, Flanders until August 1918, Artois to October 1918 and back to Flanders until the end of the war. Dismounted on 14 May 1918 and restructured to form 7th Cavalry Schützen Division.[18]
On the Western Front until November 1914. Occupation duties in Belgium until January 1915. Training in Germany until April 1915 before transferring to Russia until November 1917; in Romania until April 1918; then finally in Ukraine/Crimea.
disbanded post-war
Corps
German Cavalry entering Warsaw on 5 August 1915
On mobilisation, the German Army formed 4 Cavalry Corps for the Western Front (just a single Cavalry Division was operating in the East). Initially, each simply consisted of 2 or 3 Cavalry Divisions without any Corps troops; in supply and administration matters, the Cavalry Divisions were entirely autonomous. The Cavalry Corps were entitled Höhere Kavallerie-Kommando (HKK - Higher Cavalry Command) and the commander was only concerned with tactics and strategy, hence his title of Senior Cavalry Commander Höherer Kavallerie-Kommandeur.[20]
By the beginning of 1915, with the solidifying of the trench system, they could no longer find employment on the Western Front. II and IV Cavalry Corps were dissolved and I and III Cavalry Corps were transferred to the East. With less use as pure Cavalry formations, each underwent a series of redesignations according to their particular role from time to time. Two new Corps were formed in June 1915 (V and VI Cavalry Corps) as a gap opened between the Army of the Niemen and 10th Army during the Courland offensive. With the conclusion of the offensive, all four Cavalry Commanders were assigned sectors of the front and thus took on the functions similar to a normal Corps and were reorganised in a similar fashion. Therefore, for the Romanian Campaign, none of the existing Cavalry Corps were brought in, instead a new temporary Cavalry Corps was set up in Transylvannia (Cavalry Corps "Schmettow").
Finally, all the Cavalry Corps were redesignated as General Commands for Special Use Generalkommandos zur besonderen Verwendung (Genkdo z.b.V.) and were indistinguishable from other Corps (56th-59th and 65th Corps (z.b.V.)).[21]
On Western Front with Guards and 5th Cavalry Divisions preceding 3rd Army.[22] Transferred to the East on 6 November 1914. Variously named for the commander as Cavalry Corps Richthofen, Corps Richthofen and Army Group[23] Richthofen. Redesignated 20 November 1916.
On Western Front with 7th, 8th and Bavarian Cavalry Divisions preceding 6th Army.[25] Transferred to the East on 9 September 1914. Variously named for the commander as Corps Frommel, Cavalry Corps Frommel and Army Group Frommel. Redesignated 20 November 1916.
During the Courland Offensive a wide gap opened between the Army of the Niemen and 10th Army.[27] Set up by the Army of the Niemen as temporary Cavalry Corps Schmettow, commanded by Generalleutnant Egon Graf von Schmettow. Established 18 August 1915. Redesignated 20 November 1916.
During the Courland Offensive a wide gap opened between the Army of the Niemen and 10th Army.[27] Set up by the 10th Army as a temporary Cavalry Corps. Established 18 August 1915. Redesignated 20 November 1916.
Temporary formation set up for the invasion of Romania under the command of Generalleutnant Eberhard Graf von Schmettow.[27] Redesignated 11 January 1917.
all the Cavalry Corps had been redesignated as General Commands for Special Use (Genkdo z.b.V.) and were indistinguishable from other Corps[21]
of 11 Cavalry Divisions, just 3 remained in the East (and 4 Schützen Divisions in the West)
just 10 Cavalry Brigades remained as mounted formations[14]
22 Cavalry Regiments remained mounted, just a fifth of the active regiments mobilised in 1914[6]
a further 27 active regiments and 5 war-formed regiments continued to serve as Cavalry Schützen Regiments[6]
about 250 individual squadrons remained mounted as divisional cavalry; they represented 61 active and 22 war-formed regiments[6]
As the war ended, the regiments marched back to Germany and dissolved as the troops reached their home towns. A number of regiments were perpetuated as squadrons of the post-war Reichswehr.
^Cron 2002, p. 129 Retained their designations, responsible for tours of inspection and balancing the stock of horses within certain districts.
^Cron 2002, p. 129 The Staff of 86th Cavalry Regiment became Staff of 433rd Infantry Regiment and Staff of 1st Reserve Uhlan Regiment became Staff of 434th Infantry Regiment
^Armee-Gruppe in the sense of a part of an army formed for a specific task. Heeresgruppe is an Army Group in the sense of a number of armies under a single commander.
Cron, Hermann (2002). Imperial German Army 1914-18: Organisation, Structure, Orders-of-Battle [first published: 1937]. Helion & Co. ISBN1-874622-70-1.
Ellis, John; Cox, Michael (1993). The World War I Databook. Aurum Press Ltd. ISBN1-85410-766-6.
Haythornthwaite, Philip J. (1996). The World War One Source Book. Arms and Armour. ISBN1-85409-351-7.
Sweetman, John (2002). Tannenberg 1914. Cassell & Co. ISBN0-304-35635-2.
Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty-One Divisions of the German Army which Participated in the War (1914-1918), compiled from records of Intelligence section of the General Staff, American Expeditionary Forces, at General Headquarters, Chaumont, France 1919. The London Stamp Exchange Ltd (1989). 1920. ISBN0-948130-87-3.
The German Forces in the Field; 7th Revision, 11th November 1918; Compiled by the General Staff, War Office. Imperial War Museum, London and The Battery Press, Inc (1995). 1918. ISBN1-870423-95-X.
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