61st Corps (German Empire)

The 61st Corps (German: Generalkommando zbV 61) was a corps formation of the German Army in World War I. It was formed in November 1916 and was still in existence at the end of the war.^[1]

61st Corps (Generalkommando zbV 61)
Flag of the Staff of a Generalkommando (1871–1918)
Active	November 1916-1919
Disbanded	1919
Country	German Empire
Branch	Army
Engagements	World War I
Insignia
Abbreviation	Genkdo zbV 61

Chronicle

The 61st^[2] Corps (z.b.V.)^[3] was formed in November 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).

61st Corps was still in existence at the end of the war.^[6]

Commanders

The 61st Corps was commanded throughout its existence by Generalleutnant Karl Surén.^[7][8]

See also

• Germany portal

• German Army (German Empire)

References

1. Cron 2002, p. 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. Cron 2002, p. 89
7. "The Prussian Machine, GenKdo". Archived from the original on 11 April 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
8. "German War History". Retrieved 30 October 2012.

Bibliography

• Cron, Hermann (2002). Imperial German Army 1914-18: Organisation, Structure, Orders-of-Battle [first published: 1937]. Helion & Co. ISBN 1-874622-70-1.