Concerning numbers

[CNE503]

Hello,

I found the following figures concerning the Kaiserliche Heer on the eve of the First World War, just before mobilization:
- it accounted nearly 800000 soldiers (not including the Kaiserliche Marine, only the Heer), including more than 30000 officers;
- a class of draftees was approximately 300000, and there were two classes under the flag at one time (so approximately 600000 draftees at the same time).

Do these figures look correct to you?

Cheers,

CNE503

[Terry Duncan]

There is a slight complication as when war broke out there wasn't actually a 'German Army' as each state still maintained its own army, so there was not only the Prussian army but a Saxon, Wurttemberg, Bavarian and so on. It was only after the opening campaign that these forces became more unified, with troops from all over Germany in the same formation. The numbers you give look to be close to those I have seen quoted before, but I couldn't say for sure if this applies only to the Prussian forces, who were the majority, or if it is a figure of all states forces combined?

[CNE503]

Hello Terry,

Thank you for your answer.
I understand that this four-contingents division was complex. I found that Prussian units (including lesser states ones, like Hessen) counted for 78%, Bavarian ones for 11%, Saxon ones 7% and Württtemberg ones 4%.

Well, I guess that 800000 soldiers including 600000 draftees and 30000 officers is a rough but fair estimation.

Cheers!

CNE503

[Terry Duncan]

I have not had time to look things up today, I have an elderly relative with dementia I look after and today was a busy one, but the numbers have been quoted in threads on this site before, so it could be worth looking them up here? The 'reserves' being called up with mobilisation tends to lump everyone in together, Stevenson might have detailed figures but I am not sure, with things like 'peace time = 1,000,000 for Russia, 4,000,000 when fully mobilised' being what most authors cite.

[ljadw]

Hello,

I found the following figures concerning the Kaiserliche Heer on the eve of the First World War, just before mobilization:
- it accounted nearly 800000 soldiers (not including the Kaiserliche Marine, only the Heer), including more than 30000 officers;
- a class of draftees was approximately 300000, and there were two classes under the flag at one time (so approximately 600000 draftees at the same time).

Do these figures look correct to you?

Cheers,

CNE503

There are several figures,following the sources

It goes from 748000 to 816000

816000 was the number that was expected to be reached ,but was not reached at the outbreak of the war .

748000 was to low,as it did not include a lot of technicians.

I think that 600000 is to high,as a lot of them served as volunteers (Einjärige Freiwillige )

[CNE503]

Hello,

Understood ljadw. Roughly 800000 seems to be a good number to have an overview, doesn't it?

Nevertheless, an entire year group from Germany at this time was between 600 and 700 000 people strong. German army had a 20 to 22 years old age group that reached 1 200 000 to 1 400 000 young people at its disposal for complete its units through conscription. So why do you consider that less than a half of this number is too high?

Cheers,

CNE503