Formation of Brigades, Divisions, and Army Corps.
As a rule, two regiments of Infantry (6 battalions), or two of Cavalry (8 to 10 squadrons), form a Brigade, under a Major-general as brigadier.
The first unit composed of all three arms is the Infantry division. It consists of usually two brigades of Infantry and one regiment of Cavalry; and, in the field, has in addition 6 batteries of Artillery and 1 company of Engineers, the whole under the command of a lieutenant-general. A Cavalry Division varies in strength, but has always, if possible, one or two batteries of Horse Artillery attached.
Prussian Officer and Trumpeter of Artillery.
Two, or three, Infantry Divisions, with a brigade (2 regiments) of Field Artillery, Engineers and Train, constitute an Army Corps, under the command of a full general. The Army Corps therefore comprises all branches of the service, and is thoroughly independent.
The 12th (Saxon) and 13th (Württemberg) Corps have a slightly different composition. They each number 4 Infantry, 2 Cavalry and 1 Field Artillery Brigades (each brigade consisting of 2 regiments), besides one battalion of Field Engineers and one of the Train. The Guard Corps also is constituted rather differently from any other.
Size of Army.
On the 1st April, 1890, the entire German Army consisted of 20 Army Corps, quartered as follows:—