Imperial German Army

1871–1919 land warfare branch of the German military

The Imperial German Army (1871–1919), officially called the German Army (German: Deutsches Heer[1]), was the unified ground and air force of the German Empire. It was established in 1871 with the political unification of Germany under the leadership of Prussia, and was dissolved in 1919, after the defeat of the German Empire in First World War (1914–1918). In the Federal Republic of Germany, the term Deutsches Heer identifies the German Army, the land component of the Bundeswehr.

German Army
Deutsches Heer
The Kaiserstandarte
Active1871–1919
Country Germany
TypeArmy and air force
RoleProtecting the German Empire and its interests by using ground and air forces.
Size5,000,000 (1871)
3,800,000 (1914)
4,500,000+(1918)
13,250,000+ (1914-1918)
Motto(s)"Gott mit uns" (God with us)
ColorsBlack, white, and red
Engagements
Commanders
German EmperorWilhelm I
Friedrich III
Wilhelm II
Oberste HeeresleitungHelmuth von Moltke the Younger (first)
Paul von Hindenburg (last)
German General StaffMoltke the Elder (first)
Hans von Seeckt (last)

References

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  1. "Militair-Strafgesetzbuch vom 20. Juni 1872" in Gesetz-Sammlung für das Deutsche Reich, 1867 bis 1883, incl. Vol. 1. Berlin, 1884. p. 408. (in German)