It was formed on mobilization in August 1914 from the II Army Inspection.

[2] Formed at the outbreak of World War I, 7th Army formed the extreme left (southern) wing of the German Armies on the Western Front.

During the execution of the French Plan XVII, the 7th Army covered Alsace, successfully repulsing the French attack in the Battle of Lorraine.

It then took part in the Race to the Sea, an attempt by both German and Anglo-French armies to turn each other's flank.

At the end of the war it was serving as part of Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz.