It was initially commanded by General der Infanterie Erich von Gündell, brought out of retirement.

[2] It was still in existence at the end of the war[3] in the 5th Army, Heeresgruppe Gallwitz on the Western Front.

In general, Reserve Corps and Reserve Divisions were weaker than their active counterparts In summary, V Reserve Corps mobilised with 22 infantry battalions, 7 machine gun companies (42 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 12 field artillery batteries (72 guns) and 3 pioneer companies.

10th Reserve Division was slightly stronger than the norm as it included an active infantry brigade.

On mobilisation, V Reserve Corps was assigned to the 5th Army forming part of the centre of the forces for the Schlieffen Plan offensive in August 1914.