Armeekorps) was activated as a headquarters for motorized units in February 1938 in Berlin.

During the French campaign, the corps fought at the battles of Hannut and Gembloux.

On February 17, 1941, the corps headquarters was inactivated in order to form the 4th Panzer Group.

Kleffel was organized as an ad hoc corps headquarters subordinated to the 16th Army in northern Russia.

On October 30, 1944, this headquarters was made permanent and designated the XVI Army Corps.