Landwehr

Militia trained for military service in the Austrian and German armies. Every German capable of bearing arms is liable for military service in the army or navy for six years (seven for cavalry and horse artillery), from his 20th year. Two years (three for cavalry and horse artillery), must be spent in active service, the remainder in the reserve. On the completion of this term, the soldier is placed in the first ban of the Landwehr for 5 years (4 for cavalry and horse artillery), and then for 7 years in the second ban. Owing to the legal limitations of the peace strength (ab. 500,000 men), not all who are available for military service are drafted into the IMG:content-1010.jpg:[blocks in formation] active army, and these form a sort of reserve called Ersatz truppen , whose term of service is 12 years, and who are liable for three periods of drill yearly, of 10, 6. and 4 weeks. After their 12 years of service the trained men also pa into the first ban of the Landwehr, and the untrained into the second ban. See ARMED STRENGTH OF EUROPEAN NATIONS.