Shortly after the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, the North German Confederation entered into conventions on military matters with states not members of the confederation: Bavaria, Württemberg, and Baden. Through these conventions and the constitution of the German Empire of 1871, the Imperial Army was born. The contingents of the Bavarian, Saxon and Württemberg kingdoms remained semi-autonomous, while the Prussian Army assumed almost total control over the armies of the other states of the Empire. The constitution of the German Empire, dated April 16, 1871, changed references to the army from Federal Army to either Imperial Army ("Reichsheer") or German Army ("Deutsches Heer").

After 1871, however, the peacetime armies of the four kingdoms remained relatively distinct. "German Army" and "Imperial Army" were used in various legal documents such as the Military Penal Code, but otherwise the Prussian, Bavarian, Saxon and Württemberg armies maintained distinct identities. Each kingdom had its own War Ministry, Bavaria and Saxony published their own rank and seniority lists for their officers, and Württemberg's was a separate chapter of the Prussian army rank lists. Württemberg and Saxon units were numbered according to the Prussian system, while Bavarian units maintained their own.

Positions

Chief of the General Staff: [BTTLSTAR]Caesar

Field Marshal: König Friedrich Wilhelm III

General of the Artillery: BEAKER~]ATR[~

General of the Infantry:

General of the Cavalry:

Lieutenant General:

Major General: