LANDWEHR, that part of the organized forces of which continuous service is required only in time of war. The Prussian Landwehr was first formed during the War of Liberation against Napoleon and after the unification of Germany became the recog nized second-line army. On termination of their service in the active army, all reservists passed into the Landwehr, with which they served for eleven years, up to the age of 39, then passing to the Landsturm. At the opening of the World War the bulk of the Landwehr were absorbed into the active army, and from the residue there were formed a number of independent Landwehr brigades, which later in the war were combined to form divisions. These were at first utilized for line of communication duties, but later took part in operations on the eastern front and held quiet sectors of the line in the west. A total of 34 Landwehr divisions were organized at various periods during the war.
In Austria-Hungary the pre-war Landwehr was a totally differ ent organization, being in reality a cadre force existing alongside the regular army. Into it were passed not only those men who had completed their term of service in the active army, but also those who for want of vacancies could not be placed in the latter. Peace-time training was limited to a few weeks every two years. At the opening of the World War Austria mobilized eight Land wehr (Schutzen) divisions and Hungary eight Honved divisions, and three additional Schutzen and nine Honved divisions had been raised before its termination in 1918.
The Swiss Landwehr consists of men who serve for eight years between the ages of 33 and 4o; the force includes units of all arms and numbers some 70,000 men. Training at present con sists only of a few reoetition courses and arms inspections.