landwehr

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In Germany, Austria, Switzerland, etc., that part of the organized national forces of which continuous service is not required except in time of war. The landwehr corresponds indirectly to the militia of Great Britain and the United States. In Germany it consists of men who have served in both the regular army and the reserves. It possesses a complete military organization, but is not called out in time of peace, unless at intervals for practice. In time of war or other national danger the landwehr is summoned in two levies: first, those from 27 to 32 years old, who take the place of the reserves; second, those from 32 to 39, who are assigned to garrison duty. The time of service in the landwehr is fixed at 5 years in the first levy, and until the age of 39 in the second levy. The landwehr of Austria comprises those who have served 3 years with the colors and 7 in the reserve, the time of service in the landwehr being fixed at 2 years. The Swiss landwehr comprises all men capable of bearing arms from the age of 32 to 44. The term landwehr is often applied to bodies of militia similarly constituted in other countries: as, the Bulgarian or Servian landwehr.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. That part of the army, in Germany and Austria, which has completed the usual military service and is exempt from duty in time of peace, except that it is called out occasionally for drill.