Landwehr
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militia reserve
A historical form of army levy made up of men who were subject to military service but were not on active duty and were called up for national defense in wartime, especially in Prussia.
Im 19. Jahrhundert war die Landwehr ein wichtiger Teil der preußischen Armee.
In the 19th century, the Landwehr was an important part of the Prussian army.
The word is made up of 'Land' (land/country) and 'Wehr' (defense). 'Wehr' is an old word for defense. So a 'Landwehr' is literally a 'defense of the land,' which applies to both meanings.
Der Name des Flusses „Landwehr“ erinnert an die alte Grenzbefestigung.
The name of the river 'Landwehr' recalls the old border fortification.
Both meanings of the word are historical. Do not use it for modern armies or fortifications. It is a term from history, especially from the Middle Ages and the 19th century.
In Geschichtsbüchern liest man oft von der preußischen Landwehr.
In history books, you often read about the Prussian Landwehr.
To distinguish the meanings, pay attention to the context. If soldiers, regiments, or the army are mentioned, people are meant. If a rampart, ditch, remains, or landscape is mentioned, the fortification is meant.
Sein Urgroßvater diente in der Landwehr.
His great-grandfather served in the Landwehr.
The fortification can often only be recognized today as 'Überrest' (remains) in the forest or in fields. The name has also been preserved in many street or place names, such as 'An der Landwehr' (At the Landwehr).
Die Straße „An der Landwehr“ markiert den Verlauf der alten Stadtgrenze.
The street 'An der Landwehr' marks the course of the old city boundary.
reserve
'die Reserve' and 'die Landwehr' can both have to do with soldiers who are not the first to be on active deployment. However, 'Reserve' is a general term: it can mean a substitute person, material, or also a military unit. 'Landwehr' refers to a specific historical form of an army, especially for national defense. Learners may confuse the words because both are connected to military readiness. In normal modern usage, 'Reserve' is much more general. 'Landwehr' is mainly appropriate in historical texts.
Im Geschichtsunterricht lesen wir über die Landwehr in Preußen.
In history class, we read about the Landwehr in Prussia.
Der Trainer lässt einen schnellen Spieler als Reserve auf der Bank.
The coach leaves a fast player on the bench as a reserve.