Chapter X: Part 10

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │21. │10 Gren. │21. │10 Gren.
│ │38 Fus. │ │38 Fus.
│ │51. │ │51.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2 Sqn. 2 Uhlan Rgt.│2 Sqn. 2 Uhlan Rgt.
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │11 Art. Command: │11 Art. Command:
│ 42 F. A. Rgt. │ 42 F. A. Rgt.
│ │
│ │
│ │ 131 (M) Ft. A.
│ │ Btn. (Staff, and
│ │ 1, 2, and 3
│ │ Btries.).
│ │ 904 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1367 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1368 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│122 Pion. Btn.: │122 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 1 Co. 6 Pions. │ 1 Co. 6 Pions.
│ 5 Co. 6 Pions. │ 5 Co. 6 Pions.
│ 11 T. M. Co. │ 11 T. M. Co.
│ 269 Searchlight │ 187 Searchlight
│ Section. │ Section.
│ 11 Tel. Detch. │11 Signal Command:
│ │ 11 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 3 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │16 Ambulance Co. │16 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│55 Field Hospital. │59 Field Hospital.
│59 Field Hospital. │61 Field Hospital.
│61 Field Hospital. │11 Vet. Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │544 M. T. Col. │544 M. T. Col.
│644 M. T. Col. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │Anti-aircraft │
│ Section. │
│ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(Sixth District—Silesia.)

1914.

FRANCE.

1. The 11th Division belonged to the 6th Army Corps and detrained at Merzig August 10 and 11, 1914, passed through Luxemburg the 17th, and entered Belgian Luxemburg the 18th.

2. It belonged to the 5th Army (Prussian Crown Prince) and took part in the battle of August 22 at Tintigny, St. Vincent, and Belle Fontaine. It crossed the Meuse the 29th below Stenay, passed through Varennes and Ste. Menehould. September 7, at the high point of the German advance, it was near Revigny.

RHEIMS.

3. After the battle of the Marne it established itself at the western edge of the Argonne (from Binarville to Cernay en Bormois).

ARGONNE.

4. October 4 it fought at Binarville. October 21 the 22d Brigade was at Beine, east of Rheims. The 21st Brigade remained in the Argonne.

1915.

1. At the end of January, 1915, the 21st Brigade returned to the Rheims sector.

CHAMPAGNE.

In February the 22d Brigade was attached temporarily in support of the 8th Reserve Corps on the Champagne front (east).

2. About the middle of June the division went to Artois to reinforce the 6th Army in preparation for the French offensive.

SOUCHEZ.

3. At the end of June it held the sector north of Souchez, east of Neuville St. Vaast. It executed many unsuccessful attacks on Souchez and the Chateau of Carleul. It suffered considerable losses during July. September 25 and 26 it had more losses before La Folie. Relieved at the end of September and sent to rest in the region of Cambrai. The casualty lists for the 10th Grenadiers show 432 killed, 1,023 wounded, 64 missing; total, 1,519 men. The losses were hastily made good from October 5 to 14 by replacements with less than three months’ training (oldest class Landsturm 2d Band and 1915 class men who entered service in July). The 9th Company of the 10th Grenadiers received in this way at least 119 men and the 12th Company of the 38th Fusiliers about the same.

4. During the first two weeks of October the division went into line in the sector astride the Somme.

1916.

FRISE.

1. At the end of January, 1916, the division took part in the attack which ended in the taking of the village of Frise and suffered very heavy losses.

2. On May 25 it was relieved, and a short time afterwards took over the sector south of the Amiens-St. Quentin road. (At the end of June the first 1917-class soldiers arrived with older classes put back, taken from the mines and factories of Silesia.)

SOMME.

3. In this sector it opposed the French attack of July 1 and days following. It suffered heavily and lost a large number of prisoners to the French. (The 11th Grenadiers, whose battalions had fought in three different places, separated from the rest of the division, had to have at least 181 replacements to complete the 11th Company. They arrived from July 6 to 20.)

4. It was withdrawn from this sector about the end of July and sent to the region of St. Quentin to be reorganized.

5. On August 1 the division took over the trenches in the sector Andechy-Beuvraignes.

SOMME.

6. September 4 it again went in to the battle of the Somme between Deniecourt and Vermandovillers. During these two actions in the Somme it suffered 83 per cent losses.

7. Relieved October 10 and took over the sector of Prunay the 24th, which it held until December 12, then went to rest near St. Quentin. The 11th Grenadiers left the division in October and were transferred to the 101st Division in Macedonia.

1917.

1. On January 4, 1917, the division went into line in the sector of Lassigny, then on February 10 in the sector of Ablaincourt, south of the Somme.

2. About the middle of the month of March the division retreated, with the other German forces engaged in the Somme, to the Hindenburg line.

3. March 29 it was sent to the Arras front.

ARTOIS.

April 19 it opposed south of the Scarpe the first shock of the British attack. In spite of a desperate defense it was routed and lost 2,200 prisoners to the British. The 51st Infantry was reduced to 600 men (prisoners’ statements) and its 12th Company to 6 men.

4. On April 11 the division was relieved and reorganized in the region of Bruges. It received replacements especially from the 623d Infantry, which was dissolved, organized, and trained at the camp at Neuhammer.

FLANDERS.

5. At the beginning of June it was in support of the Wytschaete-Messines front when the British attacked. It then held this sector until June 26 and suffered heavy losses again (June 8 and 9).

WOEVRE.

6. After a few days’ rest it was sent to Metz and then put in line in the sector of Flirey (in Haye), end of July to September 15.

7. Relieved about the middle of September, and in October took over a sector on the Champagne front.

FLANDERS.

8. At the end of October it was sent to Flanders and went into line near Passchendeale. Withdrawn at the end of December and went to the rear of the front in the region of Maubeuge.

RECRUITING.

The division was recruited in the regions of Breslau, Glatz, and Schweidnitz from a German population. The Poles, therefore, coming from the Province of Silesia, are in the minority. The Sixth District is thickly populated and was able by itself to maintain the division even during the period of heavy losses.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

In spite of the heavy losses suffered at the Somme, Arras, and Wytschaete the division always fought well. Its value is diminished by the presence of a certain number of Poles who were generally ready to desert when they had a chance. Lieut. Col. Schwerck, commanding the 51st Infantry, received the order “Pour le Merite” after the battle of Arras. This reward, which has been given to only six other regimental commanders, seems to prove that the fighting value of the 11th Division at Arras in April, 1917, was greatly appreciated by the German High Command.

1918.

CHAMPAGNE.

1. The 11th Division rested first in the Maubeuge region, and later near Charleville and Laon for about two months. About March 1 it relieved the 51st Reserve Division in the Butte de Mesnil. Here nothing except minor trench raids was attempted. Most of the older men were exchanged for young ones. It was relieved by the 88th Division April 15.

LASSIGNY.

2. April 20 it relieved elements of the 34th and 37th Divisions south of Dives, (east of Lassigny). It was relieved by the 202d Division during the night of May 22–23. It rested then for about 10 days in the Guiscard region.

MONTDIDIER.

3. June 9 it reinforced the Montdidier-Noyon battle front south of Thiescourt (west of Noyon). It attacked the first day of the offensive as an attack division. It attacked on a front of 1,500 yards, with Compiegne as its final objective (its orders were captured), but did poorly, succeeding only in reaching Machemont—less than half way. In this engagement it suffered heavy losses. It was withdrawn the 16th and went to rest in the Guiscard region, where it received some 1,300 replacements.

4. The division relieved the 222d Division near Rubescourt (south of Montdidier) July 19. In the fighting which followed, the division lost heavily. The 10th Regiment received 300 replacements August 2; relieved about the 12th.

5. It reentered line near Varesnes the 22d and was withdrawn the 28th.

ST. QUENTIN.

6. September 8 it came back into line southwest of St. Quentin near Jussy. It was withdrawn about the 20th.

7. Four days later the division was identified north of St. Quentin in the Gricourt sector; withdrawn the 2d of October.

8. It came back into line about the 12th near Barisis (south of LaFere). The division took part in the general German retirement and was identified successively at Remies, Mesbrecourt, Léa Ferte-Chevresis, Monceau le Neuf, Le Herie la Vieville, St. Algis, and Champ Bouvier. It was still in line when the armistice was signed.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 11th is rated as a good second-class division. It did not do well in the battle of the Oise, but everywhere else its conduct under fire was characterized by considerable tenacity. Losses were very heavy. Numerous cases of desertion, especially to the interior; a large number of replacements—returned prisoners from Russia—are said to have mutinied at Breslau.

11th Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │21 Res. │10 Res. │21 Res. │10 Res. │23. │10 Res.
│ │11 Res. │ │11 Res. │ │22.
│23. │22. │23. │22. │ │156.
│ │156. │ │156. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3 Res. Hus. Rgt. (3│ │4 Res. Hus. Rgt.
│ Sqns.). │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │11 Res. F. A. Rgt. │11 Res. F. A. Rgt. │11 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (6 Btries.). │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│4 Field Co. 2 Pion.│4 Field Co. 2 Pion.│4 Field Co. 2 Pion.
Liaisons. │ Btn. No. 6. │ Btn. No. 6. │ Btn. No. 6.
│ │11 Res. Pont. Engs.│211 T. M. Co.
│ │11 Res. Tel. Detch.│11 Res. Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │11 Res. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │95 Anti-Aircraft
│ │ │ Section.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │23. │10 Res. │23. │22.
│ │22. │ │156.
│ │156. │ │10 Res.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │1 Sqn. 4 Res. Hus. │1 Sqn. 4 Res. Hus.
│ Rgt. │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │(s) Art. Command: │11 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ │
│ 11 Res. F. A. Rgt.│1 Abt. 5 Res. Ft.
│ (9 Btries.). │ A. Rgt.
│ │748 Light Am. Col.
│ │1242 Light Am. Col.
│ │1296 Light Am. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(311) Pion. Btn.: │311 Pion Btn.
Liaisons. │ │
│ 4 Co. 6 Pions. │4 Co. 6 Pions.
│ 2 Res. Co. 25 │2 Res. Co. 25
│ Pion. Btn. │ Pions.
│ 211 T. M. Co. │211 T. M. Co.
│ 4 Heavy Field │39 Searchlight
│ Searchlight │ Section.
│ Section. │
│ 411 Tel. Detch. │411 Signal Command:
│ │117 Wireless Detch.
│ │411 Tel. Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │506 Ambulance Co. │506 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│29 Res. Field │29 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│32 Res. Field │32 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│411 Vet. Hospital. │411 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │
│ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(Sixth District-Silesia.).

1914.

FRANCE.

1. This division, with the 12th Reserve Division, formed the 6th Reserve Corps.

LORRAINE-MEUSE.

2. At the beginning of the war it belonged to the 5th Army (Prussian Crown Prince). Fought at Arrancy from August 22 to 25; crossed the Meuse the 21st of September. Fought in the region of Cierges September 2; advanced nearly to Triaucourt September 9 and retreated through the east of the Argonne near Montfaucon September 11 to 17.

3. At the end of September it established itself at the eastern edge of the Argonne (Varennes-Malancourt wood). It occupied this region until the Verdun offensive in February, 1916.

1915.

1. January to December, 1915, the division held the sector of Malancourt wood, south of Montfaucon, in Argonne. In April the 11th Reserve Infantry was transferred to form the 117th Division.

1916.

VERDUN.

1. In February, 1916, when the battle of Verdun commenced, the division was still in its sector on the left bank of the Meuse.

2. In March it fought near Bethencourt. It took this village April 9. Relieved about May 15 after suffering very heavy losses (68 per cent of its infantry).

3. Sent to rest and reorganized with replacements from the 1916 class.

SOMME.

4. It was at first army reserve in the region of Cambrai at the beginning of June. Then a hurry call was sent for the division June 27 and it went into the battle of the Somme.

5. July 2 to 3 it relieved some units of the 12th Division and 10th Bavarian Division on the front Hardecourt to the Somme and suffered enormous losses from July 2 to 9.

6. Received replacements July 10 and suffered again heavily between the 10th and 20th in the same region. It was withdrawn from the Somme front about July 24.

FLANDERS.

7. Reconstituted again with replacements from the depots of the 12th Army Corps and sent at the end of July and beginning of August to the east of Armentieres, south of the Lys, and held this sector until September 20 to 27.

SOMME.

8. At the end of September the division returned to the Somme, between the Somme and Barleux. It opposed the attack of the French October 18 to 19 in the sector of Biaches.

9. The division was relieved from the Somme area at the beginning of November.

ARTOIS.

10. Sent to Artois and went into line at the beginning of December in the sector of Lens, between Loos and Lievin.

1917.

1. About March 24 to 25, 1917, the division was withdrawn from the Artois front.

2. In line for six weeks between Cambrai and St. Quentin, in the sector Bellicourt-Bellenglise, from the end of March to May 10. Returned about May 14 to 15 to the region of Lens, where it stayed until August 20. (Attack of the Canadians on its right flank Aug. 15.)

ARTOIS-FLANDERS.

3. At rest in the vicinity of St. Amand (Artois) at the end of August and beginning of September. Held the front south of Lens (sector Frenoy- Acheville) September 9. In November it was sent to Flanders near Passchendaele, where it alternated with the 12th Reserve Division until January, 1918. At rest from the middle of January and went back into line February 24 south of the forest of Houthulst.

RECRUITING.

Silesia. Drafts from other districts—for example, the fourth—to counterbalance the Polish element.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

At the present time (February, 1918) it is difficult to form a precise opinion of the fighting qualities of this division, as it has not been seriously engaged since the battle of the Somme. In the sector of Lens and Frenoy the heavy losses which it suffered from gas have no doubt caused a certain weakening of the morale. (One company of the 156th Infantry was reduced to 24 men.)

In Flanders the division held a difficult sector, but arrived at a time when active operations were coming to an end. The nature of the ground has been the main cause of its losses. (Information from the British, Feb. 9, 1918.)

1918.

PASSCHENDAELE.

1. The division remained in line south of Passchendaele until January 16, when it was relieved by the 31st Division. It then moved to the Oostroosebeke area, where it underwent a course of training in open warfare.

YPRES.

2. February 24 the division relieved the 199th Division astride the Ypres-Staden railway (northeast of Ypres).

ARMENTIERES.

3. It was relieved about the 18th of March by the extension of front of the neighboring divisions, and one regiment was identified by prisoners as having reenforced the front south of Villers-Carbonnel (southwest of Peronne). This regiment was relieved March 26 and went to join the remainder of the division which was resting in the Turcoing area. April 9 the division reenforced the front in the Croix du Bac sector (north of the La Bassee Canal). It was withdrawn about the 16th, after losing heavily, and went to rest in the vicinity of Laventie.

4. April 28 it relieved the 81st Reserve Division southwest of Meteren. It was withdrawn about the 6th of May, going to be reconstituted in the area southeast of Bailleul.

5. It relieved the 12th Division southwest of Meteren during the night of May 18–19, remaining in line until June 7, when it was withdrawn to rest in the Courtrai area.

6. During the night of June 22–23 the division relieved the 216th Division in the Locre sector (west of Kemmel). Here it fought until a day or two before the armistice, when it seems to have been withdrawn.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 11th Reserve is rated as a second-class division. It has fought a great deal during 1918, especially since June, and has lost heavily. Its record has not been brilliant.

11th Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────
│ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────
Infantry. │33 Ldw. │75 Ldw. │33 Ldw. │75 Ldw.
│ │76 Ldw. │ │76 Ldw.
│70 Mixed Ldw. │5 Ldw. │70 Mixed Ldw. │5 Ldw.
│ │18 Ldw. │ │18 Ldw.
─────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────
Cavalry. │92 Ldw. Cav. Rgt. │92 Ldw. Cav. Rgt.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Artillery. │98 F. A. Rgt. │98 F. A. Rgt.
│ │910 Btry. F. A.
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 and 2 Ldw. Pion. Cos. (3 C.
Liaisons. │ │ Dist.).
│ │311 T. M. Co.
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Medical and │ │
Veterinary.│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Odd Units. │ │11 Ldw. Div. Cyclist Co.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Attached. │ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────

─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────
Infantry. │33 Ldw. │18 Ldw. │70 Ldw. │18 Ldw.
│ │75 Ldw. │ │75 Ldw.
│ │76 Ldw. │ │424.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────
Cavalry. │1 Sqn. 11 Dragoon Rgt. (?). │1 Sqn. 11 Drag. Rgt.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Artillery. │131 Art. Command: │98 F. A. Rgt.
│ 98 F. A. Rgt. │1018 Light Am. Col.
│ 910 Btry. F. A. │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Engineers and│(411) Pion. Btn.: │4 Landst. Co. 3 C. Dist.
Liaisons. │ │ Pions.
│ 1 Co. 1 Pions. │359 Searchlight Section.
│ 1 Ldw. Co. 3 Pions. │79 Searchlight Section.
│ 311 T. M. Co. │511 Signal Command:
│ 353 Searchlight Section. │ 511 Tel. Detch.
│ 272 Searchlight Section. │
│ 511 Tel. Detch. │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Medical and │217 Sanitary Co. │217 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│10 Ldw. Field Hospital. │105 Field Hospital.
│17 Ldw. Field Hospital. │150 Field Hospital.
│ │211 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Odd Units. │11 Ldw. Div. Cyclist Co. │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Attached. │70 Ldw. Brig.: │
│ (424 Inf. & Consbruch Rgts. │
│ “1 and 2 Allenstein.”) │
│ (20 C. Dist. 1 and 2 Btns. │
│ Landst.). │
│ 1 Lotzen Landst. Btn. (20 C.│
│ Dist. Btn. No. 4). │
│ Neustadt Landst. Btn. (17 C.│
│ Dist. Landst. Btn. No. 9). │
─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────

HISTORY.

(18th Landwehr: Twentieth District—Eastern part of West Prussia. 75th
Landwehr and 76th Landwehr: Ninth District—Schleswig—Holstein and
Mecklemburg.)

1914.

EAST PRUSSIA-POLAND.

1. This division is the former Von Einem Division, which, with the Jacobi Division (former 10th Landwehr Division), formed the 1st Landwehr Corps on the Eastern Front in 1914–15. It took part in the battle of Tannenberg in August and fought near Lyck in October, 1914.

2. From November to December the 1st Landwehr Corps held the defiles of the Masurian Lakes, the 33d and 70th Landwehr Brigades being in the region of Angerburg and Loetzen.

1915.

1. In February, 1915, the 1st Landwehr Corps was identified between Mariampol and Suwalki.

2. From March to August the Von Einem Division, which became the 11th Landwehr Division, was in line before the fortress of Ossowiec.

VICHNEV.

3. The offensive against the Russians brought it to the railroad Molodetchno-Lida, near Vichnev, in September. It established its positions there and remained more than two years, from September, 1915, to the beginning of 1918.

1916.

1. Vichnev-Krevo sector.

2. Toward the end of 1916 the 424th Infantry was assigned to the 11th Landwehr Division, which had given its 5th Landwehr to the 218th Division in October.

1917.

1. Vichnev-Krevo sector.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

On the Russian front since the beginning of the war. Mediocre quality.

1918.

UKRAINE.

1. The 11th Landwehr Division, which was still in line south of Krevo in January, 1918, marched to the east in February. On April 30 it was identified in the Ukraine between Kiev and Koursk. About the middle of May it was in the Soumy region. A man of the 75th Landwehr Regiment wrote on the 16th of June: “I am still at Kiev, but I tell you one thing, it is much worse here than in the trenches, for there one has the enemy in front, while here it is just the opposite. The people are so badly disposed toward us they would eat us alive if they were able, but they can not.”

RUSSIA.

2. The middle of July the division was identified south of Moscow. During all this time men were taken from the division and sent as replacements to the Western Front.

3. Early in November elements of the division were identified along the Danube.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as fourth class.

11th Bavarian Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────
│ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────
Infantry. │21 Bav. │3 Bav. │21 Bav. │3 Bav.
│ │22 Bav. │ │22 Bav.
│ │13 Bav. Res. │ │13 Bav. Res.
─────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────
Cavalry. │ │4 Sqn. 7 Bav. Light Cav. Rgt.
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Artillery. │21 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │21 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Engineers and│19 Bav. Pion. Co. │19 Bav. Pion. Co.
Liaisons. │ │
│21 Bav. Pion. Co. │21 Bav. Pion. Co.
│ │11 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ │11 Bav. Pont. Engs.
│ │11 Bav. Tel. Detch.
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Medical and │ │
Veterinary.│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Transports. │ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Odd Units. │ │11 Bav. Cyclist Co.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Attached. │ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────

─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────
Infantry. │21 Bav. │3 Bav. │21 Bav. │16 Bav.
│ │22 Bav. │ │3 Bav.
│ │13 Bav. Res. │ │22 Bav.
─────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────
Cavalry. │1 Sqn. 7 Bav. Light Cav. Rgt.│2 Sqn. 7 Light Cav. Rgt.
│ │ (Bavarian).
│2 Sqn. 7 Bav. Light Cav. Rgt.│
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Artillery. │11 Bav. Art. Command: │11 Bav. Art. Command:
│ 21 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 21 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 11 Bav. Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ 124 Bav. Light Am. Col.
│ │ 125 Bav. Light Am. Col.
│ │ 129 Bav. Light Am. Col.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Engineers and│(11 Bav.) Pion. Btn.: │11 Bav. Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 19 Bav. Pion. Co. │ 19 Bav. Pion. Co.
│ 21 Bav. Pion. Co. │ 21 Bav. Pion. Co.
│ 11 Bav. T. M. Co. │ 11 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ 11 Bav. Tel. Detch. │11 Bav. Searchlight Section.
│ │11 Bav. Signal Command:
│ │ 11 Bav. Tel. Detch.
│ │ 179 Bav. Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Medical and │11 Bav. Ambulance Co. │11 Bav. Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│35 Field Hospital. │35 Bav. Field Hospital.
│37 Field Hospital. │37 Bav. Field Hospital.
│11 Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │691 M. T. Col.
│691 Divisional M. T. Col. │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Odd Units. │11 Bav. Cyclist Co. │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Attached. │M. G. S. S. Detch. No. 47. │
│308 Supply Train. │
│1107 Wireless Detch. │
│286 and 287 Field Signal │
│ Sections Pigeon Loft. │
│2 Co. 29 Pions. │
│3 Co. 29 Pions. │
│1 Co. 7 Pions. │
│Pfungstadt Landst. Inf. Btn. │
│2 Munster Landst. Btn. │
│1 Co. 60 Labor Btn. │
│1 Co. 12 Labor Btn. (Bayr.). │
─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────

HISTORY.

(3d Bavarian: First Bavarian District.) (22d Bavarian: Second Bavarian
District.) (13th Reserve Bavarian: Third Bavarian District.)

1915.

Organized in April, 1915, in Galicia, in the Carpathians.

GALICIA.

1. This division belonged to Mackensen’s army during the offensive in Galicia and took part in the capture of Przemysl May 31, 1915.

BUG.

2. Sent north, fought at Rava Ruska, and reached the Bug in the region of Cholm-Vlodava. Withdrew from the front at the end of August.

SERBIA.

3. In September and October the division took part in the campaign against Serbia with Mackensen’s army. Crossed the Danube October 8 to 11; Valley of the Morawa; region of Monastir (November).

4. Left the front November 15 and went to rest in Hungary at Weisskirchen until the beginning of February, 1916.

1916.

FRANCE.

1. From February 9 to 10, 1916, the division entrained for the Western Front. Itinerary: Temesvar-Szegedin-Baja-Marburg-Graz-Salzburg-Munich- Ingolstadt-Wurzburg-Frankfort on Main-Coblentz-Cologne-Liège-Malines. Detrained at Antwerp February 15.

2. At rest in the region of Antwerp until March 1, and on that date it entrained for Vouziers.

VERDUN.

3. Sent to the Verdun front (sector of Avocourt wood, Mar. 8), attacked March 20 and 22 and April 11 and suffered considerable losses; 75 per cent of its infantry out of action.

4. Relieved at the beginning of June and sent to rest in the region of Thionville, then sent to Cambrai.

RUSSIA.

5. June 14 it returned to Russia. Itinerary: Solesme Busigny-Maubeuge- Liège-Aix la Chapelle-Hanover-Brest Litovsk-Kovel.

KOVEL.

6. Went into action immediately and counterattacked near the Kovel-Rovno Railroad and suffered heavy losses.

ROUMANIA.

7. In October it took part in the Roumanian campaign (Valley of the Jiul).

1917.

FRANCE.

1. Withdrawn from the Braila front at the beginning of January, 1917, and again entrained for France on the 10th. Itinerary: Bucarest- Budapest-Vienna-Salzburg-Munich. Detrained the 22d at Barr (Alsace).

ALSACE.

2. In April held the sector Burnhaupt-Rhone-Rhine canal.

AISNE.

3. Sent from Mulhouse to Marle April 26 to 28, then to the south of Laon and took over the sector of Cernay May 5 to 6, where its losses were due especially to artillery fire.

4. At rest in the region of Laon June 6 to August 3.

5. Coucy sector August 3 to September 15. The division did not have any hard action here, but suffered again from bombardment.

6. September 15, at rest in the vicinity of Sedan for one month.

FLANDERS.

7. Entrained at Sedan October 15 to 17; detrained at Courtrai October 18; went into line the 22d in the sector of Passchendaele, where it suffered heavily from the British attack of the 26th. Relieved immediately after this engagement and reorganized.

8. November 2 the division went back into line south of Passchendaele, but did not have any serious actions.

9. November 10, relieved and sent to rest.

COTES DE MEUSE.

10. From November 18 to January 12, 1918, the division held the sector Chauvoncourt-Seuzey north of St. Mihiel. It took part in no infantry actions.

RECRUITING.

The whole of the Bavarian country.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

This division may be considered good. It took part on the Eastern and Western Fronts in a large number of battles, “Przemysl, Verdun, Argesul, Filipesci” (speech of William II), and did well everywhere (January, 1918).

1918.

LOUVRE.

1. The 11th Bavarian Division remained in the Seuzey sector, resting and being reconstituted, until relieved by the 82d Reserve Division on January 12.

2. About the middle of February it relieved the 1st Division in the Etain sector. This, too, was a very quiet sector and the division was not identified by contact. It was relieved about March 27 by the 10th Landwehr Division, and remained in rear of the Verdun front for a fortnight. It is probable that it was trained during this period, but the fact has never been definitely established.

ARMENTIERES.

3. The division was then sent to the Armentieres front, where it relieved the 214th Division in the Neuve Eglise sector (northwest of Armentieres) April 13–14. Here it took part in very heavy fighting, especially south of Mount Kemmel, and suffered heavy losses as a result. It was withdrawn on the 26th of April, and proceeded to the area northeast of Ghent, detraining at Wachtebeke on the 29th. Here it was brought up to strength and reviewed by the King of Bavaria on May 20.

SOISSONS.

4. About June 3 the division left the Ghent region; it was identified in rear of the front in the region of Soissons on June 9. A few days later it reinforced the front near Coeuvres (southwest of Soissons). It was relieved by the 14th Division on June 21.

5. After resting immediately in rear of the front, it suffered severe losses from bombardment by gas shells during this period. The division came back into line in the Courmelles sector (south of Soissons) about July 15. July 18 it lost over 2,400 in prisoners alone. It was withdrawn about July 22.

YPRES.

6. The division rested for about a month. It was reconstituted, it being found necessary to dissolve one company in each battalion. August 26 the division relieved the 49th Reserve Division east of Boesinghe (northwest of Ypres). It fought, taking part in the general retirement, until withdrawn October 2, after losing more than 500 prisoners.

GHENT.

7. The division reinforced the front near Beveren (southwest of Ghent), and had not been withdrawn up to the time the armistice was signed.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 11th Bavarian is rated as being in the first of four classes of divisions. It fought well during 1918, but not brilliantly. Its losses were heavy, but not in comparison with other German divisions.

12th Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │34. │23. │24. │23. │24. │23.
│ │62. │ │62. │ │62.
│78. │63. │78. │63. │ │63.
│ │157. │ │157. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │11 Horse Jag. Rgt. │ │6 Sqn. 10 Hus. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │12 Brig.: │12 Brig.: │12 Brig.:
│ 21 F. A. Rgt. │ 21 F. A. Rgt. │ 21 F. A. Rgt.
│ 57 F. A. Rgt. │ 57 F. A. Rgt. │ 57 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Pion. Btn. No. 6:│1 Pion. Btn. No. 6:
Liaisons. │ │ │
│ │ Field Co. 6 Pions.│ 2 Co. 6 Pions.
│ │ 12 Pont. Engs. │ 3 Co. 6 Pions.
│ │ 12 Tel. Detch. │ 12 T. M. Co.
│ │ │ 12 Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │ 12 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │17 Antiaircraft
│ │ │ section.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │24. │23. │24. │23.
│ │62. │ │62.
│ │63. │ │63.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │4 Sqn. 2 Uhlan Rgt.│4 Sqn. 2 Uhlan Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │12 Art. Command: │12 Art. Command:
│ 21 F. A. Rgt. │ 21 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 68 Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ 851 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 887 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 937 Light Am. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 Pion. Btn. No. 6:│6 Pion. Btn.
Liaisons. │ │
│ 2 Co. 6 Pions. │2 Co. 6 Pions.
│ 3 Co. 6 Pions. │3 Co. 6 Pions.
│ 12 T. M. Co. │12 T. M. Co.
│ 6 Searchlight │100 Searchlight
│ Section. │ Section.
│ 10 Tel. Detch. │12 Signal Command:
│ 116, 117, and 118 │ 12 Tel. Detch.
│ Signal Detch. │
│ │ 182 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │15 Ambulance Co. │15 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│51 Field Hospital. │57 Field Hospital.
│57 Field Hospital. │60 Field Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │12 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │27 Supply Train. │545 M. T. Col.
│M. T. Col. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │17 Antiaircraft │
│ section. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(6th Corps District—Upper Silesia.)

1914.

FRANCE.

1. The 12th Division, forming with the 11th Division the 6th Army Corps (Breslau), formed a part of the 5th Army (German Crown Prince) at the beginning of the war, took part in the battle of August 22 at Rossignol les Bulles, entered France August 24, passed the Meuse above Mouzon on August 28, and took part in the battle on September 7 at Laheycourt and Villotte near Louppy.

CHAMPAGNE.

2. After the battle of the Marne it was engaged (Sept. 21) at Berru and at Nogent l’Abbesse (east of Rheims). It remained on the Rheims front until the middle of June, 1915.

1915.

ARTOIS.

1. In April the 12th Division gave the 157th Infantry Regiment to the 117th Division, a new formation.

2. Toward the middle of June, 1915, the 6th Army Corps was relieved on the Rheims front and transferred to Artois. The 12th Division then occupied a sector to the south of Souchez, from which it was relieved toward the end of September. In the Souchez sector it took part in some very heavy engagements (1st to the 16th of July).

3. After a rather short rest period in the region of Cambrai, the division took its position in the sector which crosses the Somme (during the first half of October).

1916.

SOMME.

1. On the 1st of July, 1916, the 12th Division received the entire weight of the English attack north of the Somme (sectors Contalmaison- Hardecourt) and suffered very heavily (losses 61.5 per cent).

2. It was relieved on July 12 and reorganized in the vicinity of Cambrai.

3. About the 20th of July the 12th Division again took part in the battle of the Somme (in the sector northeast of Pozières), where it suffered heavy losses.

4. About the 9th of August it was relieved, and on the 21st went into the calm sector of Monchy aux Bois (south of Arras), which it held until October 16.

ANCRE.

5. The 12th Division then held (Oct. 25 to Nov. 19) the sector north of the Ancre (Beaumont-Hamel) and suffered heavy losses (Nov. 14).

6. It was transferred to Champagne and took over the sector of Prunay on December 12.

RUSSIA.

7. At the end of December it was relieved from this quiet sector and entrained on December 28, at Warmeriville for the Russian front by the route Aix la Chapelle-Cologne-Hanover-Luneburg-Hamburg-Stettin- Königsberg-Tilsit-Chavli-Ponieviej. It detrained southwest of Illuxt on January 2, 1917.

1917.

1. On the Russian front the 12th Division did not take part in any important battles. (Sector in the region of Dwinsk.)

FRANCE.

2. Relieved about the end of May, 1917, it returned to the Western Front. Itinerary Jelowka (May 27) -Insterburg-Posen-Leipzig-Weimar- Cologne-Saarbrucken. Detrained at Metz June 3 and reentrained on the 9th at Ars sur Moselle for Mouscron, by way of Metz-Luxemburg-Namur-Tournai, and detrained at Gheluwe.

3. It remained in reserve first on the Wytschaete-Messines front, and then (Aug. 1) relieved the 22d Reserve Division in the sector east of Klein-Zillebeke after the Franco-British attack. In this sector the division did not engage in battle but suffered greatly from artillery bombardments.

ITALY.

4. It was relieved on August 20 and transferred to Alsace for reorganization and rest. It remained in the region west of Bale until the end of September. It was then sent to the Italian front, to the 14th German Army, where it was engaged in the Tolmino sector on October 25, and relieved on the Piave about the 8th of December.

FRANCE.

5. The 12th Division was brought back from Italy to the French front about December 25. At the beginning of January, 1918, it was in the neighborhood of Zabern.

RECRUITING.

The 12th Division is recruited from Upper Silesia, a great mining and industrial center, which suffices to insure its own full recruiting and even helps out other districts less populated or temporarily below strength. The sending of these men outside of the district has the advantage of reducing, in its own regiments, the Polish element, which dominates in Upper Silesia.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 12th Division fought well at the Somme.

It appears to have been reorganized during its stay at Zabern (January, 1918). It has always been considered a good division.

1918.

LORRAINE.

1. On January 24 the 12th division entered the Domevre sector, relieving the 233d Division. It was relieved on February 20 and went to rest and train in Alsace. On March 18 it entrained at Froeschweiler and moved to Ath, from where it marched to the Gory-Belloune area, south of Douai (a march of 40 miles).

BATTLE OF PICARDY.

2. On the 23d the division moved to Drury and up the Cambrai-Arras road to Vis en Artois, coming into line on the night of March 23–24. It attacked on the 24th, but was held up by the British artillery fire. It remained in line until April 1, making little progress in spite of heavy and costly fighting.

BATTLE OF THE LYS.

3. The division rested in the suburbs of Douai until mid-April. It was engaged northeast of Merris on the 17th. It appears to have received replacements in the interim. The division passed into the second line on May 18, after suffering especially heavy losses. In recognition of the service of the 12th Division, south of Arras and in the Lys battle, Gen. Lequis, the division commander, received the Order of Merit in May.

4. The division was at rest near Renaix (Belgium) from May 29 to July 12. It entrained at Audenarde on the 12th and moved to Perenchies (via Coutrai and Lille).

METEREN.

5. The division was engaged south of Meteren on the night of July 19–20; here it remained until August 28. In a local operation on August 18 the division lost 300 prisoners, otherwise the sector was quiet.

BATTLE OF CAMBRAI.

6. It entrained near Armentieres on August 28 and went to a point north of Douai (Le Forest). It was engaged southeast of Morchies on September 3, and in the days following was driven back on Inchy en Artois, Marquion (3d to 13th). By the end of September it had passed Bourlon, Epinoy, Aubencheul au Bac, and Fressies. The division was relieved about October 6. The division lost more than 1,100 prisoners.

7. It was reengaged on October 11 southeast of Armentieres. It retreated by Lille (Oct. 20) east of Tourcoing, and at Helchin. On the 25th it was relieved.

8. On November 3 it was again in line east of Joulain and remained until the armistice. In withdrawing the division passed Maresches, Jenlain, Autreppe, and Blangies.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as a second-class division. It was actively engaged in the spring offensives and did well. After the middle of July it was almost constantly engaged in hard defensive fighting.

12th Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │22 Res. │38 Res. │22 Res. │38 Res. │22 Res. │23 Res.
│ │51 Res. │ │51 Res. │ │38 Res.
│23 Res. │22 Res. │23 Res. │22 Res. │ │51 Res.
│ │23 Res. │ │23 Res. │6 Res. │Jag. Btn.
│6 Res. │Jag. Btn.│6 Res. │Jag. Btn.│ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │4 Res. Uhlan Rgt. │4 Res. Uhlan Rgt. │4 Res. Uhlan Rgt.
│ (3 Sqns.). │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │12 Res. F. A. Rgt. │12 Res. F. A. Rgt. │12 Res. F. A. Regt.
│ (6 Btries.). │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 and 2 Res. Cos. 2│1 and 2 Res. Cos. 2│1 and 2 Res. Cos. 2
Liaisons. │ Pion. Btn. No. 6.│ Pion. Btn. No. 6.│ Pion. Btn. No. 6.
│ │12 Res. Pont. Engs.│212 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │12 Res. Tel. Detch.│12 Res. Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │12 Res. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │7 and 132 Anti-
│ │ │ Aircraft
│ │ │ Sections.
│ │ │8 Bav. Labor Btn.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │22 Res. │23 Res. │22 Res. │23 Res.
│ │38 Res. │ │38 Res.
│ │51 Res. │ │51 Res.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │ (?) │2 Sqn. 4 Res. Hus.
│ │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │(?) Art. Command: │99 Art. Command:
│ │
│ 12 Res. F. A. Rgt.│ 12 Res. F. A.
│ (9 Btries.). │ Regt.
│ │ 133 Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ 830 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1243 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1297 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│312 Pion Btn.: │312 Pion Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 1 Res. Co. 6 │ 1 Res. Co. 6
│ Pions. │ Pions.
│ 2 Res. Co. 6 │ 2 Res. Co. 6
│ Pions. │ Pions.
│ 212 T. M. Co. (23)│ 212 T. M. Co.
│ (?) Searchlight │
│ Section. │
│ 412 Tel. Detch. │ 105 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ │412 Signal Command:
│ │ 412 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 114 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │Ambulance Co. │520 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│30 Res. Field │30 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │31 Res. Field
│ │ Hospital.
│ │412 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │711 M. T. Col. │711 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

12th Reserve Division: (6th Corps District-Silesia).

1914.

The 12th Reserve Division formed, with the 11th Reserve Division, the 6th Reserve Corps, formed in Silesia at the time of mobilization.

MEUSE-ARGONNE.

1. At the outbreak of the war, the division detrained at Sarrebruecken; fought in the neighborhood of Arrancy from the 22d to the 25th of August; remained at Mangiennes from the 27th to the 30th; crossed the Meuse on September 1; was beaten back with heavy losses on September 2 near Cierges; was at Rarécourt on the 7th and near Triaucourt on the 9th; spread out to the east of the Argonne upon Gercourt (11th to the 13th) and Montfaucon (Sept. 17).

2. At the end of September to the end of October took up its position east of Varennes in the district of Malancourt-Chattancourt and toward the end of October took its final position north of Bethencourt (southeast of Cuisy-Bois de Forges).

3. The division occupied this sector until the German offensive upon Verdun (end of February, 1916).

1915.

1. January to December, 1915, sector north of Bethencourt-Bois de Forges.

In April the 27th Infantry Regiment Reserve was transferred to the 117th Division, a new formation.

2. In September, 1915, elements of the 12th Reserve Division (battalion of the 23d Reserve Infantry Regiment) were detached in Champagne (Main de Massiges) to reinforce divisions engaged in fighting.

1916.

1. At the end of February, when the Verdun offensive began, the 12th Reserve Division still held the line in the region of Bois de Forges.

VERDUN.

2. On the 6th of March, 1916, the division went into action; it took the village of Forges and, on March 10, the Corbeaux wood. It vainly attacked the Mort Homme.

3. It was withdrawn from the Verdun front in the middle of May, after suffering heavy losses (71 per cent of its infantry). It was first at rest in the Thionville region, and then in reserve in the Cambrai region, at the beginning of June.

SOMME.

4. On July 2 it took part in the battle of the Somme (sector of Montauban-Hardecourt). It counterattacked near the Trônes wood and suffered very heavy losses. It was relieved about July 14, completely exhausted. (On the 10th of July not a single officer remained in the 2d Battalion of the 38th Reserve Infantry Regiment (letter). From the 17th of March to the 5th of July the 5th Company of the 23d Reserve Infantry Regiment received no less than 326 men as replacements).

5. On July 15 it was sent to rest in the Manancourt region. Elements of the division still remained in line, along the Somme near Guillemont, until August 1.

FLANDERS.

6. From the beginning of August until September 26–27, the 12th Reserve Division occupied a sector north of the Lys, near Armentières (Warneton- Messines), where it once more suffered losses.

SOMME.

7. At the end of September the division was once more on the Somme front (Barleux-Berny). It remained there until the beginning of November without suffering any great losses.

ARTOIS.

8. Transferred to Artois, it went into line on Vimy Ridge (sector Vimy- Roclincourt) at the beginning of December. It suffered fairly heavy losses. At the present time, 17 per cent of the prisoners from the 51st Reserve Infantry Regiment belong to the 1917 class.

1917.

1. The 12th Reserve Division remained on the Vimy front until February 27, 1917.

2. It was resting in the Avesnes region during the month of March.

3. From April 9–12 to May 24 it held the lines between Itancourt and the Oise.

ST. QUENTIN.

4. After a fortnight’s rest in the Guise region, it occupied (from the beginning of June to Aug. 6–8), the St. Quentin sector (south of Fayet).

FLANDERS.

5. On August 7 the division entrained for Flanders, at Fresnoy le Grand. Disembarking near Courtrai, it was first in reserve near Passchendaele. A few of the elements of the division engaged in battle at Langemarck on the 17th of August. It was in line in the St. Julien sector (northeast of Ypres) on August 20, and relieved on August 24, after suffering heavy losses.

ST. QUENTIN.

6. In rest at Origny, from August 29 to September 9, the division then occupied the sector southwest of St. Quentin (Sept. 9 to Nov. 11–12).

It left at this latter date to occupy the front south of Passchendaele until the middle of February, 1918, being relieved several times in the interval.

RECRUITING.

Silesia, especially Upper Silesia. In 1916, following the losses suffered at Verdun, a great number of the replacement troops consisted of men from the 3d and 4th Corps Districts (Brandenburg and Prussian Saxony) and of the 1916 class, and of returned convalescents of the 9th and 10th Corps Districts (Schleswig-Holstein and Hanover). This measure was not only dictated by necessity, but contributed to counterbalance the original Polish element.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

At Ypres (August, 1917), a certain number of men of the 51st Reserve Infantry Regiment refused to go into the trenches; according to prisoners, desertions to the rear were frequent, especially among the younger men.

The combat morale of the 12th Reserve Division may, however, have been restored during its long stay in the relatively quiet sector of St. Quentin (September to November, 1917).

1918.

FLANDERS.

1. On February 4 the division relieved the 12th Reserve Division in the Moorslede sector which it held until February 14.

LENS.

2. It was relieved by the 31st Division and moved south to relieve the 17th Division on night of February 17–18. It held this front until about April 10, when it was relieved by the 9th Reserve Division.

BATTLE OF THE LYS.

3. The division reinforced the battle front at Neuve Eglise on April 13 and fought until about April 25, suffering heavy losses. One company of the 51st Reserve Regiment was reduced to 9 men.

4. Upon relief, the division returned to its former sector near Lens, where it was identified near Avion on April 27. It remained here until June 14, when it moved north and entered the line northeast of Hinges on June 17–18. About August 6, the division was relieved by the 1st Guard Reserve Division.

ARRAS.

5. It moved to Douai and rested until its return to line near Ecoust on night of August 30–31 to resist the British attack. Before its withdrawal on the 11th it had lost nearly 900 prisoners.

LENS.

6. The division rested at Cambrai during September and reentered the Lens sector on October 2. During October it was engaged at Noyelles (11th), Wattines (19th), and Rumignies (21st). It appears to have been out of line for a few days, returning on the night of November 3–4 west of Orsinval. It was at Wargnies le Petit (5th), St. Waast la Vallee (6th), Bavai (7th), northeast of Taisnieres (9th), and Villers St. Guislain (11th).

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as second class. It appears to have been used principally as a sector-holding division on moderately active fronts.

12th Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────
│ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────
Infantry. │55 Ldw. │87 Ldw. (1 and│55 Ldw. │87 Ldw.
│ │ 4 Btns. 87 │ │
│ │ Ldw. and 5 │ │
│ │ Btn. 76 Ldw.│ │
│ │ Rgt.). │ │
│ │99 Ldw. (4 │ │99 Ldw. (4th
│ │ Btn.). │ │ Btn.).
│82 Ldw. │40 Ldw. │82 Ldw. │40 Ldw.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │56 Ldw. │ │56 Ldw.
│ Gd. Jag. Btn. │ Gd. Jag. Btn.
│ Gd. Rifle Btn. │ Gd. Rifle Btn.
│ 14 Jag. Btn. │ 9 Jag. Btn.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Cavalry. │ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Artillery. │1 Ers. Abt. 14 F. A. Rgt. │30 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│1 Ers. Abt. 30 F. A. Rgt. │1 Mountain A. Btry.
│ │
│ │9 Mountain A. Btry.
│ │11 Mountain A. Btry.
│ │18 Mountain A. Btry.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Engineers and│ │(?) 2 Ldw. Pion. Co. (14 C.
Liaisons. │ │ Dist.).
│ │312 T. M. Co.
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Medical and │ │
Veterinary.│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Transports. │ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Attached. │ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────

─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────
Infantry. │55 Ldw. │56 Ldw. │87 Ldw. │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │87 Ldw. │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │435 Ldw. │ │
│ │ (include 4th│ │
│ │ Btn. 99 Ldw.│ │
│ │ Rgt.). │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────
Cavalry. │2 Sqn. 7 Res. Dragoon Rgt. │1 Sqn. 9 Res. Hus. Rgt.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Artillery. │Art. Command: │252 Ldw. F. A. Rgt.
│ 12 Ldw. F. A. Rgt. │2 Bav. Ldw. Ft. A. Btn. (2d
│ │ Btry.).
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Engineers and│412 Pion. Btn.: │415 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 1 Ldw. Co. 4 Pions. │ 1 Ldw. Co. 4 C. Dist. Pions.
│ 2 Ldw. Co. 14 Pions. │ Landst. Ers. Co. 8 C. Dist.
│ │ Pions.
│ 2 Ldw. Co. 16 Pions. │ 75 Searchlight Section.
│ 312 T. M. Co. │478 Signal Command:
│ 268 Searchlight Section. │ 478 Tel. Detch.
│ 512 Tel. Detch. │ 140 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Medical and │564 Ambulance Co. │564 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│568 Ambulance Co. │
│14 Ldw. Field Hospital. │
│15 Ldw. Field Hospital. │
│Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Attached. │58 Art. Survey Section. │
│5 Labor Btn. │
│63 Labor Btn. │
│227, 228, and 251 Heavy M. G.│
│ Detch. │
─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────

HISTORY.

(56th Landwehr Regiment: 7th Corps District-Westphalia. 87th Landwehr
Regiment: 18th Corps District-Hesse. 436th Landwehr Regiment: 15th Corps
District-Alsace.)

1915.

ALSACE.