Chapter XV: Part 15

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │40. │77. │40. │77.
│ │79. │ │79.
│ │92. │ │92.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │5 Sqn. 17 Hus. Rgt.│5 Sqn. 17 Hus. Rgt.
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │20 Art. Command: │20 Art. Command:
│ 46 F. A. Rgt. │ 46 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 155 Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ 813 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 921 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1339 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(1/10 or 127) Pion.│10 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ Btn.: │
│ 2 Co. 10 Pions. │ 2 Co. 10 Pions.
│ │
│ 3 Co. 10 Pions. │ 3 Co. 10 Pions.
│ 20 T. M. Co. │ 20 T. M. Co.
│ (296) Searchlight │ 90 Searchlight
│ Section. │ Section.
│ 20 Tel. Detch. │ 20 Signal Command:
│ │ 20 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 83 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │24 Ambulance Co. │24 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│Field Hospital. │100 Field Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │93 Field Hospital.
│ │20 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │553 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │3 Gleiwitz Landst. │
│ Depot │
│Btn. (6 C. Dist. │
│ Btn. No. 26). │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(10th Corps District—Hanover and Brunswick.)

1914.

The 20th Division and the 19th Division formed the 10th Army Corps (Hanover).

FRANCE.

1. At the outbreak of the war the 20th Division went to the Elsenborn Camp, August 8–10, and entered Belgium on the 11th. It was a part, with the 10th Corps, of the 2d Army (Von Buelow). It fought at Charleroi, at Guise, at St. Quentin. It took part in the battle of the Marne from September 6 to 9 (Congy, Mondement), after which it retired by way of Neufchâtel sur Aisne to the northwest of Rheims. It took up its position between the Aisne and Brimont.

1915.

At the beginning of 1915 it was still holding the lines in the vicinity of Rheims. At the end of March the 164th Infantry Regiment was transferred to the 111th Division (new formation).

GALICIA.

2. At the end of April, with its regiments raised to four battalions each, the 20th Division (as well as the 19th Division) was sent to Galacia, where it took part in the operation of Mackensen’s army. It lost very heavily there. From July 28 to September 23 the 11th Company of the 77th Infantry Regiment received at least 133 men as replacements.

FRANCE.

3. Brought back to France in September, the 20th Division took part, in the month of October, in the battles in the Champagne.

4. From November, 1915, to June, 1916, it held a sector north of the Aisne (west of Craonne).

1916.

RUSSIA.

1. On June 8, 1916, the 20th Division, with all of the 10th Army Corps, was transferred again to the Eastern Front. In four days it arrived in the Kovel area by way of Berlin and Brest Litowsk.

2. On June 13 it was engaged in stopping the Russian advance and then occupied a sector near Kiselin. Its regiments were filled up in September and October.

From June to November the losses of the 92d Infantry Regiment had averaged 160 men per company. (Statements of deserters.) This is the number of the replacements received during the same period by the 9th Company of the 77th Infantry Regiment.

FRANCE.

3. The 20th Division was relieved on November 11 and entrained on the 15th for France. Itinerary: Warsaw-Kalich-Berlin-Dusseldorf-Aix la Chapelle-Liége-Namur. Billeted first in the area of Anor Hirson, the 20th Division was sent to the Sissonne Camp, where its regiments received training.

4. At the end of December the division took over the sector of Moulin sous Touvent, Chevillecourt, where it was relieved on January 30, 1917.

1917.

1. In February, 1917, the 20th Division was transferred to Alsace (Sundgau) in anticipation of a French offensive.

2. In the beginning of March it was brought back to the Laon area, where it was billeted until the French attack of April 16; its regiments received some replacements.

CHEMIN DES DAMES.

3. In the night of April 16 all the units of the division were assembled. On April 17–18 they took their positions along the plateau of the Chemin des Dames on both sides of Cerny en Laonnois, relieving the 16th Reserve Division, which had suffered heavy losses. Between April 18 and May 5 the three regiments of the 20th Division suffered heavy losses from bombardments. On May 5 (renewal of the general attack by the French) the division again lost heavily. It was relieved immediately after the attack. (Apr. 27 to Aug. 10, the 10th Company of the 77th Infantry Regiment had received not less than 211 men as replacements.)

4. After a few weeks of rest, the division was put into line (end of May) in a sector of Champagne (Moronvilliers).

RUSSIA.

5. In the beginning of July it was relieved and transferred for a third time to the Russian front, first in Galicia and then in Courland. It remained there until September 19. At this date it entrained at Riga and was brought back to France by way of Chavli, Kovno, Grodno, Bromberg, Berlin, Hanover, Cologne, Aix la Chapelle, Mons, Valenciennes.

FLANDERS.

6. Arriving at Roulers on September 27, it immediately went into action in an attacking sector, north of Zonnebeke, without having any rest, on October 4.

ARTOIS.

7. Relieved almost immediately, it was put into line on October 17 in the Queant sector, where it still was at the beginning of February, 1918.

RECRUITING.

It is recruited from the Province of Hanover in the Duchy of Brunswick.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

It had very heavy losses on May 5, 1917 (many killed, 700 prisoners), which, joined to the preceding losses, lessened the value of the 20th Division very much.

It is to be noted that two weeks before the attack of May 5 the units of the division defended themselves obstinately.

1918.

CAMBRAI.

1. The division was relieved by the 119th Division about the middle of January; it, in turn, relieved the 119th Division during the first week in February. It was relieved by the 195th Division on February 16, and marched to Aubigny au Bac; it reached Basaecles (southeast of Tournai) the 18th. Here it was given a month’s course of training in open warfare.

2. On March 14 the division marched to Peruwelz and then via St. Amand- Lourches-Bouchain, arriving at Pronville, where it entered line on the 20th. It advanced through Noreuil, Bapaume, Grevillers, Irles, and Miraumont. During this fighting the division suffered severely, its casualties amounting to 50 per cent of its effectives; very few officers left. It did not advance with the rest of the line during the night of the 24–25th, its place being taken by the 24th Division. It followed in support of the line, however, and relieved the 24th Division east of Colincamps on the 29th. A document captured on the 28th shows that the strength of the 3d Battalion of the 77th Regiment (excluding the machine gun company) was reduced to 214 men. Another battalion was reduced to 80 men and 1 officer.

WOEVRE.

3. The division was withdrawn early in April, and was sent to the Mars la Tour region, where it rested and was reconstituted. About the 20th it relieved the 82d Reserve Division in the Seuzey-Lamorville-Spada sector (north of St. Mihiel); relieved toward the end of the month, it went to the Arlon area, where it received large drafts (in large part of the 1919 class), and where it was put through a long and thorough course of training. Toward the end of June it was transported to the Sedan area, from which it marched (about July 15) toward Soissons.

SOISSONS.

4. On the 21st of July the division reinforced the front near Villemontoire (south of Soissons). Here heavy losses were again suffered. It was relieved by the 50th Reserve Division on the 29th and went to rest in the Chimay area, where it received a draft from the disbanded 260th Reserve Regiment (78th Reserve Division).

ARRAS.

5. On the night of the 27–28th of August the division moved up into the Drocourt-Queant line, south of Drocourt, and during the following days went into line in the Oppy sector (northeast of Arras), where a British attack was expected. The division was withdrawn again during the night of September 1–2.

6. On the 3d of September it came into line near Ecourt St. Quentin (south of Arleux), and covered the withdrawal across the Canal du Nord. It was withdrawn on the 10th.

CAMBRAI.

7. On the 12th it counterattacked in the Havrincourt sector (southwest of Cambrai). During the subsequent fighting the division suffered heavy losses. It was withdrawn on the 1st of October.

8. After a few days’ rest it relieved the 21st Division in the Montbrehain sector (southeast of Cambrai), where it fought until the 13th, when it was relieved and went to the vicinity of Montmedy, where it rested for about three weeks. Losses, 70 per cent.

MEUSE.

9. The division was expected to enter line west of the Meuse, but the orders were changed suddenly, and it entered line to the east of it near Reville on November 5. It remained in line until the 11th, not being heavily engaged, however, all the prisoners captured subsequently stating that they were members of rear-guard detachments.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 20th is rated as a first-class division. It fought well throughout the year and suffered enormous losses. Besides the replacements already noted, the division received a large draft from its recruit depot in September (about 50 men per company); September 28, the 92d Regiment received 93 men; October 30, the companies received 30 men apiece from the 27th Reserve Regiment (197th Division, dissolved); the companies had a combat strength of 80 to 100 men.

20th Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1916 │ 1917 │ 1918[14]
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │ │384 Ldw. │9 Ers. │384 Ldw. │9 Ers. │386 Ldw.
│ │386 Ldw. │ │386 Ldw. │ │
│ │387 Ldw. │ │387 Ldw. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │ │3 Sqn. 4 Res. Hus. │3 Sqn. 4 Res. Hus.
│ │ Rgt. │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │ │Art Command: │282 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │ (Staff and 2
│ │ │ Abt.).
│ │ 282 F. A. Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │420 Pion. Btn.: │1 Ldw. Co. 9 C.
Liaisons. │ │ │ Dist. Pions.
│ │ 1 Ldw. Co. 9 │520 Signal Command:
│ │ Pions. │
│ │ 3 Ers. Co. 24 │ 520 Tel. Detch.
│ │ Pions. │
│ │ 320 T. M. Co. │
│ │ 520 (Wurtt.) Tel. │
│ │ Detch. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │227 Ambulance Co. │227 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │88 Field Hospital. │520 Vet. Hospital.
│ │183 Field Hospital.│
│ │Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │M. T. Col. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

Footnote 14:

The units below are those grouped under the divisional postal sector
(660). Other units belonging to the 20th Landwehr Division, but
operating under other divisions, are listed as attached to such
division.

HISTORY.

(384th Landwehr Regiment: 4th Corps District-Prussian Saxony. 386th
Landwehr Regiment: 9th Corps District-Mecklenburg. 387th Landwehr
Regiment: (?).)

1916.

BELGIUM.

1. The 20th Landwehr Division dates from September 29, 1916. It was formed at Roulers from the 384th, 386th, and 387th Landwehr Regiments. These regiments, formed at this time, respectively, at Menin, Renaix, and Cooescant, were formed two-thirds of men from the Landsturm battalions assigned to the Service of Supplies in Belgium, and one-third of returned wounded.

DIXMUDE.

2. At the beginning of October, 1916, the 20th Landwehr Division relieved the 206th Division in the sector Dixmude-Schoorbakke. It was retained there until the middle of November, 1917.

1917.

CAMBRAI.

1. Sent into line southwest of Cambrai (Nov. 1917), the division suffered heavily in the British offensive of November 20, when it lost 2,773 men as prisoners. It was relieved the day after this action.

RUSSIA.

2. Between November 28 and December 5, the 20th Landwehr Division was transferred to the Eastern Front.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The division is of mediocre value.

1918.

PINSK-UKRAINE.

1. After having held the sector south of Pinsk from December, 1917, to February, 1918, the 20th Landwehr Division went into the Ukraine in March. The 384th Landwehr Regiment was in the region west of Gomel on April 23; the division was at Jitomir in May. The division was still in Ukraine on the 16th of October.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as fourth class.

21st Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │41. │87. │41. │87. │42. │80 Fus.
│ │88. │ │88. │ │81.
│42. │80 Fus. │42. │80 Fus. │ │87.
│ │81. │ │81. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │6 Uhlan Regt. │ │6 Uhlan Regt. (3
│ │ │ Sqns.).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │21 Brig.: │21 Brig.: │21 Brig.:
│ 27 F. A. Rgt. │ 27 F. A. Rgt. │ 27 F. A. Rgt.
│ 63 F. A. Rgt. │ 63 F. A. Rgt. │ 63 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Pion. Btn. No. │1 Pion. Btn. No.
Liaisons. │ │ 21: │ 21:
│ │ Field Co. 21 │ 1 Co. 21 Pions.
│ │ Pions. │
│ │ 21 Pont. Engs. │ 5 Co. 21 Pions.
│ │ 21 Tel. Detch. │ 21 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │ 21 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │ 21 Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │42. │80 Fus. │42. │80.
│ │81. │ │81.
│ │87. │ │87.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │(?) 5 Sqn. 6 │2 Sqn. 6 Drag. Rgt.
│ Dragoon Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │21 Art. Command: │21 Art. Command:
│ 27 F. A. Rgt. │ 27 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 2 Abt. 14 Ft. A.
│ │ Rgt. (5, 6, and 7
│ │ Btries.).
│ │ 731 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1101 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1131 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(1/21 or 134) Pion.│21 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ Btn.: │
│ 1 Co. 21 Pions. │ 1 Co. 21 Pions.
│ │
│ 5 Co. 21 Pions. │ 5 Co. 21 Pions.
│ 21 T. M. Co. │ 18 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ 21 Searchlight │ 21 T. M. Co.
│ Section. │
│ 21 Tel. Detch. │21 Signal Command:
│ │ 21 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 41 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │46 Ambulance Co. │46 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│36 Field Hospital. │154 Field Hospital.
│21 Vet. Hospital. │303 Field Hospital.
│ │21 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │554 M. T. Col. │554 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │54 M. G. S. S. │
│ Detch. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(18th Corps District—Hesse—Nassau, Hesse—Hombourg, Frankfort.)

1914.

The 21st Division belonged organically with the 25th Division of the 18th Army Corps District (Frankfort on the Main).

ARDENNES.

1. In August, 1914, it formed a part of the 4th Army (Duke of Wurttemberg). Entering Luxemburg on August 10, Belgium August 12, it fought on the 20th at Neuf Chateau, on the 22d at Bertrix and Orgeo, on the 24th at Matton, and crossed the Meuse on the 28th.

MARNE.

2. In September it took part in the battle of the Marne between Vitry and Sermaize (Etrepy, Pargny sur Saulx). From there it retired in the direction of Rheims, being in action northwest of the city from September 15 to 20.

3. In October it was reassigned with the 18th Army Corps to the 2d Army, which at this time formed the right flank of the German Army (vicinity of Roye).

1915.

SOMME.

1. It was retained with its army corps for a year in the vicinity of Roye (until Oct. 15, 1915). In March, the 25th Division transferred the 88th Infantry Regiment for the formation of the 56th Division.

2. On October 15, 1915, it was withdrawn from the front and sent for a long rest near St. Quentin.

1916.

The 80th Fusiliers took part in the attack at Frise on January 29, 1916. A few days afterwards the 21st Division was transferred north of Verdun.

VERDUN.

1. From February 27 to March 16 it was engaged at Verdun (Caures wood, Louvemont, Douaumont).

2. From March 17 to April 9 it was reorganized (imperial review on Apr. 1, at Marville).

3. From April 10 to 25 it again attacked at Verdun. One may judge of the losses by the replacements destined to make them good: From February 27 to May 10 the 1st Company of the 80th Fusiliers received at least 205 men; the 5th Company of the 81st Infantry Regiment at least 306 (Soldbuecher). The total losses of the 21st Division from March 15 to May 19, 1916, amounted to 8,549 officers and privates for the infantry alone. (Official List of Casualties.)

4. About May 15 the 21st Division occupied the sector west of Craonne, where it was relieved in September. Two battalions of the 87th Infantry Regiment were sent in haste to Fricourt at the time of the Somme offensive (July 2).

SOMME.

5. Between September 12 and 15 the 21st Division was transferred to the Somme (sectors of Clery-Bouchavesnes), where it suffered heavily.

6. At the beginning of October it was withdrawn from the Somme front and sent to the Cotes de Meuse in the Apremont area, which it occupied until November 10.

7. At the end of November it again went into action on the Somme (sector of Gomiecourt wood of Kratz) and remained there until February 10, when it went to rest near Chaumont Porcien.

1917.

AISNE.

1. On February 26, 1917, the 21st Division was taken to the front south of Berry au Bac, between the Godat and Loivre.

2. The three regiments of the division were on line on April 16 and underwent our attack, which caused them very heavy losses (2,319 prisoners).

RUSSIA.

3. Relieved, about April 19, the 21st Division rested for a few days in the Neufchatel area and then entrained for the Eastern Front (about May 9). On the 16th it detrained at Vilna. After reorganization, it took over a sector, on June 14, in the neighborhood of Postavy (north of Lake Narotch), which it occupied until the end of September. There was no important operation during this period.

FRANCE.

4. On September 25 it was again transferred to France. Itinerary: Vilna- Posen-Leipzig-Frankfort on the Main-Saarebruecken-Luxemburg-Sedan.

5. Arriving from Russia on October 1, it went into line about the 28th, in the sector northeast of Rheims. After a rest in January, it returned there in February, 1918.

RECRUITING.

The 21st Division is recruited in Hesse-Nassau, Hesse-Homburg, and Frankfort. They have borrowed very few from other districts, except from the 8th (Rhine Province), its neighbor.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 21st Division showed itself, in the course of our attack of April 16, 1916, as a good division, which put up a serious resistance.

The 81st Infantry Regiment, however, was criticised for its conduct on April 4. (Order of the 42d Brigade, of Apr. 9.) (See Appendix to the British Summary of Information of May 12, 1917.)

On the Russian front, according to the statement of a deserter (Nov. 7, 1917), the attempts at fraternization and exchange of the Russians were badly received by order of the German commanders.

1918.

1. The division held the Clonay-La Pompelle sector until April 23. A local operation was attempted on March 1, with the demolition of Fort La Pompelle as the objective.

2. When relieved on April 23, the division rested several days at Warmeriville before being transported to St. Quentin. From there it marched by stages to Rosieres en Santerre (May 1) and later to the Avre front.

PICARDY.

3. It relieved the 2d Bavarian Division, on May 3–4 in the sector south of Thennes and held that sector for five weeks. On June 12, the division moved into second line, and reappeared in line west of Castel-Bois Senecat in mid-June. During local operations, June 26 and July 2, the division lost a number of prisoners. It was relieved about the end of July.

BATTLE OF THE SOMME.

The division returned to line on August 13 to oppose the British drive on the Somme. It was engaged north of Lihons (13th) and east of Proyart. Toward the end of August it was forced to retreat through Cappy, Frise, Clery, and Le Mont St. Quentin, until its relief on September 1. Twelve hundred prisoners were lost during the fighting.

LA CHATEAU.

5. On September 9, the division was reengaged northwest of Jeancourt for four days, again losing heavily in prisoners. From the 13th to the 30th the division rested in the vicinity of St. Quentin, close to the front. It was put back in line at Bellicourt on the 30th and remained in until October 7.

6. The division rested in the Charleroi area and later at Ghent. It was brought back to the front by stages and reengaged east of Deynze (Petegem-Ouest de Nazareth) on October 31. In the closing days, the division was identified south of Heurne (Nov. 5), Gelsen (8th), Wendle (8th), south of Ghent (10th).

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as first class. In 1918 it was used entirely on the defensive. At the end the regiments had been reduced to two battalions of three companies. Morale was very low in the fall. Between August 14 and the middle of October the division lost 2,473 prisoners on the Somme battle front.

21st Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │41 Res. │80 Res. │41 Res. │80 Res. │41 Res. │80 Res.
│ │87 Res. │ │87 Res. │ │87 Res.
│42 Res. │81 Res. │42 Res. │81 Res. │42 Res. │81 Res.
│ │88 Res. │ │88 Res. │ │88 Res.
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │7 Res. Drag. Rgt. │7 Res. Drag. Rgt. │7 Res. Drag. Rgt.
│ (3 Sqns.). │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │21 Res. F. A. Rgt. │21 Res. F. A. Rgt. │21 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (6 Btries.). │ │ (9 Btries.).
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│4 Field Co. 2 Pion.│4 and 5 Field Cos. │4 and 5 Field Cos.
Liaisons. │ Btn. No. 11. │ 2 Pion. Btn. No. │ 2 Pion. Btn. No.
│ │ 11. │ 11.
│ │21 Res. Pont. Engs.│221 T. M. Co.
│ │21 Res. Tel. Detch.│21 Pont. Engs.
│ │ │21 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │44 Anti-aircraft
│ │ │ Section.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │41 Res. │80 Res. │41 Res. │80 Res.
│ │87 Res. │ │87 Res.
│ │88 Res. │ │(?).
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3 Sqn. 4 Res. Drag.│3 Sqn. 4 Res. Drag.
│ Rgt. │ Rgt.
│1 Sqn. 7 Res. Drag.│
│ Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │Art. Command: │126 Art. Command:
│ │
│ 21 Res. F. A. Rgt.│ 21 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (9 Btries.). │
│ │ 136 Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ 808 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1286 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1350 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(321) Pion. Btn.: │11 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ │
│ 4 Co. 11 Pions. │ 4 Co. 11 Pions.
│ 5 Co. 11 Pions. │ 5 Co. 11 Pions.
│ 221 T. M. Co. │ 221 T. M. Co.
│ 421 Tel. Detch. │ 27 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ │421 Signal Command:
│ │ 421 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 129 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │517 Ambulance Co. │517 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│51 Res. Field │51 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│52 Res. Field │69 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │421 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │749 M. T. Col. │719 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │21 Bav. Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ (Staff, 1 and 3
│ │ Btries.).
│ │1 Ft. A. Rgt.
│ │ (Staff, 5 and 6
│ │ Btries.).
│ │821 Light Am. Col.
│ │90 Artillery
│ │ Observation
│ │ Section. (Flash
│ │ Spotters.)
│ │103 Sound Ranging
│ │ Detch.
│ │202 Balloon Sqn.
│ │208 Reconnaissance
│ │ Flight.
│ │237 Carrier Pigeon
│ │ Loft.
│ │364 Carrier Pigeon
│ │ Loft.
│ │Elements attached
│ │ Aug. 24, 1918.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(18th Corps District—Hesse—Nassau and the south of Westphalia.)

1914.

1. At the outbreak of the war the 21st Reserve Division formed, with the 25th Reserve Division, the 18th Reserve Corps. It belonged to the 4th Army (Prince Albrecht of Wurttemberg). Detraining near Saarburg (Rhine Province) on August 10–12, it passed to the north of Luxemburg and entered Belgian Luxemburg, by Martelange.

ARDENNES.

2. After fighting at Neufchateau on August 22, the 21st Reserve Division reached Carignan on the 25th, fought at Mouzon on the 28th, crossed the Meuse at that point, and from there, by Grandpré, skirting the Argonne to the west, it arrived at the Marne-Rhine Canal on September 6.

ARGONNE-CHAMPAGNE.

3. At the battle of the Marne it went into action on the Saulx in the vicinity of Mognéville (Sept. 7–10, south of Revigny). It effected its retreat by way of the Givry en Argonne, Ste. Menehould, Vienne la Ville, and stopped on the heights to the south of Cernay en Dormois on September 14.

4. The 21st Reserve Division established its positions in the sector of Ville sur Tourbe and remained there until June, 1916.

1915.

CHAMPAGNE.

1. From January to December, 1915, the division was in the sector of Ville sur Tourbe north of Massiges à L’Aisne.

2. In September the division took part in the Champagne battle.

1916.

1. The 21st Reserve Division continued to occupy the Massiges sector from January to June, 1916.

VERDUN.

2. After a rest in the Briey area from the end of June until July 15, the division was sent to Verdun (sector of Fumin wood) where it went into action from July 15–25 to the beginning of September. During this period it suffered heavy losses, which made it necessary to give men as replacements on August 12, taken from the 83d Landwehr Regiment and the 36th Reserve Infantry Regiment, taken in haste from the Argonne; at the end of August it received conscripts of the 1917 class who had only been called up in May, many of whom came from depots in Baden.

CHAMPAGNE.

3. At the beginning of September, the 21st Reserve Division came back into its own sector of Ville sur Tourbe. A short time afterwards it gave the 81st Reserve Infantry Regiment to the 222d Division a new formation.

4. In the middle of October it was sent to rest in the Rethel area.

VERDUN.

5. On August 26 and 27 it was concentrated in the vicinity of Senon- Foameix. It occupied the sector of Hardaumont until December 7. After a few days’ rest it was brought back into line at Verdun (Bezonvaux, on Dec. 16).

1917.

1. The division left the Verdun front on January 11, 1917, very much exhausted.

LORRAINE.

2. On February 24, 1917, it took over the sector Letricourt-Moncel in Lorraine.

AISNE.

3. After a few days’ rest at Morhange it entrained on April 14 for the Aisne. Detraining between Hirson and Vervins, it was concentrated in the vicinity of Prouvais-Amifontaine. On April 18 and 19, after the French advance of April 16 in the vicinity of Juvincourt, it took up its position between the Miette and the Aisne as a reenforcement division, and then to replace units in the line. It attacked on May 18, near the Mauchamp Farm, and suffered heavy losses.

4. Relieved between the 27th and 30th of May, it was sent to rest and reorganized (June replacements; mostly men of the 1918 class).

CHAMPAGNE.

5. It then occupied a sector in Champagne southwest of Nauroy from July 19–20 to October 22.

CAMBRAI.

6. After a rest in the vicinity of Cambrai in November, it went into action at the end of November, east of Cambrai (southeast of Bourlon). It remained in line south of the Bapaume-Cambrai road until the end of December.

RECRUITING.

The division is recruited in Hesse-Nassau and the extreme southern part of Westphalia. It received few outside elements except under exceptional circumstances (e. g., on Aug. 12, 1916, at Verdun).

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 21st Reserve Division is a good division. (October, 1917.)

On the Aisne front (April to May, 1917) the 21st Reserve Division held a difficult sector. The unsuccessful counterattacks which it launched there diminished its offensive value. Nevertheless, on the whole, it gave a good account of itself.

In Champagne (August to October, 1917) its activity was limited to a few assaults carried out energetically.

1918.

1. In the March offensive the division advanced from la Vacquerie to Beaumont Hamel, which it reached on March 27. Here the line stabilized and it held this sector throughout April, May, and June. It was relieved by the 16th Reserve Division on the night of July 3–4.

BATTLE OF THE SOMME.

2. The division rested in the Bapaume area until it returned to line northwest of Hamelincourt on August 6–7, relieving the 5th Bavarian Division. It met the British attack in the region and was driven back through Croisilles, Cherisy, and St. Leger until its withdrawal on August 30. Nine hundred prisoners were lost in the engagement.

3. The division rested in the Tournai area until September 18, when it reenforced the front south of Villers-Guislain. About this time the 81st Reserve Regiment was broken up and distributed among the regiments of the 21st Reserve Division. The division fought at Gouzeaucourt (28th), Gonnelieu (30th), Banteux (30th), Gouy (Oct. 3), Beaurevoir (5th), Villers Outreaux (8th), Clary (9th), Le Cateau (11th). After losing 1,550 prisoners the division was withdrawn on October 17. According to a divisional order of October 1, the strength was so low as to warrant the reduction in half of the normal allotment of kitchen and supply wagons.

4. The division returned from close reserve on October 23 northeast of Haussy. In the closing days it fought at Vendegies (24th), Ruesnes (24th), Orsinval (Nov. 2), southwest of Wargnies le Grand (4th), east of Villers Pol and in the Gommegnies sector (5th). The division withdrew on November 8.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as second class. During 1918 its service was entirely in the area north and south of the Somme, where it saw a great deal of heavy fighting.

21st Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────────┬─────────────┼─────────────┬─────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────
Infantry. │11 Ldw. │20 Ldw. │11 Ldw. │20 Ldw.
│ │35 Ldw. │ │35 Ldw.
│ │435 Ldw. │ │435 Ldw.
─────────────┼─────────────┴─────────────┼─────────────┴─────────────
Cavalry. │4 Sqn. 6 Cuirassier Rgt. │4 Sqn. 6 Cuirassier Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────
Artillery. │Art. Command: │ (?)
│ 253 Ldw. F. A. Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────
Engineers and│(421) Pion. Btn.: │414 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 1 Landst. Co. 14 C. Dist. │ 1 Ldw. Co. 3 C. Dist.
│ Pions. │ Pions.
│ 406 T. M. Co. │ 1 Landst. Co. 15 C. Dist.
│ │ Pions.
│ 521 Tel. Detch. │ 80 Searchlight Section.
│ │521 Signal Command:
│ │ 521 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 175 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────
Medical and │553 Ambulance Co. │553 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│54 Res. Field Hospital. │54 Res. Field Hospital.
│105 Res. Field Hospital. │
│Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────
Transports. │797 M. T. Col. │797 M. T. Col.
─────────────┴───────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────

HISTORY.

(20th and 35th Landwehr Regiments: 3d Corps District—Brandenburg. 435th
Landwehr: Mixed—11th and 14th Corps Districts.)

1917.

BELGIUM.

1. The 21st Landwehr Division was formed in April, 1917, by the addition of the 435th Regiment to the two regiments of the 11th Landwehr Brigade. This brigade, until then independent, had come to Belgium the 2d of August, 1914, had detached certain of its elements in Picardy, from the end of September to the end of November, and had fought near Ypres in November and December. From March to October, 1915, it acted as garrison at Brussels and Antwerp. At the end of December, 1915, it reappeared on the Belgian front between Dixmude and Ypres (from Steenstraat to the Ypres-Zonnebeke road).

RUSSIA.

2. In May, 1917, the 21st Landwehr Division was identified in the vicinity of Arras. On May 16 it entrained for the Eastern Front. Itinerary: Liege-Aix la Chapelle-Paderborn-Halle-Posen-Warsaw. Detraining at Brest-Litovsk on May 21, it remained in training for 10 days, was then sent to the Niémen front, and occupied the Vichnev sector until March, 1918.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 21st Landwehr Division did work in the service of supplies in Belgium and held very calm sectors in Russia. Its offensive value seems mediocre.

On the Russian front in January, 1918, the 20th Landwehr Regiment received 600 men of the 1919 class in exchange for its men of 25 to 35 years of age sent to the Western Front. Before being brought back to France in March, 1918, the 35th Landwehr Regiment left its older men in Russia and received 900 men of 19 to 30 years of age.

1918.

1. The division held the Badonviller sector from April 29 until the armistice. The division was strong in the number of effectives, but their quality and morale was low. The division was rated as a fourth- class division.

22d Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │43. │82. │43. │82. │43. │82.
│ │83. │ │83. │ │83.
│44. │32. │44. │32. │ │167.
│ │167. │ │167. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │6 Cuirassier Rgt. │ │6 Cuirassier Rgt.
│ (3 Sqns.). │ │ (2 Sqns.).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │22 Brig.: │22 Brig.: │22 Brig.:
│ 11 F. A. Rgt. │ 11 F. A. Rgt. │ 11 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ 47 F. A. Rgt. │ 47 F. A. Rgt. │ 47 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Pion. Btn. No. │1 Pion. Btn. No.
Liaisons. │ │ 11: │ 11:
│ │ Field Co. 11 │ 2 Co. 11 Pions.
│ │ Pions. │
│ │ 22 Pont. Engs. │ 22 T. M. Co.
│ │ 22 Tel. Detch. │ 22 Pont. Engs.
│ │ │ 22 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │2 Cyclist Co. (11
│ │ │ Jag. Btn.).
│ │ │36 Air Sqn.
│ │ │109 Labor Btn.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │43. │82. │43. │82.
│ │83. │ │83.
│ │167. │ │167.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2 Sqn. 6 Cuir. Rgt.│6 Sqn. 6 Cuirassier
│ │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │22 Art. Command: │22 Art. Command:
│ 11 F. A. Rgt. │ 11 F. A. Rgt. (not
│ │ including 4 and 5
│ │ Abt.).
│ │ 50 Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ 1140 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1141 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1142 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(1/11 or 128) Pion.│128 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ Btn.: │
│ 1 Co. 11 Pions. │ 1 Co. 11 Pions.
│ │
│ 2 Co. 11 Pions. │ 2 Co. 11 Pions.
│ 22 T. M. Co. │ 225 T. M. Co.
│ 51 Searchlight │ 51 Searchlight
│ Section. │ Section.
│ 22 Tel. Detch. │22 Signal Command:
│ │ 22 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 109 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │Ambulance Co.: │26 Ambulance Co.:
Veterinary.│ │
│ 103 Field │ 103 Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│ 107 Field │ 107 Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│ 110 Field │ 148 Vet. Hospital.
│ Hospital. │
│ Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │52 Supply Train. │
│51 Supply Train. │
│M. T. Col. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │2 Cyclist Co. (11 │
│ Jag. Btn.). │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(11th Corps District—Electorate of Hesse.)

1914.

1. The 22d Division formed a part of the 11th Army Corps (Cassel) with the 38th Division.

BELGIUM.

2. One of its brigades, the 43d, was sent to Liege and entrained on August 2–3, 1914. The other rejoined it there and after the surrender of the city the 22d Division, with the rest of the 11th Army Corps, formed a part of the 3d Army (Von Hausen). It went to Namur and then to Eastern Prussia.

RUSSIA.

3. In October the 22d Division (and the 11th Army Corps) was in Poland, where it remained until May, 1915. It took part in the violent attacks along the Bzura and the Rawka.

1915.

RUSSIA.

1. In April, 1915, the division gave the 32d Infantry Regiment to the 103d Division (a new formation).

2. In July it was separated from the 38th Division. It took part in the offensive of the 11th Army (Mackensen), and arrived on the Styr in October. It then formed a part of the 4th Austrian Army.

1916.

1. In the spring of 1916 the 22d Division was in the rear of Vilna (May), after having been at Mitau. On June 11 it entrained at Mitau for Vilna.

GALICIA.

2. It then formed a part of the troops destined to withstand the Russian offensive in Galicia and took up its position on the Lipa.

ROUMANIA.

3. In December it was sent to Roumania and operated in Moldavia.

1917.

GALICIA.

1. It returned in January, 1917, to the 4th Austrian Army on the Lipa.

2. At the beginning of July it was in Volhynia (Mikolajow, northwest of Brody).

3. On July 7–9 the division was relieved and sent to the area south of Tarnopol. It arrived there on July 15 and took part in the offensive against the Russians. It suffered rather heavy losses in the beginning, the Russians having resisted for several days.

4. The 22d Division remained in this area until October 7. On this date it was relieved and entrained for the Western Front (itinerary: Brzezany-Torgau-Erfurt-Frankfort on the Main-Mayence-Sarrebrucken- Thionville-Montmedy), detraining at Douzy (east of Sedan) about October 14.

At the end of October the division, after a few days of rest, was put in line in the Forges sector (Verdun area), where it had a few losses (November, December). January 1918, it was on the front north of Verdun (right bank of the Meuse).

RECRUITING.

The 22d Division is recruited from the electorate of Hesse. Alsace- Lorrainers were numerous during its stay on the Eastern Front.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 22d Division, coming from Russia, where it had had rather easy victories, appeared to have a relatively good morale. Its spirit, however, did not appear very combative (Nov. 1917).

1918.

1. The division was in line on the right bank of the Meuse (Samogneux- Cote 344) from January, 1918, to the end of May, when it was relieved by the 6th Bavarian Division.

2. It was in reserve southwest of Reims on June 16, and came into line at Anthenay on June 20. About the 1st of July the 103d Division relieved the 22d Division, which went to rest in the neighborhood of Fismes and Hourges.

BATTLE OF THE MARNE.

3. The division was engaged southeast of Ville en Tardenois (Chambrecy, Champlat, Velval) July 15–26. It fell back in the line Romigny-Ville en Tardenois and was relieved on August 7. About 400 prisoners were lost in this fighting.

BATTLE OF THE SOMME.

4. The division rested in the Cambrai area until August 29, when it was moved up to the line. On the 1st of September it was engaged on the Arras-Cambrai road near Bullecourt. The British attack rolled it back on Inchy and Marquion, where it was withdrawn on the 10th. The division lost 1,100 prisoners in the week of fighting.

THE SCARPE.

5. It rested until September 28, when it came into line north of Cambrai (Epinoy), Sancourt, Blécourt. About October 1 it was moved north and relieved the 48th Reserve Division north of the Scarpe. In the sector it fought until October 23 (south east of Lille, St. Amand, southwest of Odomez).

6. Upon its relief, the division marched from Thulin, west of Mons, on October 24 to the Le Quesnoy area, and on the next day relieved the 185th Division east of Gussignies. In November it was in the fighting around Le Quesnoy and Gommegnies until its withdrawal on November 7.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as third class. It was employed in the July offensive, but made little headway. On the defensive the division appears to have done better than many divisions of a higher rating.

22d Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │43 Res. │71 Res. │43 Res. │71 Res. │43 Res. │71 Res.
│ │94 Res. │ │94 Res. │ │82 Res.
│44 Res. │32 Res. │44 Res. │32 Res. │ │94 Res.
│ │82 Res. │ │82 Res. │ │
│ 11 Res. Jag. Btn. │ 11 Res. Jag. Btn. │ 11 Res. Jag. Btn.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Cavalry. │1 Res. Horse Jag. │1 Res. Horse Jag. │1 Res. Horse Jag.
│ Rgt. (3 Sqns.). │ Rgt. │ Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │22 Res. F. A. Rgt. │22 Res. F. A. Rgt. │22 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (6 Btries.). │ │ (9 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. 4.│ Pion. Btn. No. 4.│ Pion. Btn. No. 4.
│ │22 Res. Pont. Engs.│222 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │22 Res. Tel. Detch.│22 Res. Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │22 Res. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │43 Res. │71 Res. │43 Res. │71 Res.
│ │82 Res. │ │82 Res.
│ │94 Res. │ │94 Res.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3 Sqn. 1 Res. Horse│1 Sqn. 2 Uhlan Rgt.
│ Jag. Rgt. │
│2 Sqn. 1 Res. Heavy│
│ Cav. Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │Art. Command: │22 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ │
│ 22 Res. F. A. Rgt.│43 Ft. A. Btn.
│ (9 Btries.). │ (Staff, and 1, 2,
│ │ and 3 Btries.).
│ │737 Light Am. Col.
│ │1379 Light Am. Col.
│ │1380 Light Am. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(322) Pion. Btn.: │322 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 1 Res. Co. 4 │ 1 Res. Co. 4
│ Pions. │ Pions.
│ 2 Res. Co. 4 │ 2 Res. Co. 4
│ Pions. │ Pions.
│ 222 T. M. Co. │ 103 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ 27, 251, and 271 │422 Signal Command:
│ Searchlight │
│ Sections. │
│ 422 Tel. Detch. │ 422 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 35 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │511 Ambulance Co. │511 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│21 Res. Field │23 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│50 Res. Field │50 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │422 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(11th Corps District—Electorate of Hesse and Thuringia.)

1914.

1. At the beginning of the war the 22d Reserve Division formed the 4th Reserve Corps with the 7th Reserve Division. It was a part of the 1st Army (Von Kluck).

BELGIUM.

2. Concentrated at Dusseldorf (Aug. 10) the 22d Reserve Division reached Brussels by way of Aix la Chapelle, Tongres, and Louvain. The 94th Reserve Infantry Regiment remained at Brussels until September 5, when it was hastily called to rejoin the division. The 71st Reserve Infantry Regiment remained there until August 31 and then figured in the battle of the Marne on September 6.

MARNE.

3. The 44th Reserve Brigade joined to the 7th Reserve Division went to Ath, Conde, Amiens (Aug. 30–31), and Creil (Sept. 2), almost without combat, but by forced marches to the extreme right flank of the 1st Army. In action on the right bank of the Ourcq, it withdrew to the north of the Aisne.

4. The 43d Reserve Brigade, of which only one regiment had fought with the 44th from September 6 to 9 was filled upon the 9th and went to Peronne. On September 11, strengthened by the 72d Reserve Regiment, detached from the 7th Reserve Division, it was concentrated north of Compiegne.

TRACY LE MONT.

5. Until September 20 the 43d Reserve Brigade fought in the vicinity of Tracy le Mont with some elements of the 7th Reserve Division. The 44th Reserve Brigade was engaged with the majority of this division on the Nouvron Plateau.

NOUVRON.

6. On September 20 the 43d Reserve Brigade rejoined the 44th (Hautebraye-Chevillecourt.)

7. On November 12 elements of the division took part in the attack on the Nouvron Plateau and suffered rather heavy losses.

1915.

AISNE.

1. The 22d Reserve Division occupied the lines between the Aisne and the Oise until the autumn of 1915.

2. In January, 1915, elements of the division took part in the battle around Soissons. In April, 1915, the 32d Reserve Infantry Regiment became a part of the 113th Division.

CHAMPAGNE.

3. At the end of October the 22d Reserve Division left the area northwest of Soissons to go to Champagne (Souain sector).

1916.

1. The 22d Reserve Division left Champagne at the end of January, 1916; it went to rest at Attigny, which it left on February 29.

VERDUN.

2. From March 1 to 5, at the height of the Verdun offensive, the division was reassembled between Dun and Vilosnes behind the front. On March 6 it attacked on the left bank of the Meuse. It took part in the operations in this sector (valley of the Forges and Corbeaux wood) until the middle of April. In the first attacks of March the 6th Company of the 82d Reserve Infantry Regiment required replacements of 90 men, among whom were recruits from the 1916 class. After a few days of rest the 22d Reserve Division again attacked at Verdun, south of Corbeaux wood and near the Mort Homme (May 23 to beginning of June). It lost very heavily. Its attacks at Verdun had cost it 90 per cent of its infantry. From April 24 to June 26 the 1st and 4th Companies of the 11th Battalion of Reserve Chasseurs had each received at least 204 men as replacements; the 6th Company of the 94th Reserve Infantry Regiment, from March 9 to June 15, 217 men; the 8th Company, 207 men.

3. The division rested and was reorganized in the vicinity of Fourmies- Hirson; it was then sent between St. Quentin and Tergnier.

SOMME.

4. At the beginning of the Somme offensive the 22d Reserve Division was concentrated southeast of Peronne on July 2. It went into action south of the Somme (Biaches-Belloy), and suffered heavy losses (1,500 prisoners between July 2 and July 10).

CHAMPAGNE.

5. Transferred to Champagne, it rested for a few days and then went into line east of Rheims (Auberive sector) and in the Prosnes sector at the end of August.

6. At the end of October, after it had rested in the Rethel-Vouziers sector until November 10, the division was placed behind the Cambrai-St. Quentin sector.

SOMME.

7. It went back to the Somme at the beginning of December east of Rancourt and remained there until December 20.

1917.

1. The 22d Reserve Division passed the month of January, 1917, at rest in the Valenciennes area.

2. In February it took over the Saillisel sector, where it took part in secondary action. In March the division took part in the withdrawal and established itself in the Hindenburg line between Gonnelieu and Le Catelet.

3. About May 20 the 22d Reserve Division went to rest in the neighborhood of Lens and Tourcoing.

FLANDERS.

4. On June 14 it went into line in the Comines sector, west of Warneton, where it remained until the end of June.

5. After a period of rest north of Lille (end of June to July 23–24) it went into action southeast of Zillebeke, where it underwent the British attack of July 31, and suffered very heavily.

6. Relieved immediately after the attack, the division was sent to the Bullecourt sector (Aug. 10-Sept. 22).

7. Until October 5 it rested in the vicinity of Courtrai. At this date it occupied the Becelaere sector as a counterattacking division, supporting the 4th Guard Division, and suffered heavily from bombardments (Oct. 5–21).

LORRAINE-ALSACE.

8. At the beginning of November it was in line in Lorraine, southwest of Delme, then in Alsace (sector of Aspach south of the Rhone-Rhine Canal in December).

RECRUITING.

The 22d Reserve Division is recruited from the Electorate of Hesse and Thuringia. In case of emergency replacements are occasionally furnished by neighboring corps districts (8th Corps in June, 1916). At the end of October, 1917, unequally trained men were received from the Eastern Front (the 71st Infantry Reserve Regiment receiving men from the depot of the 146th Infantry Regiment, men from the Service of Supplies, convalescents, or men of mediocre physical quality).

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 22d Reserve Division is a mediocre division (December, 1917). The units of the 11th Corps District have generally fought well during the entire war.

The 22d Reserve District lost very heavily in the battles of Verdun and the Somme and from artillery fire at Ypres.

1918.

BATTLE OF THE LYS.

1. The division left Alsace about April 6 and came into the Lys battle line on April 16 northeast of Bailleul. Its former sector in the Vosges was taken over by an extension of the neighboring divisions. The route of the division lay through Strasbourg, Treves, Cologne, Verviers, Liege, Brussels, Courtrai-Roubaix, a journey of two days. The division participated in heavy fighting about Kemmel until its relief on May 1.

2. When relieved by the 117th Division, it marched to Roubaix, where it rested for two days. From there it marched to Waereghem, where the 82d Reserve Regiment rested for about eight days. About May 11 the 22d Reserve Division entrained at Audenarde and was railed to Rieux, 5 miles east of Cambrai. The division marched via Cambrai to the Montauban- Longueval-Gullemont area, where it went into rest billets. On the night of May 31-June 1 the 1st Battalion, 82d Reserve Regiment, reenforced the 122d Fusilier Regiment (243d Division) near Avelcy.

VERDUN.

3. The division entrained in the Cambrai area on June 8 and traveled via Valenciennes-Mons Charleroi-Dinant-Mezieres-Sedan to Ligny sur Meuse, where it detrained on June 9. The next day it relieved the 53d Reserve Division east of Bethincourt. It held the sector until about July 25.

CHAMPAGNE.

4. Entraining at Brieulles, the division moved by Sedan and Vouziers to St. Morel and Savigny sur Aisne, where it rested until August 5. On the 6th it came into line in the St. Souplet-Somme Py sector, which it held until August 23.

5. The division left Champagne and moved from Semide by Laon-La Fere- Tergnier to the Noyon area. Relieved August 24–27, it detrained at Flavy le Martel and La Fere, and rested a day at Cugny, Petit Detroit, Bois de Genlis, and Bois de Frieres before moving east of Noyon to cover the retreat of elements of the 71st Division and the 105th Division.

NOYON.