Chapter XVI: Part 16

6. On August 29 it came into line and held the sector Mont St. Simeon- Baboeuf. The division resisted the French attack until September 3, when it fell back slowly toward the Crozat Canal, offering resistance at Behericourt-Baboeuf (4th), Cuivry-Caillouel-Crepigny-Bethancourt (5th), and Villequier Aumont (6th). It was relieved on the night of September 7–8 by the 11th Division and rested at Ribemont and then farther north in the billets at Fontaine Notre Dame, Regny, and Homblieres.

ST. QUENTIN.

7. From September 10 to 12 the division was relieving the 75th Reserve Division in the sector Castres-Contescourt-Hill 98. The division held in this vicinity until September 28 when the British advance north of St. Quentin compelled it to retreat. Between October 2 and 5 the division held the line Harley-Neuville-St. Amand. On the 8th it was again forced to retreat. The division was relieved on October 15–16. In this fighting the division lost at least one-third of its effectives. The battalion had but three companies, and the effective strength of the infantry companies averaged about 35. The entire division had but about 1,300 infantry combatants.

8. After its relief by the 18th Division on the night of October 15–16, the division remained near the front at Grand Verly, Hannappes, and Lesquielles. It was suddenly alerted on October 17 and obliged to return to support the 18th Division west of Petit Verly. It put up a stiff resistance on October 18, but was thrown back east of the Sambre Canal, losing a large number of prisoners.

In the closing week the division was at Favril (5th), Marvilles (6th).

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as second class. It was heavily engaged at Kemmel in April, after which it did not appear in an active front until the autumn. The division resisted the Allied advance on the St. Quentin area in September and October with great tenacity.

22d Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918[15]
─────────────┼─────────────┬─────────────┼─────────────┬─────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────
Infantry. │6 Ldw. │34 Ldw. │ │34 Ldw. (3d
│ │ │ │ Btn.).
│ │49 Ldw. │ │49 Ldw. (2d
│ │ │ │ Btn.).
│ │10 Landst. (4│ │
│ │ Btns.). │ │
─────────────┼─────────────┴─────────────┼─────────────┴─────────────
Cavalry. │ (z) │
─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────
Artillery. │Art. Command: │219 F. A. Rgt. (Staff and 3
│ │ Abt.).
│ 219 F. A. Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────
Engineers and│(422) Pion. Btn.: │522 Signal Command:
Liaisons. │ │
│ (322) T. M. Co. │ 522 Tel. Detch.
│ 30 Searchlight Section. │
│ 284 Searchlight Section. │
│ Tel. Detch. │
─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────
Medical and │551 Ambulance Co. │11 Res. Field Hospital.
Veterinary.│ │
│Field Hospital. │139 Vet. Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │
─────────────┴───────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────

Footnote 15:

The units below are those grouped under the 22d Landwehr Division
Postal Sector (380). Other units of the 22d Landwehr Division, but
functioning with other divisions, are carried as attached to such
division.

HISTORY.

(2d Corps District—Pomerania.)

1917.

RUSSIA.

1. The 22d Landwehr Division was formed on the Eastern Front in the vicinity of Riga, at the end of March, 1917. The 6th Landwehr Brigade, which entered into its composition, had belonged to the 1st Landwehr Division (former Jacobi Division), then had become independent when the latter left the Riga front to go to Volhynia. It is then that the addition of the 10th Landsturm Battalion to the Mitau group made the 22d Landwehr Division from the 6th Landwehr Brigade.

COURLAND.

2. From April to October, 1917, the 22d Landwehr Division remained on the Riga front (vicinity of Olai).

VOLHYNIA.

3. In October, it was transferred to the west of Kachovka (Volhynia), where it remained until February, 1918.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 22d Landwehr Division remained on the Russian front from the time of its formation, March, 1917.

1918.

UKRAINE.

1. In February, 1918, the 22d Landwehr Division advanced into the Ukraine, where it was between Kiev and Koursk on the 24th of March. On May 9 the division was near Jitomir. The 219th Field Artillery Regiment was at Kiev on the 24th of May. On September 7 the division was identified near Stochod.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as fourth class.

23d Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │45. │100 Gren.│45. │100 Gren.│45. │100 Gren.
│ │101 Gren.│ │101 Gren.│ │101 Gren.
│46. │108 Fus. │46. │108 Fus. │ │108 Fus.
│ │182. │ │182. │ │
│ 12 Jag. Btn. │ │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │20 Hus. Rgt. │ │18 Hus. Rgt. (3
│ │ │ Sqns.).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │23 Brig.: │23 Brig.: │23 Brig.:
│ 12 F. A. Rgt. │ 12 F. A. Rgt. │ 12 F. A. Rgt.
│ 48 F. A. Rgt. │ 48 F. A. Rgt. │ 48 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Pion. Btn. No. │1 Pion. Btn. No.
Liaisons. │ │ 12: │ 12:
│ │ Field Co. 12 │ 1 Co. 12 Pions.
│ │ Pions. │
│ │ 23 Pont. Engs. │ 23 T. M. Co.
│ │ 23 Tel. Detch. │ 23 Pont. Engs.
│ │ │ 23 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │45. │100 Gren.│45. │100.
│ │101 Gren.│ │101.
│ │108 Fus. │ │108.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3 Sqns. 20 Hus. │1 Sqn. 20 Hus. Rgt.
│ Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │23 Art. Command: │23 Art. Command:
│ 12 F. A. Rgt. │ 12 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 1 Abt. 19 Ft. A.
│ │ Rgt. (1 and 3
│ │ Btries.).
│ │ 891 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 959 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1100 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(1/12) Pion. Btn.: │23 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 1 Co. 12 Pions. │ 1 Co. 12 Pions.
│ │
│ 3 Co. 12 Pions. │ 3 Co. 12 Pions.
│ 6 Co. 12 Pions. │ 23 T. M. Co.
│ 23 T. M. Co. │ 125 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ 23 Tel. Detch. │23 Signal Command:
│ │ 23 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 12 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │30 Ambulance Co. │30 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│114 Field Hospital.│114 Field Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │117 Field Hospital.
│ │23 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(12th Corps District—Saxony.)

1914.

BELGIUM.

1. The 23d Division, on mobilization, was a part of the 12th Army Corps with the 32d Division (2d Army, Von Hausen). It detrained on August 9–11, 1914, at Eifel, north of Treves, and entered Belgium on the 18th by the north of Luxemburg.

MARNE.

2. It went into action on August 23 at Dinant, crossed the Meuse on the 24th, entered France on the 26th, went to the west of Chalons and took part in the battle of the Marne on September 7 at Sompuis (west of Vitry le Francois).

AISNE.

3. The 23d Division, with the 2d Army Corps, established itself in the area northwest of Rheims.

1915.

AISNE.

1. The division held the front Craonne-Berry au Bac until July, 1916. In this sector the losses were very slight.

2. In March, 1915, some of its elements were in Champagne for a short time. In April, the 182d Infantry Regiment was taken for the 123d Division (a new formation).

1916.

SOMME.

1. On July 3, 1916, at the beginning of the Franco-English offensive, the 23d Division detached some elements of the 101st and 108th Regiments to reinforce the divisions engaged in the attack (region of Sovecourt- Vermandovillers).

2. From the end of July and until the 1st of September the 100th Grenadier Regiment was incorporated in a new division (Franke Division), which held the front from Deniecourt to Vermandovillers.

3. The other regiments of the 23d Division continued to occupy the sector of Craonne-Berry au Bac until the end of August.

4. On September 4 the 101st and 108th Regiments, coming from Berry au Bac, were sent to the Somme. They suffered considerable losses.

5. About September 15 the 23d Division was regrouped with its normal elements (the Franke Division being dissolved) and received 2,700 men as replacements (men of the Landstrum called in April and May and young men of the 1917 class, most of them having had not more than two or three months’ service. The 12th Company of the 100th Grenadier Regiment received at least 108 men as replacements on September 20).

6. From October 1 to 6 the 23d Division went back into line between the Chaulnes Railroad and the south of Vermandovillers. It again lost very heavily during the time it remained in line until October 20. (The 2d Company of the 108th Riflemen received, on Oct. 27, replacements of at least 97 men, most of whom were returned wounded and convalescents. Since Sept. 17 it had received at least 198 newcomers; the same holds true for the 4th Company of the 104th Grenadier Regiment).

7. Relieved about October 25, the division was sent to a sector in the Roye (Beuvraignes) area in November.

1917.

CHAMPAGNE.

1. It occupied this sector (between Armancourt and Roye) until the moment of the German retirement and retired to St. Quentin on March 25, 1917.

2. Relieved and sent to rest at the beginning of April in the Sedan area, it went up in the middle of the month to the sector in Champagne between Hill 232 (east of Nauroy) and the Suippe.

3. On April 19 the 101st and 108th Infantry Regiments counterattacked energetically and in very good order between the Teton and the Suippe and obtained some local success for a short time. On April 20 the 100th Infantry Regiment went into action in its turn.

4. Upon the conclusion of these operations, the 23d Division took up its position on the new front (west of Auberive) and remained there until the beginning of December, after making up for the heavy losses suffered in April. At the beginning of January, 1918, the 23d Division went to occupy the sector of Loivre, northwest of Rheims, and in February the sector of Courcy.

RECRUITING.

The 23d Division is purely Saxon.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 23d Division is very good.

It lost very heavily at the time of the offensive, April, 1917, in Champagne, but still appeared good.

1918.

In February, 1918, the morale of the division seemed high.

1. The division continued in the sector northwest of Rheims (Courcy- Brimont) until about February 20, where it was relieved by the 213th Division and moved toward the Somme front.

2. It was transported to Neufchatel on the 23d. From there it proceeded by stages to north of Guise (Esqueheries, La Neuville-le-Dorengt). It rested and underwent training in this area until March 18. It marched by night toward the front by way of Bohain, Fresnoy le Grand (where the Kaiser inspected it), Le Verguier (evening of Mar. 21–22).

BATTLE OF THE SOMME.

3. The division followed the advance in third line from March 22 to 29 through Holnon, Beauvois, Athies, St. Christ, Chaulnes, Rosieres, Beaucourt en Santerre. It was engaged from March 29 to April 3 (Mezieres, Villers aux Erables, La Neuville Sire Bernard). Its advance continued to a line east of Mailly-Rainval, Sauvillers. It was in second line from April 2 to 7, when it returned to line near Grievesnes until April 13. The division’s losses were estimated to have been about 70 per cent in the fighting.

CHAMPAGNE.

4. When withdrawn from the Somme, on the 13th, the division was moved to Champagne and took over a quiet sector east of Auberive on the 31st, which it held until June 6. While in line the division was reconstituted.

5. The division rested in the vicinity of Bazoches from June 5 to 15, undergoing intensive training. It came into line on the night of June 19–20 at St. Pierre Aigle, relieving the 45th Reserve Division. It was retired from the front at Villers Cotterets about July 1. It rested near Braisne until the 12th, when it marched toward the Marne front (Foret de Ris) on July 12.

SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE.

6. It reinforced the battle front southwest of Dormans on the 15th. It crossed the Marne east of Courcelles north of Sawigny and advanced to La Chapelle Monthodon. On the 17th it was checked and rolled back by the Foret de Fere to Fresnes (south of Fere en Tardenoise, July 26).

ARTOIS.

7. The division was withdrawn about the end of July and went to Chimay to rest. On August 13 it entrained and moved to the Douai area via Valenciennes, where it came into line on August 24 southwest of Arras. The British attack forced it to give way to the line Beugny-Morchies, with a loss of 700 prisoners. On the 5th the division withdrew from line.

8. The division rested until September 27, when it appeared in line northeast of Bixschoote, southeast of the forest of Houthulst. After five days of heavy fighting it was withdrawn from line. Eight hundred prisoners were taken from the division. It was at rest near Gits until the 14th, when it was again engaged north of Roulers until October 20. On that date it passed to second line southeast of Ghent, where it was again in contact with the Allies on November 8. The last identification was at Sommersaeke, Aecke, on November 9.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as a third-class division. Its use in two offensives of 1918 and its constant employment on active sectors in the last six months of the war would seem to warrant a higher rating.

At the end the effectives of the division was very much reduced.

23d Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │45 Res. │100 Res. │45 Res. │100 Res. │45 Res. │100 Res.
│ │ Gren. │ │ Gren. │ │ Gren.
│ │101 Res. │ │100 Res. │ │101 Res.
│46 Res. │102 Res. │46 Res. │102 Res. │46 Res. │102 Res.
│ │103 Res. │ │103 Res. │ │103 Res.
│ 12 Res. Jag. Btn. │ 12 Res. Jag. Btn. │ 12 Res. Jag. Btn.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Cavalry. │Res. Hus. Rgt. (3 │ │Res. Hus. Rgt.
│ Sqns.). │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │23 Res. F. A. Rgt. │23 Res. F. A. Rgt. │23 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (9 Btries.). │ (6 Btries.). │
│ │32 Res. F. A. Rgt. │32 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ (6 Btries.). │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │(?) Res. Co. 2 │4 Field Co. 2 Pion.
Liaisons. │ │ Pion. Btn. No. │ Btn. No. 12.
│ │ 12. │
│ │23 Res. Pont. Engs.│2 Res. Co. 2 Pion.
│ │ │ Btn. No. 12.
│ │23 Res. Tel. Detch.│223 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │23 Res. Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │23 Res. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │45 Res. │100 Res. │46 Res. │100 Res.
│ │ Gren. │ │
│ │102 Res. │ │102 Res.
│ │392. │ │392.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2 Sqn. Res. Hus. │2 Sqn. 18 Res. Hus.
│ Rgt. (Saxon). │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │118 Art. Command: │118 Art. Command:
│ │
│ 23 Res. F. A. Rgt.│ 23 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (9 Btries.). │
│ │ 1 Abt. 15 Res. Ft.
│ │ A. Rgt.
│ │ 875 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1002 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1003 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│323 Pion. Btn.: │323 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ │
│ 4 Co. 12 Pions. │ 4 Co. 12 Pions.
│ │
│ 2 Res. Co. 12 │ 4 Res. Co. 22
│ Pions. │ Pions.
│ 5 Res. Co. 12 │ 223 T. M. Co.
│ Pions. │
│ 223 T. M. Co. │ 133 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ 423 Tel. Detch. │423 Signal Command:
│ │ 423 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 143 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │270 Ambulance Co. │270 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ (Sax.). │
│520 Ambulance Co. │4 Res. Field
│ │ Hospital.
│4 Res. Field │8 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│8 Res. Field │423 Vet. Hospital.
│ Hospital. │
│423 Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │721 M. T. Col. │721 M. T. Col.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(12th Corps District—Saxony.)

1914.

BELGIUM-ARDENNES-CHAMPAGNE.

1. The 23d Reserve Division, forming on mobilization the 12th Reserve Corps, with the 24th Reserve Division, was a part in 1914 of the 3d German Army (Von Hausen). It detrained on August 12–13 at Wengerohr (Coblentz-Treves line), remained for a few days on the frontier north of Luxemburg, and entered Belgium on the 19th. It crossed the Meuse at Antree, below Dinant (Aug, 23), and entered France on the 27th by way of Phillipville (Marienburg and Couvin). It went across Champagne by Chateau Porcien, Tagnon, and Le Chatelet (Sept. 1), went to the east of Rheims, crossed the Marne east of Epernay, and reached the railroad from Sezanne to Vitry le Francois between Vassimont and Sommesous on September 8.

MARNE.

2. Engaged in the battle of the Marne, on the extreme right of the 3d Army, the 23d Reserve Division suffered heavy losses (Sept. 8–9).

CHAMPAGNE.

3. It retired, by way of Mourmelon, to the region of Moronvilliers Auberive and took up its position there (end of September).

1915.

CHAMPAGNE.

1. The 23d Reserve Division occupied the Champagne front (Auberive sector) until the month of July, 1916.

2. On September 25 it received the French offensive, which caused it very heavy losses. At this time the 103d Reserve Infantry Regiment was detached from the 23d Reserve Division and assigned to the Liebert Division. In October it rejoined the 23d Reserve Division after being reorganized. Its losses in the Champagne battle had been 140 killed, 751 wounded, and 1,369 missing. On October 2 at least 115 men had been sent to the 8th Company of the 103d Infantry Regiment as replacements.

1916.

1. The 23d Reserve Division was relieved from the sector of Auberive-St. Souplet sector between July 15 and 20, 1916, and transferred to the north of Peronne.

SOMME.

2. It was engaged in the battle of the Somme (north of Hem to the Monacu Farm) until August 12–14. The 100th Reserve Grenadier Regiment lost 1,700 men there (letter). The 7th Company of the 103d Infantry Regiment received at least 113 men as replacements between August 1 and 17.

ARTOIS.

3. After a rest in the vicinity of Douai, the division was sent south of Lens (Angres-Souchez from the beginning of September to Oct. 20). Its composition was modified by the substitution of the 392d Infantry Regiment, formed by men taken from various Saxon regiments, for the 103d Reserve Infantry Regiment.

SOMME.

4. About the middle of October it was again on the Somme (north of Gueudecourt). It remained there for five weeks and suffered very little.

ARTOIS.

5. Relieved from the Somme on December 3 and 4 the 23d Reserve Division remained at rest for a few days near Cambrai, and then took over the sector east of Arras (between Roclincourt and Beaurains). The 101st Reserve Infantry Regiment was transferred to a new Saxon Division, the 119th, and the 23d Reserve Division was reduced to three regiments.

1917.

1. The division occupied the Artois front during the winter of 1916–17.

2. It was withdrawn at the end of March to go to Belgium.

FLANDERS.

3. Sent to rest in the Bruges area for a fortnight; it then went in line for a month north of Ypres (calm sector).

4. It was in reserve in June and then went to the front on July 10 between the railroad from Ypres to Staden and the Ypres-Roulers Railroad. In the course of its relief (July 31) it suffered heavily from the bombardment which preceded the British attack.

5. Retained in Flanders, it took part on September 22 in the fighting in the Passchendaele sector and underwent the British attack of September 26, which caused it heavy losses. (The 2d Company of the 100th Reserve Infantry Regiment was reduced to 25 men.)

RUSSIA.

6. After five days in line the 23d Reserve Division was relieved and transferred to Russia, where it arrived on October 8.

7. It appeared in the Vilna area between October 10 and 17. In the middle of November it was identified near Postavy, where it still was at the end of January, 1918.

RECRUITING.

The 23d Reserve Division is purely Saxon.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 23d Reserve Division was not seriously engaged during the first half of 1917, but has suffered heavily since that time.

After the losses which it suffered in July, 1917, it received mediocre replacements (elderly men and returned convalescents.)

If one adds to that the heavy losses which it suffered at Passchendaele in September, and in its four months’ stay on the Eastern Front, one may rest assured that the morale and general quality of the division had diminished in value for more than a year. (British Summary of Information, Feb., 1918.)

1918.

ARTOIS.

1. In March the division was transferred to the Western Front. It entrained near Dvinsk on March 16 and traveled via Vilna-Koenigsberg- Marienburg-Schneidemuhl-Berlin-Hanover-Menden-Krefeld-Aix la Chapelle- Hasselt-Louvain-Brussels-Courtrai-Lille, and detrained at Libercourt (16 km. south of Lille) on March 22. It left for the front on March 26.

It came into line in the Oppy sector on March 28. In the attack on this day all three regiments of the division suffered heavy casualties. The division continued in line in the vicinity until about June 25.

FLANDERS.

2. When relieved in the Arras sector the division marched north and relieved the 15th Reserve Division near Calonne sur la Lys about June 27. In later August the division extended its sector to the south to include the front southwest of Vielle Chapelle, southeast of Merville and east of Laventie.

The division held this front through August and September. On September 30 the resting regiment of the division—the 100th Reserve Regiment—was sent up to reenforce the Ypres front. It was engaged for two weeks in the vicinity of Ledeghem. In October the division was engaged in the Little area until about the 20th. It was taken out of line north of Tournai and sent to relieve the 6th Bavarian Reserve Division on the night of October 22–23 at Octeghem. It remained in line until a few days before the armistice. The last identification was at Audenarde on November 2.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as third class. Its record of more than eight months’ constant service in line in fairly active sectors indicated considerable power of resistance.

23d Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────────┬─────────────┼─────────────┬─────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────
Infantry. │14 Ldw. │27 Ldw. │13 Ldw. │26 Ldw.
│ │26 Ldw. │ │27 Ldw.
│ │66 Ldw. │ │66 Ldw.
─────────────┼─────────────┴─────────────┼─────────────┴─────────────
Cavalry. │ (?) │6 Sqn. 10 Hus. Rgt.
│ │43 Res. Cav. Detch.
│ │91 Ldw. Cav. Rgt.
│ │ (Schutz.).
─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────
Artillery. │Art. Command: │
│ 103 F. A. Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────
Engineers and│(423) Pion. Btn.: │1 Landst. Co. 7 C. Dist.
Liaisons. │ │ Pions.
│ 347 Pion. Co. │264 Searchlight Section.
│ (323) T. M. Co. │283 Searchlight Section.
│ 523 Tel. Detch. │112 Searchlight Section.
│ │523 Signal Command:
│ │ 523 Tel. Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────
Medical and │558 Ambulance Co. │558 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│70 Res. Field Hospital. │99 Field Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │70 Res. Field Hospital.
│ │106 Res. Field Hospital.
│ │523 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────
Transports │M. T. Col. │760 M. T. Col.
─────────────┴───────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────

HISTORY.

(4th Corps District—Prussian Saxony.)

1917.

1. The 23d Landwehr Division, formed at the end of April, 1917, in the Argonne, was composed of the independent 13th Landwehr Brigade (26th and 27th Landwehr Regiments) and of the 66th Landwehr Regiment taken from the 5th Landwehr Division. This latter division furnished the staff of its infantry brigade (14th Landwehr Brigade).

2. After being assigned to the 23d Landwehr Division, the 13th Landwehr Brigade occupied the sector of Boureuilles north of Vienne la Ville in the Argonne. It was in the Argonne from September 1914.

RUSSIA.

3. Almost as soon as it was formed the 23d Landwehr Division was transferred to the Eastern Front (entraining of the 26th Landwehr Regiment on May 19). Itinerary: Carignan-Liége—Coblentz-Cassel-Halle- Cottbus-Gnessen-Graudenz-Koenigsberg-Chavli-Poneviej. Going into line about May 25 in the vicinity of Illukst (Courland) the division remained in this sector until February, 1918. It was too much weakened to contribute replacements to the division destined to operate in France, as, for example, the 87th Division. On December 28 the 1st and 2d Companies of the 347th Infantry Regiment each received some 75 to 80 men from the 23d Landwehr Division.

VALUE.

The 23d Landwehr Division is composed entirely of elderly men; in May 1917, the recruit depots of the division furnished men from 40 to 46 years of age. At the end of 1917 the best elements had been taken for use on the Western Front.

1918.

DVINSK.

1. Beginning in February, the 23d Landwehr Division occupied the Dvinsk region. A man of the division wrote from that city under date of March 15: “We have been here since the 20th of February. The 23d Landwehr Regiment, to which I belong, is to remain in Russia for guard duty. We hold the new frontier.” The 26th Landwehr and 27th Landwehr Regiments and divisional headquarters were identified here on May 9. On the 18th of May, elements of the 27th Landwehr Regiment were in the vicinity of Riejitsa.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as fourth class.

24th. Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │47. │139. │47. │139. │47. │139.
│ │179. │ │179. │ │133.
│48. │106. │48. │106. │ │179.
│ │107. │ │107. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │18 Uhlan Rgt. │ │(?) Sqn. 19 Hus.
│ │ │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │24 Brig.: │24 Brig.: │24 Brig.:
│ 77 F. A. Rgt. │ 77 F. A. Rgt. │ 77 F. A. Rgt.
│ 78 F. A. Rgt. │ 78 F. A. Rgt. │ 78 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Pion. Btn. No. │1 Pion. Btn. No.
Liaisons. │ │ 22: │ 22:
│ │ Field Co. 22 │ 1 Co. 22 Pions.
│ │ Pions. │
│ │ 24 Tel. Detch. │ 24 T. M. Co.
│ │ 24 Pont. Engs. │ 24 Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │ 24 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │24 Art. Survey
│ │ │ Section.
│ │ │53 Labor Btn.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │89. │133. │89. │133.
│ │139. │ │139.
│ │179. │ │179.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │1 Sqn. 19 Hus. Rgt.│1 Sqn. 19 Hus. Rgt.
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │24 Art. Command: │24 Art. Command:
│ 77 F. A. Rgt. │ 77 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 96 Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ (Staff, and 1, 2,
│ │ and 3 Btries.).
│ │ 818 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1277 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1278 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(1/22) Pion. Btn.: │22 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 2 Co. 22 Pions. │ 2 Co. 22 Pions.
│ │
│ 5 Co. 22 Pions. │ 5 Co. 22 Pions.
│ 2 Ers. Co. 24 │ 134 Searchlight
│ Pions. │ Section.
│ 24 T. M. Co. │24 Signal Command:
│ 22 Searchlight │ 24 Tel. Detch.
│ Section. │
│ 24 Tel. Detch. │ 93 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │47 Ambulance Co. │47 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│307 Field Hospital.│307 Field Hospital.
│(?) 24 Vet. │311 Field Hospital.
│ Hospital. │
│ │24 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(19th Corps District—Saxony.)

1914.

1. The 24th Division belongs to the 19th Army Corps. It is recruited in the western part of the Kingdom of Saxony (Leipzig).

MARNE.

2. At the outbreak of the war it formed a part with the 19th Army Corps, of the 3d German Army (Von Hausen). One of its brigades, the 48th, sent away secretly, detrained on August 4 at Pruem (Eifel), and entered the north of Luxemburg on the 5th. The division concentrated in the Houffalize on August 11, arrived on the banks of the Meuse on the 22d, which it crossed on the 24th and 25th above Dinant. It was at Châlons on September 5, and took part in the battle of the Marne on the 7th and 8th between Vitry le François and Maisons en Champagne. From there it returned to St. Hilaire le Grand.

FLANDERS.

3. In October, 1914, the 24th Division went over to the 6th Army (Crown Prince of Bavaria), and took up its position, which crosses the Lys (Flanders).

1915.

FLANDERS.

1. In March, 1915, the 106th and 107th Infantry Regiments were transferred to the 58th Division. The 24th Division, reduced to two regiments, was filled up by taking the 133d Infantry Regiment from the 40th Division. The 19th Army Corps retained the Lys sector until the month of August, 1917. It detached elements from its divisions to reenforce other sectors at various times.

2. In January, 1915, the 24th Division had elements in action at L’Epinette.

3. At the battle of Neuve Chapelle (March, 1915) and at Festubert (May- June, 1915), it reinforced the 7th Army Corps.

4. At the time of the Franco-British offensive in Artois, units of the 24th Division again acted as reenforcements at La Bassee-Souchez (June and October, 1915).

1916.

SOMME.

1. Relieved at the beginning of August, 1916, in the sector of the Lys, the 19th Army Corps was sent, about August 8, to the Somme, north of Pozières, where it suffered considerable losses.

2. At the end of August it was placed for several weeks in the sector of Neuve Chapelle-La Bassée, then of Le Sars-Butte de Warlencourt. It took part a second time in the battle of the Somme (October).

The two divisions of the corps suffered very heavily during these two engagements in the Franco-British offensive. The 24th division lost 6,217 men; that is, 69 per cent of its effectives.

3. The 24th Division was withdrawn from the Somme about November 11 and transferred to Flanders, where it occupied the line between the Ypres- Comines Canal and the Douve (December and the first months of 1917).

1917.

FLANDERS.

1. When the British offensive was being prepared on the Wytschaete- Messines front, the 24th Division was withdrawn from the Ypres-Comines sector and stationed behind Lille (beginning of April, 1917).

On the 7th of June it was sent toward the front; the 179th Infantry Regiment was in action east of Wytschaete on the 8th, and the division occupied the sector of Hollebeke, where it was retained until June 27.

During this period the division suffered heavily.

2. Relieved and sent to rest at the end of June, it went back into line in Belgium (sector southwest of Houthem) during the month of August.

3. It left the line at the beginning of October, and, after a few days of rest, again took over a sector in the area southeast of Ypres northwest of Zandvoorde—west of Gheluvelt. It left there at the end of October to go to the south of the Scarpe, at Monchy le Preux, where it was still in line at the beginning of February, 1918.

RECRUITING.

The 24th Division is purely Saxon.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

In a general manner, the attitude of the 19th Army Corps has been rather passive since trench warfare succeeded the war of movement.

We may say that the Saxon is a courageous adversary.

The 24th Division is good.

1918.

1. The division held the Monchy le Preux sector until about February 11, when it was relieved by the 185th Division and transferred to the area north of Valenciennes to rest and train. On March 16 it began to march toward the Cambrai front. The route lay through Raismes, Haveluy, Wallers, Aniche, Aubigny au Bac, Marquion. It reached the original German front line on March 22 at 9 a. m.

BATTLE OF THE SOMME.

2. The division followed the advance in reserve until the night of March 24–25, when it came in line south of Bapaume (Ligny-Tilloy). It advanced in first line by Grevillers (26th), Achiet le Petit, Hebuterne (27th and 29th). From March 30 to April 5 it was in reserve. On the 6th the division was reengaged near Hebuterne and Bucquoy until April 15.

According to the German press, the Kaiser on March 27 telegraphed the King of Saxony felicitating him on the success of the 24th Division.

3. The division was at rest from April 15 to the end of May, first at Bapaume and later at Valenciennes.

PICARDY.

4. The division was engaged from May 28 to June 16 in the sector of the Bois d’Aveluy (north of Albert). When relieved from this front it went by railroad to the Cambrai area. The 139th Regiment went into camp at Eswars and St. Martin; the 133d, at Raillencourt; the 179th, at Ramillies and Escaudoewres. The division underwent training and executed divisional maneuvers. Between the 5th and 10th of July the division marched by Cambrai, Flesquieres, Havrincourt, Bertincourt to the region Haplincourt Bus for the purpose of reengaging in the Aveluy sector where the Germans expected an attack by the English. It remained a week in the region and returned to its cantonments in the Cambrai area.

About July 18 an order was issued placing the division at the disposition of the 6th Army for a projected offensive in Flanders. This order was revoked, and about July 20 the division entrained at Ivuy and Sancourt and moved to Chaulnes (via Peronne). It remained in the vicinity several days and then moved to Quesnel by narrow-gauge railroad.

AVRE.

5. From the 1st of August until the 17th the division opposed a lively resistance to the French attack in the Avre. In this fighting the division lost 800 prisoners.

LAON.

6. The division rested a week west of Ham. It was engaged west of Coucy le Chateau (Champs Folembray) from August 30 to September 9. It retreated about the 9th to Baresis. On October 3 the division was relieved north of the St. Gobain-Baresis railroad.

ST. QUENTIN.

7. It was moved by trucks to Fontaine-Uterte (north of St. Quentin) and engaged on October 4 near Sequehart. The division was forced back on Montbrehain and Andigny. Three hundred and forty-five prisoners were lost on the 8th. Two days later the division was relieved. On the 17th the division was again identified in line at Vaux-Audigny, but was withdrawn in a day or two.

8. It arrived in an area northeast of Fourmies on October 23 and was still there on the 26th. No later identification was secured.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as a third-class division. Its conduct in the March offensive and in the defensive in August and October was above the average and would warrant a higher rating.

24th Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │47 Res. │104 Res. │47 Res. │104 Res. │48 Res. │104 Res.
│ │106 Res. │ │106 Res. │ │107 Res.
│ │13 Res. │ │13 Res. │ │133 Res.
│ │ Jag. │ │ Jag. │ │
│ │ Btn. │ │ Btn. │ │
│48 Res. │107 Res. │48 Res. │107 Res. │ │
│ │133 Res. │ │133 Res. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │Saxon Res. Hus. │Saxon Res. Hus. │3 Sqn. Saxon Res.
│ Rgt. │ Rgt. │ Hus. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │24 Res. F. A. Rgt. │24 Res. F. A. Rgt. │24 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (9 Btries.). │ │ (6 Btries.).
│ │ │40 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │ (6 Btries.).
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │Res. Co. 2 Pion. │3 Res. Co. 12
Liaisons. │ │ Btn. No. 12. │ Pions.
│ │24 Res. Pont. Engs.│4 Res. Co. 12
│ │ │ Pions.
│ │24 Res. Tel. Detch.│224 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │24 Res. Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │24 Res. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │28 Labor Btn.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │48 Res. │104 Res. │48 Res. │104 Res.
│ │107 Res. │ │107 Res.
│ │133 Res. │ │133 Res.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3 Sqn. Saxon Res. │3 Sqn. 18 Res. Hus.
│ Hus. Rgt. │ Rgt. (Saxon).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │120 Art. Command: │120 Art. Command:
│ │
│ 40 Res. F. A. Rgt.│ 68 F. A. Rgt.
│ (9 Btries.). │
│ │ 5 Btry. 7 Res. Ft.
│ │ A. Rgt.
│ │ 64 (Saxon) Ft. A.
│ │ Btn.
│ │ 1115 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1116 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1117 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│324 Pion. Btn.: │324 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 5 Res. Co. 12 │ 1 Res. Co. 12
│ Pions. │ Pions.
│ 6 Res. Co. 12 │ 6 Res. Co. 12
│ Pions. │ Pions.
│ 224 T. M. Co. │ 126 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ 424 Tel. Detch. │424 Signal Command:
│ │ 424 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 138 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │271 Ambulance Co. │271 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│1 Res. Field │1 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│424 Vet. Hospital. │7 Res. Field
│ │ Hospital.
│ │424 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │722 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │50 M. G. S. S.
│ │ Detch.
│ │207 Reconnaissance
│ │ Flight.
│ │50 Balloon Sqn.
│ │17 Sound Ranging
│ │ Section.
│ │40 Art. Observation
│ │ Section.
│ │(Elements attached
│ │ June, 1918.
│ │ German document,
│ │ June 15–16,
│ │ 1918.)
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(19th Corps District—Saxony.)

1914.

1. The 24th Reserve Division (12th Reserve Corps with the 33d Reserve Division) belonged at the outbreak of the war to the 3d German Army (Von Hausen).

2. Detraining on August 12–13, 1914, northeast of Trèves, (Coblentz- Trèves railroad), entering Belgium by way of Viel-Salm on the 19th, it advanced into France by way of the Ardennes and Champagne and from there to Sompuis (west of Vitry le François, Sept. 8).

MARNE.

3. Going into action on September 8 and 9 in the vicinity of Mailly, it retired by way of Mourmelon and Sept-Saulx to the east of Rheims (Moronvilliers-Vaudesincourt). It made a stand in this sector and established its position there (end of September).

1915.

CHAMPAGNE.

1. The 24th Reserve Division remained in line on the Champagne front (north of Souain, south of St. Souplet-Moronvilliers) from September, 1914, until the beginning of July, 1916. In April, 1915, the 106th Reserve Infantry Regiment was transferred to the 123d Division, a new formation.

2. At the end of September, 1915, it suffered very heavy losses while opposing the French offensive.

1916.

SOMME.

1. Relieved from its sector in Champagne about the beginning of July, 1916, the 24th Reserve Division was transferred to the Somme. It went into action between Longueval and Hardecourt, from the middle to the end of July.

2. Some elements of the division were still fighting on the Somme (near Martinpuich in September).

ARTOIS.

3. About September 21, the 24th Reserve Division was put in line north of Arras (area from Lievin to Roclincourt).

SOMME.

4. It left Artois in the middle of November to return to the Somme, south of Bapaume (Le Transloy-Gueudecourt). It remained there until December 12, then returned to Artois (sector east of Arras) at the end of December.

1917.

ARTOIS.

1. The 24th Reserve Division occupied the sector east of Arras until March 25, 1917. Relieved at this date, it was sent to rest northeast of Ghent.

GALICIA.

2. On April 26 it entrained for the Eastern Front. Itinerary: Herbestal- Aix la Chapelle-Dusseldorf-Barmen-Leipzig-Dresden-Georlitz-Lemberg. Detraining in Galicia, it went into line south of Brzezany, at the beginning of May. It underwent the Russian offensive at the beginning of July, in the course of which prisoners of the three regiments and a part of the artillery of the division were left in the hands of the Russians (366 prisoners from the 133d Reserve Infantry Regiment).

3. Withdrawn from the front and reorganized, the 24th Reserve Division again went into action on July 20 (German counterattack). It advanced as far as Zbrucz and suffered new losses.

4. About August 16 it took over the sector of Skala.

5. Entraining for the Western Front on October 24, it detrained at Bruges on the 31st. Itinerary: Stanislau-Lemberg-Breslau-Dresden- Leipzig-Cassel-Trèves—Brussels.

CAMBRAI.

6. After a rest in Belgium during the month of November, the 24th Reserve Division fought at Cambrai (end of November). It remained in the sector Flesquieres-Graincourt until the end of February, 1918.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 24th Reserve Division took part in numerous battles; it is a fairly good division.

1918.

1. The division was relieved in the Cambrai sector on February 6 by the 27th Division and went to rest in the Ivny area. On the 28th it marched via Cambrai-Sains Inchy to Prouville and went into line.

BATTLE OF THE SOMME.

2. It took part in the initial attack and by the 22d had reached Boursies. On the following day, the division advanced through Hermies to Ruyaulcourt and was relieved in the evening. The division rested until April 6 when it came into line north of Hangard where it was engaged until April 19, when the 19th Division relieved it. The division suffered very heavily from artillery and machine gun fire in this sector.

3. The division was at rest until May 1, when it returned to the front south of the Somme, relieving the 1st Division. About the 24th of May the division sideslipped north and took the sector astride the Somme. It was relieved about the middle of June.

SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE.

4. The division rested in the Cambrai area undergoing training. It left Cambrai about July 19 and was engaged west of Fere en Tardenois on July 24. The division took part in the fighting on the Aisne until about September 5. It passed to second line for about two weeks and returned to line at Pinon on September 20. Until the armistice, it was constantly engaged in resisting the Allied advance. It was identified at Verneuil (Oct. 19), Chalaudry (21st), Mortiers (26th), Crecy (28th), and south of Landouzy on November 7.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as third class. It was used as an attack division in March, but thereafter was engaged entirely on the defensive. It appears to have resisted as well as the average German division.

24th Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────── │ 1917 │ 1918[16] ─────────────┼─────────────┬─────────────┼─────────────┬───────────── │ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment. ─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼───────────── Infantry. │9 Landwehr. │24 Landwehr. │ │24 Landwehr. │ │48 Landwehr. │ │48 Landwehr. │ │427. │ │ ─────────────┼─────────────┴─────────────┼─────────────┴───────────── Artillery. │Art. Command: │ │ 250 Ldw. F. A. Rgt. │ ─────────────┴───────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────

Footnote 16:

The 24th Landwehr Division is considered as dissolved.

HISTORY.

(24th and 48th Landwehr Regiments: 3d Corps District—Brandenburg.)

1917.

RUSSIA.

1. The 24th Landwehr Division was formed on the Eastern Front about October, 1917, by the transformation of the 9th Landwehr Brigade (24th and 48th Landwehr Regiments).

This brigade, after forming a part of the war garrison of Koenigsberg (August, 1914), then of the Sommer Division, had gone over to the new 10th Landwehr Division in 1915.

Becoming independent, it held the sector of Lake Svir until September, 1915.

SPIAGLA.

2. Made up of the 24th and 48th Landwehr Regiments, to which was temporarily joined the 427th Infantry Regiment coming from the 205th Division, the 24th Landwehr Division occupied the sector south of Lake Narotch-Spiagla until February, 1918.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 24th Landwehr Division is of mediocre quality.

1918.

1. In January, 1918, the division was reduced to two regiments, the 427th Regiment having been sent to the Western Front.

LIVONIA.

2. In March the division advanced into Russia and was identified about the middle of May in the Ostrov-Reijitsa region. The 427th Regiment was dissolved, but the 48th Landwehr Regiment was identified in Russia on the 19th of September. It seems possible that the divisional staff was also disbanded and that the 9th Landwehr Brigade, with the 48th Landwehr Regiment under its orders, again became independent.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as fourth class.

25th Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │49. │115 Body │49. │115 Body │49. │115 Body
│ │ Gd. │ │ Gd. │ │ Gd.
│ │ Inf. │ │ Inf. │ │ Inf.
│ │116. │ │116. │ │116.
│50. │117 Body │50. │117 Body │ │117 Body
│ │ Inf. │ │ Inf. │ │ Inf.
│ │118. │ │118. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │6 Dragoon Rgt. │ │6 Dragoon Rgt. (3
│ │ │ Sqns.).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │25 Brig.: │25 Brig.: │25 Brig:
│25 F. A. Rgt. │ 25 F. A. Rgt. │ 25 F. A. Rgt.
│61 F. A. Rgt. │ 61 F. A. Rgt. │ 61 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Pion. Btn. No. │1 Pion. Btn. No.
Liaisons. │ │ 21: │ 21:
│ │ Field Co. 21 │ 2 Co. 21 Pions.
│ │ Pions. │
│ │ 25 Tel. Detch. │ 89 Res. Pion. Co.
│ │ 25 Pont. Engs. │ Field Co. 25
│ │ │ Pions.
│ │ │ 25 T. M. Co.
│ │ │ 25 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │ 25 Pont. Engs.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │14 Anti-Aircraft
│ │ │ Section.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │49. │115 Body │49. │115.
│ │ Gd. │ │
│ │ Inf. │ │
│ │116. │ │116.
│ │117 Body │ │117.
│ │ Inf. │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3 Sqn. 6 Drag. Rgt.│1 Sqn. 6 Drag. Rgt.
│ (?) │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │25 Art. Command: │25 Art. Command:
│ 61 F. A. Rgt. │ 25 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 1 Abt. 24 Res. Ft.
│ │ A. Rgt.
│ │ 823 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 866 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1294 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(1/21 or 134) Pion.│129 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ Btn.: │
│ 2 Co. 21 Pions. │ 3 Co. 21 Pions.
│ │
│ 3 Co. 21 Pions. │ 89 Res. Pion. Co.
│ 89 Res. Pion. Co. │ 68 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ 25 T. M. Co. │25 Signal Command:
│ 25 Tel. Detch. │ 25 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 7 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │45 Ambulance Co. │45 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│Field Hospital. │298 Field Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │304 Field Hospital.
│ │25 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │14 Anti-Aircraft │
│ Section. │
│16 Anti-Aircraft │
│ Section (3.7 cm. │
│ automatic guns). │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(18th Corps District—Grand Duchy of Hesse.)

1914.

LUXEMBURG.

1. The 25th Division, also known as the Hessian Grand Ducal Division, formed, in August, 1914, with the 21st Division, the 18th Army Corps. On August 3 its 50th Brigade set out for Koenigsmacher, near Thionville, as covering troops. On August 10 and 11 the 25th Division entered the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, which it crossed, and entered Belgian Luxemburg on the 19th.

ARDENNES.

2. It formed a part of the 4th Army (Duke of Wurttemberg) and fought at Maissin, northwest of Neufchateau on August 22. On August 24, it entered France; on the 27th it crossed the Meuse below Mouzon. (On Aug. 31 the losses had been such that the remnants of the 116th Infantry Regiment formed only four companies.)

MARNE.

3. On September 6 and the days immediately following the 25th Division took part in the battle of the Marne between Vitry and Sermaize. In the middle of the month, it was northwest of Rheims, on the Aisne-Marne Canal. On September 26 it entrained at Laon for Ham.

SOMME.

4. In October the 18th Army Corps was reattached to the 2d Army which formed at this time the extreme right flank of the German Army (Péronne area) and the division went into line—the Lihons-Chaulnes road to the banks of the Avre.

1915.

SOMME.

1. The 25th Division was retained in this sector north of the Avre until October 15, 1915. During this time it did not take part in any important action. In March it ceded the 118th Infantry Regiment to the 56th Division, a new formation.

2. After a long rest in the St. Quentin area (the staff of the 18th Army Corps was at Fresnoy le Grand in December, 1915, and that of the 25th Division at Busigny in January, 1916) the 25th Division was transferred to the sector north of Verdun at the beginning of February, 1916.

1916.

VERDUN.

1. On February 21, 1916, it took part in the general attack north of Verdun. After advancing rapidly, the 18th Army Corps was stopped in the area west of Douaumont. On March 9 it failed in its attacks on the Haudremont Farm.

2. The Army Corps was then sent to rest in the rear area to be reorganized.

3. About April 10, the 18th Army Corps reappeared in line (Caillette wood). The 25th Division suffered very heavy losses in its attacks.

4. Relieved about April 25, it was put in line about the middle of May in the vicinity of Craonne.

SOMME.

5. It was withdrawn from this sector about the 1st of September and transferred to the Somme, where it went into action from September 15 to October 1, and again lost very heavily.

6. At the beginning of October the 25th Division left the Somme to occupy the sector Apremont-Ailly wood in the Woevre.

7. Again transferred to the Somme at the end of November, it was put into line in the area north of Chaulnes (sector from Kratz wood to the Demi-Lune). It was in this sector at the time of the retirement on March 16, 1916.

1917.

1. On this date it carried out its retreat by way of Villecourt-Matigny- Douchy-Roupy, in the direction of St. Quentin.

ST. QUENTIN.

2. On March 20 it began to withstand our advance on the line. Savy- Dallon-Giffecourt, and when the front was stabilized on April 4 it occupied the sector in front of St. Quentin and did not leave until the end of May, after having pillaged the town.

3. It spent the month of June at rest (area of Neuvillette-Bernot).

4. On July 2 it went into line (Itancourt sector), and on July 18 launched an attack upon the salient Moulin de Tous Vents (south of St. Quentin).

FLANDERS.

5. Relieved about the middle of September, it was sent to the active sector of Flanders (north of Zandvoorde).

6. At the beginning of October it was sent to rest in the Ghent area.

7. It reappeared on the front, near Passchendaele, in the middle of November, and remained there except for a few short intervals until its relief on February 10, 1918.

RECRUITING.