Histories of two hundred and fifty-one divisions of the German army which participated in the war (1914-1918)

Chapter XVIII: Part 18

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1. From October, 1914, to May, 1915, its regiments were exhausted one after the other on the plateau of Notre Dame de Lorette. (On November 30, 1914, the 110th Grenadier Regiment acknowledged casualties of 58 officers and 3,814 men since the beginning of the campaign.) The 28th Division again suffered very heavily during the winter (especially the 110th Grenadiers and the 40th Fusileers); finally it lost very heavily from April 9 to May 3 (Carency-Ouvrages-Blancs). In the course of these battles the 111th Infantry Regiment was almost completely destroyed. On May 10 its first battalion had only 3 officers and 272 men. (Notebook of the captain commanding the battalion.) The Casualty Lists report 32 officers and 1,737 men as casualties.

2. The division was relieved on May 15, sent to rest in the area Lens, Pont à Vendin, Héuin-Liétard, and reorganized.

3. About May 25 it was put back into line (Ablain-Lorette) and again suffered very heavy losses.

CHAMPAGNE.

4. Withdrawn from Artois about June 13, it was transferred to the northeast of Reims. Beginning with June 18, it occupied the front between Bétheny and the Sillery-Beine road. In this sector it had only a few local actions and very few losses.

5. During the offensive of September, 1915, the division detached two battalions (one from the 109th Grenadiers and one from the 110th Grenadiers) to act as reinforcements in the Somme Py area.

6. On October 19 and 20 a gas attack was rather poorly carried out by the Badensian Infantry (La Pompelle-Prosnes front).

7. The 28th Division was relieved about November 10. At the beginning of December it went into the sector of Tahure-Butte du Mesnil which it occupied for the entire winter without any notable action.

1916.

1. About the end of April, 1916, the 28th Division left the sector of the Butte du Mesnil. It was sent to rest for a week in the Vouziers area, and about May 5 went back into line (sector of Maisons de Champagne-La Justice). During this time the units received intensive training.

SOMME.

2. During the first half of July the regiments of the division (minus the 109th Infantry Regiment, which had remained in Champagne) were successively relieved and transferred by way of Charleville, Hirson, and St. Quentin to the Biaches area (Somme). Between July 16 and 20 they established their positions between the Somme and the Barleux.

3. The 28th Division was retained in this sector until the beginning of October. It suffered heavy losses there, which were partially covered by reenforcements sent from the depots of the 14th Army Corps (1915 and 1916 classes).

4. At the beginning of October the division was sent to Champagne, into the sector east of Tahure. It left this about the 20th and reoccupied it from December until the end of January, 1917.

1917.

MEUSE.

1. At this time the 28th Division was transferred to the Verdun area. It was sent into line in the Caurières wood sector and remained until the beginning of September. It took part in the attacks on this front in the middle of August.

ALSACE.

2. Withdrawn from the Verdun area about the middle of September the division was sent to Alsace, northwest of Altkirch and was in the front line on October 20. It soon left this for the Montmedy area, then for Laon, and finally for the Cambrai front where it fought at Gonnelieu on November 30. Relieved at the beginning of December, it was sent to rest in the Ardennes and, at the beginning of February, 1918, occupied a sector at Mount Cornillet.

RECRUITING.

The 28th Division is recruited almost exclusively from Baden. A slight admixture from the 4th Corps District. The 40th Fusileers, although a Prussian regiment, was recruited in the Grand Duchy of Baden.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 28th Division has always given a good account of itself and must be considered a good division (July, 1917).

At the beginning of March, 1917, it carried out an attack against the Caurières wood with a great deal of vigor. A division order (dated Mar. 3, 1917) found on a corpse praises the heroism of the valiant troops of the 28th Division and calls its regiments “The conquerors of Lorette.”

1918.

AISNE.

1. The division held the Butte du Mesnil sector continuously until May 13, when it rested for 10 days in the vicinity of Vouziers. On May 23 the division entrained at Montcornet and was moved to the region of Laon. It came into line on May 31, reenforcing the Aisne battle front between Chateau de Maucreux and Troësnes. It was relieved on June 8 by the 10th Reserve Division.

SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE.

2. Its stay out of line was short, for on June 13 it again relieved the 50th Division near Verneuil; about this time the divisional commander, Lieut. Gen. Hahn, was decorated. The division was withdrawn from the Marne front about July 1. It returned to reenforce the battle line near Chaumuzy, southwest of Rheims on July 24. It fell back to the Vesle, where it held the line until August 26.

WOEVRE.

3. The division then went to rest in the vicinity of Baroucourt for three weeks. It left that place on September 14 and marched via Amermont-Offleville-Gondrecourt Rouvers-Etain to a position in line near Grimacourt and Hermeville, relieving the 8th Landwehr Division which side slipped to the south. It held this sector until October 19, when it was withdrawn and moved from Conflans, via Arlon, to Flanders on October 22.

MONS.

4. On November 1, the division came into line at Maresches in which area it fought until the armistice. The last identifications were at Sebourg (Nov. 4), west of Roisin (6th), and Dour (9th).

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as second class. It was not greatly used in 1918, spending most of the time on quiet fronts. After the Vesle fighting in August, the battalions of the division were reduced to three companies.

28th Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │55 Res. │109 Res. │55 Res. │109 Res. │55 Res. │109 Res.
│ │110 Res. │ │110 Res. │ │110 Res.
│56 Res. │40 Res. │56 Res. │40 Res. │ │111 Res.
│ │111 Res. │ │111 Res. │ │
│ │9 Res. │ │8 Res. │ │
│ │ Jag. │ │ Jag. │ │
│ │ Bn. │ │ Bn. │ │
│ │14 Res. │ │14 Res. │ │
│ │ Jag. │ │ Jag. │ │
│ │ Bn. │ │ Bn. │ │
│ │ │ │55 Ldw. │ │
│ │ │ │ Brig. │ │
│ │ │ │ Ers. │ │
│ │ │ │ Bn. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │8 Res. Drag. │8 Res. Drag. │8 Res. Drag.
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │29 Res. F. A. Rgt. │29 Res. F. A. Rgt. │28 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (9 Btries.). │ (29 btries.). │ (6 btries.).
│ │ │29 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │ (6 btries.).
│ │ │
│ │ │1 Ers. Abt. of 76
│ │ │ F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 and 2 Res. Cos. 2│1 and 2 Res. Cos. 2│1 and 2 Res. Cos. 2
Liaisons. │ Pion. Bn. No. 13.│ Pion. No. 13. │ Pion. No. 13.
│ │28 Res. Pont. Engs.│228 T. M. Co.
│ │28 Res. Tel. Detch.│28 Res. Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │28 Res. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │56 Res. │109 Res. │56 Res. │109 Res.
│ │110 Res. │ │110 Res.
│ │111 Res. │ │111 Res.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3d Sq. 22d Drag. │3 Sqn. 22 Drag.
│ │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │29 Res. F. A. Rgt. │29 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (9 btries.). │
│ │2 Abt. 1 Gd. Ft. A.
│ │ Rgt. (7 and 9
│ │ btries.).
│ │766 Light Am. Col.
│ │
│ │918 Light Am. Col.
│ │1366 Light Am. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│328 Pion. Bn. │328 Pion. Bn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│1st Co. 16th Pion. │ 4 Co. 16 Pions.
│4 Co. 16 Pion. │ 1 Ers. Co. 16
│ │ Pions.
│228 T. M. Co. │ 72 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│428 Tel. Detch. │428 Signal Command:
│ │ 428 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 160 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │514 Ambulance Co. │514 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│56, 57 Res. Field │56 Res. Field
│ Hospitals. │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │57 Res. Field
│ │ Hospital.
│ │428 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │725 Light Mun. Col.│725 M. T. Col.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(14th Corps District—Baden.)

1914.

VOSGES.

1. At the beginning of the war the 28th Reserve Division formed in the Grand Duchy of Baden, and constituting the 14th Reserve Corps, with the 26th Reserve Division, belonged to the 7th Army (Von Heeringen). The division detraining near Emmendingen (Baden), entered Alsace by way of Markolsheim on August 10. It was engaged in the valley of the Bruche beginning on the 15th, fought at Donon on the 20th, and went down toward the Meurthe, where it fought until September 5 (Nompatelize and la Bourgonce), suffering heavy losses (two-thirds of the effectives of the 111th Reserve Infantry Regiment).

SOMME.

2. After September 5 the 28th Reserve Division retired toward Blamont on September 15. On September 22 and 23 it entrained at Teterchen (Lorraine) for Cambria, where it detrained on September 26 and 27. It was assigned to the 2d Army with the other division of the 14th Reserve Corps.

1915.

1. The division occupied the sector crossed by the Albert-Bapaume road (Ovillers to Fricourt) until July, 1916.

In April, 1915, the 28th Reserve Division lost the 40th Reserve Infantry Regiment, which went to the 115th Division, and its two battalions of Chasseurs left it—one in January, the other in May.

2. In August and September, 1915, elements of the division were in reserve in the area south of St. Quentin.

1916.

SOMME.

1. The 28th Reserve Division did not have any great losses on the Somme between October, 1915, and July, 1916. Its combat activity was weak during this period.

2. On July 1, 1916, the Division supported the entire weight of the British offensive north of the Somme, and suffered very heavy losses (casualties of the 111th Reserve Infantry Regiment, 39 officers and 1,821 men).

3. On July 4 the division was withdrawn from the front, sent to rest, and reorganized.

CHAMPAGNE.

4. Transferred to Champagne on July 10, it took over the sector west of Auberive (July 14 to the beginning of October).

SOMME.

5. The 28th Reserve Division was brought back to the Somme at Thiepval about October 5; it was in action until the end of October and lost heavily. On the one day of October 24 the 9th Company of the 111th Reserve Infantry Regiment noted the arrival of 134 men as replacements.

MEUSE (AVOCOURT).

Relieved about October 28, the division was sent to the Stenay area and reorganized.

Beginning of November, it occupied, at Verdun, the Avocourt sector at Hill 304.

1917.

1. On the Avocourt front the 28th Reserve Division took part in a few local engagements. It left this sector between April 7 and April 15.

CALIFORNIE PLATEAU.

2. Concentrated in the area northwest of Montfaucon, the division entrained about April 16 at Brieulles sur Meuse, Dun, Romagne and was transferred to Rozoy sur Serre; from there it marched to the sector east of Californie Plateau (Apr. 21). It underwent the French attack of May 4, which caused it heavy losses. Elements of the division lost very heavily counterattacking on the days following.

3. The division was relieved on May 18 and reorganized hastily (replacements of 1,100 men including 25 per cent of the 1918 class and men from the 626th Infantry Regiment dissolved). It was sent to Verdun to the Talou sector on May 20.

VERDUN.

4. The division, weakened by an epidemic of dysentery, was withdrawn from the front on July 8 and sent to rest in the area of Marville-Jametz until the beginning of August.

5. It went back into line at this date, on the right bank of the Meuse (Talou, Hill 344). It lost very heavily from the French attack of August 20 (47 officers and 1,150 men as prisoners) and was relieved on August 30.

CHAMPAGNE.

6. At the beginning of September it occupied the sector of Ville sur Tourbe in Champagne.

RECRUITING.

The 28th Reserve Division is recruited mostly from Baden. In addition, there are men from Rhenish-Hesse and the Rhine districts. There was also a small number of men from the 4th Corps District (1918 class).

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The combat value of the 28th Reserve Division appears mediocre.

During the entire time that it spent on the Somme (October, 1914-July, 1916), the division remained on the defensive.

Having lost very heavily on the Somme, it showed no great activity on the Somme (August-October, 1916).

On the Californie Plateau (May, 1917), the 28th Reserve Division appeared very much inferior to the guard.

At Hill 344 (Aug. 20), the attitude of the regiments of the 28th Reserve Division was rather passive, and the resistance was quite weak.

1918.

1. The division was relieved south of Beine (Champagne) on February 16. It entrained on the following day for Cartignies, near Avesnes, where it underwent training for offensive operations. It remained there until the 14th of March, when it commenced to march by night to the front via Etreux-Fresnoy-Le Nouvion-Wassigny-Essigny le Petit Remancourt, arriving in line on March 20.

BATTLE OF THE SOMME.

2. The division was in the front line of the attack at Fayet on the 21st. On the 23d it passed through Savy and reached Vaux. On the 26th it passed through Parvillers and Erches, proceeding on the 27th via Warsy to Becquigny. The division distinguished itself in the fighting, though at a heavy cost. Some companies are known to have lost 75 per cent of their effectives. When withdrawn from the front line on March 29, the division was held in reserve on the front at Davenscourt, Warsy, and Gruny until April 17. Two thousand five hundred men, with a large percentage of the 1919 class, were received at this time as reinforcements.

BATTLE OF THE AISNE.

3. The division rested in the Avesnes-Maubeuge area until May 22, when it marched via Marle-Ste. Preuve-Montaigu May 22–27. The division was used as an attack division to break through on the Aisne front. It attacked southwest of Craonne on the 27th and advanced by Corbeny, southwest of Craonne, Merval, east of Fismes, Treloup (30th) and Jaulgonne. Prince von Buchau, the divisional commander, was killed on May 30. In the advance to the Marne the division covered 60 kilometers.

CHATEAU THIERRY.

4. The division was out of line June 3 to 7. On the 8th, it reentered line before Bouresches (west of Chateau Thierry) where it opposed the 2d United States Division until July 3. Heavy losses were received in the fighting in the Bois Belleu on June 10–11. The division received a draft of 200 men in June. The division was withdrawn on July 3 and rested southwest of Soissons from July 7 to 18.

SOISSONS.

5. It was alerted on July 18 and engaged south of Soissons (Berzy- Courmelles) on the next day. It was heavily engaged until August 1, when it entrained north of Laon and moved to north of Vouziers on August 1. Here the division rested until the middle of August. A draft of 400 men was received early in August.

CHAMPAGNE.

6. The division was engaged in the sector north of Mesnil les Hurlus about August 20 until the end of the month, when it was withdrawn.

7. After leaving the line at Tahure the division was shifted back and forth behind the Argonne and Meuse sectors ready to be thrust into line. It was moved from Juniville to Longuyon on September 5 and stayed at St. Jean les Buzy (west of Conflans) until the 26th. From there it moved to the Damvillers region, and on October 1 was sent to Milly and Villers devant Dun.

MEUSE-ARGONNE.

8. The division was engaged near Cunel from October 3 to 18, when it was withdrawn to Stenay where it received replacements. The company strength was brought up to 40–50 men. On the 24th it was again in line near Bantheville and continued in to the end. It fell back north of Villers devant Dun on November 1–2, where it was last identified.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as first class. It was one of the best of the German divisions. It was used as an assault division in the Somme and Aisne offensives and met with great success. Following the attack it received in June in the Bois de Belleu, the division was not seriously engaged until it was thrown in the Argonne in an effort to stop the American advance. Its morale remained high up to the last though its effectives dwindled.

29th Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │57. │113. │57. │113. │57. │113.
│ │114. │ │114. │ │114.
│58. │112. │58. │112. │58. │112.
│ │142. │ │142. │ │142.
│84. │169. │84. │169. │ │
│ │170. │ │170. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │22 Drag. │ │5th Jag. z. Pf.
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │29 Brig. │29 Brig. │29 Brig.
│30 Regt. │30 Regt. │30 Regt.
│76 Regt. │76 Regt. │76 Regt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Pion. No. 14. │1 Pion. No. 14.
Liaison. │ │ │
│ │Field Co. 14 Pion. │2 Co. 14 Pion.
│ │29 Tel. Detch. │29 T. M. Co.
│ │29 Pont. Engs. │29 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │29 Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │29 Div. M. G. Co.
│ │ │60 Labor Btn.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │58. │112. │58. │112.
│ │113. │ │113.
│ │142. │ │142.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │4 Sq. 5th Jag. z. │4 Sqn. 5 Horse Jag.
│ Pf. │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │29 Art. Command: │29 Art. Command:
│ 30 Regt. │ 30 F. A. Regt.
│ │ 2 Abt. 9 Res. Ft.
│ │ A. Regt.
│ │ 734 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 827 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 932 Light Am. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│130 Pion. Btn. │130 Pion. Btn.
Liaison. │ │
│1 and 5 14 Pion. │1 Co. 14 Pion.
│29 T. M. Co. │5 Co. 14 Pion.
│29 Tel. Detch. │29 T. M. Co.
│ │185 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ │29 Signal Command:
│ │ 29 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 31 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │36 Ambulance Co. │36 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│263, 266 Field │263 Field Hospital.
│ Hospitals. │
│29 Vet. Hospital. │266 Field Hospital.
│ │29 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │562 Light Mun. Col.│562 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │
│ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(14th Corps District—Southern part Grand Duchy of Baden and Upper
Alsace.)

1914.

ALSACE-LORRAINE.

1. The 29th Division is a division of Baden, like the 28th, with which it formed the 14th Army Corps. Entering the campaign with its three brigades, it fought at Mulhouse on August 9, 1914. On August 14 taken to the right bank of the Rhine, it entrained for Zabern and took part in the battle of the 20th, after which it crossed the French frontier of Lorraine. Suffering heavily on the Meurthe, it retired to Dieuze, from which place it was sent to the front at La Haye west of Pont a Mousson.

ARTOIS.

2. It was transferred to the area north of Arras at the beginning of October, 1914 (front of La Bassee, Ablain, St. Nazaire).

1915.

ARTOIS.

1. From October, 1914, to May, 1915, all the regiments of the 29th Division suffered heavy losses on the plateau of Notre Dame de Lorette. On January 28, 1915, the 3d Company of the 196th Infantry Regiment had only 38 men left (letter). The 58th Brigade, especially, which contained a greater number of Alsace-Lorrainers than the others, lost very heavily in the course of this winter. At the end of November, 1914, the 142d Infantry Regiment had already had casualties of 44 officers and 2,603 men. On February 24, 1915, the 2d Company of the 142d Infantry Regiment had already received 358 men as successive replacements. But it was from May 8 to 13 that the regiments of the division suffered most heavily (1,000 men of the 114th Infantry Regiment). In March the 84th Brigade was taken from the 28th Division and transferred to the 52d Division (a new formation).

2. About May 15 the division was withdrawn from the front and sent to the area of Lens, Pont a Vendin, Henin-Lietard.

3. Sent back into line about May 25 (Souchez-Fond de Buval-Chateau de Carleul), it again suffered heavy losses.

CHAMPAGNE.

4. The division was again relieved about June 13 and sent northeast of Rheims (sector between the Sillery-Beine road and Prosne), on June 18. It held these lines until the beginning of November.

5. During its stay in the Rheims area, the 29th Division sent one battalion of the 113th Infantry Regiment into the Champagne battle.

6. On October 19 and 20 the 112th and 142d Infantry Regiments attempted a gas attack upon the sector La Pompelle-Prosnes. During this period (June to November, 1915) the losses of the division were insignificant.

7. About November 10 the 29th Division left this sector to go farther east, to the Tahure-Butte du Mesnil (Nov. 23). It occupied this sector until the end of September, 1916.

1916.

1. During the entire winter of 1915–16 the 29th Division held the front of Tahure-Butte du Mesnil without any notable action. In the course of their period of rest in the Vouziers area its battalions continued their training.

SOMME.

2. At the end of September, the division was transferred to the Somme. After this time the two divisions of the 14th Army Corps seemed to have become “flying divisions.” The 114th Infantry Regiment was withdrawn from the division and assigned to the 212th Division, later to 199th Division.

3. On October 4 the 29th Division went into action on the Somme east of Cléry. It was retained in this area until the beginning of February, 1917. On January 31, its regiments, each of which contained four battalions since the autumn of 1916, were reduced to three, the men of the 4th battalion being assigned to the other three.

1917.

1. On February 15, 1917, the 29th Division was sent to rest north of St. Quentin, where it worked on the Hindenburg line.

CHAMPAGNE.

2. Transferred to the Rethel area on April 1, it was engaged south of Nauroy (west of Cornillet) on the 17th, where it lost heavily. It was relieved about April 20 and filled up with men of the 1918 class and of the 626th Infantry Regiment, dissolved at the end of April.

3. From May 10 until about the middle of June, it occupied the sector of Tahure-Butte du Mesnil.

4. About June 14 it was sent to the rear and rested in the area east of Vouziers-Attigny. The three regiments were filled up with important replacements (men of the 1918 class and the last of the 1917 class incorporated in the army in October, 1916).

VERDUN.

5. About July 10–12, the 29th Division entrained for the Verdun front and was sent into the sector of Avocourt wood. It underwent the French attack the 17th which caused it great losses.

6. On August 1 the 29th Division launched an attack to retake the positions lost on the 17th. Taken to the rear at the beginning of August, it was again engaged at the time of the French offensive of August 20 and counter attacked unsuccessfully (west of Hill 304) suffering heavy losses.

7. Relieved on October 24–25, it went to rest in the area of Joeuf (Landres, St. Georges, and vicinity), where it was reorganized. The gravity of its losses caused conscripts of the 1918 class called out in June, having only two months’ instruction, to be sent to it (5th company of the 142d Infantry Regiment for example).

8. About October 6, the division went back into line on the right bank of the Meuse (north of Hill 344). It remained there until the last of December.

RECRUITING.

The 29th Division is recruited almost exclusively in Baden, the regional character being accentuated by the return of the men from the 14th Corps District who had been serving in the regiments of the 4th Corps District.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

Until the attacks of April, 1917, the 29th Division was considered a good division, well trained and well officered. The cohesion of the troops appears to have suffered from the large proportion of raw replacements, in consequence of their losses.

On August 21, 1917, the 142d Infantry Regiment launched a counter attack (west of Hill 304) which failed because of lack of cohesion and liaison between the different units and because of the heavy losses caused by the French machine guns.

1918.

VERDUN.

1. The division held the Beaumont sector until about April 1, when it was relieved by the 19th Ersatz Division. It rested in the Montmedy- Virton area (Meix) from April 6 to 25. The division was high in effectives at this time, the companies averaging 180 to 200 men.

2. On April 25–28 the division was railed to Belgium via Sedan- Charleville-Namur-Bruxelles-Courtrai. It marched to Wervieq, rested there until April 30 and marched into line northeast of Mount Kemmel on the night of May 1–2.

LYS.

3. The division was in line until May 15 at Kemmel. Losses from artillery fire were considerable. It was relieved by the 8th Division and rested at Oostroosebeke (north of Courtrai) until June 14.

4. On the night of the 14–15, the division entered line east of Langemarck, relieving the 49th Reserve Division. On July 15, the 49th Reserve Division returned and relieved the 29th Division, which rested near Gits (Roulers) until the 25th. Then it entrained and moved to the Laon district, detraining at Malmaison. From there the division was taken in trucks on the Vesle front.

AISNE.

5. It held the Courlaudon sector (east of Fismes) from August 1 to 31, when it retreated to the Aisne (Maizy). It was withdrawn about September 8. It rested near Laon until the 15th, when it was reengaged north of the Aisne (Allemant) from September 16 to 24. It retreated behind the Ailette Canal (east of Anizy and Chavignon) and was relieved on October 1.

6. The division left Laon on October 2 and was brought by rail and truck to Fresnoy le Grand, coming into line on October 6 in that area. On the 7th and 8th French attacks forced the division to withdraw by Croix Fonsomme, Seboncourt. On the 13th the division was relieved by elements of the 81st Reserve Division and held in rear of the line. On the 18th it was reengaged south of Le Cateau (Ribeauville). In November the division retreated on the axes Fresmy, Prisches, in the direction of Avesnes, where it was last identified on November 7.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as first class. In 1918 it was used to hold active defensive sectors. In the middle of October its effectives had greatly diminished.

29th Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

HISTORY.

(8th Corps District—Rhine Province.)

1915.

1. The 29th Landwehr Division was formed from the 29th Landwehr Brigade. The latter was transformed into a division on the Russian Front about November 1917.

FRANCE.

2. Entering Belgium on August 20, 1914, at Charleroi on the 31st, at Berry au Bac at the end of September, then attached to the 18th Army Corps north of St. Quentin, then to the 14th Reserve Corps, the 29th Landwehr Brigade was transferred to the Eastern Front at the end of March, 1915. In April and May it was in Poland south of Rawa; it was then attached to the Posen Corps (9th Corps).

COURLAND.

3. The German offensive in the summer of 1915 sent the 28th Landwehr Regiment to Courland (vicinity of Toukkoum, in August). This regiment took up its position in October in the vicinity of Kalnzem (north of Mitau). The 29th Landwehr Regiment, after taking part in the operations at Vilna, was brought to the east of Olai, in October, and rejoined the 28th Landwehr Regiment in the vicinity of Kalnzem, at the beginning of November.

1916.

COURLAND.

1. The 29th Landwehr Brigade remained on the Mitau Front (Kalnzem- Chmarden) during the whole of the year 1916 and until March, 1917. It then formed a part of the Winecken detachment. In October it received a new regiment, the 427th Infantry Regiment, which was taken from it in January, 1917.

1917.

COURLAND.

1. About the middle of March, 1917, the 29th Landwehr Brigade was relieved north of Mitau and sent west of Jakobstadt. It appears to be in reserve in this sector at the time of the operations against Riga. It then came into line north of Kreuzburg (vicinity of Jakobstadt).

2. About the month of November the 29th Landwehr Brigade was transformed into the 29th Landwehr Division, which did not prevent the taking of men from the division to reinforce its neighbor, the 77th Reserve Division.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

On the Russian Front since 1914, the elements of the 29th Landwehr Division can have only a mediocre combat value.

1918.

ESTHONIA.

1. The 29th Landwehr Division occupied a very extended sector north of Kreuzburg until March, 1918. The division was sent then to the Polotsk- Vitebsk region and then to the Baltic Provinces. It was in Esthonia at the beginning of May; to the west of Reval early in June. “I have been in Esthonia three weeks now for guard duty,” a man wrote on May 19. The division was identified here several times subsequently, the last identification being on the 5th of September.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as fourth class.

30th Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │60. │99. │60. │99. │60. │99.
│ │143. │ │143. │ │105.
│ │ │ │ │ │ .
│85. │105. │85. │105. │ │143.
│ │136. │ │136. │ │
│ 8 Jag. Bn. │ │ │ │
│ 14 Jag. Bn. │ │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3 Jag. z. Pf. │ │8 Res. Hussars (2
│ │ │ Sqns.).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │30 Brig. │30 Brig. │30 Brig.
│51 Regt. │51 Regt. │51 Regt.
│84 Regt. │84 Regt. │84 Regt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Pion. No. 15. │1 Pion. No. 15.
Liaisons. │ │ │
│ │Fld. Co. 15 Pion. │1 Co. 15 Pion.
│ │30 Pont. Engs. │30 T. M. Co.
│ │30 Tel. Detch. │30 Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │30 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │30 Antiaircraft
│ │ │ Detch.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │60. │99. │68. │99.
│ │105. │ │105
│ │ │ │ (Saxon).
│ │143. │ │143.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │8 Res. Hussars (?).│5 Sqn. 7 Drag. Rgt.
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │30 Art. Command: │30 Art. Command:
│ 84 Regt. │ 84 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 10 Bav. Ft. A.
│ │ Btn.
│ │ 885 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1369 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1394 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│131 Pion. Bn. │15 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│1, 5/15 Pion. │ 1 Co. 15 Pions.
│30 T. M. Co. │ 5. Co. 15 Pions.
│30 Tel. Detch. │ 182 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ │ 30 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 161 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
│ │30 Signal Command.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │37 and 39 Ambulance│30 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ Cos. │
│Field Hospital. │275 Field Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │276 Field Hospital.
│ │30 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │Light Mun. Col. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │30 Antiaircraft │
│ Detch. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(15th Corps—District, Alsace.)

1914.

ALSACE-LORRAINE.

The 30th Division constituted the 15th Army Corps (Strassburg) with the 39th Division.

1. At the beginning of the campaign the 30th Division formed a part of the 7th Army (Von Heeringen). Entraining on August 8, 1914, for Upper Alsace, it fought there until the 13th. It was transferred from there to south of Sarreburg and crossed the French frontier after the battle of the 20th. It advanced by way of Raon l’Étape across the Meurthe. At the beginning of September it was concentrated near Avricourt and went to Tergnier; from there to Craonne and Hurtebise. It fought there from the middle of September to the middle of October.

2. Concentrated at Laon on October 20, the 30th Division (as well as the 39th Division) arrived on the Lys on the 29th.

FLANDERS.

3. The 15th Army Corps, now a part of the 6th Army, went into action southeast of Ypres, an area in which it remained for almost 15 months (October, 1914-January. 1916).

1915.

FLANDERS.

1. Before our attacks of 1915, the 30th Division was attached, with the 15th Army Corps to the 4th Army. It went into action south of Ypres.

The 136th Infantry Regiment left it in April and became a part of the 115th Division (a new formation).

1916.

VERDUN.

1. Toward the end of January, 1916, elements of the 30th Division were transferred to Verdun to take part in the February offensive.

2. On February 24 the 15th Army Corps, which was on the western wing of the German attacking forces, went into action on the front of Maucourt- Warcq.

3. The regiments of the 30th Division suffered slightly during this period, the battle having been less intense in the Woëvre. Only the 105th Infantry Regiment, in action as a reenforcement of the 3d Army Corps, suffered very heavy losses.

4. The 30th Division was not relieved after the battles of February and the beginning of March. It remained in the sector and, on July 11, the 99th and 143d Infantry Regiments took part in a new offensive. On August 8 the 143d Infantry Regiment attacked the works of Thiaumont and was decimated. At this time the regiments were filled from day to day by irregular replacements. (Between July 7 and 19 more than 136 men were sent to the 11th Company of the 99th Infantry Regiment.)

SOMME.

5. About the end of September the 30th Division was relieved and sent to rest in the Cambrai area. It went into line a short time afterwards, on the Somme at Sailly Saillisel and remained there one month. It again lost very heavily (the 143d Infantry Regiment lost half of its effectives).

6. Relieved at the end of November, the 30th Division was sent back to the Verdun front.

MEUSE.

7. After a rest near Dun sur Meuse, it went into line in the vicinity of the Mort Homme, then of the Côte du Poivre and east of Louvemont (from Dec. 15 to the end of January, 1917) without taking part there in any important offensive or defensive engagement.

1917.

CHAMPAGNE.

1. On March 1, 1917, it went into line in the sector east of Auberive and was still there at the time of our spring offensive in Champagne. It underwent this attack at the beginning of May and occupied the sector until the middle of August. During this time, between April 17–20 and the beginning of May, 1917, the losses of the 30th Division were very great. The effectives of the 105th Infantry Regiment were reduced to 400 men; this regiment had to be reorganized in the Argonne.

MEUSE.

2. About August 25 the 30th Division was again transferred to the Meuse and occupied the trenches in the vicinity of Forges-Bethincourt, where its losses were slight.

CAMBRAI.

3. About October 24 the division was relieved. The British attack on the Cambrai front on November 20 caused it to be recalled in haste. It was sent into line on the 23d, and remained there until about December 10.

CHAMPAGNE.

4. At rest in the Sedan area, it was sent to the Champagne front, northwest of Auberive, about the middle of January, 1918.

RECRUITING.

Of the three regiments of the division, one, the 105th Infantry Regiment, is Saxon. Stationed in Alsace since 1871, it has represented Saxony in the occupation of the Reichsland, and continues to draw its recruits from Saxony. The other two, Prussian, are composed mostly of Westphalians.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 30th Division is a good division and well commanded.

The morale, which is good in the 99th and 143d Infantry Regiments, would seem to be mediocre in the 105th Infantry Regiment (Saxon) in November, 1917.

This last regiment, very much exhausted on April 17, 1917, was accused by the other regiments of having given way. It was withdrawn from the division for a month.

1918.

CHAMPAGNE.

1. The middle of January the 30th Division relieved the 28th Reserve Division near Ville sur Tourbe; it was relieved about the 20th of March by the 52d Reserve Division, entrained near Vouziers and traveled via Hirson and Marle to the area northwest of Laon.

MONTDIDIER.

2. On the 27th it left and marched via Achery-Vendeuil-Jussy-Flavy le Meldeux, Freniches-Libermont-Solente-Gruny, reaching Framicourt on the 12th of April, and entered line the following day south of Cantigny (west of Montdidier). It was withdrawn on May 16.

3. The division had suffered casualties amounting to 30 per cent of its total effectives, and so when it was withdrawn, it moved to the region south of Roye to refit. Here each company received between 40 and 50 1919-class recruits, after which the division was trained. On June 12 it reinforced the front near Courcelles (south of Montdidier). It suffered heavy losses in the fighting that followed, and was withdrawn about the 22d.

CHAMPAGNE.

4. During the night of June 28–29 the division relieved the 1st Bavarian Division astride the Souain-Sommey road. It seems to have been “leap- frogged” by the 2d Bavarian Division on the 15th—the opening day of the Champagne offensive—but it relieved the 2d Bavarian Division on the 19th. It was relieved by the 22d Division on August 10, and went to rest in the Lens area.

CAMBRAI.

5. On the 23d of September it left and moved to the Cambrai area, where it arrived the following day. On the 27th it reenforced the battle front south of Villers Guislain (south of Cambrai). It was pushed back steadily in the ensuing weeks, and was withdrawn about the 28th of October, southeast of Englefontaine (south of Quesnoy), and went to rest in Maubeuge.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

Until this year the 30th had always been considered a first-class division. During 1918, however, it was not used nearly so much as other shock units. The fact that, although it was in line only a fortnight after more than a month’s rest, it was not used in the attack of July 15 in Champagne, but was put back into line as soon as it was seen that the offensive there was a failure, is significant. It would seem that the German High Command considered it as only a second-class division.

30th Bavarian Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │84 Ldw. │70 Res. │5 Bav. │2 Bav. │5 Bav. │2 Bav.
│ │ │ Ers. │ Ers. │ Ers. │ Ers.
│5 Bav. │7 and 8 │ │4 Bav. │ │4 Bav.
│ Ers. │ Brig. │ │ Ers. │ │ Ers.
│ │ Res. │ │ │ │
│ │ Bn. │ │ │ │
│10 Bav. │11 Bav. │10 Bav. │11 Bav. │10 Bav. │11 Bav.
│ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Ers. │ Res.
│ │14 Bav. │ │14 Bav. │ │14 Bav.
│ │ Res. │ │ Res. │ │ Res.
│ │ │84 Ldw. │70 Res. │84 Ldw. │70 Res.
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │9 Res. Hus. │9 Res. Hus. │9 Res. Hus.
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │1st Frs. Abt. 13, │239 F. A. Rgt. │239 F. A. Rgt.
│ 31, and 80 F. │ │
│A. Regts. │ │252 Ldw. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │1 Mountain F. A.
│ │ │ Abt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│4 Co. 15 Pions. │4 Co. 15 Pions. │2 Ldw. Co. 15 Corps
Liaisons. │ │ │ Pions.
│2 Ldw. Co. 15 Corps│2 Ldw. Co. 15 Corps│249 Pion. Co.
│ Pions. │ Pions. │
│ │ │88 Res. Pion. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │230 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Odd Units. │ │30 Res. Cyc. Co. │30 Res. Cyc. Co.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │1st Ldst. Btn. │ │1 Ldst. Btn.
│ Kempton. │ │ Passau, 1st Bav.
│ │ │ Corps No. 5.
│1st Bav. Corps No. │ │1 Ldst. Btn.
│ 13. │ │ Mindelheim, 1
│ │ │ Bav. Corps No.
│ │ │ 14.
│ │ │1st Ldst. Btn.
│ │ │ Neustadt, 2 Bav.
│ │ │ Corps No. 4.
│ │ │1 Ldst. Btn.
│ │ │ Eisenach, 11
│ │ │ Corps No. 12.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │5 Bav. │8 Bav. │5 Bav. │8 Bav.
│ Ers. │ Ldw. │ Ers. │ Ldw.
│ │15 Bav. │ │15 Bav.
│ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │4 Bav. │ │4 Bav.
│ │ Ers. │ │ Ers.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2d Sq. 9 Res. Hus. │1 Sq. 1 Bav. Res.
│ │ Cav. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │8 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │4 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ (Elements). │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│22 Bav. Pion. Btn. │22 Bav. Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│13 Bav. Res. Pion. │ 13 Bav. Res. Pion.
│ Co. │ Co.
│5 Bav. Ldw. Pion. │ 5 Bav. Ldw. Pion.
│ Co. │ Co.
│230 T. M. Co. │ 22 Bav.
│ │ Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│430 Bav. Tel. │430 Signal Command:
│ Detch. │
│ │ 430 Tel. Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │23 Bav. Ambulance │23 Bav. Ambulance
Veterinary.│ Co. │ Co.
│5 Bav. Field │5 Bav. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│30 Bav. Vet. │36 Bav. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │Light Mun. Col. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Odd Units. │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │54 Ldst. Foot Art. │
│ Vtn. │
│ │
│2d Btry/5 Bav. F. │
│ A. Rgt. │
│ │
│ │
│4 Btry/5 Bav. F. A.│
│ Regt. │
│ │
│9 Btry/5 Bav. F. A.│
│ Rgt. │
│ │
│1 Ldst. Btn. │
│ Bruchsal, 14 │
│ Corps No. 3. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(Bavaria.)

1914.

ALSACE.

1. The 30th Bavarian Reserve Division, constituted in August, 1914, half of Prussian and half of Bavarian troops, operated in the Vosges beginning with August 17, and entered St. Dié on the 27th.

In 1915, with the 39th Reserve Division, formed after it, it made up the Eberhardt Corps, since then the 15th Reserve Corps. These 2 divisions comprised a total of 25 battalions, reserve units, Landwehr or Ersatz, Bavarian for the most part, to which were subordinated Landsturm Battalions.

They were scattered, after the retirement of the first part of September, 1914, among the valleys of the Plaine and the Liepvrette (Ste. Marie aux Mines).

The predominance of Bavarian troops in these Divisions had the effect of causing both to be officially called Bavarian. As a matter of fact, they were afterwards almost exclusively filled by Bavarian contingents.

1915.

1. In 1915 the 30th Bavarian Reserve Division continued to occupy the same sector of the Vosges, south of the valley of the Plaine. It remained there until May, 1917. The 39th Bavarian Reserve Division was at its left, holding the lines as far as Ste. Marie aux Mines.

2. In the spring of 1915, the Brigade Ersatz Battalions of the divisions were grouped into regiments and became the 2d and 4th Bavarian Ersatz Regiments, forming the 5th Bavarian Ersatz Brigade.

3. The two Brigades of the 30th Bavarian Reserve Division took an active part in the battles of La Fontenelle in June and July, 1915.

1916.

1. Vosges sector (south of the Valley of the Plaine, Senones, Le Ban-de- Sapt).

2. In October, 1916, the 11th and 14th Bavarian Reserve Regiments went to the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division and to the 9th Bavarian Reserve Division.

The 30th Bavarian Reserve Division received, in November, the 8th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment from the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division, and in December the 15th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment, taken from the 39th Bavarian Division, which received the 2d Bavarian Ersatz Regiment in exchange.

1917.

LORRAINE.

1. In April, 1917, the 30th Bavarian Reserve Division was relieved from the Vosges sector, which it had occupied since its formation, and sent into line on the Lorraine front (sector of the Seille).

2. At the end of October, it was transferred to Upper Alsace (north of the Rhone-Rhine Canal), where it relieved the 3d Reserve Division.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 30th Bavarian Reserve Division is a sector division, as it has occupied the front either in Lorraine or Alsace since its formation. Its offensive value is mediocre.

In the 8th Bavarian Landwehr and the 4th Bavarian Ersatz Regiments, the average age of the men is 38 years. The men of the machine gun companies are younger, according to the ordinary rule. In the 15th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment the majority of the men are more than 30 years old.

Each battalion of the 8th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment possesses an assault troop composed of young men averaging 24 years of age.

There is also a Divisional Assault Company.

1918.

HAUTE ALSACE.

1. The division remained in line north of the Rhine-Rhone Canal until the armistice was signed.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division possesses very little fighting value. The men are, for the most part, old, and the fathers of several children. Then, too, a great many are those—untrained Landsturm—who usually, for physical defects, were not inducted into the army when their classes were called to the colors; these men complain of the hard work. Moreover, Bavarians came to believe that Prussia was “using” them. It was found necessary to establish shock detachments with each battalion, and these do all of the necessary patrolling.

31st Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │32. │70. │32. │70. │32. │70.
│ │174. │ │174. │ │174.
│62. │60. │62. │137. │ │166.
│ │137. │ │166. │ │
│ │166. │ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │7 Uhlan Rgt. │ │5 Sqn. 7 Uhlan Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │31 Brig.: │31 Brig.: │31 Brig.:
│ 31 F. A. Rgt. │ 31 F. A. Rgt. │ 31 F. A. Rgt.
│ 67 F. A. Rgt. │ 67 F. A. Rgt. │ 67 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Pion. Btn. No. │1 Pion. Btn. No.
Liaisons. │ │ 27. │ 27.
│ │ Field Co. 27. │ 1 and 2 27 Pion.
│ │ Pion. │
│ │ 31 Pont. Engs. │ 31 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ 31 Tel. Detch. │ 31 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │ 31 Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │Field Recruit Depot
│ │ │ 31 Div.
│ │ │153 Cyclist Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │32. │70. │32. │70.
│ │174. │ │166.
│ │166. │ │174.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │ │5 Sqn. 7 Uhlan Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │31 Art. Command: │31 Art. Command:
│ 31 F. A. Rgt. │ 31 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 44 Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ 1005 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1011 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1012 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│136 Pion. Btn.: │93 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 1 Co. 27 Pion. │ 1 Co. 27 Pion.
│ │
│ 31 T. M. Co. │ 3 Co. 32 Res.
│ │ Pion.
│ 505 Searchlight │ 31 T. M. Co.
│ Section. │
│ 31 Tel. Detch. │ 40 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ │31 Signal Command:
│ │ 31 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 116 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │262 Ambulance Co. │262 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│Field Hospital. │326 Field Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │333 Field Hospital.
│ │161 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │Light Mun. Col. │564 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │24 M. G. S. S.
│ │ Detch.
│ │2 and 3d Abt. 44 F.
│ │ A. Rgt.
│ │121 Ft. A. Rgt.
│ │1 Abt. 44 Ft. A.
│ │ Rgt.
│ │2 Abt. 6 Ft. A.
│ │ Rgt.
│ │1 Abt. 74 Ft. A.
│ │ Rgt.
│ │134 Art.
│ │ Observation
│ │ Section.
│ │75 Sound Ranging
│ │ Detch.
│ │134 Balloon Sqn.
│ │105 Balloon Sqn.
│ │256 Reconnaissance
│ │ Flight.
│ │(Elements attached
│ │ May 15, 1918.
│ │ German document.)
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(21st Corps District—Lorraine, part of Lower Alsace, and southern
portion of the Rhine Province.)

1914.

Upon mobilization, the 31st Division, with the 42d Division, constituted the 21st Army Corps.

LORRAINE.

1. At the beginning of the war the 31st Division was a part of the 6th Army (Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria). In August, 1914, it was on the Lorraine frontier; on the 12th of August at Chateau Salins, Rechicourt. It fought at Dieuze on August 20, where the 174th Infantry Regiment lost half of its effectives. The division was at Luneville on the 23d, marched upon Rehainviller, Gerbeviller on the 24th; at Rozelieure Essey on the 26th; in the vicinity of Moyen-Domptail at the beginning of September; it withdrew to Dieuze about September 11.

SOMME.

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Histories of two hundred and fifty-one divisions of the German army which participated in the war (1914-1918)Chapter XVIII: Part 18

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