Chapter II: Part 2

─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────
Infantry. │Gd. Ers. │6 Gd. │Gd. Ers. │6 Gd.
│ │7 Gd. │ │7 Gd.
│ │399. │ │399.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────
Cavalry. │5th Sqn. 2d Gd. Uhlan Regt. │5 Sqn. 2 Gd. Uhlan Rgt.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Artillery. │6th Gd. Art. Command: │6 Gd. Art. Command:
│ │
│ 7 Gd. F. A. Rgt. │ 7 Gd. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 89 Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ 759 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 814 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 886 Light Am. Col.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Engineers and│Eng. Btn.: │501 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 301 (Gd.) Pion. Co. │ 301 Gd. Pion. Co.
│ 302 Pion. Co. │ 302 Pion. Co.
│ 7 Gd. T. M. Co. │ 49 Searchlight Section.
│ 292 Searchlight Section. │551 Signals Command:
│ 551 Gd. Tel. Detch. │ 551 Gd. Tel. Detch.
│ │ 36 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Medical and │62 Ambulance Co. │63 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│133 Field Hospital. │133 Field Hospital.
│134 Field Hospital. │134 Field Hospital.
│209 Vet. Hospital. │209 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Transport. │M. T. Col. │761 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Attached. │ │
│ │
─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────

HISTORY.

1914–15.

Formed in August, 1914, by grouping the Guard Ersatz Battalions and the Ersatz Battalions of the 2d Corps District, the division detrained at Saverne August 19. In reserve during the battle on the 20th, it crossed the frontier on the 23d with the 6th Army, fought southeast of Lunéville the first days of September, and toward the end of the same month it went to Haye (Woevre).

HAYE.

1. There it formed part of the Ersatz Corps and held various sectors of the region until March, 1916 (St. Baussant, Flirey, Bois de Mort-Mare, etc.).

1916.

1. In March, 1916, the 1st Guard Ersatz Mixed Bde. (6th and 7th Guard Regiments) left the Apremont region to go to the north of Combres and to the south of Fresnes-en-Woevre.

VERDUN.

2. After a rest of 10 days at St. Marie aux Chênes (Apr. 24-May 3) it went to the front north of Verdun. May 11–12 it entered line in the Bois-Nawé (west of Douaumont), where it took part in several attacks (notably that of May 25). It rested in June, and fought again, beginning July 1, to the southeast of the Thiaumont works.

3. The 5th Guard Ersatz Mixed Bde. which had remained in the Montsec region, entrained at Vigneulles-St. Benoît (July 23–26), detrained at Spincourt, and during the night of August 3–4 entered line to the east of Fleury. Together with the 1st Bde., it took part in the attack of August 5, and both suffered heavy losses.

4. The Guard Ersatz Division was withdrawn from line the end of August, after having lost 50 per cent of its infantry before Verdun.

FLIREY-EN-HAYE.

5. After a rest in the region west of Spincourt it went back into line to the north of Flirey-en-Haye; it remained there until about the 5th of November.

In September the 357th and the 358th Infantry Regiments were attached to the Bavarian Ersatz Division and the 214th Division, respectively. The Guard Ersatz Division received in exchange a regiment newly formed from companies taken from the 6th and 7th Guard and the 357th Infantry Regiments.

COTE DU POIVRE.

6. The division rested in November, leaving December 18 to go to the region north of Côte du Poivre, following the French attack of December 15.

1917.

1. About January 15, 1917, the Guard Ersatz Division was withdrawn from the Verdun front and sent to Champagne (St. Hilaire sector).

2. Relieved toward the end of March, the division was sent to reserve in the Chateau-Porcien region, which it quitted April 12.

AISNE.

3. April 16 and the days following elements of the division counterattacked toward Bermericourt; then relieving (Apr. 18) the remnants of the 21st Division, the Guard Ersatz Division went through the French attack of May 4. It left this front soon after.

4. May; rest in rear of the Champagne front.

RUSSIA.

5. After a stay in a sector in Haye to the north of Flirey (from the beginning of June to the middle of July), the division was carried to the eastern front (July 23–27). (Itinerary: Sarrebrucken, Kreuznach, Frankfort, Leipsic, Cottbus, Glogau, Warsaw, Grodno, Vilna.)

6. The Kaiser reviewed the division July 29. From the 1st to the 17th of August it was trained in open warfare near Vilna.

RIGA.

7. Taken to Chavli (Aug. 28), then to the Gross-Ekkau region, the division entered line in the Uxkuell region and participated in the Riga offensive, entering Riga September 3–4.

FRANCE.

8. September 8 the division entrained for the western front. (Itinerary: Chavli, Kovno, Eydtkuhnen, Insterberg, Posen, Cottbus, Leipsic, Frankfort, Thionville, Briey.) It encamped near Spincourt, and then, about October 10, entered line to the north of Bezonvaux.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The Guard Ersatz Division was recruited all over Prussia just as all the other Guard divisions.

Good division. The 6th and 7th Guard Regiments are not to be considered as tried troops. The 399th Infantry Regiment seems to have but a slight combative value.

The men are said to have shown dissatisfaction when they left Russia for the western front. Desertions are said to have taken place en route. (Inter. pris. Dec. 15–17.)

1918.

VERDUN.

1. The division remained north of Verdun until February 20, when it was relieved and went to Damvillers, entrained, and went to the Arlon area and was trained until March 15.

SOMME.

2. It entrained at Arlon on that date and traveled via Charleroi to Mons, where it arrived the following day. By night marches the division passed through Maubeuge-Bavai-Englefontaine-Fontaine au Bois-Bazuel-Le Cateau-Busigny-Bohain-Fresnoy-Péronne, without taking part in any fighting. It came into line March 25–26, and was heavily engaged at Proyart the 27th.

HANGARD.

3. The division was withdrawn about April 6, after having large casualties, and reinforced the front near Hangard the night of April 9–10, not being relieved until about May 4. Flanking divisions extended their fronts.

MONS.

4. It rested northwest of Mons until the end of June.

CHAMPAGNE.

5. It then went to reserve in Champagne, and entered line west of Auberive July 15. It was withdrawn on the 21st.

OULCHY LE CHATEAU.

6. The division was identified in line north of Oulchy le Chateau July 29, where it fought until withdrawn, about August 9.

ALSACE.

7. It went into rest cantonments at Helfrantzkirch (northeast of Basle), and remained there until September 25.

YPRES.

8. Prisoners of the division were captured southwest of Roulers, and they stated that it entered line October 5–6. The division remained in line fighting stubbornly, but to no purpose, until withdrawn, November 7.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

Reliable information is to the effect that the Guard Ersatz, the Guard Cavalry, and the Jaeger Divisions bore the title “Oberste Heeresleitungs Angriffsdivisionen,” and that they were held under the direct control of the Supreme Command. Nevertheless, the Guard Ersatz has always been considered as being in the second of four classes.

Guard Cavalry Division.

COMPOSITION.

───────────────────────┬───────────────────────────────────────────────
│ 1918
───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┬───────────────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment.
───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┼───────────────────────
Infantry. │5 Ldw. Inf. │
───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┼───────────────────────
Cavalry. │11 Cav. │1 Cuirassier.
│ │8 Drag.
│14 Cav. │5 Uhlan.
│ │8 Hus.
│ │11 Hus.
│38 Cav. │2 Mounted Jag.
│ │6 Mounted Jag.
│ │4 Cuirassier.
│ │Gd. Cuirassier (1 Sqn.
│ │ of 4 Mounted Jag.).
───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┴───────────────────────
Artillery. │132 Art. Command:
│ 3 Gd. F. A. Rgt.
│ 226 F. A. Rgt.
───────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────────────
Engineers and Liaisons.│412 Pion. Btn.:
│ 307 Pion. Co.
│ 2 Ers. Pion. Co.
│ 183 Wireless Detch.
│ 286 and 385 T. M. Cos.
───────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────────────
Medical and Veterinary.│257 Ambulance Co.
│302 Field Hospital.
│315 Field Hospital.
│286 Vet. Hospital.
───────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────────────
Attached. │Balloon Sqn. No. 33.
│290 Reconnaissance Flight.
───────────────────────┴───────────────────────────────────────────────

HISTORY.

1918.

1. The division left the eastern theater in the middle of March. It was reconstituted in the camp at Zossen (south of Berlin), and was then moved to the Maubeuge area, where it underwent six weeks’ training for open warfare. It now consisted of 9 dismounted regiments, grouped in 3 brigades, 2 companies of pioneers, and a trench mortar company.

CHAMPAGNE.

2. About May 28 the division relieved the 23d Division east of the Suippe. It was relieved about July 2, and on the 15th returned to strengthen the battle front near Souain. It was relieved about July 20.

SOISSONS.

3. The division was moved to the Soissons area, and on August 22 relieved the Jaeger Division east of Soissons. It retired from the front about September 5.

CHAMPAGNE.

4. On September 23–24 it relieved the 15th Bavarian Division north of Prosnes, and was thereafter constantly in line in Champagne. The direction of its final retreat lay through Herpy (Nov. 1), St. Ferguex (5th), Rethel (6th), and Rocquigny (7th).

VALUE.

The division was rated as second class. It was reported to be one of the General Headquarters attack divisions held under direct control of the Supreme Command. After the failure of the July offensive east of Reims the division was constantly on the defensive.

1st Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │1. │1 Gren. │1. │1 Gren. │1. │1 Gren.
│ │41. │ │41. │ │41.
│2. │3 Gren. │2. │3 Gren. │2. │3 Gren.
│ │43. │ │43. │ │43.
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │8 Uhlan. Regt. │ (?) │ (?)
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │1 Brig.: │1 Brig.: │1 Brig.:
│16 F. A. Rgt. │16 F. A. Rgt. │16 F. A. Rgt.
│52 F. A. Rgt. │52 F. A. Rgt. │52 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Eng. Btn. (1 C. │1 Eng. Btn. (1 C.
Liaisons. │ │ Dist.): │ Dist.):
│ │ Field Co. 1 Pion. │ 271 Pion. Co.
│ │ │ (Oct., 1917).
│ │ 1 Pontoon Engs. │ 1 Pontoon Engs.
│ │ 1 Tel. Detch. │ 1 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │ 1 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │ 3d Co. 1 Pions.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │100 Labor Btn.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │1. │1 Gren. │1. │1 Gren.
│ │3 Gren. │ │3 Gren.
│ │43. │ │43.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3d Sqn. 8 Uhlan. │3 Sqn. 8 Uhlan.
│ Regt. │ Regt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │(z) Art. Commandt: │1 Art. Command:
│16 F. A. Rgt. │ 16 F. A. Rgt.
│52 F. A. Rgt. │ 1 Abt. 10 Ft. A.
│ │ Rgt. (Staff. 1,
│ │ 3, and 4 Btries.)
│ │ 1083 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1095 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1096 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│112 Eng. Btn.: │110 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 3d Co. 1 Pions. │ 3 Co. 1 Pions.
│ (z). │
│ 271 Pion. Co. │ 271 Pion. Co.
│ 1 T. M. Co. │ 1 T. M. Co.
│ 1 Tel. Detch. │ 108 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ 305, 311, 312, and│1 Signal Command:
│ 392 Searchlight │
│ Sections. │
│ │ 1 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 43 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │4 Ambulance Co. │4 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│Field Hospital. │13 Field Hospital.
│1 Vet. Hospital. │16 Field Hospital.
│ │1 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │M. T. Col. │534 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │66 M. G. S. S. │
│ Detch. │
│54, 55, 56, and 57 │
│ Light M. G. │
│ Sections. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

1914–15.

Along with the 2d Division, the 1st Division forms the 1st Army Corps (Koenigsberg).

RUSSIA.

1. The 1st Army Corps was engaged on the Russian front at the very beginning of the war.

2. Up until November the 1st Division participated in the operations of East Prussia, and notably in the battle of Tannenberg (Aug. 27–29).

3. In December the two divisions of the 1st Corps separated. The 2d Division remained in the north; the 1st Division went to the 9th Army, from December, 1914, to January, 1915 (Bzura-Rawka), then to the Army of the South, operating in the Carpathians and on the Dniester, from February, 1915, to February, 1916.

1916.

FRANCE.

1. The division went to France in March, 1916. The 41st Infantry Regiment detrained March 13 near Metz; the 48th Infantry Regiment at Hagondange March 5.

VERDUN.

2. The division was put in line near Vaux April 20, fought in the bois de la Caillette in May, in the bois de Vaux Chapitre, and the bois Fumin in June and July. It suffered enormous losses there. In the 1st Company of the 41st Infantry Regiment, the numbers on the pay books passed from 1,359 (Apr. 10) to 1,674 (July 19), indicating the arrival of at least 316 reinforcements. From the beginning of the war until July, 1916, the regiment had received an average of 1,360 men per company.

RUSSIA.

3. At the end of July, 1916, the 1st Division, leaving behind the 41st Infantry Regiment, which fought before Verdun in August, was once more taken to the eastern front, where it formed part of the Carpathian Corps.

1917.

BUKOVINA.

1. In July, 1917, the division was in the Kirlibaba-Dorna-Vatra region. Beginning July 27, it followed up the retreating Russians, halting, early in August, in the Sereth region.

FRANCE.

2. The division entrained, the beginning of December, near Czernowitz, and was carried to the French front. (Itinerary: Kolomea, Stanislau, Lemberg, Tarnow, Oppeln, Breslau, Dresden, Leipsic, Halle, Cassel, Coblentz, Treves.) Ordered to Lorraine, it was sent to the region east of Etain, relieving the 13th Reserve Division and occupying the sector in front of Moulainville (Dec. 27; still there Jan. 23, 1918).

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

Theoretically, the regiments of the 1st Division are recruited in East Prussia, but since the 1st Corps District, sparsely populated and of restricted size, could not keep it up alone, the elements coming from outside this district are numerous. During the stay on the eastern front Alsace-Lorrainers were used in considerable number. While in France the division’s ranks were filled up with the aid of the abundant resources of Brandenburg and Silesia (3rd and 4th Corps Districts); consequently, the division does not display to any degree the local character like the majority of the German divisions.

The 1st Division was on the Russian front from August, 1914, until December, 1917, with the exception of the period April-July, 1916, during which it was engaged before Verdun.

The troops of the division fraternized with the Russians for about three weeks in April, but this came to an end early in May with the arrival opposite them of new Russian troops, who received their advances with bullets. (Inter. pris., Jan. 24, 1918.)

1918.

WOEVRE.

1. The division remained in line in the Verdun sector until relieved by the 11th Bavarian division about February 15.

2. It moved to the Conflans area, where it went through a course of training in open warfare in order to fit itself to become an assault division. At this time, too, it exchanged its Alsatians for Prussians of the 78th Reserve Division.

SOMME.

3. March 27 the division reinforced the front at Bray, north of the Somme. It fought until the 30th, and lost to such an extent that its companies, which had been filled up while in the Conflans area, were reduced to an average strength of 40 men.

4. It was withdrawn March 30, and rested immediately in rear of the position it had held in line until about April 19.

5. The following day the division went back into line just south of the Somme, and immediately suffered heavily. It was relieved May 2 by the 24th Reserve Division.

6. The division went to rest in the Peruwelz area, and then had some more training in the same region.

CHAMPAGNE.

7. Early in July the division was identified in reserve near Hirson.

8. July 16 it entered line near St. Hilaire, and was withdrawn the 20th.

RHEIMS.

9. It was immediately thrown into line in the Bois de Vrigny, where it fought in an attempt to prevent the Allies from annihilating the German troops in the Soissons-Chateau Thierry-Rheims pocket.

LAON.

10. About August 10 the division was withdrawn and went to rest in the region of Laon.

LAFFAUX.

11. September 3 it relieved the 27th Division near Laffaux, and, being surprised by a French attack, lost heavily (2,300 prisoners).

12. September 16 it was relieved by the 29th Division.

RHEIMS.

13. The division came back into line near Betheny (northeast of Rheims) on October 2 and was withdrawn about the 8th.

ST. FERGEUX.

14. It reentered line in the St. Fergeux region October 14, and was again withdrawn the 29th.

LIART.

15. November 7 the division was identified near Liart (south of Rocroi), and remained in line until the armistice.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as third class.

1st Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │1 Res. │1 Res. │1 Res. │1 Res. │1 Res. │1 Res.
│ │3 Res. │ │3 Res. │ │3 Res.
│72 Res. │18 Res. │72 Res. │18 Res. │72 Res. │18 Res.
│ │59 Res. │ │59 Res. │ │59 Res.
│1 Res. │Jag. Btn.│1 Res. │Jag. Btn.│1 Res. │Jag. Btn.
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │1 Res. Uhl. Rgt. (3│1 Res. Uhl. Rgt. │1 Res. Uhl. Rgt.
│ Sqns.). │ │
│1 Res. Ers. Cav. │1 Res. Ers. Cav. │
│ Rgt. (3 Sqns.). │ Regt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │1 Res. F. A. Rgt. │1 Res. F. A. Rgt. │1 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (6 Btries.). │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │2 Eng. Btn. No. 1: │4 Field Co. 2d
Liaisons. │ │ │ Pion. Btn.
│ │ Res. Co. 1 Pion. │201 T. M. Co.
│ │ Btn. │
│ │ 1 Res. Pontoon │1 Res. Pontoon
│ │ Engs. │ Engs.
│ │ 1 Res. Tel. Detch.│1 Res. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │1 Res. │1 Res. │1 Res. │1 Res.
│ │3 Res. │ │3 Res.
│ │59 Res. │ │
│1 Res. │Jag. Btn.│ │59 Res.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │1 Res. Uhl. Rgt. (.│4 Sqn. 2 Gd. Ulan
│ Sqns.). │ Rgt.
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │1 Res. F. A. Rgt. │1 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (9 Btries.). │
│ │2 Abt. 1 Res. Ft.
│ │ A. Rgt.
│ │1363 Light Am. Col.
│ │1390 Light Am. Col.
│ │1393 Light Am. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│301 Eng. Btn. (.): │301 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 4 Co. Pion. Btn. │ 4 Co. 2 Pions.
│ │
│ 1 Co. Pion. Btn. │ 1 Co. 34 Res.
│ │ Pions.
│ 201 T. M. Co. │ 201 T. M. Co.
│ 348 Searchlight │ 31 Searchlight
│ Section. │ Section.
│ Tel. Detch. │401 Signals
│ │ Command:
│ │ 401 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 158 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │501 Ambulance Co. │501 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│399 Field Hospital.│399 Field Hospital.
│9 Res. Field │9 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │137 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │M. T. Col. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

1914–15.

RUSSIA.

1. The 1st Reserve Division was on the Russian front from August, 1914, until November 1, 1917, at which time it entrained for France.

EAST PRUSSIA-POLAND.

2. In 1914 it and the 36th Reserve Division formed the 1st Reserve Corps (Gen. Otto von Buelow). It took part in the operations of East Prussia (Hindenburg’s Army), in the Lodz maneuver (Von Mackensen’s Army), and in the combats on the Bzura.

3. In February, 1915, the division was in the Prasnysz region, northeast of the Bohr-Narew line.

COURLAND.

4. In May, as part of Eichhorn’s Army, it took part in the raid on Courland.

1916.

GALICIA.

1. It was on the Dvina in the Friedrichstadt region until July.

2. In August it was identified in Galicia, in Bothmer’s Army, opposed to the Broussiloff offensive. Here it had heavy losses. (The 11th Company of the 3d Infantry Regiment, in particular, was reduced to 30 men.) During September the division was reinforced. The depot at Friedrichstadt, near Warsaw, was completely emptied to make good its losses.

COURLAND.

3. Toward the end of September elements of the division were in line near Friedrichstadt, along the Dvina, in a calm sector. The 18th Reserve Infantry Regiment was attached to the newly formed 225th Division.

1917.

1. January 5, 1917, the division was taken to the Mitau region, where it helped stop the Russian attack. Losses in this sector were light, but there was considerable discontent due to the cold.

2. The division was relieved about the 15th of March and sent to the neighborhood of Gross-Eckau, near Mitau, where it rested two months.

RIGA.

3. The middle of May it was put back into line before Riga. It took part in the offensive against that city in September, stayed there from the 3d to the 7th of September, and then took up again its march toward the east. It organized its positions about 70 kilometers from Riga, near Hintzenberg (or Hildersberg?) (near Wenden) and established itself there.

FRANCE.

4. Relieved the end of October, it entrained near Wenden for the western front (Itinerary: Riga, Mitau, Kovno, Eidtkuhnen, Insterburg, Thorn, Posen, Lissa, Breslau, Cottbus, Leipsic, Erfuhrt, Frankfort-on-the-Main, Sarrebruecken, Thionville, Sedan, Vouziers.) It detrained November 6 at Semide (southeast of Vouziers).

CHAMPAGNE.

5. After a rest of two days, the division went into line in the St. Hilaire sector (east of Vaudesincourt-Auberive).

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The division was recruited in East Prussia and, as a result of insufficient local resources, from divers other localities—a great many Alsace-Lorrainers during the sojourn on the Russian front.

The 1st Reserve Division has taken part in all the important attacks which have taken place on the eastern front since the beginning of the war. It seems, however, from interrogation of deserters (in Champagne, November, 1917), that the cadres and men were little prepared for war as it was waged on the western front.

1918.

CHAMPAGNE.

1. The division remained in line east of Auberive until relieved by the 23d Division April 30.

MONTDIDIER.

2. May 13–14 it relieved the 76th Reserve Division in the Givesnes sector.

3. It was relieved August 4, but came back into line on the 10th a little farther to the north, in the region of Hangest-en-Santerre. It was withdrawn a few days later and rested several days in the neighborhood.

4. August 19 it relieved the 75th Reserve Division near Beuvraignes. It fought until relieved September 2.

ST. QUENTIN.

5. After 10 days’ rest it relieved the 21st Division near Le Verguier, northwest of St. Quentin. It was withdrawn on the 20th.

RIBEMONT.

6. October 1 the division relieved the 208th Division near Ribemont. Withdrawn October 31.

DOMPIERRE.

7. It came back into line November 7 and remained until the armistice.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division has suffered very heavily, notwithstanding the fact that, until about the 10th of August, it had taken no part in any really important actions this year. On the 18th of September the 1st Reserve Regiment was almost wiped out, its three battalion officers being captured with their staffs. It had also suffered a great many casualties the 9th and 10th of August. It is difficult to estimate the strength of its companies, owing to the fact that it is still in an active sector, but it is probably not over 50 rifles.

In the main the recruitment is East Prussian. There have been many Alsace-Lorrainers in its ranks, but since many of these have deserted there are probably not a great many of them left. For the most part the men are between 25 and 35 years old, but there are many older men and something less than 10 per cent of the division is made up by recruits of the 1919 class. It is again to be noted that the division was not employed in any of the German offensives this year.

Its conduct was remarkable in no way during the division’s participation in the heavy fighting around Hangest, Beuvraignes, and to the north of St. Quentin. During the early part of the year, when the division was in line in Champagne, there were a great many desertions, especially among the Alsace-Lorraine element. There have also been many cases of mutiny, especially in the 59th Reserve, the worst of the three regiments. About the middle of August a batch of some 500 recruits started out from the interior for the division. To sustain the morale of the men, these recruits were told they were going to simply support the artillery. Notwithstanding this, less than 250 men remained when the draft reached its true destination—the front lines. The men are very tired of the war, but on the whole seem resigned to the necessity of doing their duty.

The 1st Reserve is rated as a third-class division.

1st Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │6 Mixed │34 Ldw. │6 Ldw. │34 Ldw. │34 Ldw. │31 Ldw.
│ Ldw. │ │ │ │ │
│ │49 Ldw. │ │49 Ldw. │ │37 Ldw.
│ │ │ │ │ │84 Ldw.
│34 Mixed │31 Ldw. │34 Mixed │31 Ldw. │ │
│ Ldw. │ │ Ldw. │ │ │
│ │84 Ldw. │ │33 Ldw. │ │
│ │ │ │84 Ldw. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │ │90 Ldw. Cav. Rgt. │2d Sqn. 10 Drag.
│ │ │ Rgt.
│ │2d Sqn. 10 Drag. │
│ │ Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │ │96 F. A. Rgt. │128 Art. Command:
│ │219 F. A. Rgt. │ 96 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Co. 23 Pion. Btn.│(401) Eng. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │ │
│ │2 Co. 23 Ers. Pion.│ 1 Co. 1 Ers. Pion.
│ │ Btn. │ Btn.
│ │ │ 3 Co. 26 Ers.
│ │ │ Pion. Btn.
│ │ │ 301 T. M. Co.
│ │ │ 279 Searchlight
│ │ │ Section.
│ │ │ 501 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │215 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │2 Ldw. Field
│ │ │ Hospital.
│ │ │9 Ldw. Field
│ │ │ Hospital.
│ │ │201 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Odd Units. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │34 Ldw. │31 Ldw. │34 Ldw. │31 Ldw.
│ │ │ │
│ │33 Ldw. │ │33 Ldw.
│ │84 Ldw. │ │84 Ldw.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2d Sqn. 12 Horse │3 Sqn. 12 Horse
│ Jag. │ Jag. Rgt.
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │ │96 F. A. Rgt.
│ │782 Light Am. Col.
│ │1036 Light Am. Col.
│ │1047 Light Am. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │401 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ │ 1 Ers. Co. 1
│ │ Pions.
│ │ 2 Ldw. Co. 2 C.
│ │ Dist. Pions.
│ │ 301 T. M. Co.
│ │ 142 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ │501 Signal Command:
│ │ 501 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 190 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │215 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│ │146 Field Hospital.
│ │
│ │279 Field Hospital.
│ │
│ │201 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Odd Units. │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

1914–15.

Called Jacobi’s Division at the beginning of the war, and a part of the 1st Landwehr Corps, the 1st Landwehr Division fought under this corps on the eastern front. It was first called the 10th Landwehr Division, taking the name of 1st Landwehr Division in July, 1915. It comprised the 6th Mixed Landwehr Brigade (34th and 49th Landwehr Regiments) and the 34th Mixed Landwehr Brigade (31st and 84th Landwehr Regiments).

EAST PRUSSIA-POLAND.

1. First engaged in East Prussia (Angerburg, Gumbinnen, August, 1914, to January, 1915), Jacobi’s Division took part in the operations between Mariampol and Suwalki. Early in March, 1915, it was before Lomza; then in the Ossowiec region on the Bobr. It was at this time that the division became known as the 1st Landwehr Division, and the 33d Landwehr Regiment was attached to it.

2. At the beginning of August the division was in the Kalvariia region, Suwalki. It took part in the summer offensive, but remained in support, never doing any actual fighting.

COURLAND.

3. After a rest on the Little Berezina, it went to Courland, going into line in the Uxkuell region (October).

1916.

1. The division remained to the south of Riga until the end of July, 1916.

VOLHYNIA.

2. In August it went to Volhynia, where it took over the Borovno sector (on the Stokhod) and held it for more than a year, until about November, 1917. The 6th Landwehr Brigade was taken away and remained in the Mitau region (April, 1916). Since then the division has been composed of only three regiments.

1917.

VOLHYNIA.

1. Relieved in the Borovno sector toward the end of 1917, went to rest in the vicinity of Kovel. In January, 1918, the division received reinforcements from the 9th Landwehr Regiment (dissolved) and also from the 20th Landsturm Regiment. It had already had men of the 1919 class since November, 1917. Still more arrived in February, 1918, when the division was on the point of departing for Belgium.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

In theory, the 31st and 84th Landwehr Regiments were recruited in the 9th Corps District; the 33d Landwehr Regiment in the 1st Corps District. Latterly, however, widely diversified elements have been introduced—men of the 20th Landsturm Regiment (18th Corps District); from the 9th Landsturm Regiment (2d Corps District); also men from the 3d, 7th, and 17th Districts (class 1919). There is, too, a considerable number of Alsace-Lorrainers (33d Landwehr Regiment).

The 1st Landwehr is a mediocre division, composed of old men and of others that have little military value. (March, 1918.)

1918.

BELGIUM.

1. The division was then taken to the western front, and after some time spent in reserve (it was probably trained in the methods of warfare employed on the western front, although there is no evidence to establish it) it relieved the 35th Division near Merckem, March 20. It was relieved about April 19 by elements of the 83d Division.

2. April 26 it was identified in the St. Julien-Hooge sector, replacing part of the 236th Division, which side slipped to the south. In an unsuccessful attack during this time it suffered exceedingly heavy losses.

ALSACE.

3. The division was relieved by the 6th Cavalry Division during the night of July 27–28 and went to rest in the Vosges.

4. About October 3 the division relieved the 30th Bavarian Reserve Division near Aspach le Bas.

WOEVRE.

5. It was withdrawn from this sector soon afterwards to be thrown in to meet the American advance east of the Meuse, being identified west of Flabas October 16. They lost heavily, staying in until the armistice.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 1st Landwehr is rated as a third-class division. Still, although many of its younger men were sent to other divisions just before it came to the western front, it did rather well, its commanding officer having been promoted after its participation in the battle of the Lys, and the division as a whole having been lauded several times in the official communiques.

1st Bavarian Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │1 Bav. │Body Inf.│1 Bav. │1 Bav. │2 Bav. │2 Bav.
│ │1 Bav. │2 Bav. │2 Bav. │ │1 Bav.
│2 Bav. │2 Bav. │ │24 Bav. │ │24 Bav.
│ │16 Bav. │ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │8 Bav. Light Cav. │ │8 Bav. Light Cav.
│ │ │ (3 Sqns).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │1 Bav. Brig.: │1 Bav. Brig.: │1 Bav. Brig.:
│ │ │
│ 1 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 1 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 1 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ 7 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 7 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 7 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 Bav. Eng. Btn. │1 Bav. Eng. Btn. (1│1 Bav. Eng. Btn. (1
Liaisons. │ (1st and 3d Field│ and 3 Field │ and 3 Field
│ Cos.). │ Cos.): │ Cos.):
│ │ 1 Bav. Pontoon │ 1 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ │ Engs. │
│ │ 1 Bav. Tel. Detch.│ 1 Bav. Pontoon
│ │ │ Engs.
│ │ │ 1 Bav. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │1 Bav. │2 Bav. │1 Bav. │1 Bav.
│ │1 Bav. │ │2 Bav.
│ │24 Bav. │ │24 Bav.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │8 Bav. Light Cav. │2 Sqn. 8 Bav. Light
│ (2d and 3d Sqns).│ Cav. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │1 Bav. Art. │1 Bav. Art.
│ Command: │ Command:
│ 1 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 1 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 9 Bav. Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ 123 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 146 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 158 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 and 3 Bav. Pion. │1 Bav. Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ Cos. │
│ │
│1 Bav. T. M. Co. │ 1 Bav. Pion. Co.
│ │
│1 Bav. Searchlight │ 3 Bav. Pion. Co.
│ Section. │
│1 Bav. Tel. Detch. │ 1 Bav. T. M. Co.
│1 Bav. Pontoon │ 1 Bav. Searchlight
│ Engs. │ Section.
│ │1 Bav. Signal
│ │ Command:
│ │ 1 Bav. Tel. Detch.
│ │ 40 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │1 Bav. Ambulance │1 Bav. Ambulance
Veterinary.│ Co. │ Co.
│Field Hospital. │3 Bav. Field
│ │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │4 Bav. Field
│ │ Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │M. T. Col. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

1914.

LORRAINE.

1. At the beginning of the war the 1st Bavarian Division, forming, with the 2d Bavarian Division, the 1st Bavarian Corps, was part of the 6th Army (Bavarian Crown Prince). It detrained at Sarrebruecken (Aug. 8–9), crossed the frontier, sacked Badonviller the 12th, and withdrew to the north of Sarrebruecken the 17th. It fought at Sarrebruecken the 20th. In liaison on the left with the Badeners of the 14th Corps, it crossed the frontier and advanced to Nossoncourt and Xaffévillers (Sept. 6) via Baccarat. September 12 the division, having been withdrawn, was reassembled at Peltre (near Metz). It then entrained at Metz the 14th and 15th, and detrained near Namur, reaching Péronne the 24th.

SOMME.

2. In the last days of September, 1914, at the time of the “race to the sea,” the two divisions of the 1st Bavarian Corps were in the 2d Army (Von Buelow), which operated on the Somme in the Péronne region. They became heavily engaged notably at Combles (Oct. 24) and at Maricourt (Dec. 17). By November 4 the 1st Bavarian Regiment had had casualties of 63 officers and 2,090 men since the beginning of the war. (Casualty list.)

1915.

ARTOIS.

1. The 1st Bavarian Division was kept in line on the Somme (Dompierre- Maricourt) until October, 1915. Its composition was changed—the Body Infantry Regiment went to the Alpine Corps, the 16th Infantry to the 10th Bavarian Division. In return, the 24th Infantry (a new formation) was received.

2. The division was taken to the region north of Arras (Neuville-Souchez sector), where it remained almost seven months (October, 1915-May, 1916).

1916.

VERDUN.

1. About May, 1916, the division was relieved to the west of Vimy and sent to the Verdun front, where it took part in the battles near Douaumont (May 23), and in those of June 1 and 8.

2. Re-formed in the Romagne-sous-les-Côtes area, it reentered line about June 22 for new attacks. During this offensive the division suffered severely. It was relieved at the beginning of July.

3. After a short rest behind the Verdun front the division reoccupied the Apremont-St. Mihiel sector, remaining there until October 11, when it was reconstituted, receiving large reinforcements (recuperates and men of the 1916 class).

SOMME.

4. Taken to the Caudry sector (near Cambrai), it was engaged on the Somme (Sailly-Saillisel, Morval) October 13 to end of November, where its losses were once again exceedingly heavy.

5. The division reappeared in the region of St. Mihiel (Bois d’Ailly- Forêt d’Apremont sector) the beginning of December, and remained there until the early days of May, 1917.

1917.

PLATEAU DE CALIFORNIE.

1. Entrained about May 7 at Vigneulles, it proceeded to the Laon region, where it was in reserve (May 8–12). The following day it took over the sector west of Hurtebise, where it participated in several attacks (May 20-June 17), losing heavily therein.

2. The division was relieved June 21 and went to rest south of Mezieres (La Francheville, etc.), where it was reconstituted.

CHAMPAGNE.

3. July 25 it went back into line on the Champagne front (sector south of Ste. Marie-a-Py); it did not take part in any important engagements there.

4. The division was withdrawn December 27.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The division was recruited in the southern part of Bavaria. The presence of contingents from the Bavarian Alps was responsible for the withdrawal of the Body Regiment to form the Alpine Corps.

Despite the losses it suffered during May and June in the Hurtebise sector, the 1st Bavarian Division may still be considered a good division. It has had time to reconstitute itself during the long calm period spent in Champagne (July 25-Dec. 27, 1917).

1918.

ARGONNE.

1. Withdrawn from line, the division was put through a course of training. It relieved the 80th Reserve Division north of Vauquois February 17.

2. It was relieved by the 80th Reserve Division about the 1st of March.

ST. QUENTIN.

3. The opening day of the March offensive the division reinforced the front south of St. Quentin. It was withdrawn the next day.

4. March 23 it came back into line north of Chauny. It was withdrawn about the 30th.

LASSIGNY.

5. April 6 it relieved the 3d Bavarian Division west of Lassigny. It was in turn relieved by the 3d Bavarian Division on the 12th.

CHAMPAGNE.

6. Having suffered a great deal in the fighting on the Somme, the division was taken to a quiet sector in Champagne, relieving the 52d Reserve Division May 1 north of Souain. About June 30 it was relieved by the 30th Division.

7. It reinforced the front near Souain July 15. It was withdrawn about the 31st.

SOISSONS.

8. The division entered line northeast of Soissons August 11.

NOYON.

9. It was relieved by the Jaeger Division about August 19, and moved to the west, taking over the Cuts sector, southeast of Noyon, August 20, and was withdrawn the 22d.

COUCY-LE-CHATEAU.

10. August 31 the division was identified at Folembray, northwest of Coucy-le-Chateau; withdrawn about September 12.

CHAMPAGNE.

11. About September 27 it took over the Manre sector, southeast of Vouziers, where it remained, fighting, until the signing of the armistice.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 1st Bavarian is rated as a first-class assault division; it was utilized as such throughout 1918. It fought well; its losses were severe.

1st Bavarian Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │1 Bav. │1 Bav. │1 Bav. │1 Bav. │1 Bav. │1 Bav.
│ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res.
│ │2 Bav. │ │2 Bav. │ │2 Bav.
│ │ Res. │ │ Res. │ │ Res.
│2 Bav. │3 Bav. │2 Bav. │3 Bav. │ │3 Bav.
│ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ │ Res.
│ │12 Bav. │ │12 Bav. │ │
│ │ Res. │ │ Res. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │1 Bav. Res. Cav. │1 Bav. Res. Cav. │1 Bav. Res. Cav.
│ Rgt. │ Rgt. │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │1 Bav. Res. F. A. │1 Bav. Res. F. A. │1 Bav. Res. F. A.
│ Rgt. │ Rgt. │ Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Bav. Res. Eng. │2d and 4th Bav.
Liaisons. │ │ Btn. │ Res. Pion. Cos.
│ │1 Bav. Res. Pont. │201 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ │ Eng. │
│ │1 Bav. Res. Tel. │1 Bav. Res. Pont.
│ │ Detch. │ Engs.
│ │ │1 Bav. Res. Tel.
│ │ │ Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │1 Bav. │1 Bav. │1 Bav. │1 Bav.
│ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res.
│ │2 Bav. │ │2 Bav.
│ │ Res. │ │ Res.
│ │3 Bav. │ │3 Bav.
│ │ Res. │ │ Res.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3 Bav. Light Cav. │3 Sqn. 3 Bav. Light
│ Rgt. (3d Sqn.). │ Cav. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │13 Bav. Art. │13 Bav. Art.
│ Command: │ Command:
│ 1 Bav. Res. F. A. │ 1 Bav. Res. F. A.
│ Rgt. │ Rgt.
│ │ 1 Abt. 1 Bav. Ft.
│ │ A. Rgt.
│ │  (Staff, 1, 2, and
│ │ 4 Btries.)
│ │ 101 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 145 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 147 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│17 Bav. Eng. Btn.: │17 Bav. Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 1 Bav. Res. Pion. │ 1 Bav. Res. Pion.
│ Co. │ Co.
│ 3 Bav. Res. Pion. │ 17 Bav. Res. Pion
│ Co. │ Co.
│ 17 Bav. Res. Pion.│ 201 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ Co. │
│ 201 T. M. Co. │ 18 Bav.
│ │ Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│1 Bav. Res. │401 Bav. Signals
│ Searchlight │ Command:
│ Section. │
│401 Bav. Tel. │ 401 Bav. Tel.
│ Detch. │ Detch.
│ │ 106 Bav. Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │15 Bav. Ambulance │15 Bav. Ambulance
Veterinary.│ Co. │ Co.
│45 Bav. Field │45 Bav. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│48 Bav. Field │48 Bav. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│49 Bav. Field │
│ Hospital. │
│Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │750 M. T. Col. │750 M. T. Col.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

1914.

LORRAINE.

1. The Bavarian Reserve Division (1st Bavarian Reserve Corps, with the 5th Bavarian Reserve Division) was at the beginning of the war part of the 6th Army (Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria), and detrained in Lorraine August 13–14. After having helped to check the French offensive in Lorraine, participated in the battle of August 20, entered Luneville, and after having fought at Einville, early in September, it went to rest in the vicinity of the Paris-Avricourt railroad, and later march to Metz by stages.

ARRAS.

2. September 27–28 the division entrained at Metz and was carried to Cambrai. Entering line between Douai and Arras, it fought at Izel, Gavrelle, Rouvroy (Oct. 2–3). On the 5th its right wing was at Souchez, the whole 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps being then in line north of Arras. October 23 the two divisions of the corps attacked violently along the Carency-Roclincourt front; they remained in line until June, 1915, the 1st Bavarian Division being between Roclincourt and Écurie.

1915.

NEUVILLE-ST. VAAST.

1. In May, 1915, the 1st Bavarian Reserve Division was engaged at Neuville-St. Vaast, when it was reinforced by two battalions of the 99th Reserve Infantry Regiment. The 2d Bavarian Reserve Regiment suffered casualties of 14 officers and 1,413 men (casualty list).

LE LABYRINTHE.

2. In June the division fought at the Labyrinth.

3. It continued to hold the sector north of the Scarpe, but moved toward the south in December, the front of the 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps extending as far as Blaireville.

1916.

1. The division remained in line east of Arras, straddling the Scarpe until August, 1916. From May to August, it comprised the 12th Bavarian Reserve Regiment, instead of the 3d Bavarian Reserve Regiment, loaned temporarily by the 5th Bavarian Reserve Division.

SOMME.

2. Withdrawn August 8, it went to the Somme. It was engaged the 12th in the Clery sector, and was relieved as early as the 15th by the 1st Guard Division after having suffered heavily.

3. The second fortnight in August the division was at rest near Cambrai. The end of that month and early in September, some elements of the division were engaged near Clery and Martinpuich in order to facilitate reliefs.

AISNE.

4. About the middle of September the 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps was withdrawn from the region of the Somme and sent to the Aisne, where the 1st Bavarian Reserve Division occupied a sector to the west of Craonne until the beginning of December.

5. Brought back north of the Somme, it sent some elements into line in the Beaumont-Hamel sector (north of the Ancre, December-January).

1917.

ARTOIS.

1. After sometime at rest, the division went back into line February 27 to the north of Arras (Roclincourt-Neuville-St. Vaast). April 9 it received the full shock of the British attack—lost the villages of Thelus and Bailleul and 1,500 prisoners.

LA BASSÉE.

2. Relieved about the 15th of April, the division rested, and then entered line north of the La Bassée Canal (east of Festubert). It remained here five months, taking no part in any important engagements but suffering losses as a result of gas attacks.

FLANDERS.

3. It left for Belgium October 6–7, and took over the Zandvoorde sector (southeast of Ypres) on the 8th.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 1st Bavarian Reserve Division is a good division, but its combatant value can not be compared to that of the active Bavarian divisions.

1918.

1. Here it remained in line until February 11, when it was relieved by the 239th Division and withdrawn to rest in the Menin area, before it had suffered many casualties.

DIXMUDE.

2. March 9 it relieved the 54th Reserve Division in the Dixmude sector. It was relieved on the 22d by the extension of the fronts of the neighboring divisions.

3. It marched to Zedelghem the same day, and reached Seclin on the 23d. The 28th it came into reserve near Douai. It was undoubtedly intended to reinforce the German attack on the Arras front on the 28th, but as this was a complete failure, it returned to the Carvin area.

LYS.

4. April 9 the division reinforced the front near Richebourg-St. Vaast, and took part in the initial attack on the Lys battle front the same day. It advanced through Lacouture, Vieille-Chapelle, and had reached Zelobes April 10. After the first day’s fighting it met with a strong resistance and suffered heavily. It was relieved near Robecq by the 239th Division, April 18.

LOOS.

5. April 27 the division relieved elements of the 207th Division east of Loos (south of the La Bassee Canal).

YPRES.

6. It was relieved by the 16th Division about September 27, marched to Carvin, which it left September 29, and entrained at Seclin for Heule, whence it marched into line via Moorseele. It was identified near Roulers October 4. It was relieved by the 6th Cavalry Division October 16.

7. After a rest of only a few days the division came back into line on the 23d to the south of Deynze, whence it was withdrawn about October 31. It did not return to line.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 1st Bavarian Reserve Division took part in no real fighting with the exception of the Lys offensive, in which it did nothing to distinguish itself. It would seem that the division does not deserve to be rated higher than third in a scale of four classes.

1st Bavarian Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │13 Bav. │8 Bav. │5 Bav. │4 Bav. │5 Bav. │4 Bav.
│ Ldw. │ Ldw. │ Ldw. │ Ldw. │ Ldw. │ Ldw.
│ │10 Bav. │ │5 Bav. │ │5 Bav.
│ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw.
│ │ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ │ │ │
│14 Bav. │15 Bav. │14 Bav. │15 Bav. │9 Bav. │6 Bav.
│ Ldw. │ Ldw. │ Ldw. │ Ldw. │ Mixed │ Ldw.
│ │ │ │ │ Ldw. │
│ │122 Ldw. │ │122 Ldw. │ │7 Bav.
│ │ │ │ │ │ Ldw.
│60 Mixed │60 Ldw. │13 Bav. │8 Bav. │13 Bav. │8 Bav.
│ Ldw. │ │ Ldw. │ Ldw. │ Ldw. │ Ldw.
│ │71 Ldw. │ │10 Bav. │ │10 Bav.
│ │ │ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw.
│ │ │ │ │ │60 Res.
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │ │1st Sqn. 2d Bav. │1st Sqn. 2d Bav.
│ │ Corps Dist. Ldw. │ Corps Dist. Ldw.
│ │ Rgt. │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │2 Ldst. F. A. Abtl.│2 Ldst. F. A. Abtl.│1 Bav. Ldw. F. A.
│ │ │ Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Ldw. Pion. Co. │18 Bav. Res. Pion.
Liaisons. │ │ │ Co.
│ │(2d Bav. Corps │3 Bav. Ldw. Pion.
│ │ Dist.). │ Co.
│ │ │301 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │38 Railway Const.
│ │ │ Co.
│ │ │Ldst. Inf. Btn.,
│ │ │ Rosenheim (3d
│ │ │ Btn. 1 Bav. Corps
│ │ │ Dist.).
│ │ │Ldst. Inf. Btn., 2d
│ │ │ Augsburg (10th
│ │ │ Btn. 1 Bav. Corps
│ │ │ Dist.).
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────