Chapter III: Part 3

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │9 Bav. │4 Bav. │5 Bav. │4 Bav.
│ Ers. │ Ldw. │ Ldw. │ Ldw.
│ │6 Bav. │ │6 Bav.
│ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw.
│ │7 Bav. │ │7 Bav.
│ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │1st Sqn. 8 Bav. │1 sq. 8 Bav. Light
│ Light Cav. Rgt. │ Cav. Rgt.
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │Art. Command: │1 Bav. Ldw. F. A.
│ │ Rgt.
│1 Bav. Ldw. F. A. │
│ Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(24 Bav.) Eng. Btn.│24 Bav. Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│18 Bav. Res. Pion. │ 18 Bav. Res. Pion.
│ Co. │ Co.
│1 Bav. Ldw. Pion. │ 1 Bav. Ldw. Pion.
│ Co. │ Co.
│301 Bav. T. M. Co. │ 24 Bav.
│ │ Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│501 Bav. Tel. │ 4 Bav. Res.
│ Detch. │ Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ │501 Bav. Signals
│ │ Command:
│ │ 501 Bav. Tel.
│ │ Detch.
│ │ 191 Bav. Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │21 Bav. Ambulance │21 Bav. Ambulance
Veterinary.│ Co. │ Co.
│62 Bav. Field │61 Bav. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │62 Bav. Field
│ │ Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │325 M. T. Col. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │154 Labor Btn. │
│ │
│168 Labor Btn. │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

1914.

LORRAINE.

1. The origin of the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division dates from the stabilization of the Lorraine front after the check of the Germans before Grand-Couronne in September, 1914.

2. At the beginning of the war the different elements which were to enter into the composition of the division were employed in Lorraine in rear of the combatant troops. The 71st Landwehr Regiment came from the war garrison of Strasburg.

3. These elements grouped in three brigades forming the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division, were brought up to the front early in September and put into line in the Château-Salins sector (from Jallaucourt to the Rhine-Marne Canal).

1915.

LORRAINE.

1. From that time on the division occupied the same front in Lorraine, on each side of the Rhine-Marne Canal, broadening or narrowing its front according to the number of troops in line in the region.

2. During the summer of 1915 its limit was carried to the southeast gradually as far as the Luneville-Avricourt railway, next to the region south of Leintrey; to the northeast as far as the western ledge of the Foret de Bezange.

3. In May, 1915, the 60th Landwehr Bde. was detached from the division, and replaced by the 5th Bavarian Landwehr Bde. (4th and 5th Bavarian Landwehr Regiments) coming from the 10th Ersatz Division.

1916.

LORRAINE.

1. South of Leintrey—western edge of the Foret de Bezange. In January, 1916, the 14th Bavarian Landwehr Bde. was detached from the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division; the 122d Landwehr Regiment (Wurttemburg) passed to the 2d Landwehr Division; the 15th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment to the 39th Bavarian Landwehr Division. The brigade was replaced by the 9th Bavarian Landwehr Bde. (6th and 7th Bavarian Landwehr Regiments). The division thus became entirely Bavarian; it was increased, shortly after, by the addition of the 60th Reserve Regiment, which was later (September) attached to the 221st Division.

2. In July, 1916, the 13th Bavarian Landwehr Bde. was withdrawn from the division and replaced by battalions of Landsturm.

1917.

LORRAINE.

1. In January, 1917, the division’s sector was shortened—it was limited on the southeast by the western edge of the Foret de Paroy. In March it ended northwest of Juvrecourt. In June it extended itself once more to the southeast, fixing itself finally in July between Juvrecourt and the eastern edge of the Foret de Paroy; the limits have not varied since then.

2. About the first of the year the 5th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment passed to the 2d Bavarian Landwehr Division (new formation—Russian front).

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division established itself on the Lorraine front in September, 1914, after the hard fighting in that region had ceased. It executed some important raids with its assault company, notably in June, 1917 (Foret de Paroy), and November (Arracourt region). In general, however, it remained exclusively on the defensive. It is made up of men whose physical value is often diminished; who have, consequently, waged only position warfare, and that upon a defensive front.

1918.

LORRAINE.

1. The division remained in the Parroy sector in Lorraine throughout 1918, and, with the exception of a very few raids executed by the divisional Stosstrupp, did nothing.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

Losses and reinforcements have been few. The strength of the companies appears to be about 80 men, of an average age of 35–40 years. The 1st Bavarian Landwehr is rated as a fourth-class division.

1st Cavalry Division.

COMPOSITION.

───────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────────── │ 1918 ───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┬─────────────────────── │ Brigade. │ Regiment. ───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┼─────────────────────── Cavalry. │1 Cav. (1 C. Dist.). │3 Cuirassier. │ │1 Drag. │2 Cav. (1 C. Dist.). │12 Uhlan. │ │9 Horse Jag. │43 Cav. (1 C. Dist.). │8 Uhlan (3 and 5 Sqns. │ │ detached). │ │10 Horse Jag. (2 and 3 │ │ Sqns. detached). ───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┴─────────────────────── Artillery. │35 Horse Art. Abt. ───────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────── Engineers and Liaisons.│(?) Pion. Detchs. │347 Searchlight Section. ───────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────── Medical and Veterinary.│65 Vet. Hospital. │142 Vet. Hospital. │70 Ambulance Co. ───────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────── Odd units. │152 Cyclist Co. │153 Cyclist Co. │159 Cyclist Co. ───────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────── Attached. │3 Hus. Rgt. (1, 3, 4, and 6 Sqn.). ───────────────────────┴───────────────────────────────────────────────

HISTORY.

1918.

1. Throughout 1918 the separate elements of this division were used in police duty in the Ukraine, in Lithuania, and along the Danube.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

As the division did not operate as a division in 1918, no estimate can be given of its fighting value.

1st Naval Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │1 Nav. │ │1 Nav. │ │1 Nav. │
│2 Nav. │ │2 Nav. │ │2 Nav. │
│ │ │ │ │ │
│ The 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6th Marine Fus. Rgts. and the 4th
│ Marine Inf. Rgt. alternated between the 1st and 2d Naval
│ Division.
─────────────┼───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
Cavalry. │1 Ldw. Sqn. (10 C. │ │
│ Dist.). │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │1 and 2 Ldw. F. A. │Nav. Brig.: │1 Nav. F. A. Rgt.
│ Detch. (10 C. │ │
│ Dist.). │ │
│ │ 1 Nav. F. A. Rgt. │2 Nav. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ 2 Nav. F. A. Rgt. │3 Nav. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ Torpedo-Matrosen │Torpedo-Matrosen
│ │ Art. Rgt. │ Art. Rgt.
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │ │1 Nav. Pion. Co.
Liaisons. │ │ │
│ │ │2 Nav. Pion. Co.
│ │ │165 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Odd units. │ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │124 Labor Btn.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │1 Nav. │ │1 Mar. │1 Mat.
│ │ │ │2 Mat.
│ │ │ │6 Mat.
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┬───────────────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │4 Sqn. 6 Cuirassier│
│ Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │258 Ldw. F. A. Rgt.│Mar. F. A. Rgt.
│ │
│ │
│Torpedo-Matrosen │1 Mat. A. Rgt.
│ Art. Rgt. │
│ │Marine Corps 1st
│ │ Ft. A. M. Col.
│ │2 Light A. Col. of
│ │ the Mar. F. A.
│ │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 Nav. Pion. Btn.: │1 Mar. Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 1 Nav. Pion. Co. │ 1 Mar. Pion. Co.
│ 2 Nav. Pion. Co. │ 4 Mar. Pion. Co.
│ 337 Pion. Co. │ 1 Entrenching Co.
│ 165 Nav. T. M. Co.│ 2 Entrenching Co.
│ Tel. Detch. │291 Mar. Signal
│ │ Command:
│ │ 291 Mar. Tel.
│ │ Detch.
│ │ 291 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │Ambulance Co. │1 Mar. Ambulance
Veterinary.│ │ Co.
│1 Nav. Field │1 Mar. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │Vet. Hospital
│ │ (Ostend).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Odd units. │ │1 Sect. Flanders
│ │ Reconnaissance
│ │ Flight.
│ │2 Sec. Flanders
│ │ Reconnaissance
│ │ Flight.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │41 Cyclist Co. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

1914–1917.

BELGIUM.

1. At the beginning of the war the Field Army contained only one naval division. This division entered Belgium on September 4, 1914, detrained at Brussels, and on September 6 took up its position to the left of the corps which was besieging Antwerp. After the taking of the city on October 10 the division marched along the coast, arrived at a point between Ostend and Bruges on October 23, and on November 2 relieved the 4th Ersatz Division on the front of Nieuport-St. Georges.

2. On November 24, 1914, the Naval Corps was formed by adding a 2d Naval Division to the 1st.

3. After this time the Naval Corps occupied the sea front and the sector of the coast in occupied Flanders. The staffs of the 1st and 2d Naval Divisions were permanently in command of this sector—the sea front (from Raversyde to the frontier of Zeeland as far as Maldegem was assigned to the 1st Naval Division; the front on land from the North Sea to Schoorbakke, 4 kilometers southeast Nieuport, to the 2d Naval Division). The six regiments of Marine Fusileers alternated between the two sectors, and consequently changed from one division to the other.

4. In April, 1917, the three naval infantry regiments were withdrawn from the 1st and 2d Naval Divisions to organize a new Division, the 3d Naval Division. These regiments had already formed a provisional division, from the end of September, 1916, to January, 1917, when they were engaged on the Somme. After fighting east of Ypres (August to November, 1917), the 3d Naval Division came into line at Nieuport (Lombartzyde) to the right of the 2d Naval Division in December.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The Marine or Sailor Fusileers, recruited at the beginning of the war from among the seamen or the population of the ports, had only a mediocre combat value at the time.

Since 1917, in consequence of reinforcements taken from the land army, and also in consequence of reducing the age of the effectives, the regiments of Naval Fusileers seem to be of better quality.

From a recruiting standpoint, they may be compared with the active divisions of the German Army.

1918.

1. The division was out of line in 1918 until May 1. From that date until November 4 it held the extreme right of the German line.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as fourth class. Until the last month of the war its front was quiet.

2d Guard Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │3 Gd. │1 Gren. │3 Gd. │1 Gren. │3 Gd. │1 Gren.
│ │3 Gren. │ │3 Gren. │ │3 Gren.
│4 Gd. │2 Gren. │4 Gd. │2 Gren. │4 Gd. │2 Gren.
│ │4 Gren. │ │4 Gren. │ │4 Gren.
│5 Gd. │5 Gren. │ │ │ │
│ │5 Ft. │ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │ │4 Gd. Brig.: │Cav. Rgt.,
│ │ │ Schlotheim.
│ │ Body Guard Hus. │2 and 5 Sqns. 2 Gd.
│ │ Rgt. │ Uhlan Rgt.
│ │ 2 Gd. Uhlan Rgt. │1 Sqn. 6 Drag. Rgt.
│ │ │Ers. Sqn. 2 Uhlan
│ │ │ Rgt.
│ │ │Ers. Sqn. 1 Horse
│ │ │ Jag. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │2 Gd. Brig.: │2 Gd. Brig.: │2 Gd. Brig.:
│ 2 Gd. F. A. Rgt. │ 2 Gd. F. A. Rgt. │ 2 Gd. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ 4 Gd. F. A. Rgt. │ 4 Gd. F. A. Rgt. │ 4 Gd. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Gd. Eng. Btn.: │1 Gd. Eng. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │ │
│ │ Field Co. Gd. │ 2 Co. Gd. Pion.
│ │ Pion. Btn. │ Btn.
│ │ 2 Gd. Pont. Engs. │ 1 Co. 28 Pion.
│ │ │ Btn.
│ │ 2 Gd. Tel. Detch. │ 281 Pion. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │ 2 Gd. Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │ 2 Gd. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │ 2 Gd. T. M. Co.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │3 Gd. │1 Gren. │3 Gd. │1 Gren.
│ │2 Gren. │ │2 Gren.
│ │4 Gren. │ │4 Gren.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │1 Sqn. 6 Drag. Rgt.│1 Sqn. Body Gd.
│ │ Hus. Rgt.
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │2 Gd. Art. Command:│2 Gd. F. A. Rgt.
│ 2 Gd. F. A. Rgt. │3 Abt. 3 Ft. A.
│ │ Rgt.
│ │(Staff, 10, 11, and
│ │ 12 Btries.).
│ │535 Ft. A. Btry.
│ │965 Light Am. Col.
│ │1385 Light Am. Col.
│ │1386 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│102 Eng. Btn.: │102 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 2 Co. Gd. Pion. │ 2 Co. Gd. Pions.
│ Btn. │
│ 3 Co. Gd. Pion. │ 3 Co. Gd. Pions.
│ Btn. │
│ 2 Gd. T. M. Co. │ 211 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ 278, 281, and 298 │2 Gd. Signals
│ Searchlight │ Command:
│ Sections. │
│ 2 Gd. Tel. Detch. │ 2 Gd. Tel. Detch.
│ │ 73 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │2 Ambulance Co. │2 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│2 Field Hospital. │2 Field Hospital.
│3 Field Hospital. │3 Field Hospital.
│2 Gd. Vet. │2 Gd. Vet.
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │2 M. G. S. S. │
│ Detch. │
│1 Abtl. 43 Res. F. │
│ A. Rgt. │
│3 Abtl. 43 Res. F. │
│ A. Rgt. │
│1 Abtl. 16 Ft. A. │
│ Rgt. │
│2 Abtl. 11 Res. Ft.│
│ A. Rgt. with │
│ transport. │
│10 Btry. 13 Res. │
│ Ft. A. Rgt. │
│190 Ft. Batry. │
│9 Btry. 12 Res. Ft.│
│ A. Rgt. with │
│ transport. │
│1 Btry. 57 Ldw. Ft.│
│ A. Rgt. │
│3 Co. 87 Labor Btn.│
│1 Co. 8 Ammunition │
│ Train. │
│1133 Wireless │
│ Detch. (from 27 │
│ Div.). │
│289 Pigeon Loft. │
│3 Balloon Section. │
│327 Ammunition │
│ Train. │
│191 M. T. Col. │
│216 M. T. Col. │
│853 M. T. Col. │
│865 M. T. Col. │
│188 Depot Supply │
│ Train. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

1914.

FRANCE.

1. Entrained August 9 to 11 (notebooks). Detrained at Beutgenbach (12 kilos east of Malmedy). Entered Belgium August 14. Crossed the Meuse at Huy August 18. Crossed the Sambre at Auvelais (Aug. 22) on the right of the 1st Guard Division. Fought at Falisolle and Aisemont the 23d; at Mettet the 24th. Fought on the 29th at Haution and Vallee-aux-Bleds; on the 30th at St. Pierre (west of Vervins), on the left of the 1st Guard Division.

2. From there via Lugny, Boncourt, La Malmaison, Ville-aux-Bois, Sarcy, Epernay, Avize, Vertus; fought after September 6 at Ecury-le-Repos and Normee.

3. Retreated on the 9th at Vertus; 10th at Tauxieres; 11th at Thuizy. Was before Reims until September 30.

4. In Artois in October (Bucquoy, Monchy-aux-Bois, Adinfer), near the 1st Guard Division. Split up in November like the latter; sent one of its brigades, the 4th, in the region of Ypres (Gheluvelt), and remained there until the end of December.

1915.

RUSSIA.

1. In January the division was again assembled. At rest at Douai from the end of January till the middle of February. On the Monchy-aux-Bois- Puisieux front till the end of March. Entrained March 30 at Cambrai for Schelestadt (Alsace), where it was placed at rest.

2. In April transferred to Galicia (Neu-Samdek, Apr. 26–30).

3. Beginning on May 2 it took part in Mackensen’s offensive—Battle of Gorlitz, May 2–3; at Jaroslav, May 16; battle of Krasnostav, July 17; crossed the Bug August 24. At Zegrje, on the Narew, September 14.

4. On September 16 it returned to Novo-Georgievsk and entrained for the western front. Detrained at Nivelles September 20.

FRANCE-LORETTE.

5. The division was at rest for one month in Belgium.

6. On October 25 entrained for Orchies and reached Henin-Lietard by stages and fought at Lorette on November 5 for 6 days. It suffered casualties again there.

7. The division went into line in the region between Noyon and Roye.

1916.

FRANCE-SOMME.

1. The 2d Guard Division remained in the sector of the region Noyon-Roye until August, 1916.

2. On August 15 it was sent to the Somme region (Chilly), where it suffered heavy losses both to the north and to the south of Peronne.

3. From October 1 to the end of December, 1916, it fought for a second time south of Peronne.

1917.

1. At the end of January the division was sent to rest near Guise. To the east of Clery-sur-Somme, end of February.

2. Then it held the Siegfried line, near Roisel and St. Quentin, for five or six days (beginning of March).

3. Entrained for Vervins and sent back to rest (Mar. 16 to Apr. 12).

CHEMIN DES DAMES.

4. About April 12 the division was sent to Sissonne. Went into line between Hurtebise and Craonne (Apr. 20 to 22), supporting or relieving the units of the 5th Guard Division. It remained for three weeks in the region of Craonne and Amifontaine. It suffered new losses and still heavier ones on Californie Plateau.

5. On May 11 the division went to the Argonne by road (La Harazee, May 17) and was reorganized, receiving replacements from the 613th, 614th, and 615th Regiments, which were dissolved.

RUSSIA.

6. Withdrawn from the line at the beginning of July and entrained for the eastern front (from July 4 to 10), via Charleville, Givet, Namur, Liege, Herbestal, Hanover, Berlin, Posen, Skalmiercyze, Ozidof.

7. Took part in the attack on the Sereth (July 19); relieved August 1 and sent to rest.

RIGA.

8. On August 9 entrained at Horlodylow and took part in the attack on Uxkull (Sept. 1). On the 4th it entered Riga.

FRANCE.

9. From September 7 to 9 the division entrained for France, via Zanke, Mitaul Vilna, Kovno, Posen, Berlin, Hanover, Dusseldorf, Aix-la- Chapelle, Liege, Namur, Givet, Charleville.

LA MALMAISON.

10. Beginning September 21 it was sent to Laon. About the 28th it went into line in the Malmaison sector. On October 23 the French attack commenced and caused them very heavy losses (1,800 prisoners, of whom 50 officers, and many wounded). Relieved on the 25th and its regiments, much reduced in strength, were sent to the Region of Vervins.

11. In the middle of November it held the sector of St. Mihiel, Forests of Apremont. The regiment received replacements from the interior and from the Russian front taken from the 226th Division.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 2d Guard Division had the reputation of being a good division. It suffered heavy losses in the Aisne sector in May, 1917. However, even after this attack the morale of the men on the whole seemed quite high. At the Malmaison attack, October 23, the troops of the division, after three days, were completely defeated.

During the last battles the division showed only moderate fighting value.

1918.

1. The 2d Guard Division was relieved by the 201st Division January 11 and went to rest at Metz.

2. Here the division underwent a 10 weeks’ course of training. March 18 it entrained at Metz and traveled via Thionville to St. Amand, where it detrained on the evening of March 19. It went then via Marchiennes (Mar. 20–21), Montigny (Mar. 21–22), to Lambres, where it arrived the evening of March 22. After 5 days’ rest here the division moved up to the line at Vitry-en-Artois (Mar. 27) to reinforce the front for the attack north of the Scarpe on the 28th. Except for one battalion of the 1st Guard Grenadier Regiment, the division took part in the fighting, as the attack was unsuccessful.

MOREUIL.

3. The following day it marched via Arleux-Morchies-Beaumetz- Haplincourt-Le Fansloy-Les Boeufs-Maricourt, crossing the Somme at Suzanne-Proyart-Framerville-Caix-Mézières. It went into reserve east of Mailly-Raineval, where it remained until April 5, when it came into line north of Rouvrel. It was relieved by the 6th Reserve Division May 2.

AISNE.

4. The division reinforced the Aisne battle front about May 26 to the west of Vailly. It was relieved, June 17, by the 40th Division.

MARNE.

5. After a rest in the Marle region the division reinforced the front near Chatillon-sur-Marne July 15. It was withdrawn on the 22d.

SOMME.

6. August 27 the division reinforced the front south of the Somme near Dompierre. It was relieved, September 3, by the Alpine Corps, after suffering heavy losses, and losing 1,450 prisoners.

LE CATELET.

7. During the night of September 11–12 it reinforced the front near Ronssoy (west of Le Catelet). It was withdrawn October 9.

YPRES.

8. After resting a fortnight the division relieved the 52d Reserve Division at Machelen, October 24. It was relieved by the 6th Cavalry Division November 4, and did not return to line.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 2d Guard Division is rated as a first-class assault division. It participated in a great deal of heavy fighting during 1918 and always acquitted itself very well. It was mentioned in the official communiqués on several occasions. Between the end of August and October 9 it had lost 2,800 in prisoners alone. Indeed, its losses must have been very heavy, since there is positive evidence at hand to show that it received 4,000 replacements between August 10 and October 10.

2d Guard Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │26 Res. │15 Res. │26 Res. │15 Res. │26 Res. │15 Res.
│ │55 Res. │ │55 Res. │ │55 Res.
│38 Res. │77 Res. │38 Res. │77 Res. │38 Res. │77 Res.
│ │91 Res. │ │91 Res. │ │91 Res.
│ 10 Res. Jag. Btn. │ 10 Res. Jag. Btn. │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2 Res. Uhlan Rgt. │ │
│ (3 Sqns.). │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │20 Res. F. A. Rgt. │ │20 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (6 Btries.). │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│4 Field Co. 2d │4 Field Co. 2d │4 and 6 Field Cos.
Liaisons. │ Pion. Btn. No. │ Pion. Btn. No. │ 2 Pion. Btn. No.
│ 10. │ 10. │ 10.
│ │ │2 Gd. Res. Pontoon
│ │ │ Engs.
│ │ │2 Gd. Res. Tel.
│ │ │ Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │38 Res. │15 Res. │38 Res. │15 Res.
│ │77 Res. │ │77 Res.
│ │91 Res. │ │91 Res.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2d Sqn. 2 Res. │4 Cav. Sqn.
│ Uhlan Regt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │8 Gd. Art. Command:│116 Art. Command:
│ │
│ 20 Res. F. A. Rgt.│ 20 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (9 Btries.). │
│ │ 2 Abt. 23 Ft. A.
│ │ Rgt. (4 and 6
│ │ Btries.).
│ │ 714 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 911 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1237 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│4 and 6 Field Cos. │302 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ Pion. Btn. No. │
│ 10. │
│6 Gd. T. M. Co. │ 6 Co. 10 Pions.
│ │
│260 Searchlight │ 6 Gd. T. M. Co.
│ Section. │
│402 Tel. Detch. │ 212 Searchlight
│ (Gd.). │ section.
│ │402 Gd. Signals
│ │ Commands:
│ │ 402 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 21 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │268 Ambulance Co. │268 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│389, 390, 17, and │45 Res. Field
│ 45 Res. Field │ Hospital.
│ Hospitals. │
│Vet. Hospital. │17 Res. Field
│ │ Hospital.
│ │204 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │M. T. Col. │702 M. T. Col.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(15th Reserve: Eighth District—Westphalia. 77th and 91st Reserve: Tenth
District—Hanover.)

1914.

BELGIUM.

1. At the beginning of the war the 2d Reserve Guard Division was grouped with the 19th Reserve Division in the 10th Reserve Corps. This corps formed a part of the Second German Army (Von Bülow).

The division entrained at Zulpich August 10, entered Belgium the 14th, passed the Meuse near Liege the 17th, surrounded Namur on the north, crossed the Sambre to the west of Charleroi on the 22d, fought at Marbaix the 23d, and the 29th and 30th at Ribemont and St. Quentin.

MARNE-CHAMPAGNE.

2. The 2d Reserve Guard Division was engaged in the battle of the Marne between Sezanne and Montmirail (Sept. 6–7). It retreated through Epernay and fought on the Rheims front. It held its position on this front (Courcy sector) up to the month of February, 1915.

1915.

ARTOIS.

1. Toward the middle of February, 1915, the two brigades of the 2d Reserve Guard Division were separated. The 26th Brigade went into the line between Thiescourt and the Oise and the 38th Brigade went to the forest of the Argonne.

2. Regrouped in Alsace in the vicinity of Schlestadt toward the end of April, the 2d Reserve Guard Division was transported about May 20 to the district of La Bassee. It was engaged in the Cuinchy-Givenchy sector (June-July).

3. About the 1st of August the division was sent to rest east of Cambrai.

4. In September it occupied the sector of Vingles-Hulluch to the south of the La Bassee Canal. September 25–26 it took part in the third battle of the Artois and suffered great losses. Portions of the 2d Reserve Guard Division participated in the attack near Loos October 8.

5. The division remained in the district of La Bassee up to April, 1916.

1916.

SOMME.

1. The 2d Reserve Guard Division was relieved about April 7 of the Cuinchy-Canal sector of La Bassee. After a rest in Belgium in the vicinity of Tournai, the division was placed in the Gommecourt sector (Somme), end of May.

2. The Franco-British offensive found it in this sector July 1. It was severely engaged from July to November, 1916, sometimes in the vicinity of Pozieres, Thiepval, Bazentin-le-Petit (from July to September), sometimes farther north, and suffered serious losses (51 per cent of its personnel).

3. The 2d Reserve Guard Division was maintained in the Gommecourt- Hebuterne sector during the entire winter of 1916–17. At the end of 1916 it ceded the 55th Reserve Infantry to the 220th Division (organization).

1917.

HINDENBURG LINE.

1. The middle of March, 1917, the 2d Reserve Guard Division participated in the retreat of the German Army; it went back through Bucquoy, Lagnicourt, Beaumetz-les-Cambrai toward the Hindenburg line. It established itself on this line between Queant and Boursies until the end of May.

FLANDERS.

2. At the beginning of June the division remained at rest several days in the vicinity of Cambrai, and was then transported to the Thielt, (Pitthem-Eeghem) district (end of June). At the beginning of July it approached the front toward Staden.

3. On July 31, certain elements of the division, being surprised and later reassembled on the western border of the Houthulst forest, counter attacked in the direction of Bixschoote and suffered rather heavy losses.

4. The 2d Reserve Guard Division remained in this sector eight days. It was relieved August 8–9 and sent to rest in the district of Gand (Lakeren-Ostnieuwekerke) till the beginning of September.

5. About the 10th of September it was sent into the line on the front west of Passchendaele (southeast of St. Julien). It was withdrawn from this position toward the end of the month in order to go in again, almost immediately, to the southeast of Armentieres.

6. It remained there until the end of November, after which it reappeared on the front west and north of Passchendaele in December.

7. It was relieved February 1, 1918, and went into the district of Roulers.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 2d Reserve Guard Division was always considered as being an excellent division because it had always fought well, though it showed only mediocre fighting qualities to the north of Ypres in 1917.

The 31st of July it counterattacked without energy and without success in the direction of Bixschoote. During the approach, a great number of men remained in the rear.

Following this, its attitude was passive.

1918.

FLANDERS.

1. The division remained in the Passchendaele sector until withdrawn about January 9.

2. It came back into line, relieving the 199th Division, during the night of January 23–24, north of Passchendaele. It was relieved by the 239th Division February 1.

3. February 7 it relieved the 239th Division; relieved by 41st Division March 3. It then was trained for a fortnight.

CAMBRAI.

4. March 21 the division reinforced the Cambrai front near St. Leger, fighting, with heavy losses, until the 26th.

ARRAS.

5. It came back into line west of Neuville-Vitasse about April 3, relieving the 236th Division. April 29 the division was relieved by the extension of the fronts of the neighboring divisions.

6. It went to the Douai area and rested there until coming into line in the Gavrelle sector during the night of June 7–8; it relieved the 187th Division. It was relieved by the 187th Division June 20 and went to be reconstituted in the Tournai area, receiving a draft from the 427th Infantry Regiment and another of over 500 men from Germany.

7. The division relieved the 5th Bavarian Reserve Division, near Bucquoy, August 7. During the heavy fighting that followed it lost 2,400 in prisoners alone. It was withdrawn August 25.

8. September 2 it reinforced the front near the Arras-Cambrai road, whence it was withdrawn about the middle of the month.

LA BASSÉE.

9. It then relieved the 9th Reserve Division near Neuve-Chapelle September 26.

FLANDERS.

10. October 5 prisoners belonging to the division were identified near Ledeghem. It remained there, being identified by prisoners November 11.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The general commanding the 2d Guard Reserve Division was decorated in February and again in May. The last decoration was Pour le Mérite, and was accompanied by promotion. August 15 Gen. Petersdorff reprimanded the division because, as he said, “within 14 days, 1 noncommissioned officer and 10 other ranks have been missing from the division * * *.” It is considered as a second-class division.

2d Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │3. │4 Gren. │3. │4 Gren. │3. │4 Gren.
│ │44. │ │44. │ │33 Fus.
│4. │33 Fus. │4. │33 Fus. │ │44.
│ │45. │ │45. │ │3 Landst.
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │10 Horse Jag. Rgt. │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │2 Brig.: │2 Brig.: │2 Brig.:
│ 1 F. A. Rgt. │ 1 F. A. Rgt. │ 1 F. A. Rgt.
│ 37 F. A. Rgt. │ 37 F. A. Rgt. │ 37 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Pion. Btn. No. 1:│1 Pion. Btn. No. 1:
Liaisons. │ │ │
│ │ Field Co. 1 Pion. │ 2 Co. 1 Pion. Btn.
│ │ Btn. │
│ │ 2 Pontoon, Engrs. │ 2 T. M. Co.
│ │ 2 Tel. Detch. │ 2 Pontoon, Engrs.
│ │ │
│ │ │ 2 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │3. │4 Gren. │3. │4 Gren.
│ │33 Fus. │ │33 Fus.
│ │44. │ │44.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │10 Horse Jag. Rgt. │10 Horse Jag. Rgt.
│ (2d Sqn.). │ (2 Sqn.).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │2 Art. Command: │2 Art. Command:
│ 1 F. A. Rgt. │ 1 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 4 Abt. 6 Res. Ft.
│ │ A. Rgt.
│ │ 872 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1,364 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1,392 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 Pion. Btn. No. 1:│1 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 2 Co. 1 Pion. │ 2 Co. 1 Pion.
│ │
│ 4 Co. 1 Pion. │ 4 Co. 1 Pion.
│ 2 T. M. Co. │ 4 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ 2 Searchlight │ 2 Signals Command.
│ Section. │
│ 2 Tel. Detch. │ 2 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 159 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │Ambulance Co. │5 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│11 Field Hospital. │11 Field Hospital.
│12 Field Hospital. │12 Field Hospital.
│195 Vet. Hospital. │195 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │535 M. T. Col. │535 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │150 Bav. Anti- │
│ Aircraft Section.│
│Cyclist Detch. 2 │
│ Landst. Btn. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(First District—Oriental Prussia.)

1914.

The first and second divisions formed the 1st Army Corps.

RUSSIA.

1. At the beginning of the war the 2d Division was sent to the Russian front. Up to the month of November it participated in the operations in Oriental Prussia (Tannenberg, Aug. 27–29).

2. In November, 1914, the 2d Division, minus one brigade, which continued to hold its old sector, was withdrawn and included in the group which attacked in the direction of Lodz and operated between the Vistula and the Warta; continuing its activities, it attempted to cross the Bzura-Rawka opposite Warsaw in the district of Lowicz.

1915.

1. At the beginning of February, 1915, it reappeared in Oriental Prussia and participated in the offensive which ejected the Russians from this Province. It was engaged in its entirety in the district of Lyck and marched upon Augustowo and Grodno.

2. The Russian counter attack launched in the vicinity of Prasnysz toward the end of March drew the 2d Division to this sector.

3. In July during the development of the Hindenburg offensive, it emerged from the Ostrolenka-Pultusk line and proceeded in a northerly direction.

4. Upon the stabilization of the front the 2d Division held a sector between Illukst and Lake Drisviaty (Dwinsk District).

1916.

1. At the end of July, 1916, portions of the 2d Division were assigned to duty in Galicia to oppose the Russian advance.

1917.

1. The reconstituted 2d Division was engaged in the Mitau sector up to the end of January, 1917; all its units were identified in the vicinity of Kalnzen.

2. On February 8 it entrained at Mitau for the western front. (Itinerary: Chavli, Kovno, Insterburg, Konigsberg, Stettin, Hamburg, Munster, Aix-la-Chapelle, Liège, Louvain, Bruxelles, Audenarde.)

BELGIUM.

3. Detrained February 13 and remained at rest up to the end of March. It received reinforcements of various classes of men (wounded, convalescents, class 1917 reservists).

4. The division occupied the Wytschaete sector from the 25th of March to the beginning of June. (On April 15 and May 10 and 15 it received the first reinforcements from the class of 1918, the last having had only three months’ instruction; in all, 4,460 men between January 1 and June 1.) On June 7 it left 2,825 men in the hands of British troops.

5. On June 10 the 2d Division retired from the Belgian front. It was placed at rest in the district of Audenarde in June and then entrained for the eastern front (end of June).

RUSSIA.

6. It arrived in Russia at the beginning of July and was put at rest in the district of Vilna. On July 14 it was identified in the Illukst District.

FRANCE.

7. It returned to France on the 25th of November. It entrained on this date at Kovno and was transported over the following itinerary: Insterburg, Thorn, Posen, Frankfort-sur-Oder, Berlin, Paderborn, Crefeld, Aix-la-Chapelle, Liège, Namur, Vouziers (Nov. 30).

8. On December 27 it relieved the 1st Bavarian Division in the Souain- Somme-Py sector.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

Except during the period March-June, 1917, when the 2d Division was fighting in Belgium, it continuously occupied the Russian front from the beginning of the war till December, 1917.

1918.

CHAMPAGNE.

1. The 2d Division remained in line in the Souaine-Somme-Py region until relieved by the 87th Division about April 2. It went back to the Army depot at Semide, where it stayed about a week drilling and maneuvering. April 10 it entrained at Machault, and went via Rethel, Liart, Marle, and detrained at La Ferté-Chevresis, encamping in the vicinity. It traveled by St. Simon (Apr. 11), Ham, Solente (5 km. east of Roye), and Laboissiére, where it stayed until April 30.

MONTDIDIER.

2. May 1 the division relieved the 51st Reserve Division at Monchel, south of Montdidier; relieved August 31.

ST. QUENTIN.

3. The division was identified in line near Essigny-le-Grand, south of St. Quentin, September 5; it was relieved about the 15th by the extension of the fronts of the neighboring divisions.

4. During the night of September 20–21 it went back into line north of St. Quentin, in the Bellenglise sector. It was withdrawn about the 10th.

5. The division rested for a fortnight in the Avesnes area, then came into line October 24, relieving the 19th Reserve Division east of Ribemont (southeast of St. Quentin). It was withdrawn from line early in November and did not return.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 2d is rated as a third-class division. It was used in a great deal of heavy fighting and suffered severe losses (July 23 it lost 54 officers and 1,800 men in prisoners alone west of the Avre; the 9th and 10th of August it lost 443 prisoners; in its engagements between August 8 and October 1 it lost over 1,500 prisoners). Nevertheless, it was never used as an attacking division, but confined itself to holding the sectors allotted it; on account of its weakened condition and lowered morale (there are several cases of insubordination on record), it did not acquit itself any too well.

2d Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │53 Mixed │124 Ldw. │53 Mixed │124 Ldw. │53 Mixed │124 Ldw.
│ Ldw. │ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw. │
│ │125 Ldw. │ │125 Ldw.│ │125 Ldw.
│9 Bav. │6 Bav. │9 Bav. │6 Bav. │ (.) │120 Ldw.
│ Mixed │ Ldw. │ Mixed │ Ldw. │ │
│Ldw. │7 Bav. │Ldw. │7 Bav. │ │122 Ldw.
│ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw. │ │
│ │ │ │ │ 6 Res. Jag. Btn.
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼───────────────────
Cavalry. │3 Ldw. Sqn. (13 C. │3 Ldw. Sqn. (13 C. │3 Ldw. Sqn. (13 C.
│ Dist.). │ Dist.). │ Dist.).
│ │ │3 Landst. Sqn. (13
│ │ │ C. Dist.).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │1 Ldw. Btry. │1 Ldw. Btry. │2 Ldw. Rgt.
│ Landst. Btn. (13 │ Landst. Btn. (13 │
│ C. Dist.). │ C. Dist.). │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │ │6 Co. 13 Pion.
Liaisons. │ │ │
│ │ │3 Co. 18 Pion.
│ │ │
│ │ │302 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │54 Ldw. │120 Ldw. │54 Ldw. │120 Ldw.
│ │ │ │
│ │122 Ldw. │ │122 Ldw.
│ │125 Ldw. │ │125 Ldw.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3 Ldw. Sqn. (13 C. │4 Sqn. 20 Uhlan
│ Dist.). │ Rgt.
│4 Sqn. 20 Uhlan │
│ Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │142 Art. Command: │2 Ldw. F. A. Rgt.
│ │
│ │
│ 2 Ldw. Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(402) Eng. Btn.: │402 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 1 Ldw. Co. 13 │ 1 Ldw. Co. 13 C.
│ Pion. │ Dist. Pions.
│ 5 Ldw. Co. 13 │ 5 Ldw. Co. 13 C.
│ Pion. │ Dist. Pions.
│ 302 T. M. Co. │ 302 T. M. Co.
│ 299 Searchlight │ 224 Searchlight
│ Section. │ Section.
│ 502 Tel. Detach. │502 Signals
│ │ Command.
│ │ 502 Tel. Detach.
│ │ 176 Wireless
│ │ Detach.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │572 Ambulance Co. │572 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│Ldw. Field Hosp. │254 Field Hospital.
│ Vet. Hospital. │
│ │25 Ldw. Field
│ │ Hospital.
│ │502 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │722 M. T. Col. │772 M. T. Col.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(Thirteenth District—Wurttemberg.)

1914.

ARGONNE.

1. The 2d Landsturm Division (Franke Division) forms a part of the Argonne group and has continuously occupied sectors of this district since September, 1914. At the beginning of the campaign it comprised a Wurttemberg and a Bavarian brigade. Engaged at Etain August 24, 1914, it crossed the Meuse at Stenay on the 31st.

2. Beginning with September it occupied the line in the woods of Cheppy and Malancourt.

1915.

ARGONNE.

1. Vauquois-bois de Malancourt sector.

2. At the end of September, 1915, portions of the division (one battalion of the 6th and one of the 7th Bavarian Landsturm) were assigned to service in the district of Massiges; they rejoined the Vauquois sector at the end of October.

1916.

ARGONNE.

1. Vauquois-bois d’Avocourt and Malancourt sector.

2. At the beginning of 1916 the 2d Landsturm Division was reconstituted with exclusively Wurttemberg elements, including the 120th Landsturm, withdrawn from the Bavarian Ersatz Division, and the 122d Landsturm, proceeding from the 1st Bavarian Landsturm Division. The 9th Bavarian brigade went over to the 1st Bavarian Landsturm Division.

1917.

ARGONNE.

1. In the Cheppy-bois d’Avocourt wood sector.

2. At the end of August, 1917, the 2d Landsturm Division changed places with the 2d Bavarian Division and took the Nord Four sector of Paris- Bolante-Courte-Chausse.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

Sector division. Did not leave Argonne from the beginning of the war. On several occasions it furnished young men to active and reserve Wurttemberg regiments, replacing them by older Landsturm men.

1918.

ARGONNE.

The division remained in line in the Apremont sector, engaging in but little activity until the American attack of September 26. From that time on until it was withdrawn, October 25, it fought a great deal.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

Most of the young men of the division were taken from it to be sent to other organizations early in the year. October 12 the corps commander telegraphed the King of Wurttemberg (the 2d Landwehr Division comes from Wurttemberg): “The 2d Landwehr Division * * * has particularly distinguished itself by its bravery and intrepidity during the last combats in the Argonne and has thus contributed toward the failure of the enemy’s attempt to break through.” It was badly used on the opening day of the American attack, but it fought hard. It loaned companies to various other divisions, including the 1st and 5th Guard Divisions, and for days at a time these Landwehr troops were making the greatest resistance in the Aire Valley. While the division lost only 795 prisoners during the offensive, its total losses undoubtedly are above 5,000, there being evidence to show that many companies did not have more than 25 men, there being only three companies per battalion, and—in at least one case—only two battalions in the regiment. It is rated as a fourth-class division.

2d Bavarian Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │3 Bav. │3 Bav. │3 Bav. │3 Bav. │4 Bav. │12 Bav.
│ │20 Bav. │ │20 Bav. │ │15 Bav.
│4 Bav. │12 Bav. │4 Bav. │12 Bav. │ │20 Bav.
│ │15 Bav. │ │15 Bav. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │4 Bav. Light Cav. │ │3 Sqns. 4 Bav.
│ Rgt. │ │ Light Cav. Rgt.
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │2 Bav. Brig.: │2 Bav. Brig.: │2 Bav. Brig.:
│ │ │
│ 4 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 4 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 2 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ 9 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 9 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 9 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│2 Field Co. 1 Bav. │2 Field Co. 1 Bav. │2 and 4 Field Cos.
Liaisons. │ Pion. Btn. │ Pion. Btn. │
│ │2 Bav. Pont. Engs. │1 Bav. Pion. Btn.
│ │2 Bav. Tel. Detch. │2 Res. Co. 19
│ │ │ Pions.
│ │ │2 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ │ │2 Bav. Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │2 Bav. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │4 Bav. │12 Bav. │4 Bav. │12 Bav.
│ │15 Bav. │ │15 Bav.
│ │20 Bav. │ │20 Bav.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2 and 3 Sqns. 8 │3 Sqns. 8 Bav.
│ Bav. Light Cav. │ Light Cav. Rgt.
│ Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │2 Bav. Art. │2 Bav. Art.
│ Command: │ Command:
│ 9 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 9 Nav. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 1 Abt. 3 Bav. Res.
│ │ Ft. A. Rgt.
│ │ 151 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 153 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 160 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│2 and 4 Bav. Pion. │7 Bav. Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ Cos. │
│2 Bav. T. M. Co. │ 2 Bav. Pion. Co.
│2 Bav. Tel. Detch. │ 4 Bav. Pion. Co.
│ │
│ │ 2 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ │2 Bav. Signals
│ │ Command:
│ │ 2 Bav. Tel. Detch.
│ │ 107 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │2 Bav. Ambulance │2 Bav. Ambulance
Veterinary.│ Co. │ Co.
│Field Hospital. │6 Bav. Field
│ │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │8 Bav. Field
│ │ Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │M. T. Col. │682 M. T. Col.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(First Bavarian District—Southwest of Bavaria, Bavarian Swabia.)

1914.

LORRAINE.

1. At the beginning of August the 2d Bavarian Division which, with the 1st Bavarian Division, formed the 1st Bavarian Corps, was a part of the army of the Crown Prince of Bavaria (6th Army). The 3d Brigade, covering troops, detrained at Reding near Saarburg, the 3d of August. On the 9th the division was at its full strength. It proceeded to the frontier, reached Badonviller, and retired as far as Gosselming (west of Saarburg) the 17th of August, gave battle there on the 20th, and recrossed the frontier. It advanced as far as Xaffévillers (Sept. 7), whence it retired to Morhange (Sept. 10). On September 15 the division entrained at Metz. It detrained near Namur, gained Peronne by stages, and was engaged at Foucaucourt the 24th.

SOMME.

2. Together with the 1st Bavarian Corps it was attached to the 2d Army (Von Bülow), operating on the Somme in the district of Peronne. It took part in the fiercely contested battles which took place there but a short time after the stabilization of the front and suffered serious losses. At the beginning of the campaign, October 30, the 12th Infantry had 50 officers and 1,910 men who were unable to take part in action (lists of losses).

3. The division was maintained in this district up to the month of October, 1915, first to the south of the Somme, later, at the beginning of November, 1914, between Dompierre and Maricourt.

1915.

ARTOIS.

1. In April, 1915, the division was reduced to three regiments through the cession of the 3d Infantry to the 11th Bavarian Division. Between the 10th and 15th of October, 1915, the 2d Bavarian Division was placed on the Artois front in the Neuville-Souchez sector.

2. About the 20th of December it was in the line at Bailleul-Sire- Berthoult between the western part of the Lille road and the Arras road.

3. It remained there until the beginning of May, 1916.

1916.

VERDUN.

1. At this date it was relieved and transported to Verdun. It participated in the violent battles which took place there in May and June in the vicinity of Douaumont and suffered serious losses (50 per cent of its personnel). It was reconstituted in June in the district of Merke-Romagne-sur-les-Cotes (reinforcement of from 50 to 100 men per company), and went back to the line near Thiaumont. It suffered serious losses in the attack of June 23 (the companies of the 12th Bavarian Regiment were reduced to about 40 men).

LORRAINE.

2. The 2d Bavarian Division was withdrawn from this zone of combat about the 15th of July and was sent to the Apremont-St. Mihiel sector, where it was reconstituted. It received numerous reinforcements (convalescents and class 16 men). During this period, which extends up to October 15, it did not take part in any serious operation.

SOMME.

3. At the end of October it was transported to the Somme (Sailly- Saillisel sector), where it was again put to a severe test.

4. After staying a month in the Somme district it reoccupied the lines in the St. Mihiel sector at the beginning of December.

1917.

CALIFORNIE PLATEAU.

1. The 2d Bavarian Division was withdrawn from the St. Mihiel sector between the 2d and 5th of May, 1917, and entrained at Mars-la-Tour on the 6th, whence it was transported via Conflans to Montcornet, where, during the night of the 8th, it gained the sector situated to the east of Hurtebise.

2. From the 9th on the 2d Bavarian Division engaged some of its elements on the salient northeast of Californie Plateau (May 9 and 10).

3. The division occupied this sector up to the end of May and participated in serious engagements notably those of the 13th and 22d of May to the northwest of the plateau. It was put to a very severe test. (The 9th Company of the 20th Battalion was reduced to 45 men.)

ARGONNE.

4. The 2d Bavarian Division was relieved at the beginning of June and sent to rest for 15 days at Camp Sissonne; later it was transported to the Argonne, where it occupied the Grande Courte-Chausse sector. During this rest it received two reinforcements—700 to 800 men June 28 and 300 men in July.

5. At the end of August it changed sectors and went into the line toward Bois d’Avocourt (Bois de Cheppy).

MEUSE.

6. The division was withdrawn from this sector at the end of October and remained in repose in the vicinity of Stenay up to the middle of November, whence it was directed to the sector west of the Bois-le- Chaume. The 12th Bavarian Regiment, which had been sent in reserve to the southeast of Altkirch about the 10th of November to ward off an expected French attack in Alsace, rejoined the division December 6.

7. The 2d Bavarian Division remained in this sector (southeast of Beaumont) up to January, 1918, and then went to rest in the district of Longwy.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.