Chapter VI: Part 6

4. Went to Belgium in December. About December 25 was at rest in the region Hirson-Avesnes.

1916.

VERDUN.

1. At the beginning of February, 1916, it was in the region of Spincourt.

2. At the end of February at Verdun. It fought near Herbebois February 23. It attacked Douaumont February 26 and suffered severe losses. It was again engaged from March 8 to 15 and from April 22 to the end of the May.

SOMME.

3. July at the Somme (Longueval, Bois Delville). Suffered heavy losses.

4. Middle of August in Champagne (Auberive) until October 12.

VERDUN.

5. December, 1916, it went again to Verdun (region of Vaux, Dec. 7). Units of the 5th Division were engaged as reinforcements during the French attack of December 15. The division was withdrawn from the Verdun front about December 25 and sent to the region of Mulhouse.

1917.

ALSACE.

1. Stayed in Upper Alsace (region of Mulhouse and Ferrette) until April 20, 1917. It held temporarily a calm sector in the Vosges region, but during this period it is used particularly for entrenching works on the French front and the Swiss frontier.

CHAMPAGNE.

2. It was alarmed. It entrained in the region of Mulhouse and was sent through Montmedy and Sedan to Champagne, where it went into line on April 23 in the Mont-Haut sector, where it suffered very heavy losses.

3. Left Champagne front at the beginning of May.

4. Toward the end of June it was in the Woevre in the region between Conflans and Briey.

5. At the beginning of July it was again in the Champagne (Téton sector).

RUSSIA.

6. Sent to the Eastern Front in July and relieved at the beginning of September by the 6th Reserve Division in the region of Zbrucz.

ITALY.

7. About October sent from Galicia to Italy.

FRANCE.

8. Sent from Italy to France at the beginning of January, 1918, and at rest behind the front in Champagne. January 20, 1918, it went into line near Butte du Mesnil.

RECRUITING.

Essentially from Brandenburg (Regiments of the Mark, as the communiques sometimes call it), and its provincial character has been carefully maintained.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

Although not as good as at the beginning of the war, the morale of the 5th Division seemed good and its fighting value worthy of consideration (July 17).

1918.

1. After its return from Italy the division rested and trained at Chenois, near Charleville, from January 1 to March 1, when it moved to Anderlues-Resbaix (west of Charleroi) from March 1 to 14. On that date it moved to the front by night marches by Maubeuge, Landrecies, Wassigny, and Etaves.

BATTLE OF PICARDY.

2. It took its place in line between Lesdins and Remancourt (north of St. Quentin) on the night of March 20–21. The next day it was engaged in support of the 25th Division, advancing via Morcourt and Fayet. It took part in the attack on Holnon Wood and reached Attilly that night. It continued to advance on the 22d via Beauvois-Lanchy-Uguy-Quivieres- Croix-Moleguaux to a point east of Falvy. On the 24th it forced the crossing of the Somme at Falvy and Pargny and reached Morchain that night. It was at Omilcourt on the 25th and captured Chaulnes on the 26th; from there it advanced to Fouquescourt and Rouvroy on the 27th, crossed the Avre, and when the line stabilized near Aubvillers the division withdrew, March 28. Its losses in the fighting were extremely heavy. In crossing the Somme it especially distinguished itself.

3. The division rested until April 3, when it was reengaged between Sauvillers and Grivesnes from April 3–12. It again lost heavily, especially the 52d Regiment, during the attack of April 4 near the Bois de Arrachies.

4. It rested and trained from April 13 to May 23 at Iron et Vadencourt, near Guise. It is known to have received 1,000 men from Beverloo on April 14. From May 23 to 26 it marched toward the Aisne front by night, through Parpeville, Monceau le Neuf, Aisis sur Serre, Couvron, Laniscourt, Foucancourt.

BATTLE OF THE AISNE.

5. On the night of June 26 it entered line southeast of Lizy. In the offensive the division advanced by Chavignon, Malmaison, Uregny, region of Pommiers, Mercin, Pernant, east of Ambleny. It was partially relieved on June 7 and the last elements withdrawn by June 13.

6. The division rested between Guise and Le Nouvion (Mannappes Lechelle) from the middle of June to July 18. During this period the Spanish sickness ravished the troops. Reinforcements reconstituted the division during this period. On July 19 the division was transported to Anezy le Chateau by way of Wassigny, Guise, Mesbricourt. By marches it moved by steps to south of Soissons.

BATTLE OF THE MARNE.

7. On July 21 the division was engaged near Buzancy. It fell back to the Vesle by Acy on August 1–2. It remained in the sector south of Vailly (Ciry-Salsogne, Sermoise) until September 5, when it retired to the line Vailly-Celle sur Aisne. After losing more than 1,000 prisoners it was relieved on September 18.

ARDENNES.

8. The division was reengaged in the region of Jonchery on September 28. It retired north of the Aisne (Sept. 30) toward Berry au Bac. Again retreated October 10 by Prouvais, La Malmaison, to Nizy le Comte. It was in line there until October 17, when it retired to the second line for a week. It was reengaged in the same region from October 25 to November 5, when it retreated by Rozoy and Brunehamel with extremely heavy losses.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

Before the summer of 1918 the 5th Division was an excellent assault division, frequently mentioned in German communiques. But after August, 1918, it became a sector-holding division. It was almost constantly in line after July 21 with consequent lowering of morale and discipline. In November it had but two battalions per regiment and three companies per battalion.

5th Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │9 Res. │8 Res. │9 Res. │8 Res. │10 Res. │8 Res.
│ │48 Res. │ │48 Res. │ │12 Res.
│10 Res. │12 Res. │10 Res. │12 Res. │ │48 Res.
│ │52 Res. │ │52 Res. │ │
│ 3 Res. Jag. Btn. │ 3 Res. Jag. Btn. │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2 Res. Dragoon Rgt.│ │2 Res. Drag. Rgt.
│ (3 Sqns.). │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │5 Res. F. A. Rgt. │5 Res. F. A. Rgt. │5 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (6 Btries.). │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│4 Field Co. and 2 │4 Field Co. and 2 │4 Field Co. and 2
Liaisons. │ Res. Co. of the 2│ Res. Co. of the 2│ Res. Co. of the 2
│ Pion. Btn. No. 3.│ Pion. Btn. No. 3.│ Pion. Btn. No. 3.
│ │5 Res. Pont. Engs. │205 T. M. Co.
│ │5 Res. Tel. Detch. │5 Res. Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │5 Res. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │10 Res. │8 Res. │9 Res. │8 Res.
│ │12 Res. │ │12 Res.
│ │48 Res. │ │48 Res.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2 Res. Drag. Rgt. │5 Sqn. 4 Drag. Rgt.
│ (?) (1 Sqn.). │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │90 Art. Command: │90 Art. Command:
│ │
│ 5 Res. F. A. Rgt. │ 5 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 4 Abt. 17 Res. Ft.
│ │ A. Rgt.
│ │ 1086 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1176 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1202 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(305) Pion. Btn.: │505 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ │
│ 4 Co. 3 Pions. │ 4 Co. 3 Pions.
│ 2 Res. Co. 3 │ 2 Res. Co. 3
│ Pions. │ Pions.
│ 205 T. M. Co. │ 205 T. M. Co.
│ Tel. Detch. │ 69 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ │405 Signal Command:
│ │ 405 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 44 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │503 Ambulance Co. │503 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│64 Res. Field │64 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│65 Res. Field │65 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │135 Res. Vet.
│ │ Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │705 M. T. Col.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(Third District—Brandenburg.)

1914.

The 5th Reserve Division is organically a part of the 3d Reserve Corps, with the 6th Reserve Division.

BELGIUM.

1. At the beginning of the war the division belonged to the 1st Army (Von Kluck). Detrained at Crefeld from August 10 to 12; entered Belgium the 18th. The 3d Reserve Corps was sent to France. The division was at Malines on August 22, at Vilvorde the 26th, and fought against the Belgians on that day. The 3d Reserve Corps then turned toward Antwerp, which it besieged. After the city was taken the corps advanced toward the sea through Ghent, Bruges, October 13 to 16. The 19th the 5th Reserve Division attacked in the direction of Nieuport. At the beginning of November it fought in the vicinity of Bixschoote, in the forest of Houthulst; then until the end of November it held the Dixmude-Langmarck front.

RUSSIA.

2. About December 2 the division entrained for the eastern front. On arriving in Russia it became part of Mackensen’s army (9th Army). It was sent to the Bzura.

1915.

1. In February, 1915, the division was attached to the 10th Army and took part in the battle of Prasnysz.

2. In May one of its brigades remained before Kovno with the 10th Army (Gen. von Eichhorn). The other brigade joined the 3d Reserve Corps of the 9th Army (Gen. von Fabeck) and fought on the Bzura. The 52d Reserve Infantry was transferred to the 107th Division.

3. In July the division was reorganized. It was attached to the 9th Army before Warsaw and fought between the Bzura and the Pilica.

4. In November, after crossing the Vistula and the Bug it arrived before Baranovitchi. It remained in this region until March, 1917.

1916.

1. On January 1, 1916, it held the eastern sector of Novo-Grudok, north of Baranovitchi.

2. At the beginning of April the division was placed in reserve behind this sector.

3. During the first two weeks of July it was engaged between Gorodivche and Baranovitchi to oppose the Russian offensive started on this part of the front. On July 8 it suffered heavy losses. (The 8th Reserve had 1,200 men out of action.)

1917.

FRANCE.

1. It was relieved in this area about the middle of April and sent to the Western Front.

2. Entrained between the 17th and 18th of April at Molczacz (Baranovitchi sector) and went to France, via Brest-Litovsk-Warsaw- Oppeln-Breslau-Goerlitz-Dresden-Leipzig-Sondershausen-Frankfort on Main- Sarrebrucken-Metz. It detrained at Mars la Tour.

WOEVRE.

3. It was then sent to St. Maurice sous les Cotes, where it rested for a few days and then went to the Cotes de Meuse, east of the Combres Heights. It went into the sector before Combres (Calonne trench) on May 15 or 16, and there became accustomed to the Western Front.

CALIFORNIE PLATEAU.

4. Relieved May 27, it was sent behind the Aisne front; spent about three weeks in the Sissonne region, and about June 19 went into line on Californie Plateau near Chaevreux. On June 24, July 3 and 22, the division executed some violent attacks on Californie Plateau, and some of its units lost half their men.

5. Partially relieved about July 23, the units of the division were sent to rest successively at St. Erme, Ramecourt, and La Selve. Before August 10 it was back on Californie Plateau (region of Craonne south of Corbeny).

6. The division took part on the same position in the general retreat of November 1 which brought the German lines back to the north of the Ailette following the French attack of La Malmaison. The division remained on these new lines (south and west of Corbeny) until January 22, 1918.

7. Relieved on this date and put through a course of training in the region of Chimay. On February 18 it marched to the sector of Juvincourt.

RECRUITING.

Brandenburg.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The division is considered by the Germans as a very good division. Its original elements came from the best corps, the Brandenburg corps, but it contains a large proportion of Poles. The division needs rest and replacements. When reconstituted it will probably again be a good unit. (Dec. 29, 1917.)

1918.

LAON.

1. On February 21 the division relieved the 113th Division at Juvincourt, which sector it held until March 26.

PICARDY.

2. It was withdrawn to reinforce the battle front at Chauny, where it appeared on April 2. About April 11, it retired to second line, from which it returned to the battle front on April 25, relieving the 242d Division at Couchy le Pots. The division continued to hold this sector until early June.

NOYON.

3. Between June 1 and 10 it was moved from the Couchy le Pots sector to reinforce the Montdidier-Noyon battle front, where it was identified on June 12 near Courcelles. It was withdrawn on June 17.

4. During July the division rested in rear of the Amiens front.

SOMME.

5. It came into line on August 8 at Trace le Mont. In the opening week of the offensive it lost many prisoners and retired from the line about August 20 to rest near St. Gobain. On the 29th it returned to line near Arblencourt-Champs. It withdrew early in September but returned to support the 80th Reserve Division in a counterattack executed in the region Sancy-Vauxillon September 16–18.

6. Following this the division was rested near Laon. On October 7 it was entrained and moved to the region of Tupigny-Mennevret.

7. It was engaged on October 9 to the east of Bohain before the extreme right of the 4th British Army. It was relieved in this sector on October 23 by the 200th Division. At this time the division was very low in effectives; two regiments had three battalions of three companies and one regiment had but two battalions. The average company strength was about 50 men.

8. Retired to rest for 15 days, the division returned to line on November 5, near Wiege Faty. It was last identified at Trelon on November 11.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as a second-class division. In the earlier years it was a very good division, but through losses and lack of reinforcements during 1918 considerably reduced its value.

5th Ersatz Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────
│ 1916 │ 1917
─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────
Infantry. │37 Mixed Ldw. │73 Ldw. │37 Ldw. │3 Res. Ers.
│ │74 Ldw. │ │73 Ldw.
│2 Res. Ers. │4 Res. Ers. │ │74 Ldw.
│ │3 Res. Ers. │ │
─────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────
Cavalry. │8 Cuirassier Rgt. (Ers. │8 Cuirassier Rgt. (Ers.
│ Sqn.). │ Sqn.).
│ │88 Cav. Rgt. (3 Sqn.).
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Artillery. │102 F. A. Abtl. (1 Ers. Abt. │102 F. A. Regt.
│ 26 F. A. Rgt). │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Engineers and│161 T. M. Co. │Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ │ (?) 2 Landst. Co. 9 C. Dist.
│ │ Pions.
│ │ 405 T. M. Co.
│ │ 303 Searchlight Section.
│ │ 555 Tel. Detch.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Medical and │ │269 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│ │(?) (11 Ldw.) Field Hospital.
│ │505 Vet. Hospital.
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Transports. │ │763 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Attached. │ │2 Insterburg Landst. Inf.
│ │ Btn. (1 C. Dist. Btn. No.
│ │ 6).
─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────

─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────
│ 1918 │ 1918
─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────
Infantry. │37 Ldw. │73 Ldw. │37 Ldw. │73 Ldw.
│ │74 Ldw. │ │74 Ldw.
│ │8 Landst. │ │(?)
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────
Cavalry. │ │1 Sqn. 16 Drag. Rgt.
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Artillery. │ │250 Ldw. F. A. Rgt.
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Engineers and│ │2 Landst. Co. 9 C. Dist
Liaisons. │ │ Pions.
│ │111 Searchlight Section.
│ │
│ │555 Signal Command.
│ │555 Tel. Detch.
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Medical and │ │269 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│ │500 Field Hospital.
│ │11 Ldw. Field Hospital.
│ │505 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Transports. │ │763 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Attached. │ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────

HISTORY.

(73d Landwehr and 74th Landwehr: Tenth District—Hanover. 8th Landsturm;
Eighth District—Rhine Province.)

1916.

The 5th Ersatz Division was organized in the fall of 1915 with the name of Basedow Division. It comprised the 37th Landwehr Brigade (73d and 74th Landwehr); until then attached to the 26th Reserve Corps, and the 2d Reserve Ersatz Brigade (3d Ersatz Reserve and 4th Reserve Brigade), situated in the Dixmude sector. With the 4th Ersatz Division, the Basedow Division, which became the 5th Ersatz Division in 1916, constituted at the end of 1915 the Werde Corps.

BELGIUM.

1. From January to October, 1916 the division remained in Belgium (region of Yser, then southeast of Ypres). However, the 4th Ersatz Reserve was transferred to the 206th Division at the beginning of September.

SOMME.

2. Withdrawn from the Ypres front at the beginning of October, the division was sent to the Somme and engaged north of Courcelette from October 19 to 30.

3. In November it was sent to rest behind the Champagne front.

RUSSIA.

4. At the beginning of December it was sent to Russia (the 73d Landwehr entrained December 11 northeast of Reims, via Dusseldorf-Hamburg- Koenigsburg-Tilsit-Poneviej. Detrained at Elovka the 16th).

1917.

COURLAND.

Sent into line in the Illukst sector (region of Dvinsk) at the beginning of January 1917 and remained in this country during the whole year (Illukst, Lake Stenten, Kchtchava). Its losses were very small—17 killed and 20 wounded in the 3d Ersatz Reserve from the end of December, 1916, to the end of August, 1917. Because the sector was so quiet the division had only small forces during the last months of 1917. The 73d Landwehr at the end of November had only 60 to 65 men per company (examination of Russians).

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The division remained for a long time in the quiet sectors of the Russian front and seems to have had only moderate fighting value.

1918.

COURLAND.

1. The 5th Ersatz Division was still in the vicinity of Dvinsk in February. In March it exchanged the 3d Ersatz Regiment for the 8th Landsturm Regiment of the 87th Division, the latter being on the point of leaving for France.

LIVONIA.

2. The division advanced into Livonia (in March) and remained in the Pskov-Ostrov region as late as June 27th. The 74th Landwehr Regiment was identified here on August 6, but the rest of the division was identified near Mitau during July.

3. Toward the end of October, it was reported that the division, having been refitted, had come to the Western Front via Trier and Rethel; however, the division was never actually identified on the Western Front.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as 4th class.

5th Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │14 Ldw. │36 Ldw. │14 Ldw. │36 Ldw. │14 Ldw. │36 Ldw.
│ │66 Ldw. │ │66 Ldw. │ │66 Ldw.
│ │17 Ldw. │30 Ldw. │25 Ldw. │30 Ldw. │25 Ldw.
│30 Ldw. │25 Ldw. │ │65 Ldw. │ │65 Ldw.
│ │65 Ldw. │ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │ │ │4 Sqn. 1 Uhlan Rgt.
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │ │ │1 and 2 Landst. 4
│ │ │ C. Dist.
│ │ │ Batteries. F. A.
│ │ │256 Ldw. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │ (left in July).
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 Ldw. 11 C. Dist. │ │1 Ldw. 11 C. Dist.
Liaisons. │ Pion. Co. │ │ Pion. Co.
│ │ │1 Ldw. 16 C. Dist.
│ │ │ Pion. Co.
│ │ │305 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │93 Ldw. Inf. Regt. │
│ │ (June to Sept.) │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │30 Ldw. │25 Ldw. │30 Ldw. │25 Ldw.
│ │36 Ldw. │ │36 Ldw.
│ │65 Ldw. │ │65 Ldw.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2 Sqn. 16 Uhlan │2 Sqn. 16 Uhlan
│ Rgt. │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │Art. Command: │256 Ldw. F. A. Rgt.
│ │
│ │
│ 256 Ldw. F. A. │1,415 Light Am.
│ Rgt. │ Col.
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(405) Pion. Btn.: │405 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 1 Ldw. 11 C. Dist.│ 1 Ldw. Co. 11 C.
│ Pion. Co. │ Dist. Pions.
│ 1 Ldw. 16 C. Dist.│ 1 Ldw. Co. 16 C.
│ Pion. Co. │ Dist. Pions.
│ 305 T. M. Co. │ 305 T. M. Co.
│ 321 Searchlight │ 217 Searchlight
│ Section. │ Section.
│ Tel. Detch. │505 Signal Command:
│ │ 505 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 92 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │Ambulance Co. │12 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│151 Field Hospital.│67 Field Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │79 Field Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │775 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │
│ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(25th Landwehr and 65th Landwehr: Eighth District—Rhine Province. 36th
Landwehr: Fourth District—Prussian Saxony.)

1914.

The 5th Landwehr Division is composed of two Landwehr brigades meant to be the war garrison of Metz, where they detrained August 9 and 10, 1914: 14th Landwehr Brigade from the Fourth District (36th Landwehr and 66th Landwehr); 30th Landwehr Brigade from the Eighth District (25th Landwehr and 65th Landwehr). The 17th Landwehr was under the 14th Brigade.

WOEVRE.

1. During the first days of September the 14th Landwehr Brigade was engaged at Fresnes and Marcheville (in Woevre), near the 33d Reserve Division. It fought on the Cotes de Meuse, near Champlon and Les Eparges, at the beginning of October and suffered heavy losses there.

2. In December the two brigades (14th Landwehr Brigade and 30th Landwehr Brigade) were united in the Woevre (Warcq, Hennemont, Marcheville, Champlon, Saulx). The division at that time was part of the Von Strantz detachment.

1915.

1. The division remained in the sector between Warcq and Saulx en Woevre during the whole of 1915. In January the 17th Landwehr, from which many men had deserted, was sent to Russia, where it assisted in the formation of the 85th Landwehr Division.

1916.

COTES DE MEUSE.

1. At the time of the Verdun offensive the division was present during the attacks on the Cotes de Meuse, near Braquis, Ronvaux, Manhuelles, at the end of February to March, 1916.

2. Toward the end of March the 14th Landwehr Brigade took the place of the First Guard Ersatz Brigade (Guard Ersatz Division) in the Apremont sector.

3. The 30th Landwehr Brigade was kept before the Cotes de Meuse (region of Fresnes en Woevre) until July. It then rejoined the other brigade east of St. Mihiel.

1917.

FOREST OF APREMONT.

1. The division from this time on did not leave the Forest of Apremont sector. In April, 1917, the 66th Landwehr was transferred to the 23d Landwehr Division, newly organized, and soon sent to Russia.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

A sector unit.

1918.

1. On April 12 the division undertook a local operation in the Apremont sector in an effort to divert troops and artillery from the Somme front. About 800 men of the Storm Battalion were engaged. Forty-seven prisoners were lost in the attack. Aside from this the sector continued very quiet until September 12.

BATTLE OF ST. MIHIEL.

2. The division was engaged in the attack in the St. Mihiel salient. It lost heavily in prisoners, among whom were the entire staff of the 3d Battalion, 65th Landwehr Regiment, which was taken on September 12 in the Bois de Thiaucourt. The division retreated with orders to take up positions between the first and second positions of the Hindenburg line. Here it had orders to hold the Mihiel Zone under all circumstances.

3. The division continued in line until the armistice.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 5th Landwehr Division was rated as a fourth-class division. In 1918 it held the Apremont sector continuously, showing no initiative or capacity for offensive operation, but due to the small losses and heavy effectives it offered as much resistance to our attack in September as did the other German divisions in the salient.

5th Bavarian Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │9 Bav. │14 Bav. │9 Bav. │14 Bav. │9 Bav. │14 Bav.
│ │21 Bav. │ │21 Bav. │ │21 Bav.
│10 Bav. │7 Bav. │10 Bav. │7 Bav. │10 Bav. │7 Bav.
│ │19 Bav. │ │19 Bav. │ │19 Bav.
│ 2 Bav. Res. Jag. │ 2 Bav. Res. Jag. │ │
│ Btn. │ Btn. │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │7 Bav. Light Cav. │7 Bav. Light Cav. │7 Bav. Light Cav.
│ Rgt. │ Rgt. │ Rgt. (2 Sqns.).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │5 Bav. Brig.: │5 Bav. Brig.: │5 Bav. Brig.:
│ │ │
│ 6 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 6 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 6 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ 10 Bav. F. A. Rgt.│ 10 Bav. F. A. Rgt.│ 10 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 and 4 Field Cos. │1 and 4 Field Cos. │1 and 4 Field Cos.
Liaisons. │ 3 Bav. Pion. Btn.│ 3 Bav. Pion. Btn.│ 3 Bav. Pion. Btn.
│ │5 Bav. Pont. Engs. │5 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ │5 Bav. Tel. Detch. │5 Bav. Pont. Engs.
│ │ │5 Bav. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │84 Labor Btn. Anti-
│ │ │ Aircraft.
│ │ │Section 1 Bav.
│ │ │ Balloon Sqn.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │10 Bav. │7 Bav. │10 Bav. │7 Bav.
│ │19 Bav. │ │19 Bav.
│ │21 Bav. │ │21 Bav.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2 Bav. Light Cav. │4 Sqns. 2 Bav.
│ Rgt. (4 Sqns.). │ Light Cav. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │5 Bav. Art. │5 Bav. Art.
│ Command: │ Command:
│ 6 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 10 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ (6 Btries.). │
│ │ 3 Abt. 1 Bav. F.
│ │ A. Rgt. (Staff,
│ │ and 9, 10, and 11
│ │ Btries.).
│ │103 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │109 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │166 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(S) 5 Bav. Pion. │3 Bav. Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ Btn.: │
│ 10 Bav. Pion. Co. │ 10 Bav. Pion. Co.
│ 13 Bav. Pion. Co. │ 13 Bav. Pion. Co.
│ 5 Bav. T. M. Co. │ 5 Bav. Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ 5 Bav. Tel. Detch.│5 Bav. Signal
│ │ Command:
│ │ 5 Bav. Tel. Detch.
│ │ 100 Bav. Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │3 Bav. Ambulance │6 Bav. Ambulance
Veterinary.│ Co. │ Co.
│6 Bav. Ambulance │21 Bav. Field
│ Co. │ Hospital.
│Field Hospital. │25 Field Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │114 M. T. Col. │685 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(Upper and Middle Franconia—Bavaria.)

1914.

LORRAINE.

1. At the beginning of the war the division was a part of the 3d Bavarian Army Corps, with the 6th Bavarian Division, and was part of the 6th Army (Crown Prince Ruprecht of Bavaria). Detrained between Boulay and Courcelles from August 9 to 11, it fought August 20 on the right of the 2d Bavarian Corps at Oron, Lusy, Fremery. Crossed the frontier on the 22d and advanced to Sanon, fighting on the 25th at Serres and Hoéville, and on September 2 at Einville Wood. During the days following it formed the left of the troops attacking Nancy by way of Champenoux.

WOEVRE.

2. After its failure the division was assembled at Metz on September 13 and 14. The 19th it was at Mars-la-Tour. From there going through La Haye it reached the Cotes de Meuse. The 7th Infantry took Nonsard the 20th and Heudicourt the 21st. Marching on the left of the 6th Bavarian Division, which went up the hill, the 5th Bavarian Division, walking along the summit, established itself in the forest of Apremont at the beginning of September 25 and held it during the whole of 1915, and, except for the months of October and November, 1915, during the summer of 1916. Its losses were quite high during the first two months of the campaign. On October 14 the 1st Company of the 14th Infantry had only 1 officer and 41 men (notebooks).

1915.

CHAMPAGNE.

1. October 6, 1915, the division was sent to Champagne, via Audun le Roman-Longuyon-Sedan, to relieve the 16th Reserve Division which had been crushed by the French attack of September 25. It was engaged south of Tahure (La Courtine) beginning October 13.

WOEVRE.

2. At the beginning of December it returned to its old sector east of St. Mihiel.

1916.

ARTOIS.

1. In July, 1916, the division was withdrawn from the St. Mihiel salient and sent to Artois. It held the Lens-Vimy sector until the end of August, 1916.

SOMME.

2. September 7 to 8 it was engaged in the Somme (Delville Wood-Ginchy). It suffered heavy losses in the fights around Ginchy and during the British attack of September 15 (Flers, Gueudecourt).

ARTOIS.

3. Relieved September 20, it went back into line after a few days of rest in the sector Neuve-Chapelle, south of the Armentieres road.

1917.

ARTOIS.

1. The division remained on the front south of Armentieres during the whole winter 1916 to 1917. In February it was reduced to three regiments on the transfer of the 14th Infantry to the 16th Bavarian Division, newly organized.

2. It left the lines at the end of April, but at the beginning of May went to the sector north of Arras, where it fought heavily at Fresnoy on May 7 and southeast of Gavrelle on June 28.

BELGIUM.

3. Withdrawn from the Oppy-Gavrelle front July 1 and sent to rest near the Belgian-Dutch front. It went through a period of training at the Brasschaet camp in July.

FLANDERS.

4. About August 6 it entrained and went to Gits, via Lokeren, Ghent, Thielt, and Pitthen. From there it went to Roulers. On August 10 held the sector south of St. Julien, east of Ypres, where it suffered heavy losses in the fighting of August 15 and days following. Relieved August 24.

5. After a period of rest the division went back into line September 8 in the quiet sector of Deulemont (south of the Lys) and held it until the end of February, 1918.

RECRUITING.

Upper and Middle Franconia (3d Bavarian District).

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

Although not among the best Bavarian divisions, it was a good combat unit. In 1917 it did well at Arras and on the Ypres front where it suffered heavy losses (information from the British, February, 1918).

1918.

1. About February 13 the division was relieved, moved to Tourcoing (Feb. 14), and trained in that area until March 17, when it marched to Roubaix. It entrained and moved to Fressies (5 miles north of Cambrai), rested until the 19th, and moved to the front.

BATTLE OF PICARDY.

2. It was engaged east of Cambrai (Vaux-Vrancourt) on March 22. Retiring to second line about April 4, it rested near Sapignies until about April 11, when it was identified southeast of Boyelles. It was relieved by the 111th Division on May 6.

3. The division trained in the Somain area until May 22, when it was moved by trucks via Cantin and Palluel to Ecourt. A day later it marched to Bullecourt and relieved the 221st Division on night of May 24–25. Lieut. Gen. v. Endres, the division commander, was promoted to the command of the 1st Bavarian Corps about this time. The division was relieved in the Boyelles sector on July 15 by the 21st Reserve Division.

BATTLE OF THE SOMME.

4. After resting behind the Arras Front the division entered the line near Lihons on August 10. After suffering heavy losses it withdrew from the battle front south of Peronne on September 24 and retired to the Le Cateau region.

5. It rested for a week and returned to the battle at Rumilly on the night of September 30-October 1. About October 12, after heavy losses, it was withdrawn and rested near Valenciennes.

6. On October 25 it was again put in line at Rameguies-Chin. It was last identified at Mourcourt on November 9.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 5th Bavarian Division was a first-class division. In 1918, it was almost constantly engaged in the most active sectors on the British front.

5th Bavarian Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │9 Bav. │6 Bav. │9 Bav. │6 Bav. │9 Bav. │10 Bav.
│ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res.
│ │7 Bav. │ │7 Bav. │ │7 Bav.
│ │ Res. │ │ Res. │ │ Res.
│11 Bav. │10 Bav. │11 Bav. │10 Bav. │ │3 Bav.
│ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ │ Res.
│ │13 Bav. │ │13 Bav. │ │12 Bav.
│ │ Res. │ │ Res. │ │ Res.
│ │ │ │39 Ldw. │ │
│ 1 Bav. Res. Jag. │ 1 Bav. Res. Jag. │ 1 Bav. Res. Jag.
│ Btn. │ Btn. │ Btn.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Cavalry. │5 Bav. Res. Cav. │5 Bav. Res. Cav. │ (?)
│ Rgt. (3 Sqns.). │ Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │5 Bav. Res. F. A. │5 Bav. Res. F. A. │5 Bav. Res. F. A.
│ Rgt. (6 Btries.).│ Rgt. │ Rgt. (9 Btries.).
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│4 Field Co. and 1 │4 Field Co. and 1 │4 Field Co. and 1
Liaisons. │ Res. Co. 2 Bav. │ Res. Co 2 Bav. │ Res. Co. 2 Bav.
│ Pion. Btn. │ Pion. Btn. │ Pion. Btn.
│ │5 Res. Pont. Engs. │205 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │5 Res. Tel. Detch. │5 Bav. Res. Cable
│ │ │ Pont. Engs.
│ │ │5 Bav. Res. Tel.
│ │ │ Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Odd units. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │11 Bav. │10 Bav. │11 Bav. │7 Bav.
│ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res.
│ │7 Bav. │ │10 Bav.
│ │ Res. │ │ Res.
│ │12 Bav. │ │12 Bav.
│ │ Res. │ │ Res.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │ (?) │2 Sqn. 3 Bav. Light
│ │ Cav. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │17 Bav. Art. │17 Bav. Art.
│ Command: │ Command:
│ 5 Bav. Res. F. A. │ 5 Bav. Res. F. A.
│ Rgt. (9 Btries.).│ Rgt.
│ │ 17 Bav. Ft. A.
│ │ Btn.
│ │ 102 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 104 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 119 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(18) Bav. Pion. │18 Bav. Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ Btn. │
│ │
│ 2 Bav. Res. Pion. │ 2 Bav. Res. Pion.
│ Co. │ Co.
│ 19 Bav. Res. Pion │ 19 Bav. Res. Pion.
│ Co. │ Co.
│ 205 Bav. T. M. Co.│ 205 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ │
│ 405 Bav. Tel. │ 8 Bav. Searchlight
│ Detch. │ Section.
│ │405 Bav. Signal
│ │ Command:
│ │ 405 Tel Detch.
│ │ 103 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │16 Bav. Ambulance │16 Bav. Ambulance
Veterinary.│ Co. │ Co.
│46 Bav. Field │46 Bav. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│56 Bav. Field │50 Bav. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │751 Bav. M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Odd units. │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(Third Bavarian District—Upper Palatinate, Upper and Middle Franconia.)

1914.

LORRAINE.

1. The division constituted, with the 5th Bavarian Reserve Division, the 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps, and at the beginning of the war was part of the army of Crown Prince Ruprecht of Bavaria (6th Army). It detrained from August 11 to 13 between Sarreguemines and Sarralbe. It fought August 20 on the left of the 21st Corps at Loudrefeing, was engaged the 26th at Maixe, September 2 at Deuxville, northwest of Luniville, and remained a few days longer behind Luniville.

2. On September 13 it was in line on the Seille and the Paris-Avricourt Railroad and remained there until the last days of the month.

ARTOIS.

3. September 28 and 29 the division entrained at Metz. Detrained the 30th and October 1 at Valenciennes. Engaged north of Arras (Roclincourt- Carency) in October and November and took position in the sector.

1915.

In January, 1915, the division was increased by the 39th Landwehr Infantry (Westphalian), coming from Brussels and sent as punishment to the Artois front. In March and April two of its regiments were transferred, the 6th Reserve to the 10th Bavarian Division, and the 13th to the 11th Bavarian Division.

ARTOIS.

1. May 9, 1915, the division suffered very heavy losses during the French offensive of Carency-Souchez. (The 10th Reserve Infantry lost 35 officers and 1,711 men, the 1st Reserve Bavarian Battalion of Chasseurs lost 13 officers and 750 men.)

2. In the middle of June the division was moved south of the Scarpe in front of Arras (Blangy sector).

1916.

In January, 1916, the 39th Landwehr Infantry went to Russia.

1. The division remained in Artois until August, 1916, and was increased by a regiment from the 1st Bavarian Division (3d Reserve Infantry later replaced by the 12th Reserve Infantry).

SOMME.

2. Relieved about August 7, the division was sent to the Somme and was engaged near Maurepas from the middle of August to September. Heavy losses. August 19 the 2d Battalion of the 10th Reserve Infantry was reduced to 150 men (letter). September 1 the 3d Battalion of the 7th Reserve Infantry borrowed 200 men from the 5th Bavarian Ersatz (letter).

AISNE.

3. In the middle of September the division was sent to the Aisne, where it held a quiet sector east of Craonne until the end of November.

SOMME.

4. About December 9 the division returned to the Somme (south of Saillisel.)

1917.

1. The division was withdrawn from the Somme front at the end of January, 1917, and sent to rest in the vicinity of Cambrai until April.

AISNE.

2. At the beginning of April it was sent east of Laon to the region of St. Erme, and reinforced the front south of Juvincourt between the Miette and the Aisne about April 12 in anticipation of the French offensive. It was subjected to the attack of the 16th and suffered heavy losses (2,000 prisoners).

ST. MIHIEL.

3. Withdrawn from the Aisne front about April 20, the division was reconstituted north of Laon (?), and on May 1 held the St. Mihiel sector (Chauvoncourt-Spada).

4. October 7 it left the region of St. Mihiel.

FLANDERS.

5. Sent to Flanders and sent into line October 12 near the Ypres-Roulers Railroad (Zonnebeke). In November it was left of Artois, where it held, after intervals of relief, a sector north of the Scarpe (from Gavrelle to Acheville). It was still there at the end of February, 1918.

RECRUITING.

3d Bavarian Division (Upper Palatinate, Upper and Middle Franconia).

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

Good division, which has always fought well (October, 1917). April 16, 1917, it fought with great tenacity.

1918.

1. Early in January the division was relieved in its sector north of the Scarpe and went to rest north of Douai.

SCARPE.

2. It was reengaged southeast of Gavrelle on February 21, when it was in line during the attack. It took no prominent part in the offensive and was withdrawn about the 1st of April.

SOMME.

3. On April 7–8 it came in line south of Hebuterne, where it was engaged until April 16. After eight days’ rest it came into line south of the Ayette, relieving the 195th Division on April 24. It was not withdrawn until July 24.

ALSACE.

4. The division moved to Muelhausen, via Belgium and Germany, a trip of 10 days. While at rest there it was frequently alerted in anticipation of an expected Allied attack in that region. On September 4 it returned through Germany and Belgium to Douai, where the British were attacking.

5. It left Douai on September 22, detraining at Dun sur Meuse on September 23. From there the division marched to the front.

MEUSE-ARGONNE.

6. On September 27 it was engaged at Daunevoux. It was engaged throughout the entire Meuse-Argonne battle on the American front. At Montfaucon it was forced back with heavy losses. The division affected relief by regiments, which were sent to close support to be reconstituted by drafts. Five hundred replacements were received early in October. The initial company combat strength averaged 60 men. On November 4 this had been reduced to 20. During the retreat of November 1–2 the division crossed the Meuse and took up a position on the east bank.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 5th Bavarian Reserve Division was rated as a second-class division. Apart from the Meuse-Argonne offensive, it did not see much heavy fighting during the year. Its effectives had been almost completely used up by the time of the armistice.

5th Cavalry Division.

COMPOSITION.[5]

───────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────────── │ 1918 ───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┬─────────────────────── │ Brigade. │ Regiment. ───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┼─────────────────────── Cavalry. │9 Cav. │4 Drag. │ │10 Uhlan. │11 Cav. │1 Cuirassier. │ │8 Drag. │12 Cav. │4 Hus. │ │6 Hus. ───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┴─────────────────────── Artillery. │5 Horse Art. Abt. (5.7 cm.). ───────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────── Medical and Veterinary.│643 Ambulance Co. ───────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────── Odd units. │1 M. G. Btry. 5 Cav. Pion. Detch. ───────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────── Attached. │52 Ldw. Inf. Rgt. ───────────────────────┴───────────────────────────────────────────────

Footnote 5:

At the time of its dissolution, July, 1918.

HISTORY.

1918.

There were repeated rumors of the division being on the Western Front in 1918, but no satisfactory identification was ever received.

According to a deserter of the 8th Dragoon Regiment, who left his regiment in Jeumont, south of Binche, on May 20, the entire 5th Cavalry Division entrained in Russia about March 6 and detrained at Zossen, south of Berlin, where it was re-formed and trained. On the 26th of April the division moved to St. Amand, from where it moved two weeks later to the Jeumont and Marpent area.

Evidence points to the dissolution of the division on the Western Front about July, 1918.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as a fourth-class division.

6th Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │11. │20. │11. │20. │12. │20.
│ │35 Fus. │ │35 Fus. │ │24.
│12. │24. │12. │24. │ │64.
│ │64. │ │64. │ │
│ 3 Jag. Btn. │ │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3 Hus. Rgt. (3 │ │3 Hus. Regt. (3
│ Sqns.). │ │ Sqns.).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │6 Brig.: │6 Brig.: │6 Brig.:
│ 3 F. A. Rgt. │ 3 F. A. Rgt. │ 3 F. A. Rgt.
│ 39 F. A. Rgt. │ 39 F. A. Rgt. │ 39 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Pion. Btn. No. 3:│1 Pion. Btn. No. 3:
Liaisons. │ │ │
│ │ Field Co. 3 Pions.│ 2 Co. 3 Pions.
│ │ │
│ │ 6 Pont. Engs. │ 6 T. M. Co.
│ │ 6 Tel. Detch. │ 6 Pont. Engs.
│ │ │ 6 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │M. G. Co. to the 12
│ │ │ Brig.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │12. │24. │12. │24.
│ │64. │ │64.
│ │396. │ │396.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3 Hus. Regt. (5 │5 Sqn. 3 Hus. Rgt.
│ Sqns.). │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │6 Art. Command: │64 Art. Command:
│ 3 F. A. Rgt. │ 3 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 1 Abt. 3 Ft. A.
│ │ Rgt. (Staff and 2
│ │ and 4 Btries).
│ │ 1087 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1168 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1205 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 Pion. Btn. No. 3:│3 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│(now 116 Pion. │ 3 Co. 3 Pions.
│ Btn.): │
│ 3 Co. 3 Pions. │ 5 Co. 3 Pions.
│ 5 Co. 3 Pions. │ 6 T. M. Co.
│ 6 T. M. Co. │ 64 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ 6 Tel. Detch. │6 Signal Command:
│ │ 6 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 2 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │Ambulance Co. │8 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│Field Hospital. │29 Field Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │31 Field Hospital.
│ │233 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │M. T. Col. │539 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │242, 244, 245, and │
│ 246 Mountain M. │
│ G. Detch., │
│ Naumburg Landst. │
│ Inf. Btn. (IV C. │
│ Dist. No. 11). │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(Third District—Brandenburg.)

1914.

At mobilization the 6th Division formed, together with the 5th Division, the 3d Army Corps (Berlin).

CHARLEROI-MARNE.

1. At the beginning of the war the 3d Army Corps belonged to the 1st Army (Von Kluck). Entered Belgium August 4 and the 11th Brigade made part of the unit which attacked Liège. Its reservists rejoined it there. The 12th Brigade crossed the Belgian frontier August 15; then the division, completely filled up, marched via Tongres, Louvain, and Hal. It fought the 24th at Mons and Frameries. Going via Villers-Cotterets (Sept. 1), La Ferté-Milon, it arrived at Petit-Morin September 4. Engaged the 6th between Montceaux and Courgivaux on the left of the 5th Division. Obliged to retreat, it established itself on the right bank of the Aisne in the region of Soissons. It remained there until the end of June, 1915.

AISNE.

2. From October 30 to November 30, 1914, the division, reinforced by units of neighboring organizations, directed a successful offensive against the French troops in the region Chavonne-Soupir and threw them back on the left bank of the Aisne November 17 to 19, 1914.

1915.

1. From the end of January to July, 1915, the Aisne front was held by the division and remained quiet, the division suffering no losses. At the end of March the 35th Fusilier Regiment was transferred to 56th Division (new division).

ARTOIS.

2. Relieved from the region of Soissons toward the end of June and sent to Artois. On July 14 it took the place of the Bavarians before Arras. Withdrawn from the front toward the beginning of August and sent to rest between Valenciennes and Cambrai.

SERBIA.

3. September 23 it entrained for the Eastern Front. With the 25th Reserve Division it constituted, on the Serbo-Hungarian frontier, a new 3d Army Corps belonging to the Gallwitz Army. October 9 it crossed the Danube and remained in Serbia until the capture of Kragujewatz. During this October campaign the division suffered greatly.

FRANCE.

4. Returned to the Western Front at the beginning of December. Sent to rest and reorganized in the region Hirson-Avesnes.

1916.

1. At the end of January and the beginning of February, 1916, it was sent to the front north of Verdun (Romagne-Mangiennes area).

VERDUN.

2. February 22 it was engaged with the 5th Division in the zone between the western limits of Herbebois and the eastern slopes of the Cotes de Meuse. The two divisions did not go beyond Fort Douaumont, captured by the 24th Infantry. Their violent attacks on the village February 26 to 28 were repulsed. March 2 the regiments were withdrawn from the front and filled up.

3. On March 8 new and unsuccessful attacks against the village of Douaumont and the Hardaumont defenses.

4. About March 15 the 3d Army Corps was withdrawn from the front. The 6th Division went to the region of Mulhouse to be reorganized. On April 25 the division was again engaged (south of Douaumont-Caillette Wood) and again suffered heavily. It is probable that each of its regiments were completely reorganized after each attack at Douaumont (more than 60 per cent losses).

6. At the end of May the division was relieved and sent to rest in the region of Ville au Montois.

CHAMPAGNE.

7. In the middle of June it was sent to Champagne and occupied quiet sectors northeast of Prunay, then east of Auberive. It remained there till the end of September. It exchanged its 20th Infantry Regiment for the 396th Infantry Regiment, organized September 26. (See illustration.)

SOMME.

8. At the beginning of October sent to the Somme and was engaged in the region of Gueudecourt and again suffered heavily, October 8 to 29.

ARGONNE.

9. Withdrawn from the Somme front at the end of October; went to the Argonne in the sector Fille-Morte-Boureuilles, November 30 to beginning of April, 1917.

1917.

1. At the beginning of April, 1917, the division was sent to Alsace. It stayed about two weeks in the region of Mulhouse.

CHAMPAGNE.

2. About April 20 sent to Champagne and took over a sector south of Moronvilliers where it was subjected to the French attack of April 30. It had to be relieved a few days after, as it suffered great losses at Mont-Haut (50 to 75 men per company).

3. The division returned to Alsace and was reorganized behind the front in the region of Mulhouse.

RUSSIA.

4. About July 1 sent to the Eastern Front in Galicia, where it held a sector in the Skalat region.

FRANCE.

Withdrawn from this front at the beginning of October it entrained for France, beginning the 7th, southeast of Tarnopol, and traveled via Lemberg-Cracow-Dresden-Cassel-Coblentz-Treves-Thionville-Montmedy- Charleville-Vouziers.

AISNE.

5. After staying a few days around Vouziers and Marle the division was sent on October 23, the date of the French offensive, precipitately near Laon. October 24 and 25 it took over a sector on the Ailette in the region of Lizy (Urcel sector) and was still holding it January 24, 1918, after a period of rest in Laon in November.

RECRUITING.

Same remarks as for the 5th Division.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 3d Army Corps was always considered as one of the star corps of the Prussian Army. The 6th Division was among the best in Germany.

The military qualities seem to have been considerably lessened after the losses suffered, notably before Verdun and in the Mont Haut sector. It must be noted, however, that, according to the examination of a deserter on November 2, 1917, the 396th Regiment is still considered as an excellent unit whose morale is intact.

Losses before Verdun (February to May, 1916): 20th Infantry, 2,904 men (633 killed); 24th Infantry, 2,691 (584 killed); 64th Infantry, 2,819 (603 killed); 3d Battalion of Chasseurs, 1,422 (219 killed). Total, 9,831 men (2,039 killed).

1918.

AISNE.

1. The division was relieved by the 6th Bavarian Reserve Division January 12. It, in turn, relieved the 6th Bavarian Reserve Division the 24th. February 22 it was again relieved by the 6th Bavarian Reserve Division. It rested then in the Maubeuge area, where it underwent a thorough course of training. The division then marched via Catillon, Bohain, Fresnoy le Grand, Le Verguier, Berthaucourt, Vermand, Marteville, Trefcon, Monchy Lagache.

PERONNE.

2. It came into line S. E. of that city near Meharicourt, March 24, relieving the 113th Division.

AISNE.