Chapter VII: Part 7

3. It was withdrawn from line about the 10th of April, and went to the Guise area, where, with the 5th Division, it was put through another course of training. It reinforced the battle front near Juvigny, May 27. It was withdrawn from line August 4.

It moved via Anizy le Chateau, southwest of Laon, Guise, Grougis, Bohain, Bertry, Neuvilly, Solesmes, Valenciennes, Ghent, to Turkyen (northwest of Roulers). The division remained here until September 7, when it entrained at Roulers and traveled via Lille and Denain to Iwuy, remaining in reserve in the Sancourt-Proville area until the 14th, when it was moved up into support near Ribecourt.

CAMBRAI.

4. During the night of September 17–18 it reentered the line and counterattacked against Havrincourt (southwest of Cambrai). It was withdrawn October 1, after suffering heavy losses.

5. The division came back into line near Escadoeuvres (northeast of Cambrai), October 7. It was withdrawn on the 17th.

VALENCIENNES.

6. October 23 the division entered line near Escautpont (north of Valenciennes).

7. It was withdrawn a few days later, and reappeared in line south of Valenciennes on the 29th. The night of November 7–8 it was relieved by the 185th Division.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

According to an article by Prof. Wegener in the Koelnische Zeitung, March 30, the 6th Division “particularly distinguished itself” in the Somme offensive. It did very well, too, in the Aisne attack and also in the German attempts to prevent the Allied advance beginning July 18. It suffered very heavy losses—e. g., 1,550 prisoners in its two engagements on the Cambrai front during September and early October; nevertheless, it is still to be considered as one of the best German shock divisions.

6th Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.[6]

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │11 Res. │20 Res. │11 Res. │20 Res. │11 Res. │20 Res.
│ │24 Res. │ │24 Res. │ │35 Res.
│12 Res. │26 Res. │12 Res. │26 Res. │12 Res. │24 Res.
│ │35 Res. │ │35 Res. │ │19
│ │ │ │ │ │ Landst.
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3 Res. Uhlan Rgt. │ │3 Res. Uhlan Rgt.
│ (3 Sqns.). │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │6 Res. F. A. Rgt. │6 Res. F. A. Rgt. │6 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (6 Btries.). │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 Res. Co. 2 Pion. │1 Res. Co. 2 Pion. │1 Res. Co. 3 Pion.
Liaisons. │ Btn. No. 3. │ Btn. No. 3. │ Btn. No. 3.
│ │6 Res. Pont. Engs. │3 Co. 34 Res.
│ │ │ Pions.
│ │6 Res. Tel. Detch. │206 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │6 Res. Pont. Engs.
│ │ │6 Res. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │151 Cyclist Co.
│ │ │102 Labor Btn.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │12 Res. │20 Res. │12 Res. │20 Res.
│ │24 Res. │ │24 Res.
│ │35 Res. │ │35 Res.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3 Res. Uhlan Rgt.? │
│ (1 Sqn.). │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │94 Art. Command: │94 Art. Command:
│ │
│ 6 Res. F. A. Rgt. │ 6 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (9 Btries.). │
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(306) Pion. Btn.: │1 Res. Co. (2 Pion.
Liaisons. │ │ Btn. No. 3).
│ 5 Co. 1 Pions. │3 Co. 34 Res. Pion.
│ │ Btn.
│ 1 Res. Co. 3 │274 Searchlight
│ Pions. │ Section.
│ 206 T. M. Co. │206 T. M. Co.
│ 274 Searchlight │4 06th Tel. Detch.
│ Section. │
│ 406 Tel. Detch. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │516 Ambulance Co. │516 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│19 Res. Field │18 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│20 Res. Field │19 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │20 Res. Field
│ │ Hospital.
│ │144 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │706 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │151 Cyclist Co. │
│ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
Footnote 6:

At time of dissolution, Aug. 23, 1918.

HISTORY.

(Third District—Brandenburg.)

1914.

The 6th Reserve Division belonged organically to the 3d Reserve Corps, like the 5th Reserve Division.

BELGIUM.

1. At the beginning of the war the 3d Reserve Corps belonged to the 1st German Army (Gen. von Kluck). The 6th Reserve Division detrained August 10 in the region of Crefeld, entered Belgium the 17th, passed through Belgian Limburg at the beginning of September, moved on Malines to oppose the Belgian offensive. September 9 the division attacked the Belgian troops in the region of Louvain and then took part in the siege of Antwerp.

YSER.

2. After the fall of Antwerp it moved toward the sea from October 13 to 16, through Ghent, Bruges, and Ostend. It concentrated near Thourout October 19 and fought along the Yser Canal. It fought violently in the region of Nieuport-Dixmude at the end of October and the beginning of November.

RUSSIA.

3. At the beginning of December the 3d Reserve Corps went to Russia, the 6th Reserve Division being withdrawn from the Belgian front about the middle of November.

1915.

POLAND.

1. On arriving on the Eastern Front the division was engaged on the Bzura and before Warsaw (9th Army, under Mackensen).

2. In July, 1915, it became a part of Von Buelow’s army, which marched on the left wing (north) of the German forces during the offensive against Russia (summer and fall of 1915).

DVINA.

3. In November the division still belonged to Von Buelow’s army, called the Niemen army, and was engaged on the Dvina.

1916.

COURLAND.

1. In February, 1916, the division (8th Army under Von Buelow) held a sector in the region of Riga-Friedrichstadt.

2. During its stay in Russia the division did not have very heavy losses except in July, 1916, when it opposed violent Russian attacks near Kekkau.

1917.

COURLAND.

1. Relieved from the Kekkau sector in May, 1917, and was sent to the Western Front.

FRANCE.

2. Entrained about May 6 at Mitau and sent via Cottbus, Cassel, Coblentz, Treves, Thionville to Dun, where it detrained May 13.

MORT HOMME-HILL 304.

3. At the end of May the division went into line on the left bank of the Meuse in the sector Mort Homme-Hill 304. On June 29 some of the units of the division supported an attack attempted by the 10th Reserve Division against Hill 304 and suffered heavy losses. August 20 the French offensive struck them. Its losses were enormous. Two of its regiments, the 24th Reserve and 20th Reserve, were nearly wiped out. The 35th Reserve was not weakened quite so much, yet was seriously diminished. The division lost 2,800 prisoners.

RUSSIA.

4. Withdrawn from the front, the division was sent to Galicia at the end of September. It was still there January 31 on the old Austro-Russian frontier after furnishing reinforcements to the Western Front.

RECRUITING.

Brandenburg.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 6th Reserve Division, a short time after its return from the Eastern Front, was considered about as follows: “Its value is mediocre. In spite of its units from Brandenburg and the recent creation of shock troops, its long stay in Russia has greatly depreciated its fighting value” (July 11, 1917).

This judgment was completely verified August 20, 1917: “The 6th Reserve Division on the whole opposed no resistance to the French attack of August 20 at any point. * * * The conduct of a good number of its officers seems not to have been edifying. A good many seized the pretext of intoxication or gave unsatisfactory reasons for withdrawing to the rear” (October, 1917).

The German command thought best to send this division back to the Eastern Front (September, 1917).

1918.

FRANCE.

The 6th Reserve Division entrained at Zborow the evening of March 8, and traveled via Sokal-Brest Litovsk-Varsovia-Kaliscz-Lissa-Gorlitz-Bautzen- Dresden-Leipsic-Weimar-Erfurth-Eisenach-Bebra-Fulda-Hanau-Frankfort- Mainz-Kreuznach-Thionville-Sedan to Balhain (northeast of Asfeld), where it arrived March 15.

The division rested at Villers (near Asfeld) until the 25th of March, when it reentrained and traveled to Crécy sur Serre. From there it marched via Mesbrecourt-Pouilly sur Serre-La Fère-Liez-Commonchon to the area northeast of Noyon, and remained in reserve for some days. Elements of the division came into line west of Chauny at the end of March, but were soon withdrawn. About the 1st of April the whole division marched to Roye and remained there until the 15th, when it continued its march via Erches and Arvillers to Plessier, relieving the 2d Guard Division southwest of Moreuil May 1.

The beginning of August it was relieved by the 24th Division and shortly after it was dissolved and the men composing it were sent as drafts to the 5th and 6th Divisions.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The only aggressive action of the division on the Western Front during 1918 was a raid carried out by a battalion against the French lines in the La Gaune woods (southwest of Moreuil) early in May; it was not a success, and it is estimated that practically the whole attacking force was wiped out. The 6th Reserve is rated as a third-class division.

6th Bavarian Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │11 Bav. │10 Bav. │11 Bav. │10 Bav. │11 Bav. │10 Bav.
│ │13 Bav. │ │13 Bav. │ │13 Bav.
│12 Bav. │6 Bav. │12 Bav. │6 Bav. │12 Bav. │6 Bav.
│ │11 Bav. │ │11 Bav. │ │11 Bav.
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2 Bav. Light Cav. │2 Bav. Light Cav. │2 Bav. Light Cav.
│ Rgt. │ Rgt. │ Rgt. (2 Sqns.)
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │6 Bav. Brig.: │6 Bav. Brig.: │6 Bav. Brig.:
│ │ │
│ 3 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 3 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 3 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ 8 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 8 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 8 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│2 and 3 Field Cos. │2 and 3 Field Cos. │2 Field Co. 3 Bav.
Liaisons. │ 3 Bav. Pion. Btn.│ 3 Bav. Pion. Btn.│ Pion. Btn.
│ │6 Bav. Pont. Engs. │6 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ │6 Bav. Tel. Detch. │6 Bav. Pont. Engs.
│ │ │6 Bav. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │46 Bav. Anti-
│ │ │ Aircraft Section.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │11 Bav. │10 Bav. │11 Bav. │6 Bav.
│ │6 Bav. │ │10 Bav.
│ │13 Bav. │ │13 Bav.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2 Bav. Light Cav. │3 Sqn. 2 Bav. Light
│ Rgt. (3d Sqn.) │ Cav. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │6 Bav. Art. │6 Bav. Art.
│ Command: │ Command:
│ 8 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 3 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 2 Abt. 1 Bav. Res.
│ │ Ft. A. Rgt.
│ │ 115 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 142 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 169 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(?) Bav. Pion. │6 Bav. Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ Btn.: │
│ 11 Bav. Pion. Co. │ 11 Bav. Pion. Co.
│ 12 Bav. Pion. Co. │ 12 Bav. Pion. Co.
│ 6 Bav. T. M. Co. │ 6 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ z (42) Searchlight│ 6 Bav. Searchlight
│ Section. │ Section.
│ 6 Bav. Tel. Detch.│6 Bav. Signal
│ │ Command:
│ │ 6 Bav. Tel. Detch.
│ │ 101 Bav. Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │7 Bav. Ambulance │7 Bav. Ambulance
Veterinary.│ Co. │ Co.
│Field Hospital. │20 Bav. Field
│ │ Hospital.
│6 Bav. Vet. │24 Bav. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│ │6 Bav. Vet.
│ │ Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │686 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │
│ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(Upper Palatinate and part of Lower Bavaria.)

1914.

LORRAINE.

1. In August, 1914, the 6th Bavarian Division with the 5th Bavarian Division constituted the 3d Bavarian Corps and was part of the 6th Bavarian Army (Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria). One of its brigades, the 11th, detrained, beginning August 4, at Remilly as a covering force. August 20 the division fought on the right of the 5th Bavarian Division at Prevecourt and Delme. They crossed the French frontier with this division on the 22d and were engaged the 25th at Maixe on the Sanon and north of Luneville during the first days of September. Also with the 5th Bavarian Division, it was near Champenoux September 8, at the time of the attack against Nancy until the 11th, and then retreated.

COTES DE MEUSE.

2. Assembled at Metz from the 14th to the 17th, the division went on the 18th to the west of the Moselle. It reached and climbed the Cotes de Meuse the 21st and attacked the fort of the Camp des Romains and St. Mihiel the 27th.

ST. MIHIEL.

3. Following these attacks which continued during October and ended in the capture of the fort and of St. Mihiel, the division established itself from Chauvoncourt to Spada in November to December.

1915.

ST. MIHIEL.

1. The division remained in the sector of the St. Mihiel salient (Chauvoncourt-Spada-Lamorville) during the whole of 1915 and until June, 1916.

1916.

VERDUN.

1. About June 20, 1916, the 11th Bavarian Brigade was relieved from the St. Mihiel sector and sent to Longuyon and from there to the Verdun front. It participated in opposing the French attack of June 23 (with the Alpine Corps) on Thiaumont and suffered heavy losses.

2. Sent to rest July 4.

3. The 12th Brigade withdrew from the St. Mihiel front July 13 and 16 and went into line before Fleury, beginning July 17 to 18 (11th Regiment). Its losses were such that on July 26 the replacement depot of the 11th Infantry at Ratisbonne was ordered by telegraph to furnish immediately 500 replacements (letter).

4. On August 2 and 3 the whole division was fighting in this sector and lost heavily.

SOMME.

5. The division left the Verdun front about August 5. After a short stay in the Argonne it was sent to the Somme at the beginning of September, fought between Flers and Gueudecourt September 15 to 27 and again suffered serious losses.

ARTOIS.

6. On August 1 the division took over the sector of Neuve Chapelle- Festubert, and remained there until May 10, 1917.

1917.

1. At the end of January, 1917, the 11th Infantry and the 3d Field Artillery were transferred to the 6th Bavarian Division (new).

ARTOIS.

2. The division was relieved from the Neuve Chapelle sector May 10 and went into line northeast of Arras (Oppy, Fresnoy, Acheville), in the middle of May. They suffered some loss from gas attacks.

FLANDERS.

3. The division left Artois September 10 and went to Flanders (sector northeast of Langemarck) September 29. The British attack of October 4 caused it heavy losses and it lost Poelcappelle to the British.

4. Relieved October 8, sent to rest, and reorganized.

ARTOIS.

5. On October 18 it appeared south of the La Bassee Canal, where it suffered again from gas attacks.

RECRUITING.

Upper Palatinate and part of Lower Bavaria (Third Bavarian district).

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The morale of the division was good. On the Fresnoy front in 1917 it showed activity and enterprise. It always reacted quickly against attacks, but it seems that it could easily be persuaded to adopt a more passive attitude if circumstances were such as to permit it (information of the British, February, 1918).

1918.

1. The 6th Bavarian Division was relieved south of the La Bassee Canal by the 4th Ersatz Division, January 18, and went to rest in the area south of Tournai.

LILLE.

2. About the middle of February it relieved the 187th Division south of the Bois Grenier (west of Lille). About the 24th it was relieved by the 10th Ersatz Division, and went back nearer Lille, where it probably received training in open warfare, although this fact has never been definitely established.

CAMBRAI.

3. For the Somme offensive, the division was sent to the Cambrai front, entering the line March 20, near Bullecourt, and attacking the following day. Little progress was made by the Germans on this part of the front, and the division lost heavily in many attacks. It was withdrawn about March 26.

DIXMUDE.

4. April 4 it relieved the 214th Division south of Dixmude. A very elaborate attack against the Belgians was planned to take place here April 17, and it was to be made by the 6th Bavarian Division and some elements of adjoining units. It was presumed that the German successes at Mount Kemel had shaken the line to the north and that the whole Ypres salient could be captured. Preparations were made, and the attack attempted, but it failed completely, and the Belgians not only threw the enemy back but took a great many prisoners. It was withdrawn about the 19th and went to rest for a week near Ruddervoorde (south of Bruges), although some of its elements held part of the sector of the 1st Landwehr Division east of Merckem for a day or two.

VERDUN.

5. The division was sent to the Verdun region via Brussels-Namur-Sedan- Montmédy, and went into camp in the vicinity of Chauvency (west of Montmedy), where it remained 10 days.

MEUSE.

6. May 24 it relieved the 22d Division near Beaumont (north of Verdun).

ROYE.

7. It was relieved about August 7, and after resting a few days moved up to the Roye region. It was identified in the Bois des Loges August 16; it had relieved the 206th Division. The division remained in line retiring in the face of the Allied advance, but fighting stubbornly, especially near Campagne, Montigny, and Essigny le Grand; at the last- named place it counterattacked violently, but in vain, September 29. It was still in line when the armistice was signed.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 6th Bavarian is rated as one of the 45 best enemy divisions. It suffered extremely heavy losses, but since it always fought well—though not brilliantly, during 1918—the German High Command sent it as many replacements as it could. The morale has always been good, but quite anti-Prussian.

6th. Bavarian Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │12 Bav. │16 Bav. │12 Bav. │16 Bav. │12 Bav. │16 Bav.
│ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res.
│ │17 Bav. │ │17 Bav. │ │17 Bav.
│ │ Res. │ │ Res. │ │ Res.
│14 Bav. │20 Bav. │14 Bav. │20 Bav. │14 Bav. │20 Bav.
│ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res.
│ │21 Bav. │ │21 Bav. │ │21 Bav.
│ │ Res. │ │ Res. │ │ Res.
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │6 Bav. Res. Cav. │6 Bav. Res. Cav. │6 Bav. Res. Cav.
│ Rgt. │ Rgt. │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │6 Bav. Res. F. A. │6 Bav. Res. F. A. │6 Bav. Res. F. A.
│ Rgt. (9 Btries.).│ Rgt. │ Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│6 Bav. Res. Pion. │6 Bav. Res. Pion. │6 Bav. Res. Pion.
Liaisons. │ Co. │ Co. │ Co.
│ │ │10 Bav. Res. Pion.
│ │ │ Co.
│ │ │206 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │6 Bav. Res. Pont.
│ │ │ Engs.
│ │ │6 Bav. Res. Tel.
│ │ │ Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │12 Bav. │16 Bav. │12 Bav. │25 Bav.
│ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │
│ │17 Bav. │ │16 Bav.
│ │ Res. │ │ Res.
│ │20 Bav. │ │20 Bav.
│ │ Res. │ │ Res.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │6 Bav. Res. Cav. │3 Sqn. 5 Bav. Light
│ Rgt. (? Sqns.) │ Cav. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │18 Bav. Art. │18 Bav. Art.
│ Command: │ Command:
│ 6 Bav. Res. F. A. │ 19 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ Regt. │
│ │ 12 Bav. Ft. A.
│ │ Btn.
│ │ 143 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 110 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 107 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(19 Bav.) Pion. │19 Bav. Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ Btn.: │
│ 6 Bav. Res. Pion. │ 6 Bav. Res. Pion.
│ Co. │ Co.
│ 7 Bav. Res. Pion. │ 7 Bav. Res. Pion.
│ Co. │ Co.
│ 206 Bav. T. M. Co.│ 206 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ │
│ 2 Bav. Res. │ 19 Bav.
│ Searchlight │ Searchlight
│ Section. │ Section.
│ 406 Bav. Res. Tel.│406 Signal Command:
│ Detch. │
│ │ 406 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 144 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │17 Bav. Ambulance │17 Bav. Ambulance
Veterinary.│ Co. │ Co.
│53 Bav. Field │53 Bav. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │54 Bav. Field
│ │ Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │752 M. T. Col.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(16th Bavarian Reserve Regiment: First Bavarian District. 17th Bavarian
Reserve Regiment: Second Bavarian District. 20th Bavarian Reserve
Regiment: (?).)

1914.

FLANDERS.

1. This division was organized in Bavaria in September, 1914, and sent to Belgium about October 21. Assembled in the vicinity of Lille and was sent toward Dadizeele the 27th and was near Gheluvelt October 29, but does not seem to have been in the fight.

2. November 1 it was sent south of Ypres between Hollebeke and Messines. It attacked in the direction of Wytschaete November 2 and suffered heavy losses: 11th Company, 4 officers and 181 men (16th Reserve Regiment); 6th company of the 17th Reserve Regiment, 5 officers and 228 men (casualty lists). November 6 the 3d company of the 21st Reserve Regiment was reduced to 3 provisional officers and 63 men (notebook).

1915.

FLANDERS.

1. The division remained in the Messines-Wytschaete sector until the beginning of March, 1915.

2. Relieved between March 6 and 8 and sent the 11th as reinforcements to the 7th Corps at Neuve Chapelle. Then sent to rest in the region of Roubaix in March.

LILLE.

3. Beginning of April it went into line southwest of Lille between Grenier Wood and Aubers and held this sector until the end of September, 1916.

1916.

1. July 19, 1916, the division suffered heavy losses in opposing the British attack southeast of Laventie.

SOMME.

2. Relieved from the Lille front about September 27 and engaged in the Somme district near Eaucourt l’Abbaye and Gueudecourt until October 13. Again suffered heavily.

ARTOIS.

3. October 25 it took over the Vimy-Lievin sector, south of Lens.

1917.

1. The division held the front south of Lens during all the winter of 1916 to 1917 and executed many raids.

2. February 12 sent to rest near Douai and reorganized in February and March. One of its regiments, the 21st Reserve, was transferred to the 16th Bavarian Division, newly organized.

3. March 14 it went into line north of the La Bassee Canal.

4. Withdrawn from this sector at the end of April and was engaged May 8 northeast of Arras, at Oppy Gavrelle, until May 11. In the middle of June it returned to this sector for a few days and does not seem to have suffered heavy losses.

YPRES.

5. After a rest near Douai until the end of June the division was sent to Flanders. Was first placed in reserve south of Thielt during the first few weeks of July and engaged the 18th southeast of Ypres in the Ledeghem sector. Lost heavily from the artillery preparation and was relieved July 30 before the British attack.

ALSACE.

6. Sent to Alsace and held the Altkirch sector from the middle of August to beginning of October.

LAONNOIS.

7. About October 16 to 17 it was sent to the region of Lizy, southwest of Laon. It relieved on the Ailette, east of Anizy le Chateau, about October 25, the remains of the 14th and 52d Divisions, decimated by the French attack of the 23d.

8. The division was not heavily engaged in the sector of Lizy. It continued to hold it in November and December 1917 and January 1918. During this period it was sent to Vervins for rest and training.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The division was organized as an attack unit. From January 24 to February 19, 1918, it went through a training for the offensive in the vicinity of Vervins including breaking-through maneuvers, Feb. 1 with a Prussian division at Vallee aux Bleds; another divisional maneuver February 11 before the German Crown Prince and Gen. Ludendorff; third divisional maneuver February 18 (examination of prisoners, Feb. 28, 1918). It is to be noted that in Flanders, where the division had the only important fight it had in 1917 it suffered heavily. Its morale was so weakened that it had to be withdrawn before the British attack.

1918.

VERVINS.

1. The 6th Bavarian Reserve Division was relieved in the Anizy le Chateau region by the 6th Division, January 24 and went to the vicinity of Vervins where it was put through a course of training in open warfare, in which artillery and aeroplanes participated. These exercises were supervised by the Crown Prince and Ludendorff.

2. February 22 it relieved the 6th Division in its former section. About the end of the month the division was relieved by elements of the 13th Landwehr Division, and by the extension of the flanks of the neighboring divisions, going to rest in the Chauny region.

SOMME.

3. Toward the middle of April the division relieved the 206th Division near Mesnil St. Georges (southwest of Montdidier). It was relieved by the 25th Reserve Division April 21.

AILETTE.

4. There is some doubt as to where the division went; it was reported northeast of Ghent, northeast of Laon, and in Lorraine. There is some evidence to show that it relieved the 222d Division near Anizy le Chateau during the night of May 2–3. This front was very quiet until the German offensive of May 27, in which attack the 6th Bavarian Reserve Division did not attack in the front line—being “leap-frogged” by the 5th and 6th Divisions acting as shock units—but followed up the advance coming into line between these two divisions during the night of the 27th–28th. It was at this time definitely identified. In the attack on Terny (May 28), the division met with strong resistance and suffered heavily. June 1 it captured Le Port, but lost it again to the French on June 7, with severe losses. It was relieved about the 15th by the 53d Reserve Division.

MARNE.

5. July 17 it was identified near Passy sur Marne (west of Dormans). It was withdrawn August 6 and spent a fortnight refitting.

BAPAUME.

6. August 23 it reinforced the front near Ervillers (northwest of Bapaume) having traveled via Cambrai, Bourlon, and Beugnâtre. The division was withdrawn early in September.

YPRES.

7. It relieved the 8th Division southwest of Messines during the night of September 17–18. Just before coming into line the 17th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment was dissolved and its men drafted to the other two regiments of the division. It was replaced by the 25th Bavarian Infantry Regiment from the 14th Bavarian Division which was dissolved at this time. Likewise, the 6th Bavarian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment was dissolved and replaced by the 19th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment from the 10th Bavarian Division disbanded in July. The division remained in line until the armistice was signed, withdrawing through Wytschaete- Houthem-Comines-Marcke-Ooteghem and Krinstraat.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 6th Bavarian Reserve is rated as a second-class division, which seems justified not only from opinions concerning its ability as a fighting unit coming from Allied sources, but also from the fact that, although it had a course of training in “breaking through” in February, it was never so used by the German High Command, serving rather as a “follow up” division. (Cf. May 27 offensive.) The division suffered heavy losses during its 1918 engagements; indeed, some prisoners captured the middle of September said that it was to be broken up. They were mistaken, but one of the infantry regiments and the artillery regiment were disbanded.

6th Bavarian Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │Von │121 Ldw. │1 Bav. │1 Bav. │1 Bav. │1 Bav.
│ Frech. │ │ Mixed │ Ldw. │ Mixed │ Ldw.
│ │ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw. │
│1 Bav. │123 Ldw. │2 Bav. │2 Bav. │2 Bav. │2 Bav.
│ Mixed │ │ Mixed │ Ldw. │ Mixed │ Ldw.
│ Ldw. │ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw. │
│2 Bav. │1 Bav. │ │3 Bav. │ │3 Bav.
│ Mixed │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw.
│ Ldw. │ │ │ │ │
│ │2 Bav. │ │12 Bav. │ │12 Bav.
│ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw.
│ │3 Bav. │ │ │ │
│ │ Ldw. │ │ │ │
│ │12 Bav. │ │ │ │
│ │ Ldw. │ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │ │1 Ldw. Sqn. of the │1 Ldw. Sqn. and 2
│ │ 1 Bav. C. Dist. │ Ldw. Sqn. of 1
│ │ │ Bav. C. Dist.
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │ │ │6 Bav. Ldw. F. A.
│ │ │ Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │2 Bav. Ldw. F. A.
│ │ │ Abt.
│ │ │10 Bav. Mountain
│ │ │ Art. Btry.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │ │16 Bav. Res. Pion.
Liaisons. │ │ │ Co.
│ │ │250 Pion. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │14 C. Dist. 1 Ldw.
│ │ │ Pion. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │1 Bav. C. Dist. 1
│ │ │ Landst. Pion. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │1 Bav. C. Dist. 2
│ │ │ Landst. Pion. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │Landshut Inf. Btn. │ │3 and 5 Cos.
│ (1 Bav. C. Dist. │ │ (Wurtt) Ski Btns.
│ Btn. Landst. No. │ │
│ 7). │ │
│Nuremberg Inf. Btn.│ │Fribourg Landst.
│ (3 Bav. C. Dist. │ │ Inf. Btn. (14 C.
│ Landst. Btn. No. │ │ Dist. 1 Btn. No.
│ 1). │ │ 7).
│ │ │1 Cologne 2 Landst.
│ │ │ Inf. Btn. (8 C.
│ │ │ Dist. Btn. No.
│ │ │ 14).
│ │ │65 Labor Btn.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │2 Bav. │1 Bav. │2 Bav. │1 Bav.
│ Ldw. │ Ldw. │ Ldw. │ Ldw.
│ │ │ │
│ │2 Bav. │ │3 Bav.
│ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw.
│ │ │ │
│ │12 Bav. │ │12 Bav.
│ │ Ldw. │ │ Ldw.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2d Sqn. 2 Bav. │2 Sqn. 2 Bav. Light
│ Light Cav. Rgt. │ Cav. Rgt.
│ │
│2d Sqn. 2 Bav. │
│ Light Cav. Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │23 Bav. Art. │6 Bav. Ldw. F. A.
│ Command: │ Rgt. (3 Abt.,
│ │ Staff, and 8
│ │ Btry.).
│ 6 Bav. Ldw. F. A. │
│ Rgt. │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│26 Bav. Pion. Btn.:│26 Bav. Pion Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 16 Bav. Res. Pion.│ 16 Bav. Res. Pion.
│ Co. │ Co.
│ 306 Bav. T. M. Co.│ 26 Bav.
│ │ Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ 10 Bav. Res. │ 506 Bav. Signal
│ Searchlight │ Command:
│ Section. │
│ 506 Bav. Tel. │ 506 Bav. Tel.
│ Detch. │ Detch.
│ │ 192 Bav. Wireless
│ │ Detch.
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │560 Ambulance Co. │19 Bav. Ambulance
Veterinary.│ │ Co.
│19 Bav. Field │60 Bav. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│59 Bav. Field │59 Bav. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│36 Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │47 Bav. M. T. Col. │794 Bav. M. T. Col.
│49 Bav. M. T. Col. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │Neustadt Landst. │
│ Inf. Btn. (2 Bav.│
│ C. Dist. Btn. No.│
│ 4). │
│Bomberg Landst. │
│ Inf. Btn. (2 Bav.│
│ C. Dist. Btn. No.│
│ 10). │
│Ansbach Landst. │
│ Inf. Btn. (3 Bav.│
│ C. Dist. Btn. No.│
│ 2). │
│1 Cologne 2 Landst.│
│ Inf. Btn. (8 C. │
│ Dist. Btn. No. │
│ 14). │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(First Bavarian District.)

1914.

ALSACE.

1. The division was sent into the Vosges at the beginning of the campaign (3 brigades, of which one was from Wurtemberg). It fought in the valley of the Fecht in August, 1914. Beginning with October it occupied the region Ste. Marie aux Mines-Col du Bonhomme. October 2 the 1st Bavarian Brigade entrained at Colmar for Belgium and garrisoned Antwerp until December.

2. At the beginning of November the 3d Bavarian Landwehr Division took part in the attacks on the Violu.

1915.

1. From February to April, 1915, the units which at that time made up this division were again separated. The 1st Bavarian Landwehr (mixed) Brigade came back from Belgium in the middle of December and went to Champagne (Souain-Somme-Py) to reinforce the 15th Division; the 2d Mixed Brigade continued to hold the Orbey la Poutroye sector south of Bonhomme (valley of the Weiss). The Wurtemberg Brigade (von Frech) was transferred in April to the 7th Landwehr Division (Wurtemberg) in upper Alsace.

2. In April, 1915, the remaining two brigades were assembled on the Vosges front (Orbey, Valley of the Weiss) and from that time on held this sector without much change.

3. In July some units of the division fought in the region of the Linge.

1916.

1. Vosges sector (valley of the Weiss, Col du Bonhomme). At the end of December, 1916, the 2d Bavarian Landwehr was transferred to the 2d Bavarian Landwehr Division (new).

1917.

1. In 1917 the division extended its sector from the region of Col du Bonhomme to the valley of the Fecht (Munster).

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The division was in line in the region of Orbey (south of Col du Bonhomme) from 1915 on. It is a mediocre division made up of elderly men. The companies have no shock troops. All the important operations are executed by the assault company of the division.

1918.

ALSACE.

1. The 6th Bavarian Landwehr Division occupied the sector extending from south of Le Bonhomme to just west of Muenster, all through the year, being still in line when the armistice was signed.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division is a fourth-class one, being used only to hold one of the calmest sectors on the western front. All the young men were taken away from the division (except those in machine-gun and assault companies) and exchanged for older ones. In October the father of six children was captured. Morale was low, discipline poor. Several prisoners stated that the men did not hesitate to say, even in front of their officers, that the war had been lost by Germany and that they were thoroughly sick of it.

6th Cavalry Division (Dismounted).

COMPOSITION.

───────────────────────┬───────────────────────────────────────────────
│ 1918
───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┬───────────────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment.
───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┼───────────────────────
Cavalry. │5 Cav. │2 Drag.
│ │3 Uhlan.
│ │7 Cuirassier.
│45 Cav. │7 Res. Drag.
│ │13 Hus.
│ │13 Horse Jag.
│3 Cav. │2 Cuirassier.
│ │9 Uhlan.
│ │12 Hus.
───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┴───────────────────────
Artillery. │133 Art. Command.
───────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────────────
Engineers and Liaisons.│21 Pion. Btn.
│319 T. M. Co.
│674 Wireless Detch.
───────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────────────
Medical and Veterinary.│256 Ambulance Co.
│106 Field Hospital.
│261 Vet. Hospital.
───────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────────────
Attached. │70 Ldw. Inf. Brig.
───────────────────────┴───────────────────────────────────────────────

HISTORY.

1918.

ALSACE.

1. The division held the Badonviller sector until the last of April, when it was relieved by the 21st Landwehr Division. It rested at Mulhausen until July. At this time it was reorganized as a division of nine dismounted cavalry regiments.

YPRES.

2. On July 1 it entrained at Sierenz and traveled via Saarburg-Eupen- Liege-Brussels-Courtrai to Ingelmunster, where it detrained on July 3. The division then went into rest billets in the Iseghem-Winkel St. Eloi and Lendelede area, and on the night of July 27–28 it relieved the 1st Landwehr Division east of Ypres.

CAMBRAI.

3. It was relieved in Flanders and railed via Cambrai to Fins, where it detrained August 31. On September 4 it was in line at Manancourt and Nurlun. It was engaged in heavy fighting until September 25, when it was withdrawn from the battle front southwest of Cambrai after losing 400 prisoners.

BELGIUM.

4. It reinforced the Ypres battle front at Ledeghem on October 1 and fought there for about one week. It rested out of line a week and returned on October 15 to line east of Gulleghem. Two weeks later it was withdrawn in the Waereghem area.

5. On November 3 the division was again in line at Hermelgem. It was withdrawn within a few days and on the day of the armistice it was considered to be in reserve of the 4th German Army.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as fourth class. Its use in the active Ypres and Cambrai fronts indicates that it should have been rated higher after its reorganization in the summer.

7th Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │13. │26. │13. │26. │14. │26.
│ │66. │ │66. │ │27.
│14. │27. │14. │27. │ │165.
│ │165. │ │165. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │10 Hus. Rgt. (3 │10 Hus. Rgt. (3 │10 Hus. Rgt. (3
│ Sqns.). │ Sqns.). │ Sqns.).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │7 Brig.: │7 Brig.: │7 Brig.:
│ 4 F. A. Rgt. │ 4 F. A. Rgt. │ 4 F. A. Rgt.
│ 40 F. A. Rgt. │ 40 F. A. Rgt. │ 40 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Pion. Btn. No. 4.│1 Pion. Btn. No. 4:
Liaisons. │ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ Field Co. 4 Pions.│ 1 Co. 4 Pions.
│ │ 7 Pont. Engs. │ 7 T. M. Co.
│ │ 7 Tel. Detch. │ 7 Pont. Engrs.
│ │ │
│ │ │ 7 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │14. │26. │14. │26.
│ │165. │ │165.
│ │393. │ │393.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2 Sqn. 10 Hus. Rgt.│2 Sqn. 10 Hus. Rgt.
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │7 Brig.: │7 Art. Command:
│ 40 F. A. Rgt. │ 40 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 4 Abt. 24 Res. Ft.
│ │ A. Rgt.
│ │ 1244 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1298 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1301 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│118 Pion. Btn. │4 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ (formerly 1 Pion.│
│ Btn. No. 4): │
│ 1 Co. 4 Pions. │ 1 Co. 4 Pions.
│ 3 Co. 4 Pions. │ 3 Co. 4 Pions.
│ 7 T. M. Co. │ 43 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ 7 Tel. Detch. │7 Signal Command:
│ 7 Pont. Engs. │ 7 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 132 Bav. Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │10 Ambulance Co. │10 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│Field Hospital. │37 Field Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │41 Field Hospital.
│ │7 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │540 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │88 Labor Btn. (5th │
│ Co.). │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(Fourth District—Prussian Saxony.)

1914.

The Seventh Division was recruited in the Province of Prussian Saxony and, with the 8th Division, belonged to the 4th Army Corps (Magdeburg).

MARNE.

1. The 14th Brigade, which had already obtained reservists July 30, entrained on the evening of August 2 and was one of the six brigades ordered to take Liege. The whole division moved into the region of Liege August 15. It belonged to the 1st Army (Von Kluck), and passed through Louvain August 18 and through Brussels the 20th. On the 23d it was on the Haine, west of St. Ghislain. On the 24th between Quiévrain and Audregnies it threatened to envelop the Allied left. Going through Le Cateau and Peronne on August 28, the division passed through Grand Morin and arrived at Choisy, southeast of Coulommiers, from where it was sent in all haste to the aid of the right wing of the 1st Army (Etavigny, etc.).

BELGIUM.

2. After the retreat it went to the north of the Aisne below Soissons until the last days of September (fights at Cuisy en Almont, Morsain, Nouvron, Fontenoy).

3. At the end of September it was attached to the 6th Army (Crown Prince of Bavaria) and sent to Artois.

ARTOIS.

4. At the beginning of October it fought south of Arras (Monchy aux Bois, Ransart, Wailly). It established itself south of the Scarpe.

5. It held the sector until the end of May, 1915. During this period it limited itself to organizing defensively.

1915.

1. In March the division was reduced to three regiments by the transfer of the 66th Infantry to the 52d Division (new).

2. In May, 1915, at the time of the French offensive in Artois some units of the division were sent as reinforcements to the region of Neuville-St. Vaast. It left some prisoners and suffered heavy losses on May 12 to 13.

ARTOIS.

3. June 12 the division left the sector south of the Scarpe and went into line the 13th between Lorette and Angres (from the Souchez-Aix Noulette Road to the Blanc work). The French offensive struck it June 13 and the days following north of the road from Souchez to Aix Noulette. It was forced to give ground and lost many prisoners (250 men, among them 6 officers from the 26th Infantry north of Bois Carre; the 2d Battalion of the 26th Infantry lost 12 officers and 597 men out of action, according to the Prussian casualty lists).

4. At the beginning of July the division established itself south of the railroad from Grenay to Lens, north of Souchez. September 25 it fought in the third battle of Artois, north of Bois en Hache, before Angres and Lievin. It showed considerable energy, but again had many of its men captured.

5. The division remained in this sector southwest of Loos (south of the Lens-Béthune Road; Lene-Grenay Railroad) until July, 1916.

1916.

1. Until the beginning of July, 1916, the division had no serious battles.

2. About July 3 the division was relieved from the Loos front. On the 13th it was at Cambrai.

SOMME.

3. July 14 and 15 it began to be engaged in the battle of the Somme between Pozieres and Bazentin le Petit. It suffered terrible losses. Relieved May 28.

ARTOIS.

4. After a rest in the region of Valenciennes it went into line east of Arras August 9 and stayed there until September 17. At this time it transferred its 27th Infantry to the 211th Division and took in exchange the 393d Infantry, composed of levies from the regiments of the 7th, 8th, and 12th Divisions, 50th Reserve Division and 38th Landwehr Brigade.

SOMME.

5. About September 18 it again took part in the battle of the Somme in the sector of Courcelette. It fought bravely and again suffered heavily.

ARTOIS.

6. Withdrawn from the Somme about October 2 and went into the sector southeast of Loos October 5. Again withdrawn from this sector November 10 it went almost immediately into the line south of the La Bassee Canal and stayed there until May 28, 1917.

1917.

ARTOIS.

1. During the winter of 1916–17 the division had no big battles, but suffered from raids executed by the British troops.

FLANDERS.

2. May 28 it was withdrawn from the La Bassee front and sent to the region of Ypres (sector of Hollebeke-Wytschaete) June 8 to 19.

ALSACE.

3. At the beginning of July it was sent to Alsace to the vicinity of Mulhouse where it rested.

4. July 27 to 28 it entrained again for Artois via Mulhouse-Strassbourg- Sarreguemines-Metz-Thionville-Sedan-Hirson-Valenciennes-St. Amand.

ARTOIS.

5. After a few days’ rest in the region of St. Amand and Orchies July 28 to August 3, it went into the lines north of Lens (Loos sector) where it lost heavily from August 9 to the beginning of September.

BELGIUM.

6. Relieved then and sent to rest at Pont a Marcq, it went back into the line between the La Bassee Canal and Hulluch September 21. Withdrawn from this sector during October and sent to the region of Ypres where it held a front on October 29 between Becelaere and Gheluvelt. It was still identified there January 29, 1918.

RECRUITING.

Province of Magdeburg (Prussian Saxony) and part of Thuringia. The 393d Infantry gets replacements from the depot of the 153d Infantry (Altenburg). Its resources from these replacements are as a rule sufficient and the Fourth District has even furnished recruits to the regiments of the Fourteenth. In exchange when it has relatively few replacements it has been helped out by Polish drafts from Silesia (Sixth District).

1918.

1. The division was relieved on February 4 and rested in the Eecloo area, participating in a large-scale maneuver.

2. It returned to line in the Becelaere sector on March 3, relieving the 8th Bavarian Reserve Division. It was withdrawn March 26.

BATTLE OF THE LYS.

3. It fought near Hollebeke, Messines, Wytschaete, between April 9 and May 1. It took part in the attack on the Ypres-Comines Canal on April 25.

4. During May it was at rest in Belgium near Deyuze (Cruyhautern). It entrained for Nesle about June 8, moving through Audenarde, Coutrai, Lille, Douai, Cambrai, and Ham. It marched to the front, southeast of Montdidier by Roye and Tilloloy June 9–11.

5. It was in line near Ressons-Marqueglise from June 14 to 24.

6. The division rested south of St. Quentin June 26 to 29, then at Origny June 30 to July 4. It entrained at Origny on July 4 and moved to Sedan by Guise, Hirson, Liart, and Charleville. It was north of Grandpre from July 5 to 10. On the 10th it was sent toward the Champagne front by Grandpre, Monthois, and Maure.

BATTLE OF RHEIMS.

7. The division was engaged at Repon, east of Tahure, on July 15. Heavy losses were incurred during the attack of July 15. It was taken out on August 15.

AILETTE.

8. It was moved by railroad to Chauny (by Laon) and detrained about August 20. About this time a dozen men per company were received.

9. On August 26–27 it entered line south of Juvigny (north of Soissons). In the fighting that followed the division was withdrawn to Leuilly on the night of August 31-Sept 1. It was relieved on the 3d after losing 605 prisoners. The German communique of August 30 credited the 165th Regiment with the destruction of 20 tanks in one attack.

BATTLE OF THE ARGONNE.

10. The division rested near Attigny until September 24, when it reinforced the Somme-Py front. It was engaged until October 22 with very heavy losses. It returned from the second line two days later to assist in covering the retreat between La Neuville en Tourne a Fuy and Juniville. From there it fell back on the Aisne (Ambly) and was retired on October 14.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as first class.

7th Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │13 Res. │27 Res. │13 Res. │27 Res. │14 Res. │36 Res.
│ │36 Res. │ │36 Res. │ │66 Res.
│14 Res. │66 Res. │14 Res. │66 Res. │ │72 Res.
│ │72 Res. │ │72 Res. │ │
│ 4 Res. Jag. Btn. │ 4 Res. Jag. Btn. │ 4 Res. Jag. Btn.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Cavalry. │1 Res. Heavy Cav. │ │1 Res. Heavy Cav.
│ Rgt. (3 Sqns.). │ │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │7 Res. F. A. Rgt. │7 Res. F. A. Rgt. │7 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (6 Btries.). │ │ (9 Btries.).
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│4 Field Co. 2 Pion.│4 Field Co. 2 Pion.│4 Field Co. 2 Pion.
Liaisons. │ Btn No. 4. │ Btn. No. 4: │ Btn. No. 4:
│ │ 7 Res. Pont.-Engs.│ 248 Pion. Co.
│ │ 7 Res. Tel.-Detch.│ 207 T. M. Co.
│ │ │ 7 Res. Pont.-Engs.
│ │ │ 7 Res. Tel.-Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │14 Res. │36 Res. │14 Res. │36 Res.
│ │66 Res. │ │66 Res.
│ │72 Res. │ │72 Res.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │1 Res. Heavy Cav. │3 Sqn. 9 Drag. Rgt.
│ Rgt. (1 Sqn.). │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │95 Art. Command: │95 Art. Command:
│ │
│ 7 Res. F. A. Rgt. │ 7 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (9 Btries.) │
│ │ 52 Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ 889 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1106 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1126 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│307 Pion. Btn.: │307 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 4 Co. 4 Pions. │ 4 Co. 4 Pions.
│ 248 Pion. Co. │ 248 Pion. Co.
│ 207 T. M. Co. │ 207 T. M. Co.
│ 407 Tel.-Detch. │ 180 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ │407 Signal Command:
│ │ 407 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 42 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │504 Ambulance Co. │504 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│22 Res. Field │22 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│49 Res. Field │24 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │407 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │707 M. T. Col.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(Fourth District—Prussian Saxony.)

1914.

1. At the beginning of the war the 7th Reserve Division was part of the 4th Reserve Corps.

BELGIUM.

2. It detrained August 10 to 12, 1914, near Dusseldorf, and was part of the 1st Army (Von Kluck). Reached Brussels via Tongres (Aug. 19) and Louvain, and advanced toward Paris through Enghien, Ath, Conde, Amiens (Aug. 30–31), Clermont, Creil, and Senlis (Sept. 4).

MARNE.

3. At the battle of the Marne it was engaged northwest of Crouy sur Ourcq (Puisieux, Neufmoutiers, Monthyon) and suffered heavy losses, September 6 and 7.

4. From September 8 to 11 it withdrew through Villers Cotterets, Coeuvres, Port Fontenoy. It fought for a long time in the region of Nouvron.

AISNE.

5. After the front was stabilized it held the lines between the Soissons-Laon Road to southwest of Nouvron.

6. November 12 it had considerable losses at the attack of the Plateau of Nouvron.

1915.

1. The division held the Nouvron sector until September, 1915.

2. In January, 1915, some of the units of the division were engaged in the fights around Soissons, January 12 and 13.

3. In June several battalions were sent toward Quennevieres as reinforcements at the beginning of the French attack.

CHAMPAGNE.

4. Relieved about September 22 to 25, the division was sent to Champagne at the beginning of October. Suffered heavy losses in the region of Tahure October 30.

1916.

1. Withdrawn at the end of January, 1916, from the sector of Tahure. It was sent to rest north of Rethel. It went back into line only for a short time toward the end of February north of Prosnes (the 36th Reserve Regiment alone appeared in this sector).

2. About May 10 the division was sent to the camp of Sissonne.

VERDUN.