December, 1917, with the exception of the period April-July, 1916,
during which it was engaged before Verdun.
The troops of the division fraternized with the Russians for about three
weeks in April, but this came to an end early in May with the arrival
opposite them of new Russian troops, who received their advances with
bullets. (Inter. pris., Jan. 24, 1918.)
1918.
WOEVRE.
1. The division remained in line in the Verdun sector until relieved by
the 11th Bavarian division about February 15.
2. It moved to the Conflans area, where it went through a course of
training in open warfare in order to fit itself to become an assault
division. At this time, too, it exchanged its Alsatians for Prussians of
the 78th Reserve Division.
SOMME.
3. March 27 the division reinforced the front at Bray, north of the
Somme. It fought until the 30th, and lost to such an extent that its
companies, which had been filled up while in the Conflans area, were
reduced to an average strength of 40 men.
4. It was withdrawn March 30, and rested immediately in rear of the
position it had held in line until about April 19.
5. The following day the division went back into line just south of the
Somme, and immediately suffered heavily. It was relieved May 2 by the
24th Reserve Division.
6. The division went to rest in the Peruwelz area, and then had some
more training in the same region.
CHAMPAGNE.
7. Early in July the division was identified in reserve near Hirson.
8. July 16 it entered line near St. Hilaire, and was withdrawn the 20th.
RHEIMS.
9. It was immediately thrown into line in the Bois de Vrigny, where it
fought in an attempt to prevent the Allies from annihilating the German
troops in the Soissons-Chateau Thierry-Rheims pocket.
LAON.
10. About August 10 the division was withdrawn and went to rest in the
region of Laon.
LAFFAUX.
11. September 3 it relieved the 27th Division near Laffaux, and, being
surprised by a French attack, lost heavily (2,300 prisoners).
12. September 16 it was relieved by the 29th Division.
RHEIMS.
13. The division came back into line near Betheny (northeast of Rheims)
on October 2 and was withdrawn about the 8th.
ST. FERGEUX.
14. It reentered line in the St. Fergeux region October 14, and was
again withdrawn the 29th.
LIART.
15. November 7 the division was identified near Liart (south of Rocroi),
and remained in line until the armistice.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The division was rated as third class.
1st Reserve Division.
COMPOSITION.
─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │1 Res. │1 Res. │1 Res. │1 Res. │1 Res. │1 Res.
│ │3 Res. │ │3 Res. │ │3 Res.
│72 Res. │18 Res. │72 Res. │18 Res. │72 Res. │18 Res.
│ │59 Res. │ │59 Res. │ │59 Res.
│1 Res. │Jag. Btn.│1 Res. │Jag. Btn.│1 Res. │Jag. Btn.
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │1 Res. Uhl. Rgt. (3│1 Res. Uhl. Rgt. │1 Res. Uhl. Rgt.
│ Sqns.). │ │
│1 Res. Ers. Cav. │1 Res. Ers. Cav. │
│ Rgt. (3 Sqns.). │ Regt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │1 Res. F. A. Rgt. │1 Res. F. A. Rgt. │1 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (6 Btries.). │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │2 Eng. Btn. No. 1: │4 Field Co. 2d
Liaisons. │ │ │ Pion. Btn.
│ │ Res. Co. 1 Pion. │201 T. M. Co.
│ │ Btn. │
│ │ 1 Res. Pontoon │1 Res. Pontoon
│ │ Engs. │ Engs.
│ │ 1 Res. Tel. Detch.│1 Res. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │1 Res. │1 Res. │1 Res. │1 Res.
│ │3 Res. │ │3 Res.
│ │59 Res. │ │
│1 Res. │Jag. Btn.│ │59 Res.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │1 Res. Uhl. Rgt. (.│4 Sqn. 2 Gd. Ulan
│ Sqns.). │ Rgt.
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │1 Res. F. A. Rgt. │1 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (9 Btries.). │
│ │2 Abt. 1 Res. Ft.
│ │ A. Rgt.
│ │1363 Light Am. Col.
│ │1390 Light Am. Col.
│ │1393 Light Am. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│301 Eng. Btn. (.): │301 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 4 Co. Pion. Btn. │ 4 Co. 2 Pions.
│ │
│ 1 Co. Pion. Btn. │ 1 Co. 34 Res.
│ │ Pions.
│ 201 T. M. Co. │ 201 T. M. Co.
│ 348 Searchlight │ 31 Searchlight
│ Section. │ Section.
│ Tel. Detch. │401 Signals
│ │ Command:
│ │ 401 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 158 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │501 Ambulance Co. │501 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│399 Field Hospital.│399 Field Hospital.
│9 Res. Field │9 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │137 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │M. T. Col. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
HISTORY.
1914–15.
RUSSIA.
1. The 1st Reserve Division was on the Russian front from August, 1914,
until November 1, 1917, at which time it entrained for France.
EAST PRUSSIA-POLAND.
2. In 1914 it and the 36th Reserve Division formed the 1st Reserve Corps
(Gen. Otto von Buelow). It took part in the operations of East Prussia
(Hindenburg’s Army), in the Lodz maneuver (Von Mackensen’s Army), and in
the combats on the Bzura.
3. In February, 1915, the division was in the Prasnysz region, northeast
of the Bohr-Narew line.
COURLAND.
4. In May, as part of Eichhorn’s Army, it took part in the raid on
Courland.
1916.
GALICIA.
1. It was on the Dvina in the Friedrichstadt region until July.
2. In August it was identified in Galicia, in Bothmer’s Army, opposed to
the Broussiloff offensive. Here it had heavy losses. (The 11th Company
of the 3d Infantry Regiment, in particular, was reduced to 30 men.)
During September the division was reinforced. The depot at
Friedrichstadt, near Warsaw, was completely emptied to make good its
losses.
COURLAND.
3. Toward the end of September elements of the division were in line
near Friedrichstadt, along the Dvina, in a calm sector. The 18th Reserve
Infantry Regiment was attached to the newly formed 225th Division.
1917.
1. January 5, 1917, the division was taken to the Mitau region, where it
helped stop the Russian attack. Losses in this sector were light, but
there was considerable discontent due to the cold.
2. The division was relieved about the 15th of March and sent to the
neighborhood of Gross-Eckau, near Mitau, where it rested two months.
RIGA.
3. The middle of May it was put back into line before Riga. It took part
in the offensive against that city in September, stayed there from the
3d to the 7th of September, and then took up again its march toward the
east. It organized its positions about 70 kilometers from Riga, near
Hintzenberg (or Hildersberg?) (near Wenden) and established itself
there.
FRANCE.
4. Relieved the end of October, it entrained near Wenden for the western
front (Itinerary: Riga, Mitau, Kovno, Eidtkuhnen, Insterburg, Thorn,
Posen, Lissa, Breslau, Cottbus, Leipsic, Erfuhrt, Frankfort-on-the-Main,
Sarrebruecken, Thionville, Sedan, Vouziers.) It detrained November 6 at
Semide (southeast of Vouziers).
CHAMPAGNE.
5. After a rest of two days, the division went into line in the St.
Hilaire sector (east of Vaudesincourt-Auberive).
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
The division was recruited in East Prussia and, as a result of
insufficient local resources, from divers other localities—a great many
Alsace-Lorrainers during the sojourn on the Russian front.
The 1st Reserve Division has taken part in all the important attacks
which have taken place on the eastern front since the beginning of the
war. It seems, however, from interrogation of deserters (in Champagne,
November, 1917), that the cadres and men were little prepared for war as
it was waged on the western front.
1918.
CHAMPAGNE.
1. The division remained in line east of Auberive until relieved by the
23d Division April 30.
MONTDIDIER.
2. May 13–14 it relieved the 76th Reserve Division in the Givesnes
sector.
3. It was relieved August 4, but came back into line on the 10th a
little farther to the north, in the region of Hangest-en-Santerre. It
was withdrawn a few days later and rested several days in the
neighborhood.
4. August 19 it relieved the 75th Reserve Division near Beuvraignes. It
fought until relieved September 2.
ST. QUENTIN.
5. After 10 days’ rest it relieved the 21st Division near Le Verguier,
northwest of St. Quentin. It was withdrawn on the 20th.
RIBEMONT.
6. October 1 the division relieved the 208th Division near Ribemont.
Withdrawn October 31.
DOMPIERRE.
7. It came back into line November 7 and remained until the armistice.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The division has suffered very heavily, notwithstanding the fact that,
until about the 10th of August, it had taken no part in any really
important actions this year. On the 18th of September the 1st Reserve
Regiment was almost wiped out, its three battalion officers being
captured with their staffs. It had also suffered a great many casualties
the 9th and 10th of August. It is difficult to estimate the strength of
its companies, owing to the fact that it is still in an active sector,
but it is probably not over 50 rifles.
In the main the recruitment is East Prussian. There have been many
Alsace-Lorrainers in its ranks, but since many of these have deserted
there are probably not a great many of them left. For the most part the
men are between 25 and 35 years old, but there are many older men and
something less than 10 per cent of the division is made up by recruits
of the 1919 class. It is again to be noted that the division was not
employed in any of the German offensives this year.
Its conduct was remarkable in no way during the division’s participation
in the heavy fighting around Hangest, Beuvraignes, and to the north of
St. Quentin. During the early part of the year, when the division was in
line in Champagne, there were a great many desertions, especially among
the Alsace-Lorraine element. There have also been many cases of mutiny,
especially in the 59th Reserve, the worst of the three regiments. About
the middle of August a batch of some 500 recruits started out from the
interior for the division. To sustain the morale of the men, these
recruits were told they were going to simply support the artillery.
Notwithstanding this, less than 250 men remained when the draft reached
its true destination—the front lines. The men are very tired of the war,
but on the whole seem resigned to the necessity of doing their duty.
The 1st Reserve is rated as a third-class division.
1st Landwehr Division.
COMPOSITION.
─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │6 Mixed │34 Ldw. │6 Ldw. │34 Ldw. │34 Ldw. │31 Ldw.
│ Ldw. │ │ │ │ │
│ │49 Ldw. │ │49 Ldw. │ │37 Ldw.
│ │ │ │ │ │84 Ldw.
│34 Mixed │31 Ldw. │34 Mixed │31 Ldw. │ │
│ Ldw. │ │ Ldw. │ │ │
│ │84 Ldw. │ │33 Ldw. │ │
│ │ │ │84 Ldw. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │ │90 Ldw. Cav. Rgt. │2d Sqn. 10 Drag.
│ │ │ Rgt.
│ │2d Sqn. 10 Drag. │
│ │ Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │ │96 F. A. Rgt. │128 Art. Command:
│ │219 F. A. Rgt. │ 96 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Co. 23 Pion. Btn.│(401) Eng. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │ │
│ │2 Co. 23 Ers. Pion.│ 1 Co. 1 Ers. Pion.
│ │ Btn. │ Btn.
│ │ │ 3 Co. 26 Ers.
│ │ │ Pion. Btn.
│ │ │ 301 T. M. Co.
│ │ │ 279 Searchlight
│ │ │ Section.
│ │ │ 501 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │215 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │2 Ldw. Field
│ │ │ Hospital.
│ │ │9 Ldw. Field
│ │ │ Hospital.
│ │ │201 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Odd Units. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │34 Ldw. │31 Ldw. │34 Ldw. │31 Ldw.
│ │ │ │
│ │33 Ldw. │ │33 Ldw.
│ │84 Ldw. │ │84 Ldw.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2d Sqn. 12 Horse │3 Sqn. 12 Horse
│ Jag. │ Jag. Rgt.
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │ │96 F. A. Rgt.
│ │782 Light Am. Col.
│ │1036 Light Am. Col.
│ │1047 Light Am. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │401 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ │ 1 Ers. Co. 1
│ │ Pions.
│ │ 2 Ldw. Co. 2 C.
│ │ Dist. Pions.
│ │ 301 T. M. Co.
│ │ 142 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ │501 Signal Command:
│ │ 501 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 190 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │215 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│ │146 Field Hospital.
│ │
│ │279 Field Hospital.
│ │
│ │201 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Odd Units. │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
HISTORY.
1914–15.
Called Jacobi’s Division at the beginning of the war, and a part of the
1st Landwehr Corps, the 1st Landwehr Division fought under this corps on
the eastern front. It was first called the 10th Landwehr Division,
taking the name of 1st Landwehr Division in July, 1915. It comprised the
6th Mixed Landwehr Brigade (34th and 49th Landwehr Regiments) and the
34th Mixed Landwehr Brigade (31st and 84th Landwehr Regiments).
EAST PRUSSIA-POLAND.
1. First engaged in East Prussia (Angerburg, Gumbinnen, August, 1914, to
January, 1915), Jacobi’s Division took part in the operations between
Mariampol and Suwalki. Early in March, 1915, it was before Lomza; then
in the Ossowiec region on the Bobr. It was at this time that the
division became known as the 1st Landwehr Division, and the 33d Landwehr
Regiment was attached to it.
2. At the beginning of August the division was in the Kalvariia region,
Suwalki. It took part in the summer offensive, but remained in support,
never doing any actual fighting.
COURLAND.
3. After a rest on the Little Berezina, it went to Courland, going into
line in the Uxkuell region (October).
1916.
1. The division remained to the south of Riga until the end of July,
1916.
VOLHYNIA.
2. In August it went to Volhynia, where it took over the Borovno sector
(on the Stokhod) and held it for more than a year, until about November,
1917. The 6th Landwehr Brigade was taken away and remained in the Mitau
region (April, 1916). Since then the division has been composed of only
three regiments.
1917.
VOLHYNIA.
1. Relieved in the Borovno sector toward the end of 1917, went to rest
in the vicinity of Kovel. In January, 1918, the division received
reinforcements from the 9th Landwehr Regiment (dissolved) and also from
the 20th Landsturm Regiment. It had already had men of the 1919 class
since November, 1917. Still more arrived in February, 1918, when the
division was on the point of departing for Belgium.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
In theory, the 31st and 84th Landwehr Regiments were recruited in the
9th Corps District; the 33d Landwehr Regiment in the 1st Corps District.
Latterly, however, widely diversified elements have been introduced—men
of the 20th Landsturm Regiment (18th Corps District); from the 9th
Landsturm Regiment (2d Corps District); also men from the 3d, 7th, and
17th Districts (class 1919). There is, too, a considerable number of
Alsace-Lorrainers (33d Landwehr Regiment).
The 1st Landwehr is a mediocre division, composed of old men and of
others that have little military value. (March, 1918.)
1918.
BELGIUM.
1. The division was then taken to the western front, and after some time
spent in reserve (it was probably trained in the methods of warfare
employed on the western front, although there is no evidence to
establish it) it relieved the 35th Division near Merckem, March 20. It
was relieved about April 19 by elements of the 83d Division.
2. April 26 it was identified in the St. Julien-Hooge sector, replacing
part of the 236th Division, which side slipped to the south. In an
unsuccessful attack during this time it suffered exceedingly heavy
losses.
ALSACE.
3. The division was relieved by the 6th Cavalry Division during the
night of July 27–28 and went to rest in the Vosges.
4. About October 3 the division relieved the 30th Bavarian Reserve
Division near Aspach le Bas.
WOEVRE.
5. It was withdrawn from this sector soon afterwards to be thrown in to
meet the American advance east of the Meuse, being identified west of
Flabas October 16. They lost heavily, staying in until the armistice.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The 1st Landwehr is rated as a third-class division. Still, although
many of its younger men were sent to other divisions just before it came
to the western front, it did rather well, its commanding officer having
been promoted after its participation in the battle of the Lys, and the
division as a whole having been lauded several times in the official
communiques.
1st Bavarian Division.
COMPOSITION.
─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │1 Bav. │Body Inf.│1 Bav. │1 Bav. │2 Bav. │2 Bav.
│ │1 Bav. │2 Bav. │2 Bav. │ │1 Bav.
│2 Bav. │2 Bav. │ │24 Bav. │ │24 Bav.
│ │16 Bav. │ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │8 Bav. Light Cav. │ │8 Bav. Light Cav.
│ │ │ (3 Sqns).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │1 Bav. Brig.: │1 Bav. Brig.: │1 Bav. Brig.:
│ │ │
│ 1 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 1 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 1 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ 7 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 7 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 7 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 Bav. Eng. Btn. │1 Bav. Eng. Btn. (1│1 Bav. Eng. Btn. (1
Liaisons. │ (1st and 3d Field│ and 3 Field │ and 3 Field
│ Cos.). │ Cos.): │ Cos.):
│ │ 1 Bav. Pontoon │ 1 Bav. T. M. Co.
│ │ Engs. │
│ │ 1 Bav. Tel. Detch.│ 1 Bav. Pontoon
│ │ │ Engs.
│ │ │ 1 Bav. Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │1 Bav. │2 Bav. │1 Bav. │1 Bav.
│ │1 Bav. │ │2 Bav.
│ │24 Bav. │ │24 Bav.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │8 Bav. Light Cav. │2 Sqn. 8 Bav. Light
│ (2d and 3d Sqns).│ Cav. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │1 Bav. Art. │1 Bav. Art.
│ Command: │ Command:
│ 1 Bav. F. A. Rgt. │ 1 Bav. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 9 Bav. Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ 123 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 146 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 158 Bav. Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 and 3 Bav. Pion. │1 Bav. Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ Cos. │
│ │
│1 Bav. T. M. Co. │ 1 Bav. Pion. Co.
│ │
│1 Bav. Searchlight │ 3 Bav. Pion. Co.
│ Section. │
│1 Bav. Tel. Detch. │ 1 Bav. T. M. Co.
│1 Bav. Pontoon │ 1 Bav. Searchlight
│ Engs. │ Section.
│ │1 Bav. Signal
│ │ Command:
│ │ 1 Bav. Tel. Detch.
│ │ 40 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │1 Bav. Ambulance │1 Bav. Ambulance
Veterinary.│ Co. │ Co.
│Field Hospital. │3 Bav. Field
│ │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │4 Bav. Field
│ │ Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │M. T. Col. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
HISTORY.
1914.
LORRAINE.
1. At the beginning of the war the 1st Bavarian Division, forming, with
the 2d Bavarian Division, the 1st Bavarian Corps, was part of the 6th
Army (Bavarian Crown Prince). It detrained at Sarrebruecken (Aug. 8–9),
crossed the frontier, sacked Badonviller the 12th, and withdrew to the
north of Sarrebruecken the 17th. It fought at Sarrebruecken the 20th. In
liaison on the left with the Badeners of the 14th Corps, it crossed the
frontier and advanced to Nossoncourt and Xaffévillers (Sept. 6) via
Baccarat. September 12 the division, having been withdrawn, was
reassembled at Peltre (near Metz). It then entrained at Metz the 14th
and 15th, and detrained near Namur, reaching Péronne the 24th.
SOMME.
2. In the last days of September, 1914, at the time of the “race to the
sea,” the two divisions of the 1st Bavarian Corps were in the 2d Army
(Von Buelow), which operated on the Somme in the Péronne region. They
became heavily engaged notably at Combles (Oct. 24) and at Maricourt
(Dec. 17). By November 4 the 1st Bavarian Regiment had had casualties of
63 officers and 2,090 men since the beginning of the war. (Casualty
list.)
1915.
ARTOIS.
1. The 1st Bavarian Division was kept in line on the Somme (Dompierre-
Maricourt) until October, 1915. Its composition was changed—the Body
Infantry Regiment went to the Alpine Corps, the 16th Infantry to the
10th Bavarian Division. In return, the 24th Infantry (a new formation)
was received.
2. The division was taken to the region north of Arras (Neuville-Souchez
sector), where it remained almost seven months (October, 1915-May,
1916).
1916.
VERDUN.
1. About May, 1916, the division was relieved to the west of Vimy and
sent to the Verdun front, where it took part in the battles near
Douaumont (May 23), and in those of June 1 and 8.
2. Re-formed in the Romagne-sous-les-Côtes area, it reentered line about
June 22 for new attacks. During this offensive the division suffered
severely. It was relieved at the beginning of July.
3. After a short rest behind the Verdun front the division reoccupied
the Apremont-St. Mihiel sector, remaining there until October 11, when
it was reconstituted, receiving large reinforcements (recuperates and
men of the 1916 class).
SOMME.
4. Taken to the Caudry sector (near Cambrai), it was engaged on the
Somme (Sailly-Saillisel, Morval) October 13 to end of November, where
its losses were once again exceedingly heavy.
5. The division reappeared in the region of St. Mihiel (Bois d’Ailly-
Forêt d’Apremont sector) the beginning of December, and remained there
until the early days of May, 1917.
1917.
PLATEAU DE CALIFORNIE.