6. During September it was sent to rest in the region of Pie_Histories of two hundred and fifty-one divisions of the German army which participated in the war (1914-1918)

Missy-Liesse. Engaged in the sector of Bovettes-Pargny-Filain from

October 23 to 27 and withdrawn from this front at the beginning of

November after some of its regiments had suffered heavy losses during

the battle of October 23 to 25.

7. About the middle of November the division went to the sector of

Chevregny, after a rest of about two weeks in the region of Laon, during

which it was filled up again. It held this sector until the beginning of

December. December 8 it was in the vicinity of Laon. January 11, 1918,

some of the units were at Liesse.

RECRUITING.

The division (Fifth District) was recruited in Lower Silesia, where the

German population is much more numerous than the Polish population.

Although it received men from the Second and Third Districts in 1913 and

men from the Seventh District in 1916, it could without great difficulty

get all its men from its original territory. Its replacements come

almost entirely from Lower Silesia, and in emergency from Silesia. It is

more homogeneous than the 10th Division, where the Polish elements have

to be balanced off by Germans.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

Among the various German units which were engaged in front of Verdun and

at Californie Plateau, the 9th Division was one of those which showed

the least resistance.

1918.

1. The division was relieved on the Chemin des Dames front on December

29 and went to rest and train in the Guise area until the middle of

March, when it proceeded to the battle front.

BATTLE OF PICARDY.

2. It was at Marcyon March 20. On the 21st it followed up the attack

without being engaged through Happencourt, Artemps, Tugny, Dury, Pithon,

Ham, and Nesle (Mar. 25). It was engaged on the 26th near Roye and

advanced by Montdidier to west of Mesnil-St. Georges March 27–28. Its

attack of March 30 on Ayencourt-Royancourt met with heavy losses.

MONTDIDIER.

3. The division was withdrawn on April 1 for a short rest, during which

it received a draft of 400 men. It returned to line southwest of

Montdidier and was in line from April 5 to 8.

4. Until the 18th it was in reserve near La Boissiere and later near

Nesle until April 24.

5. It rested near Hirson and Vervins during May, again receiving drafts

to the number of 300 men.

BATTLE OF THE AISNE.

6. On May 20 it marched by night stages to the Aisne front, passing

through Froidmont, Verneuil sur Serre, and Bruyeres. On the opening day

it advanced in reserve by Presles, Monampteuil, and Pargny Filain. It

was engaged on the 28th at Sancy-Vregny and advanced in the first line

south of Soissons, Venizel, Missy sur Aisne, Courmelles, Noyant,

Chazelle, and Poisy (May 30). Its losses in front of Chazelle were

particularly heavy. It was relieved on June 8. An official German

document gives the division losses between May 28 and June 2 as 96

officers and 2,830 men.

7. It rested in the vicinity of Rethel and Novion-Porcien (June 15 to

July 7) and reconstituted by drafts. It moved toward the Aisne front on

July 10, going into reserve northeast of Rheims for a week. Alerted on

the 17th it moved to Oulchy le Chateau.

SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE.

8. The division was engaged near Hartennes and Varcy from July 20 to

August 2. It was driven back on Fismes on that date and relieved the

next day.

9. In August it rested and trained near Vailly and in the vicinity of

Laon. After the 24th it was north of Rheims.

CHAMPAGNE.

10. The division was engaged east of La Pompelle from September 20 to

the beginning of October. On the 3d it was forced back on Isles

Bazancourt, and later to Nanteuil sur Aisne. On October 17 it was

relieved.

11. Two days later it was entrained for Flanders, but at Mons directed

toward Avesnes and La Capelle.

12. Its last engagement was north of Guise from October 21 to November

4; then near Novin and Avesnes. 1,800 prisoners were taken on November

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as a first-class division. Its performance in

1918 was not of the best, however. It was engaged in the Somme, Aisne,

and Marne actions without winning special credit. Discipline was

reported to be lax, and morale poor at the end.

9th Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────

│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916

─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────

│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.

─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────

Infantry. │17 Res. │6 Res. │17 Res. │19 Res. │17 Res. │6 Res.

│ │7 Res. │ │7 Res. │ │19 Res.

│ │19 Res. │ │6 Res. │ │102

│ │ │ │ │ │ (Ldw.).

│ │5 Res. │ │5 Res. │ │5 Res.

│ │ Jag. │ │ Jag. │ │ Jag.

│ │ Btn. │ │ Btn. │ │ Btn.

│ │ │ │ │ │98 Res.

│ │ │ │ │ │395.

─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────

Cavalry. │3 Res. Dragoon Rgt.│ │3 Res. Dragoon Rgt.

│ (3 Sqns.). │ │

─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────

Artillery. │9 Res. F. A. Rgt. │9 Res. F. A. Rgt. │9 Res. F. A. Rgt.

│ (6 Btries.). │ │

│ │ │

Engineers and│4 Field Co. 2 Pion.│4 Field Co. 2 Pion.│4 Co. 2 Pion. Btn.

Liaisons. │ Btn. No. 5. │ Btn. No. 5 │ No. 5.

│2 Res. Co. 2 Pion. │2 Res. Co. 2 Pion. │2090 T. M. Co.

│ Btn. No. 5. │ Btn. No. 5 │

│ │9 Res. Pont. Engs. │9 Pont. Engs.

│ │ │

│ │9 Res. Tel. Detch. │9 Tel. Detch.

│ │ │

Medical and │ │ │

Veterinary.│ │ │

│ │ │

Transports. │ │ │

─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────

│ 1917 │ 1918

─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────

│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.

─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────

Infantry. │18 Res. │6 Res. │18 Res. │6 Res.

│ │19 Res. │ │19 Res.

│ │395. │ │395.

│ │ │ │

─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────

Cavalry. │1 and 3 Sqns. 3 │3 Sqn. 3 Res. Drag.

│ Res. Dragoon Rgt.│ Rgt.

─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────

Artillery. │97 Art. Command: │97 Art. Command:

│ │

│ 9 Res. F. A. Rgt. │ 9 Res. F. A. Rgt.

│ (9 Btries.). │

│ │ 29 Ft. A. Btn.

│ │ (Staff and 1 and

│ │ 3 Btries.).

│ │ 735 Light Am. Col.

│ │ 1287 Light Am.

│ │ Col.

│ │ 1361 Light Am.

│ │ Col.

─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────

Engineers and│309 Pion. Btn.: │309 Pion. Btn.:

Liaisons. │ │

│ 4 Co. 55 Pions. │ 4 Co. 5 Pions.

│ │

│ 1 Res. Co. 18 │ 1 Res. Co. 18

│ Pions. │ Pions.

│ 209 T. M. Co. │ 209 T. M. Co.

│ 409 Tel. Detch. │ 29 Searchlight

│ │ Section.

│ │409 Signal Command:

│ │ 409 Tel. Detch.

│ │ 28 Wireless Detch.

─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────

Medical and │519 Ambulance Co. │519 Ambulance Co.

Veterinary.│ │

│Field Hospital. │13 Res. Field

│ │ Hospital.

│Vet. Hospital. │25 Res. Field

│ │ Hospital.

│ │409 Vet. Hospital.

─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────

Transports. │M. T. Col. │708 M. T. Col.

─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(Fifth District—Posen.)

1914.

The division was part of the 5th Reserve Corps with the 10th Reserve

Division.

MEUSE-WOEVRE.

1. At the beginning of the war it belonged to the 5th German Army

(Imperial Crown Prince). Concentrated in the region of Sarrebruck and

crossed the southern part of Belgian Luxemburg; fought August 22 near

Ville en Montois and September 1 in the region of Consenvoye-Flabas, and

was kept east of the Meuse near Sivry September 2. Toward the end of

September and the beginning of October the division sent a few units to

the left bank of the Meuse (Forges-Malancourt-Chattancourt). The

division established itself in Woevre during the last two weeks of

October and at the beginning of November in the region Etraye-Wavrille-

Romagne, where it did some fighting at Maucourt November 10.

FLANDERS.

2. About November 13 the division was sent from the region of Verdun to

Flanders. Some units of the division fought near Poelcappelle and south

of Bixschoote in support of the 3d Reserve Corps. It suffered very heavy

losses.

3. Again sent to Woevre during the month of December.

1915.

WOEVRE.

1. In January, 1915, the division held the region Gincrey-Etrain-Warcq.

It remained in this section during the whole of 1915 and until the end

of February, 1916. In April it transferred its 7th Reserve Infantry to

form the 121st Division.

1916.

VERDUN.

1. A few days before the Verdun offensive (end of February, 1916,) the

regiments of the division were relieved. The 6th Reserve and the 19th

Reserve organized with their best units one attack battalion each. These

battalions took part with the 15th Army Corps in the violent action at

the beginning and suffered heavy losses.

2. March 7 its units were reorganized behind the front and the division

advanced through Maucourt-Ornes and established itself north of Vaux.

March 9 and 10 the three regiments of the division attacked successfully

the village and fort of Vaux. They were repulsed nearly everywhere with

very heavy losses.

3. About March 12 the division was relieved from before Vaux and sent to

rest in the region of Senon-Amel.

4. Went back into line about March 20 south of Damploup. It did not

attack any more, but bombardments caused it heavy losses.

5. Relieved about the end of April and sent to rest in the vicinity of

Saverne (Alsace) until June 12.

CHAMPAGNE.

6. About June 20 it went into line in Champagne (sector of Souain-

Tahure) but did not take part in any important action.

SOMME.

7. Withdrawn from the front about September 20 or 25 and sent to the

Somme. Engaged between the eastern limit of Bouchavesnes and the main

Péronne road until October 18. It had a few losses.

8. After a period of rest, probably in the vicinity of Vouziers, it was

again sent to the Somme, first behind the front southeast of Bapaume

December 1, then about December 17 in line in the sector of Bouchavenes-

Bois de St. Pierre-Vaast until February, 1917.

1917.

1. In February, 1917, the division held on the Somme the sector north of

the Ancre—south of Achiet le Petit.

2. Withdrawn from the front about March 10 and sent to rest in the

region of Cambrai, and was established on a new front about March 20

west of Catelet near Gouzeaucourt, Villers Guislain.

ARTOIS.

3. About April 15 it was relieved and went into line south of the

Scarpe, northeast of Monchy le Preaux, from the beginning of May till

the beginning of June.

FLANDERS.

4. It was again at the front east of Armentieres from the middle of June

till about July 10, then after a rest in the vicinity of Ghent it was in

line on the Ypres road at Menin, east of Klein-Zillebeke, from August 10

to September 25, and fought especially on the 20th, on which date it

suffered heavily. The 11th Company of the 6th Reserve Infantry was

reduced to 20 men, and the 12th to 27. The 19th Reserve Infantry had the

same losses. The 3d Company of the 395th Infantry lost half of its men.

(Summary of information Sept. 21 and Oct. 24, 1917.)

CAMBRAI.

5. Reorganized in the region of Cambrai and from that time on held

various sectors of this front. It fought November 23 to 30 at Banteux,

Masnières, and in December south of Marcoing. In January, 1918, it was

at La Vacquerie and was relieved there February 21.

RECRUITING.

The Province of Posen, with a few units from other districts, for

example the ninth, to reduce the proportion of Poles.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The division fought well in many battles at the end of 1917, especially

east of Ypres and before Cambrai.

1918.

BATTLE OF PICARDY.

1. The division reinforced the front southwest of Cambrai on March 22

and advanced by Montauban-Maricourt to west of Albert. It was relieved

about the 1st of April. After losing heavily in the offensive it was

withdrawn.

LENS.

2. It came into line in the quiet sector near Lens about April 10,

relieving the 12th Reserve Division. On the 23d it shifted its sector

south to Avion. The 12th Reserve Division returned from the Lys front to

relieve it on about April 29.

3. The division moved north and entered the battle line in the Festubert

sector on April 29. It continued in this sector until September 27,

effecting only local reliefs. It reentered at once at Marcoing on

September 29. A month later it arrived at Ath from line and went into

line on November 2 at Hermes. The last identification was at Ellezelle

on November 10.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as a second-class division. During 1918 its

length of stay on the British front was remarkable. Nothing is known of

its morale or losses.

9th Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────

│ 1915 │ 1916

─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────

│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.

─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────

Infantry. │43 Ldw. │32 Ldw. │76 Ldw. │79 Ldw.

│ │83 Ldw. │ │83 Ldw.

│49 Mixed Ldw. │116 Ldw. │49 Ldw. │116 Ldw.

│ │118 Ldw. │ │118 Ldw.

│ │56 Ldw. │ │

─────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────

Cavalry. │Ldw. Cav. Rgt. (18 C. Dist.).│Ldw. Cav. Rgt. (18 C. Dist.).

─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────

Artillery. │Ldw. F. A. Rgt. │Ldw. F. A. Rgt.

│ │

Engineers and│1 Ldw. Pion. Co. (18 C. │2 Ldw. Pion. Co. (10 C.

Liaisons. │ Dist.). │ Dist.).

│ │1 Ldw. Pion. Co. (18 C.

│ │ Dist.).

│ │309 T. M. Co.

│ │

Medical and │ │

Veterinary.│ │

│ │

Transports. │ │

│ │

Attached. │ │

│ │

─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────

│ 1917 │ 1918

│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.

Infantry. │76 Ldw. │83 Ldw. │76 Ldw. │83 Ldw.

│ │116 Ldw. │ │116 Ldw.

│ │118 Ldw. │ │118 Ldw.

│ │ │ │

Cavalry. │1 Sqn. 4 Res. Drag. Rgt. │1 Sqn. 4 Res. Drag. Rgt.

Artillery. │(?) Art. Command: │9 Ldw. F. A. Rgt.

│ 9 Ldw. F. A. Rgt. │

Engineers and│(409) Pion. Btn.: │409 Pion. Btn.:

Liaisons. │ │

│ 2 Ldw. Pion. Co. (10 C. │ 2 Ldw. Co. 10 C. Dist.

│ Dist.). │ Pions.

│ 1 Ldw. Pion. Co. (18 C. │ 1 Ldw. Co. 18 C. Dist.

│ Dist.). │ Pions.

│ 309 T. M. Co. │ 309 T. M. Co.

│ 509 Tel. Detch. │ 183 Searchlight Section.

│ │509 Signal Command:

│ │ 509 Tel. Detch.

│ │ 136 Wireless Detch.

Medical and │566 Ambulance Co. │566 Ambulance Co.

Veterinary.│ │

│62 Field Hospital. │62 Field Hospital.

│86 Field Hospital. │13 Ldw. Field Hospital.

│396 Field Hospital. │509 Vet. Hospital.

│Vet. Hospital. │

Transports. │221 M. T. Col. │

│904 M. T. Col. │

Attached. │151 Labor Btn. │

│171 Labor Btn. │

HISTORY.

(83d Landwehr: Eleventh District—Thuringia and Electoral Hesse. 116th

Landwehr and 118th Landwehr: Eighteenth District—Grand Duchy of Hesse.)

1915.

ARGONNE.

1. This division was organized in the Argonne at the beginning of 1915

from infantry units in sector in that region and in Champagne. The 43d

Landwehr Brigade detrained at Boulay (Lorraine) August 20, 1914, and

fought in the Woevre the 24th. The 49th Landwehr Brigade was sent to

Luxemburg August 20, followed the Eighteenth Reserve Corps, and took

part with it in the battle of the Marne. In October the two brigades

were in the Argonne.

2. From the time of its organization did not leave the Argonne. From the

beginning of 1915 it held the sector at or near the Aisne (north of

Ville sur Tourbe and north of Vienne le Chateau).

1916.

ARGONNE.

1. Sector north of Vienne le Chateau, from the region of Rouvroy to the

ravine of Fontaine aux Charmes.

1917.

ARGONNE.

1. Sector north of Vienne le Chateau.

RECRUITING.

83d Landwehr: Electorate Hesse and Thuringia. 116th and 118th Landwehr:

Grand Duchy of Hesse and Rhenish country. The document of July 11, 1917,

calls the two regiments in question “Rhenish.”

At the end of 1917 and during the first months of 1918 the division

exchanged a large number of men with the divisions stationed near it,

which modified its regional composition to a certain degree.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

Sector division. (1918.)

The division had one storm company in July, 1917, and each regiment had

a “Stosstrupp.”

1918.

The division continued to hold the sector in the Argonne Woods until the

American attack on September 26. It was engaged on the opening days and

withdrew on the 28th. The shattered elements were re-formed and

reentered at once on the extreme right flank of the 4th French Army in

the vicinity of the Aisne. The last identification was at Villers sur le

Mont on November 10.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as a fourth-class division. On the defensive it

showed some fighting ability.

9th Bavarian Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

│ 1916 │ 1917 │ 1918[8]

│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.

Infantry. │17 Bav. │11 Bav. │17 Bav. │11 Bav. │17 Bav. │11 Bav.

│ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res. │ Res.

│ │14 Bav. │ │14 Bav. │ │14 Bav.

│ │ Res. │ │ Res. │ │ Res.

│ │3 Bav. │ │3 Bav. │ │3 Bav.

│ │ Ers. │ │ Ers. │ │ Ers.

Cavalry. │ │1 Sqn. 1 Bav. Res. │1 Sqn. 1 Bav. Res.

│ │ Cav. Rgt. │ Cav. Rgt.

Artillery. │11 Bav. Res. F. A. │9 Bav. Art. │9 Bav. Art.

│ Rgt. (9 Btries.).│ Command: │ Command:

│ │ 11 Bav. Res. F. A.│ 11 Bav. Res. F. A.

│ │ Rgt. │ Rgt.

Engineers and│ │(21) Pion. Btn.: │8 Bav. Pion. Co.

Liaisons. │ │ │

│ │ 8 Bav. Pion. Co. │12 Bav. Res. Pion.

│ │ │ Co.

│ │ 12 Bav. Res. Pion.│209 Bav. T. M. Co.

│ │ Co. │

│ │ 209 Bav. T. M. Co.│409 Tel. Detch.

│ │ 409 Tel. Detch. │105 Bav. Wireless

│ │ │ Detch.

Medical and │ │13 Bav. Ambulance │13 Bav. Ambulance

Veterinary.│ │ Co. │ Co.

│ │30 Bav. Field │30th Bav. Field

│ │ Hospital. │ Hospital.

│ │58 Bav. Field │58th Bav. Field

│ │ Hospital. │ Hospital.

│ │29 Bav. Vet. │29 Bav. Vet.

│ │ Hospital. │ Hospital.

│ │30 Bav. Vet. │

│ │ Hospital. │

Transports. │ │M. T. Col. │M. T. Col.

Footnote 8:

Composition at time of dissolution, July 24.

HISTORY.

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

1916.

1. This division was formed at the beginning of October, 1916, at Caudry

and vicinity, and was one of the series of divisions organized at that

time from drafts of units from already existing divisions.

AISNE.

2. Went into line at the beginning of October east of Craonne, in the

sector of Ville au Bois.

3. At the beginning of December it was sent to rest between Cambrai and

Le Cateau.

1917.

SOMME.

1. The division was sent to the Somme and sent in its regiments singly

to reinforce the sectors of Saillisel and Transloy in January, 1917.

AISNE.

2. At the beginning of February the division was sent back to the region

of Laon-La Malmaison. It returned to the sector of Ville au Bois, where

it opposed the French offensive of April 16 and lost 2,300 captured and

many casualties; the 2d and 3d Battalions of the 14th Reserve Infantry

were almost all taken prisoners.

LORRAINE.

3. Relieved April 20 and sent to Lorraine, where it occupied the sector

of Moncel-Arracourt May 1 to the beginning of August.

FLANDERS.

4. August 1 it entrained at St. Avold for Flanders. Detrained at Roulers

and was placed in reserve in the region Staden-Zarren from August 9 to

16. It fought August 17 north of Ypres at Bixschoote-Langemarck,

suffered heavy losses, and remained in line only three days.

WOEVRE.

5. August 24 it took over the sector of the Apremont forest near St.

Mihiel until the end of October.

FLANDERS.

6. Returned to Flanders and sent to rest in the vicinity of Bruges and

Ostend in October and November. About November 22 it went into line in

the sector of Lombartzyde and left it at the beginning of December.

CAMBRAI.

7. It returned almost immediately to the front south of Cambrai

(Gonnelieu-Villers-Guislain) in December, then to the sector of

Hargicourt in January, 1918.

RECRUITING.

Almost entirely from the Third Bavarian District-Upper Palatinate, Upper

and Lower Franconia.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The division opposed a considerable resistance to the French attack of

April 16, 1916, and gave proof of good qualities and defense.

1918.

1. The division was not engaged on March 21, being in reserve near

Estrees from the 21st to the 24th. It was then used to clear up the

ground near Bellenglise until March 27. It marched to the front by Mont

St. Quentin, Vermandovillers, and Harvonnieres.

VILLERS BRETONNEUX.

2. From April 4 to 21 it was engaged near Villers Bretonneux. In the

counterattack of the opening day a battalion of the 11th Bavarian

Reserve Regiment ran away. For a week the division was in reserve south

of Bray sur Somme. On April 27 it returned to line northeast of Villers

Bretonneux, remaining until May 6.

3. It rested west of St. Quentin from May 11 to 17.

BATTLE OF THE MATZ.

4. On the 19th the division entered the line on the Oise east of Noyon.

After the 26th it was in front of Noyon. The division took part in the

attack of June 6 on Suzay-Thiescourt-Passel. Relieved about the middle

of June, the division was disbanded about June 27. Its regiments were

turned into the 12th Bavarian Division.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as a second-class division. It was inferior to

the other Bavarian units. Its morale was bad prior to its dissolution.

9th Cavalry Division.

COMPOSITION.[9]

Histories of two hundred and fifty-one divisions of the German army which participated in the war (1914-1918) · 第 18 / 78 段

6. During September it was sent to rest in the region of Pierrepont-