HISTORY.

1914–15.

Along with the 2d Division, the 1st Division forms the 1st Army Corps (Koenigsberg).

Russia.

1. The 1st Army Corps was engaged on the Russian front at the very beginning of the war.

2. Up until November the 1st Division participated in the operations of East Prussia, and notably in the battle of Tannenberg (Aug. 27–29).

3. In December the two divisions of the 1st Corps separated. The 2d Division remained in the north; the 1st Division went to the 9th Army, from December, 1914, to January, 1915 (Bzura-Rawka), then to the Army of the South, operating in the Carpathians and on the Dniester, from February, 1915, to February, 1916.

1916.

France.

1. The division went to France in March, 1916. The 41st Infantry Regiment detrained March 13 near Metz; the 48th Infantry Regiment at Hagondange March 5.

Verdun.

2. The division was put in line near Vaux April 20, fought in the bois de la Caillette in May, in the bois de Vaux Chapitre, and the bois Fumin in June and July. It suffered enormous losses there. In the 1st Company of the 41st Infantry Regiment, the numbers on the pay books passed from 1,359 (Apr. 10) to 1,674 (July 19), indicating the arrival of at least 316 reinforcements. From the beginning of the war until July, 1916, the regiment had received an average of 1,360 men per company.

Russia.

3. At the end of July, 1916, the 1st Division, leaving behind the 41st Infantry Regiment, which fought before Verdun in August, was once more taken to the eastern front, where it formed part of the Carpathian Corps.

1917.

Bukovina.

1. In July, 1917, the division was in the Kirlibaba-Dorna-Vatra region. Beginning July 27, it followed up the retreating Russians, halting, early in August, in the Sereth region.

France.

2. The division entrained, the beginning of December, near Czernowitz, and was carried to the French front. (Itinerary: Kolomea, Stanislau, Lemberg, Tarnow, Oppeln, Breslau, Dresden, Leipsic, Halle, Cassel, Coblentz, Treves.) Ordered to Lorraine, it was sent to the region east of Etain, relieving the 13th Reserve Division and occupying the sector in front of Moulainville (Dec. 27; still there Jan. 23, 1918).

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

Theoretically, the regiments of the 1st Division are recruited in East Prussia, but since the 1st Corps District, sparsely populated and of restricted size, could not keep it up alone, the elements coming from outside this district are numerous. During the stay on the eastern front Alsace-Lorrainers were used in considerable number. While in France the division’s ranks were filled up with the aid of the abundant resources of Brandenburg and Silesia (3rd and 4th Corps Districts); consequently, the division does not display to any degree the local character like the majority of the German divisions.

The 1st Division was on the Russian front from August, 1914, until 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.