(341st Regiment: 20th Corps District—Eastern part of Western Prussia. 343d and 344th Regiments: 17th Corps District—Western Prussia.)

1914.

The 86th Division was organized during the summer of 1915 with the elements of the Woernitz Division. The latter with the 85th Landwehr Division, constituted the Suren Corps coming from the garrisons of Graudenz, Kulm, and Marienburg, which was used on the Eastern Front from the beginning of the war. There were 11 battalions of mobile depots (active, reserve, and Landwehr) and two companies of depots of chasseurs (jaeger).

Poland.

1. After having participated in the operations on the Polish front from September to December, 1914, the troops which were to be formed into the 86th Division were then used in the region of Mlawa (trench warfare) from the end of December, 1914, to the middle of May, 1915. Some of the units were sorely tried. At Koslau (Nov. 12 to Dec. 25), then at Prasnysz, the 4th Company of the mobile Ersatz battalion of the 18th Infantry lost 2 officers and 266 men. (Casualty Report.)

1915.

Russia.

1. From July, 1915, on the Woernitz Division, now the 86th Division, took part in the German offensive and helped to break up the Russian front near Prasnysz (July 13–17). Following up its advance, it fought on the Narew after the taking of Pultusk. It took part in the battles of Ostrowo (Aug. 8–10), of Bielsk (Aug. 19–25) and on the Niemen (September).

2. When the Russian front became stationary it found itself on the Little Berezina and took a position to the east of Deliatitchi.

1916.

Russia.

1. The 86th Division remained in the sector near the Little Berezina until March.

2. From the 18th of March to the 30th of April it took part in the battle of Narotch, and until the month of July, occupied the Krevo-Smorgoni sector. It then went on the Chtchara (July 9–26), opposed the Russian offensive near Kovel from July 28 to November 4 and finally established itself on the upper Styr and on the Stokhod, reduced in strength by the transfer of the 342d Regiment to the 93d Division, then just formed.

1917.

Volhynia.

1. After having occupied the Stokhod front in front of Kovel until April, 1917, the 86th Division put into line on April 22, to the south of Kisselin. It remained there until January, 1918.

RECRUITING.

Division sufficiently homogeneous (Prussian Provinces) with relatively no other numerous elements from other Provinces. Having left the Russian front at a late date, the division could not leave the soldiers coming from Alsace and Lorraine behind.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 86th Division seemed to be a good division, composed of young and vigorous men (March, 1918).

On the Eastern Front it was rated as a first-class division.

Volhynia.

1. The 86th Division left its sector in the Kiselin area toward the end of January. It entrained at Rogozwo on the 29th and traveled via Brest-Litowsk-Kalisch-Cottbus-Eisenach-Frankfort-Sarrebruecken-Metz-Sedan-Rethel, and detrained at Le Chatelet on the 4th of February.

Rheims.

2. It then marched via Neuflize-Isles-Boult-Fresnes, and entered line near Betheny (northeast of Rheims) on the 27th, when it relieved the 242d Division. It was withdrawn about the 21st of May, and went to rest near Asfeld.

3. On the evening of the 26th it left and marched toward the front; the 27th it was in reserve; on the 28th it attacked near Trigny (west of Rheims) and succeeded in advancing about 5 kilometers. On the 6th of June the 86th and 232d Divisions, supported by the 33d Reserve Division, captured the town of Bligny (southwest of Rheims), but lost it the same afternoon when the French counterattacked. The 86th Division had quite heavy losses. It was relieved on July 21 by the 50th Division and went to rest in the region northwest of Rheims.

4. On the 10th of August the division reenforced the front near Muizon (west of Rheims). It was relieved by the 10th Reserve Division on the 28th.

Laon.

5. During the night of September 18–19 it relieved the 50th Reserve Division near the Colombe farm (south of Laon). It was relieved about the 23d of October.

6. The division came back into line on November 5 in the vicinity of Marle; on the 7th it was identified northeast of Vervins; and on the 9th at Hirson.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 86th was rated as a fourth-class division. It did not participate in any of the great offensives during 1918, but it did attack vigorously on two occasions and on the whole acquitted itself better than other divisions similarly rated.