- Bavarian Ersatz Division, Imperial German Army during the Great War -
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Bavarian Ersatz Division, Imperial German Army
Divisional Structure 1914 Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th ArmyDivisional Order of Battle 1914
- 3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade
- 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
- 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
- 59th Landwer Brigade
- 28th Ersatz Regiment
- 120th Landwehr Regiment
Divisional Structure 1915 Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th ArmyAddition to Divisional Order of Battle 1915
Infantry - no changes
Artillery
- 1st Ersatz Abteil Field Artillery Regiment - 1st Bavarian Cavalry Division
- 2nd Ersatz Battery 8th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
Divisional Structure 1916 Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th ArmyDivisional Order of Battle 1916
Infantry
- 3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade
- 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
- 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
- 59th Landwehr Brigade
- 28th Ersatz Regiment
- 81st Landwehr Regiment
Cavalry
Ersatz Cavalry Detachment - 1st Bavarian Cavalry Division
Engineering and Liaison
- 2nd Landwehr Pioneer Company - 2nd Bavarian Cavalry Division
- 3rd Landwehr Pioneer Company - 3rd Bavarian Cavalry Division
- 1st Bavarian Mining Company
- 1st Bavarian Heavy Trench Mortar Detachment
Divisional Structure 1917 Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th ArmyDivisional Order of Battle 1917
Infantry
3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade
- 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
- 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
- 28th Ersatz Regiment
Cavalry
- 1st Squadron, 6th Bavarian Reserve Schutzen Cavalry Regiment
- Ersatz Cavalry Abteil, 1st Bavarian Cavalry Division.
Artillery Command
Bavarian Ersatz Field Artillery Regiment
Engineers and Liaison
- Pioneer Battalion: 4th and 6th Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Companies.
- 1st Bavarian Mining Company
- 100 Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
- 5th Bavarian Reserve Searchlight Section
- 551 Telephone Detachment
Medical and Veterinary
- 9th Bavarian Ambulance Company
- 40th Bavarian Field Hospital
- 41st Bavarian Field Hospital
- 33rd Bavarian Veterinary Hospital
Transport
767 Motor Transport Company
Divisional Structure 1918 Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th ArmyDivisional Order of Battle 1918
Infantry
3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade
- 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
- 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
- 18th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
Cavalry
1st Squadron, 6th Bavarian Reserve Schutzen Cavalry Regiment
19th Bavarian Artillery Command
Bavarian Ersatz Field Artillery Regiment
Engineers and Liaison
- 13th Pioneer Battalion: 4th and 6th Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Companies.
- 1st Bavarian Mining Company
- 100 Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
- 5th Bavarian Reserve Searchlight Section
- 551 Bavarian Telephone Detachment
Medical and Veterinary
- 9th Bavarian Ambulance Company
- 40th Bavarian Field Hospital
- 41st Bavarian Field Hospital
- 33rd Bavarian Veterinary Hospital
Transport
767 Motor Transport Company
5th August 1914 Early actions 1914 Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th ArmyThe Bavarian Ersatz Division consisted, at the outbreak of the war, of the three mixed Bavarian Ersatz brigades, Nos. 1, 5 and 9 (12 battalions), which detrained on the 17th-18th August 1914 in the region of Schelestadt. But afterwards this designation indicated a composite division (Benzin Division) formed from the 3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade and the 59th Landwehr Brigade (28th Ersatz, Baden) and the 120th Landwehr Regiment (Wurttemberg).
Vosges.
The Benzin Division was first engaged in the Vosges (St. Marie Ridge, St. Die, Laveline) until September 1914. After a rest in the Valley of the Bruche, it entrained at the end of September for Mars-la-Tour and reinforced the 3rd Bavarian Corps in the St. Mihiel area.
1st January 1915 Events in 1915 Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th ArmyWoevre 1915.
The Benzino Division occupied the area east of St. Mihiel (Spada to Apremont) during the entire year 1915. In November it took the name of Bavarian Ersatz Division.
The division rested in Lorraine from December, 1915, to the end of February, 1916.
1st February 1916 Events in 1916 Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th ArmyAt the beginning of February, 1916, the 120th Landwehr Regiment was replaced by a Prussian Regiment, the 81st Landwehr.
Woevre 1916. 1. On February 28, 1916, the Bavarian Ersatz Division took over the sector of Fresnes-en-Woevre-Ronvaux. It remained there until the end of October, 1916.
On the 17th October 1916, the 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment left the division temporarily to go to Galicia, to the 199th Division, and came back in November 1916.
Somme 1916.
From October 25th to November 15th, the Bavarian Ersatz Division took part in the battle of the Somme east of Gueudecourt, with the exception of the 81st Landwehr, which was definitely detached from the division.
Transferred to the Aisne, the Division went into line in the vicinity of Craonne at the end of November.
1st January 1917 Events in 1917 Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th ArmyAisne 1917.
On the Aisne front, east of Craonne, the Bavarian Ersatz Division received the French offensive of April, and its conduct gained the order "Pour le Merite" for its general. Relieved at the end of April, it occupied a sector in the Apremont Wood from the middle of May to the end of August.
Ypres 1917.
On the 1st September it was in Belgium, where it was engaged on both sides of the Ypres-Henn road until September 25. The 3rd Battalion of the 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment was almost destroyed on the 20th September 1917.
Galicia 1917.
At the beginning of October the division was transferred to the eastern front and sent into line southeast of Tarnopol in December. At the end of autumn 1917, the 28th Ersatz Regiment (Baden) was withdrawn from the division and replaced by the 18th Bavarian Reserve. The division was then entirely Bavarian.
Recruiting.
The Bavarian Ersatz Division is recruited from the 1st and 2nd Bavarian Corps districts.
Allied Intelligence Value - 1917 Estimate.
The Bavarian Ersatz Division is classed as a very mediocre division.
1st January 1918 Events in 1918 Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th ArmyVerdun 1918.
The division held the quiet Verdun sector until July 12, when it was relieved by the 231st Division.
Vesle 1918.
It was moved to the Vesle front and on July 25 relieved the 40th Division near Oulchy-le-Chateau. It remained in this sector until the 12th August, when it was withdrawn and sent to rest in the vicinity of Meubeuge.
Champagne 1918.
On the 1st September it proceeded to Mauchault and during the first days of September relieved the 88th Division in the line near Perthes. It was in the fighting between September 23 and October 3 in Champagne, losing about 2,000 men in that engagement.
The division was so reduced in strength that it was dissolved shortly after its retirement from line in October.
The 13th Bavarian Reserve Regiment was dissolved and the men drafted to the 15th Bavarian Division.
The 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment was also dissolved.
Allied Intelligence Value - 1918 Estimate.
The division was rated as third class. It was used only in defensive sectors during 1918.
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Bavarian Ersatz Division, Imperial German Army
during the Great War 1914-1918.
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