HISTORY.
(Bavaria.)
1914.
The Bavarian Ersatz Division consisted, at the outbreak of the war, of the three mixed Bavarian Ersatz brigades, Nos. 1, 5, 9 (12 battalions), which detrained on August 17 and 18 in the region of Schelestadt. But afterwards this designation indicated a composite division (Benzino Division) formed from the 3d Bavarian Reserve Brigade and the 59th Landwehr Brigade (28th Ersatz, Baden) and the 120th Landwehr Regiment (Wurttemberg).
Vosges.
1. The Benzino Division was first engaged in the Vosges (St. Marie Ridge, St. Die, Laveline) until September.
Haye.
2. After a rest in the Valley of the Bruche, it entrained at the end of September for Mars-la-Tour and reinforced the 3d Bavarian Corps in the St. Mihiel area.
1915.
Woevre.
1. 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.
2. The division rested in Lorraine from December, 1915, to the end of February, 1916.
1916.
At the beginning of February, 1916, the 120th Landwehr Regiment was replaced by a Prussian Regiment, the 81st Landwehr.
Woevre.
1. On February 28, 1916, the Bavarian Ersatz Division took over the sector of Fresnes-en-Woëvre-Ronvaux. It remained there until the end of October, 1916. On October 17, the 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment left the division temporarily to go to Galicia, to the 199th Division, and came back in November.
Somme.
2. From October 25 to November 15 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.
3. Transferred to the Aisne, it went into line in the vicinity of Craonne at the end of November.
1917.
Aisne.
1. 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 Mérite” for its general.
2. 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.
3. On September 1 it was in Belgium, where it was engaged on both sides of the Ypres-Menin road until September 25. The 3d Battalion of the 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment was almost destroyed on September 20.
Galicia.
4. At the beginning of October the division was transferred to the eastern front and sent into line southeast of Tarnopol in December.
5. At the end of autumn 1917, the 28th Ersatz Regiment (Baden) was withdrawn from the division and replaced by the 18th Bavarian Reserve.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 2d Bavarian Corps districts.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
The Bavarian Ersatz Division is a very mediocre division.
1918.
Verdun.
1. The division held the quiet Verdun sector until July 12, when it was relieved by the 231st Division.
Vesle.
2. 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 August 12, when it was withdrawn and sent to rest in the vicinity of Maubeuge.
Champagne.
3. On September 1 it proceeded to Mauchault and during the first days of September relieved the 88th Division in line near Perthes. It was in the fighting between September 23 and October 3 in Champagne, losing about 2,000 men in that engagement.
4. The division was so reduced in strength that it was dissolved shortly after its retirement from line in October. The 18th Bavarian Reserve Regiment was dissolved and the men drafted to the 15th Bavarian Division. The 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment was also dissolved.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The division was rated as third class. It was used only in defensive sectors during 1918.