HISTORY.
(19th Bavarian Reserve: First Bavarian District. 22d Bavarian Reserve: Second Bavarian District. 23d Bavarian Reserve: Third Bavarian District.)
1915.
Alsace.
1. The division was organized in January, 1915 (second series of new reserve divisions) and was identified on the front for the first time at the beginning of February, 1915, in the valley of the Lauch and at Hartmannswillerkopf. It fought at the end of February in the region of Munster-Metzeral-Sultzeren. On the 24th it took part in the attack of Reichackerkopf and lost heavily.
2. Since that time and until May the division remained in the same sector of Alsace.
Galicia.
3. Relieved at the end of May and sent to Galicia, where it became part of the 11th Army and cooperated in the capture of Przemsl June 3.
Alsace.
4. Returned to the Western Front at the beginning of July and went to rest in the region of Schelestadt (Alsace); then went into line again about July 14 in the valley of the Fecht (Reichackerkopf-Metzeral). It repulsed an attack of the French July 20 at Reichackerkopf.
1916.
Alsace.
1. The division remained in Alsace, sector of Metzeral-Sondernach, for a year from July, 1915, to July, 1916. During this period it did not take part in any action.
Somme.
2. About July 10, 1916, it entrained at Mulhouse, Colmar, and Pfaffenheim, south of Colmar, and went to the Somme, south of Péronne, and was in reserve until July 20. July 21 and 22 it was engaged between Maurepas and Guillemont (the 23d Bavarian Reserve was detached and went to the east of Estrees).
3. Relieved August 15 after suffering heavy losses during the attacks of July 30 and August 12. Reorganized in the region of St. Quentin, then went back into line for a short time west of Roye at the beginning of September.
4. Withdrawn from the region of Roye in the middle of September and sent to the Roumanian front October 13 to 23, via Mons-Maubeuge-Namur-Liége—Aix-la-Chapelle-Cologne-Cassel-Halle-Leipzig-Prague-Brunn-Budapest-Arad.
1917.
Roumania.
5. Took part in the operations on the frontier of Transylvania in the region of the Oltu in October to November and in the valley of the Trotus in December.
Galicia.
2. In July it left Roumania and went to Galicia. At the end of July it was in the region of Nowitza. August 27 it fought at Bojan. In September it was at Czernowitz and went to rest near Radautz in Bukowina beginning September 6. After being reviewed by the Emperor September 27 it was filled up again (men of the 1918 class with less than four months’ training were sent to the 22d Reserve Infantry) and sent to the Western Front.
Belgium.
3. It entrained October 15 at Kolomea. Itinerary: Stanislau-Lemberg-Cracow-Leipzig-Northeim-Paderborn-Aix la Chapelle-Liege-Louvain-Malines-Brussels-Bruges, and detrained at Thourout October 23.
4. October 26 the division took over the Aschhoop sector near Dixmude.
RECRUITING.
It seems to come from all over Bavaria.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
The division had no serious fighting from August, 1916, on. Its losses on the Eastern Front were few. It was trained especially for mountain warfare, and they carried on this sort of warfare for a long time in Alsace, Galicia, and Roumania.
1918.
1. On January 24 the division was relieved at Dixmude and sent to Ghent for rest. From there it was transferred to Courtrai.
Belgium.
2. It relieved the 7th Division in the Becelaere sector on February 4, a quiet part at that time, and remained until March 7, when it was in turn relieved by the 7th Division.
Battle of the Lys.
3. It rested at Ostend until the Lys battle began, when it returned to attack on April 9 in the Estaires sector, which was defended by Portuguese. It advanced toward Calonne sur Lys, where it was withdrawn about April 14. The losses were 50 per cent of the effectives in this fighting.
Woevre.
4. Upon relief the division entrained on April 20 at Roubaix and moved to Conflans. On May 11 it relieved the 78th Reserve Division north of Seicheprey. It was in line in this sector until June 27. A draft of 300 men were received late in June.
Champagne.
5. The division rested at Conflans until July 4. It was then moved to Wassigny (north of Rethel) on the 5th. It marched toward the front by Herpy and St. Remy July 8 to 14. It was in reserve on July 15 east of Reims, in support of the 15th Bavarian Division. The division was not actively engaged in this offensive.
6. Withdrawn from Champagne, the division marched toward the front south of the Vesle by Warnerville, Soivre, and Jonchery, Vendeuil.
Vesle.
7. It was engaged west of Reims (St. Euphraise, Vrigny) between July 22 and August 8.
8. About August 22 the division arrived in the area northeast of Ath from the Aisne front to refit and train.
Ardennes.
9. It was engaged west of La Pompelle on September 20, retreating to the Suippe, south of Bazancourt, about October 1, then toward Chateau Porcien and Faizy. It was relieved about October 15.
10. It rested for 10 days at Son and St. Fergeux, receiving 150 to 200 men per regiment as drafts.
11. On the 25th the division returned to line in the Chateau Porcien sector. It retired in November by Son, Chappes, Dommely, and La Romagn, where it was last identified on November 7.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The division was rated as a first-class division, though it was considered as a shade under the class of the best divisions. It fought hard on the Lys, losing but 1 prisoner. It was not used later as an attack division. The morale was good.