Histories of two hundred and fifty-one divisions of the German army which participated in the war (1914-1918)

by United States. War Department. General Staff

HISTORY.

(4th Corps District—Prussian Saxony.)

1917.

1. The 23d Landwehr Division, formed at the end of April, 1917, in the Argonne, was composed of the independent 13th Landwehr Brigade (26th and 27th Landwehr Regiments) and of the 66th Landwehr Regiment taken from the 5th Landwehr Division. This latter division furnished the staff of its infantry brigade (14th Landwehr Brigade).

2. After being assigned to the 23d Landwehr Division, the 13th Landwehr Brigade occupied the sector of Boureuilles north of Vienne la Ville in the Argonne. It was in the Argonne from September 1914.

Russia.

3. Almost as soon as it was formed the 23d Landwehr Division was transferred to the Eastern Front (entraining of the 26th Landwehr Regiment on May 19). Itinerary: Carignan-Liége—Coblentz-Cassel-Halle-Cottbus-Gnessen-Graudenz-Koenigsberg-Chavli-Poneviej. Going into line about May 25 in the vicinity of Illukst (Courland) the division remained in this sector until February, 1918. It was too much weakened to contribute replacements to the division destined to operate in France, as, for example, the 87th Division. On December 28 the 1st and 2d Companies of the 347th Infantry Regiment each received some 75 to 80 men from the 23d Landwehr Division.

VALUE.

The 23d Landwehr Division is composed entirely of elderly men; in May 1917, the recruit depots of the division furnished men from 40 to 46 years of age. At the end of 1917 the best elements had been taken for use on the Western Front.

1918.

Dvinsk.

1. Beginning in February, the 23d Landwehr Division occupied the Dvinsk region. A man of the division wrote from that city under date of March 15: “We have been here since the 20th of February. The 23d Landwehr Regiment, to which I belong, is to remain in Russia for guard duty. We hold the new frontier.” The 26th Landwehr and 27th Landwehr Regiments and divisional headquarters were identified here on May 9. On the 18th of May, elements of the 27th Landwehr Regiment were in the vicinity of Riejitsa.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as fourth class.