HISTORY.
1914–15.
Called Jacobi’s Division at the beginning of the war, and a part of the 1st Landwehr Corps, the 1st Landwehr Division fought under this corps on the eastern front. It was first called the 10th Landwehr Division, taking the name of 1st Landwehr Division in July, 1915. It comprised the 6th Mixed Landwehr Brigade (34th and 49th Landwehr Regiments) and the 34th Mixed Landwehr Brigade (31st and 84th Landwehr Regiments).
East Prussia-Poland.
1. First engaged in East Prussia (Angerburg, Gumbinnen, August, 1914, to January, 1915), Jacobi’s Division took part in the operations between Mariampol and Suwalki. Early in March, 1915, it was before Lomza; then in the Ossowiec region on the Bobr. It was at this time that the division became known as the 1st Landwehr Division, and the 33d Landwehr Regiment was attached to it.
2. At the beginning of August the division was in the Kalvariia region, Suwalki. It took part in the summer offensive, but remained in support, never doing any actual fighting.
Courland.
3. After a rest on the Little Berezina, it went to Courland, going into line in the Uxkuell region (October).
1916.
1. The division remained to the south of Riga until the end of July, 1916.
Volhynia.
2. In August it went to Volhynia, where it took over the Borovno sector (on the Stokhod) and held it for more than a year, until about November, 1917. The 6th Landwehr Brigade was taken away and remained in the Mitau region (April, 1916). Since then the division has been composed of only three regiments.
1917.
Volhynia.
1. Relieved in the Borovno sector toward the end of 1917, went to rest in the vicinity of Kovel. In January, 1918, the division received reinforcements from the 9th Landwehr Regiment (dissolved) and also from the 20th Landsturm Regiment. It had already had men of the 1919 class since November, 1917. Still more arrived in February, 1918, when the division was on the point of departing for Belgium.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
In theory, the 31st and 84th Landwehr Regiments were recruited in the 9th Corps District; the 33d Landwehr Regiment in the 1st Corps District. Latterly, however, widely diversified elements have been introduced—men of the 20th Landsturm Regiment (18th Corps District); from the 9th Landsturm Regiment (2d Corps District); also men from the 3d, 7th, and 17th Districts (class 1919). There is, too, a considerable number of Alsace-Lorrainers (33d Landwehr Regiment).
The 1st Landwehr is a mediocre division, composed of old men and of others that have little military value. (March, 1918.)
1918.
Belgium.
1. The division was then taken to the western front, and after some time spent in reserve (it was probably trained in the methods of warfare employed on the western front, although there is no evidence to establish it) it relieved the 35th Division near Merckem, March 20. It was relieved about April 19 by elements of the 83d Division.
2. April 26 it was identified in the St. Julien-Hooge sector, replacing part of the 236th Division, which side slipped to the south. In an unsuccessful attack during this time it suffered exceedingly heavy losses.
Alsace.
3. The division was relieved by the 6th Cavalry Division during the night of July 27–28 and went to rest in the Vosges.
4. About October 3 the division relieved the 30th Bavarian Reserve Division near Aspach le Bas.
Woevre.
5. It was withdrawn from this sector soon afterwards to be thrown in to meet the American advance east of the Meuse, being identified west of Flabas October 16. They lost heavily, staying in until the armistice.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The 1st Landwehr is rated as a third-class division. Still, although many of its younger men were sent to other divisions just before it came to the western front, it did rather well, its commanding officer having been promoted after its participation in the battle of the Lys, and the division as a whole having been lauded several times in the official communiques.