HISTORY.
1914.
Lorraine.
1. At the beginning of the war the 1st Bavarian Division, forming, with the 2d Bavarian Division, the 1st Bavarian Corps, was part of the 6th Army (Bavarian Crown Prince). It detrained at Sarrebruecken (Aug. 8–9), crossed the frontier, sacked Badonviller the 12th, and withdrew to the north of Sarrebruecken the 17th. It fought at Sarrebruecken the 20th. In liaison on the left with the Badeners of the 14th Corps, it crossed the frontier and advanced to Nossoncourt and Xaffévillers (Sept. 6) via Baccarat. September 12 the division, having been withdrawn, was reassembled at Peltre (near Metz). It then entrained at Metz the 14th and 15th, and detrained near Namur, reaching Péronne the 24th.
Somme.
2. In the last days of September, 1914, at the time of the “race to the sea,” the two divisions of the 1st Bavarian Corps were in the 2d Army (Von Buelow), which operated on the Somme in the Péronne region. They became heavily engaged notably at Combles (Oct. 24) and at Maricourt (Dec. 17). By November 4 the 1st Bavarian Regiment had had casualties of 63 officers and 2,090 men since the beginning of the war. (Casualty list.)
1915.
Artois.
1. The 1st Bavarian Division was kept in line on the Somme (Dompierre-Maricourt) until October, 1915. Its composition was changed—the Body Infantry Regiment went to the Alpine Corps, the 16th Infantry to the 10th Bavarian Division. In return, the 24th Infantry (a new formation) was received.
2. The division was taken to the region north of Arras (Neuville-Souchez sector), where it remained almost seven months (October, 1915-May, 1916).
1916.
Verdun.
1. About May, 1916, the division was relieved to the west of Vimy and sent to the Verdun front, where it took part in the battles near Douaumont (May 23), and in those of June 1 and 8.
2. Re-formed in the Romagne-sous-les-Côtes area, it reentered line about June 22 for new attacks. During this offensive the division suffered severely. It was relieved at the beginning of July.
3. After a short rest behind the Verdun front the division reoccupied the Apremont-St. Mihiel sector, remaining there until October 11, when it was reconstituted, receiving large reinforcements (recuperates and men of the 1916 class).
Somme.
4. Taken to the Caudry sector (near Cambrai), it was engaged on the Somme (Sailly-Saillisel, Morval) October 13 to end of November, where its losses were once again exceedingly heavy.
5. The division reappeared in the region of St. Mihiel (Bois d’Ailly-Forêt d’Apremont sector) the beginning of December, and remained there until the early days of May, 1917.
1917.
Plateau de Californie.
1. Entrained about May 7 at Vigneulles, it proceeded to the Laon region, where it was in reserve (May 8–12). The following day it took over the sector west of Hurtebise, where it participated in several attacks (May 20-June 17), losing heavily therein.
2. The division was relieved June 21 and went to rest south of Mezieres (La Francheville, etc.), where it was reconstituted.
Champagne.
3. July 25 it went back into line on the Champagne front (sector south of Ste. Marie-a-Py); it did not take part in any important engagements there.
4. The division was withdrawn December 27.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
The division was recruited in the southern part of Bavaria. The presence of contingents from the Bavarian Alps was responsible for the withdrawal of the Body Regiment to form the Alpine Corps.
Despite the losses it suffered during May and June in the Hurtebise sector, the 1st Bavarian Division may still be considered a good division. It has had time to reconstitute itself during the long calm period spent in Champagne (July 25-Dec. 27, 1917).
1918.
Argonne.
1. Withdrawn from line, the division was put through a course of training. It relieved the 80th Reserve Division north of Vauquois February 17.
2. It was relieved by the 80th Reserve Division about the 1st of March.
St. Quentin.
3. The opening day of the March offensive the division reinforced the front south of St. Quentin. It was withdrawn the next day.
4. March 23 it came back into line north of Chauny. It was withdrawn about the 30th.
Lassigny.
5. April 6 it relieved the 3d Bavarian Division west of Lassigny. It was in turn relieved by the 3d Bavarian Division on the 12th.
Champagne.
6. Having suffered a great deal in the fighting on the Somme, the division was taken to a quiet sector in Champagne, relieving the 52d Reserve Division May 1 north of Souain. About June 30 it was relieved by the 30th Division.
7. It reinforced the front near Souain July 15. It was withdrawn about the 31st.
Soissons.
8. The division entered line northeast of Soissons August 11.
Noyon.
9. It was relieved by the Jaeger Division about August 19, and moved to the west, taking over the Cuts sector, southeast of Noyon, August 20, and was withdrawn the 22d.
Coucy-le-Chateau.
10. August 31 the division was identified at Folembray, northwest of Coucy-le-Chateau; withdrawn about September 12.
Champagne.
11. About September 27 it took over the Manre sector, southeast of Vouziers, where it remained, fighting, until the signing of the armistice.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The 1st Bavarian is rated as a first-class assault division; it was utilized as such throughout 1918. It fought well; its losses were severe.