HISTORY.
(Bavaria.)
1915.
Alsace.
1. The 39th Bavarian Reserve Division was formed in February, 1915, on the Alsace front in the vicinity of Ste. Marie aux Mines. (See 30th Bavarian Reserve Division.)
It then comprised the 52d Landwehr Brigade, consisting of the 80th Landwehr Regiment and 29th Ersatz Regiment (since become the 61st), and the 1st Bavarian Ersatz Brigade (81st Landwehr Regiment, 3d and 1st Bavarian Ersatz Regiments). After October, 1915, we find them officially designated “Bavarian.”
2. During 1915 and until the beginning of November, 1916, the 39th Bavarian Reserve Division occupied the sector included between the Ban de Sapt and Ste. Marie aux Mines. The elements of the division took part in several local attacks in this region (south of Lusse in February, 1915; at La Fontenelle in June and July, 1915).
1916.
Alsace.
1. 1916 same sector of Alsace (Ban de Sapt and Ste. Marie aux Mines).
2. In March, 1916, the composition of the 39th Bavarian Reserve Division was modified—the 81st Landwehr Regiment was replaced by the 15th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment, coming from the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division. In July the division comprised the 1st Bavarian Ersatz Brigade (1st and 3d Bavarian Ersatz Regiments) and the 9th Bavarian Ersatz Brigade (the 15th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment and the 5th Bavarian Ersatz Regiment, the latter having been formed in July).
3. In October the 3d Bavarian Ersatz Regiment was assigned to the 9th Bavarian Reserve Division and the 29th Ersatz Regiment to the 223d Division, both being new formations. From that time on the 39th Bavarian Reserve Division was entirely Bavarian.
In November the 15th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment went over to the 30th Bavarian Reserve Division, which sent the 2d Bavarian Ersatz Regiment in its place to the 39th Bavarian Reserve Division.
Verdun.
4. Relieved from its sector in the Vosges about November 6, 1916, the 39th Bavarian Reserve Division was sent to the Verdun front in the vicinity of Vaux. It underwent the French attack of December 15, during which certain of its units (5th Bavarian Ersatz Regiment) suffered heavily. It was withdrawn on December 17.
1917.
Alsace.
1. In the middle of January, 1917, the 39th Bavarian Reserve Division was sent back to its former sector in the vicinity of Ste. Marie aux Mines (Wisembach, Lusse, Provenchères) which it occupied from then on without changing.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
Except in December, 1916, at Verdun, the 39th Bavarian Reserve Division has always occupied the same sector of the Vosges. Its combat value appears mediocre.
The average age of the men in the 1st and 5th Bavarian Ersatz Regiments is between 30 and 40 years (April to July, 1918).
In February and March, 1918, all the younger elements (20 to 26 years) were withdrawn from the division and sent to active and reserve regiments.
1918.
Alsace.
1. The 39th Bavarian Reserve Division was still in its sector in Alsace, northwest of Ste. Marie aux Mines, on the 11th of November.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
It is rated as a fourth-class division. Most of the men are old, the younger men having been combed out in February and March to be sent to other organizations, and although the companies are large—the average ration strength seems to be 200 men—the division has very little combat value.