HISTORY.
1914.
Lorraine.
1. The origin of the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division dates from the stabilization of the Lorraine front after the check of the Germans before Grand-Couronne in September, 1914.
2. At the beginning of the war the different elements which were to enter into the composition of the division were employed in Lorraine in rear of the combatant troops. The 71st Landwehr Regiment came from the war garrison of Strasburg.
3. These elements grouped in three brigades forming the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division, were brought up to the front early in September and put into line in the Château-Salins sector (from Jallaucourt to the Rhine-Marne Canal).
1915.
Lorraine.
1. From that time on the division occupied the same front in Lorraine, on each side of the Rhine-Marne Canal, broadening or narrowing its front according to the number of troops in line in the region.
2. During the summer of 1915 its limit was carried to the southeast gradually as far as the Luneville-Avricourt railway, next to the region south of Leintrey; to the northeast as far as the western ledge of the Foret de Bezange.
3. In May, 1915, the 60th Landwehr Bde. was detached from the division, and replaced by the 5th Bavarian Landwehr Bde. (4th and 5th Bavarian Landwehr Regiments) coming from the 10th Ersatz Division.
1916.
Lorraine.
1. South of Leintrey—western edge of the Foret de Bezange. In January, 1916, the 14th Bavarian Landwehr Bde. was detached from the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division; the 122d Landwehr Regiment (Wurttemburg) passed to the 2d Landwehr Division; the 15th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment to the 39th Bavarian Landwehr Division. The brigade was replaced by the 9th Bavarian Landwehr Bde. (6th and 7th Bavarian Landwehr Regiments). The division thus became entirely Bavarian; it was increased, shortly after, by the addition of the 60th Reserve Regiment, which was later (September) attached to the 221st Division.
2. In July, 1916, the 13th Bavarian Landwehr Bde. was withdrawn from the division and replaced by battalions of Landsturm.
1917.
Lorraine.
1. In January, 1917, the division’s sector was shortened—it was limited on the southeast by the western edge of the Foret de Paroy. In March it ended northwest of Juvrecourt. In June it extended itself once more to the southeast, fixing itself finally in July between Juvrecourt and the eastern edge of the Foret de Paroy; the limits have not varied since then.
2. About the first of the year the 5th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment passed to the 2d Bavarian Landwehr Division (new formation—Russian front).
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
The 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division established itself on the Lorraine front in September, 1914, after the hard fighting in that region had ceased. It executed some important raids with its assault company, notably in June, 1917 (Foret de Paroy), and November (Arracourt region). In general, however, it remained exclusively on the defensive. It is made up of men whose physical value is often diminished; who have, consequently, waged only position warfare, and that upon a defensive front.
1918.
Lorraine.
1. The division remained in the Parroy sector in Lorraine throughout 1918, and, with the exception of a very few raids executed by the divisional Stosstrupp, did nothing.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
Losses and reinforcements have been few. The strength of the companies appears to be about 80 men, of an average age of 35–40 years. The 1st Bavarian Landwehr is rated as a fourth-class division.