1. At the beginning of the war the division was a part of the 3d Bavarian Army Corps, with the 6th Bavarian Division, and was part of the 6th Army (Crown Prince Ruprecht of Bavaria). Detrained between Boulay and Courcelles from August 9 to 11, it fought August 20 on the right of the 2d Bavarian Corps at Oron, Lusy, Fremery. Crossed the frontier on the 22d and advanced to Sanon, fighting on the 25th at Serres and Hoéville, and on September 2 at Einville Wood. During the days following it formed the left of the troops attacking Nancy by way of Champenoux.
Woevre.
2. After its failure the division was assembled at Metz on September 13 and 14. The 19th it was at Mars-la-Tour. From there going through La Haye it reached the Cotes de Meuse. The 7th Infantry took Nonsard the 20th and Heudicourt the 21st. Marching on the left of the 6th Bavarian Division, which went up the hill, the 5th Bavarian Division, walking along the summit, established itself in the forest of Apremont at the beginning of September 25 and held it during the whole of 1915, and, except for the months of October and November, 1915, during the summer of 1916. Its losses were quite high during the first two months of the campaign. On October 14 the 1st Company of the 14th Infantry had only 1 officer and 41 men (notebooks).
1915.
Champagne.
1. October 6, 1915, the division was sent to Champagne, via Audun le Roman-Longuyon-Sedan, to relieve the 16th Reserve Division which had been crushed by the French attack of September 25. It was engaged south of Tahure (La Courtine) beginning October 13.
Woevre.
2. At the beginning of December it returned to its old sector east of St. Mihiel.