The division has suffered very heavily, notwithstanding the fact that, until about the 10th of August, it had taken no part in any really important actions this year. On the 18th of September the 1st Reserve Regiment was almost wiped out, its three battalion officers being captured with their staffs. It had also suffered a great many casualties the 9th and 10th of August. It is difficult to estimate the strength of its companies, owing to the fact that it is still in an active sector, but it is probably not over 50 rifles.

In the main the recruitment is East Prussian. There have been many Alsace-Lorrainers in its ranks, but since many of these have deserted there are probably not a great many of them left. For the most part the men are between 25 and 35 years old, but there are many older men and something less than 10 per cent of the division is made up by recruits of the 1919 class. It is again to be noted that the division was not employed in any of the German offensives this year.

Its conduct was remarkable in no way during the division’s participation in the heavy fighting around Hangest, Beuvraignes, and to the north of St. Quentin. During the early part of the year, when the division was in line in Champagne, there were a great many desertions, especially among the Alsace-Lorraine element. There have also been many cases of mutiny, especially in the 59th Reserve, the worst of the three regiments. About the middle of August a batch of some 500 recruits started out from the interior for the division. To sustain the morale of the men, these recruits were told they were going to simply support the artillery. Notwithstanding this, less than 250 men remained when the draft reached its true destination—the front lines. The men are very tired of the war, but on the whole seem resigned to the necessity of doing their duty.

The 1st Reserve is rated as a third-class division.

1st Landwehr Division.

COMPOSITION.

19141915191619171918
Brigade.Regiment.Brigade.Regiment.Brigade.Regiment.Brigade.Regiment.Brigade.Regiment.
Infantry.6 Mixed Ldw.34 Ldw.6 Ldw.34 Ldw.34 Ldw.31 Ldw.34 Ldw.31 Ldw.34 Ldw.31 Ldw.
49 Ldw. 49 Ldw. 37 Ldw. 33 Ldw. 33 Ldw.
84 Ldw. 84 Ldw. 84 Ldw.
34 Mixed Ldw.31 Ldw.34 Mixed Ldw.31 Ldw.
84 Ldw. 33 Ldw.
84 Ldw.
Cavalry. 90 Ldw. Cav. Rgt.2d Sqn. 10 Drag. Rgt.2d Sqn. 12 Horse Jag.3 Sqn. 12 Horse Jag. Rgt.
2d Sqn. 10 Drag. Rgt.
Artillery. 96 F. A. Rgt.128 Art. Command: 96 F. A. Rgt.
219 F. A. Rgt. 96 F. A. Rgt. 782 Light Am. Col.
1036 Light Am. Col.
1047 Light Am. Col.
Engineers and Liaisons. 1 Co. 23 Pion. Btn.(401) Eng. Btn.: 401 Pion. Btn.:
2 Co. 23 Ers. Pion. Btn. 1 Co. 1 Ers. Pion. Btn.  1 Ers. Co. 1 Pions.
 3 Co. 26 Ers. Pion. Btn.  2 Ldw. Co. 2 C. Dist. Pions.
 301 T. M. Co.  301 T. M. Co.
 279 Searchlight Section.  142 Searchlight Section.
 501 Tel. Detch. 501 Signal Command:
 501 Tel. Detch.
 190 Wireless Detch.
Medical and Veterinary. 215 Ambulance Co. 215 Ambulance Co.
2 Ldw. Field Hospital. 146 Field Hospital.
9 Ldw. Field Hospital. 279 Field Hospital.
201 Vet. Hospital. 201 Vet. Hospital.
Transport. M. T. Col.
Odd Units.

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).