1. At the outbreak of the war the 26th Division formed the 13th Army Corps, with the 27th Division, and was a part of the 5th Army (German Crown Prince), and went into action on August 22 at Baranzy, northwest of Longwy, and on August 24 near Longuyon. On August 31 it crossed the Meuse in the vicinity of Sassey, proceeded between the Meuse and the Argonne by way of Epinonville, Cheppy, Clermont, and Thiaucourt, fought on September 6, 7, 8, and 9 near Pretz and Beauzée, and retired toward Evre, Wally, and the Argonne (Apremont-Grurie wood). (On Sept. 11 the 8th Company of the 119th Grenadier Regiment had already had 3 officers and 168 men as casualties; the 10th Company was reduced to 2 officers and 59 men.)
Flanders.
2. Separated then from the 27th Division, which remained in the Argonne, the 26th Division was transferred west of Lille on October 8, and fought at Fromelles, Aubert, and Maisnil from October 20 to 28.
3. At the end of the month it went north and took part in the attacks upon Messines on October 31.
Russia.
4. At the end of November the division entrained for Russia with the 25th Reserve Division, these two divisions forming the reorganized 13th Army Corps.
Poland.
5. In December and January, 1915, it was a part of the Fabeck Corps, and fought in Poland on the Bzura and the Rawka where it suffered heavily.
1915.
1. In March, 1915, the 26th Division was sent to the front north of Prasnysz. It then composed the 13th Army Corps, with the 4th Guard Division and the 3d Division. In May it gave the 122d Fusilier Regiment to the 105th Division, a new formation. In June and July it took part in the offensive upon the Narew.