1914.
Lorraine.
1. At the beginning of the war the 1st Bavarian Division, forming, with the 2d Bavarian Division, the 1st Bavarian Corps, was part of the 6th Army (Bavarian Crown Prince). It detrained at Sarrebruecken (Aug. 8–9), crossed the frontier, sacked Badonviller the 12th, and withdrew to the north of Sarrebruecken the 17th. It fought at Sarrebruecken the 20th. In liaison on the left with the Badeners of the 14th Corps, it crossed the frontier and advanced to Nossoncourt and Xaffévillers (Sept. 6) via Baccarat. September 12 the division, having been withdrawn, was reassembled at Peltre (near Metz). It then entrained at Metz the 14th and 15th, and detrained near Namur, reaching Péronne the 24th.
Somme.
2. In the last days of September, 1914, at the time of the “race to the sea,” the two divisions of the 1st Bavarian Corps were in the 2d Army (Von Buelow), which operated on the Somme in the Péronne region. They became heavily engaged notably at Combles (Oct. 24) and at Maricourt (Dec. 17). By November 4 the 1st Bavarian Regiment had had casualties of 63 officers and 2,090 men since the beginning of the war. (Casualty list.)
1915.
Artois.
1. The 1st Bavarian Division was kept in line on the Somme (Dompierre-Maricourt) until October, 1915. Its composition was changed—the Body Infantry Regiment went to the Alpine Corps, the 16th Infantry to the 10th Bavarian Division. In return, the 24th Infantry (a new formation) was received.
2. The division was taken to the region north of Arras (Neuville-Souchez sector), where it remained almost seven months (October, 1915-May, 1916).