Histories of two hundred and fifty-one divisions of the German army which participated in the war (1914-1918)United States. War Department. General Staff
History
Histories of two hundred and fifty-one divisions of the German army which participated in the war (1914-1918)
United States. War Department. General Staff
Germany. Heer -- History -- World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918 -- Germany
8. The division was not heavily engaged in the sector of Lizy. It
continued to hold it in November and December 1917 and January 1918.
During this period it was sent to Vervins for rest and training.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
The division was organized as an attack unit. From January 24 to
February 19, 1918, it went through a training for the offensive in the
vicinity of Vervins including breaking-through maneuvers, Feb. 1 with a
Prussian division at Vallee aux Bleds; another divisional maneuver
February 11 before the German Crown Prince and Gen. Ludendorff; third
divisional maneuver February 18 (examination of prisoners, Feb. 28,
1918). It is to be noted that in Flanders, where the division had the
only important fight it had in 1917 it suffered heavily. Its morale was
so weakened that it had to be withdrawn before the British attack.
1918.
VERVINS.
1. The 6th Bavarian Reserve Division was relieved in the Anizy le
Chateau region by the 6th Division, January 24 and went to the vicinity
of Vervins where it was put through a course of training in open
warfare, in which artillery and aeroplanes participated. These exercises
were supervised by the Crown Prince and Ludendorff.
2. February 22 it relieved the 6th Division in its former section. About
the end of the month the division was relieved by elements of the 13th
Landwehr Division, and by the extension of the flanks of the neighboring
divisions, going to rest in the Chauny region.
SOMME.
3. Toward the middle of April the division relieved the 206th Division
near Mesnil St. Georges (southwest of Montdidier). It was relieved by
the 25th Reserve Division April 21.
AILETTE.
4. There is some doubt as to where the division went; it was reported
northeast of Ghent, northeast of Laon, and in Lorraine. There is some
evidence to show that it relieved the 222d Division near Anizy le
Chateau during the night of May 2–3. This front was very quiet until the
German offensive of May 27, in which attack the 6th Bavarian Reserve
Division did not attack in the front line—being “leap-frogged” by the
5th and 6th Divisions acting as shock units—but followed up the advance
coming into line between these two divisions during the night of the
27th–28th. It was at this time definitely identified. In the attack on
Terny (May 28), the division met with strong resistance and suffered
heavily. June 1 it captured Le Port, but lost it again to the French on
June 7, with severe losses. It was relieved about the 15th by the 53d
Reserve Division.
MARNE.
5. July 17 it was identified near Passy sur Marne (west of Dormans). It
was withdrawn August 6 and spent a fortnight refitting.
BAPAUME.
6. August 23 it reinforced the front near Ervillers (northwest of
Bapaume) having traveled via Cambrai, Bourlon, and Beugnâtre. The
division was withdrawn early in September.
YPRES.
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