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
The 2d Bavarian Division participated on the 9th and 10th of May, 1917,
in violent but unsuccessful counterattacks on the salient northeast of
the Californie Plateau. It appears that the Bavarians were always placed
in the most dangerous positions and that they were sacrificed by the
Prussians.
In spite of this condition the 2d Bavarian Division still showed itself
as a good division (July, 1917).
1918.
MEUSE.
1. The division remained in line north of the Bois des Fosses until
relieved by the 19th Reserve Division, January 14. It went then to the
Longwy region, where it was put through a stiff course of training in
open warfare.
AMIENS.
2. March 23 it entrained at Audun-le-Roman, and traveled via Longwy-
Sedan-Charleville-Hirson-Anor-Avesnes-Le Cateau-Bertry-Caudry to
Cambrai, where it detrained March 24–25. At first the division marched
in the direction of Bapaumes, but was diverted in a southerly direction
on the way and passed through Le Transloy-Sailly-Saillisel-Péronne-
Villers-Carbonnel-Estrees-Foucaucourt and billeted at Beaucourt-en-
Santerre on the night of March 30–31. April 2 it attacked at Morisel,
and two days later to the southwest of Morisel. It fought then until the
15th, when it side-slipped to the north, relieving the 54th Division,
its place being taken by the 15th Division. It was relieved about May 4
by the 21st Division.
3. It moved to the area southeast of Ghent, and there was reconstituted
and trained. June 2, it relieved the 14th Bavarian Division in the
Morisel sector. It was relieved the middle of the month by the extension
of fronts of the neighboring divisions.
CHAMPAGNE.
4. It rested in rear of the front in Champagne for about a month and
then entered line in the Navarin sector (north of Souain), being
identified by prisoners, July 15. It was withdrawn on the 20th.
VESLE.
5. August 4 the division relieved the 22d Division at Jonchery (on the
Vesle, east of Fismes). It remained in line, taking part in the general
retirement, until the armistice.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The 2d Bavarian is one of the very best German shock divisions. It was
called upon to do a great deal of heavy fighting, and always acquitted
itself well. It suffered severe losses in consequence, but these were
made good as long as the German High Command had replacements at its
disposal.
2d Bavarian Landwehr Division.
COMPOSITION.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account