Part 104
─────────────┬───────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────── │ 1917 │ 1918 ─────────────┼─────────────┬─────────────┼─────────────┬───────────── │ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment. ─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼───────────── Infantry. │246. │472. │246. │472. │ │473. │ │473. │ │474. │ │474. ─────────────┼─────────────┴─────────────┼─────────────┴───────────── Cavalry. │(?) 5 Sqn. 18 Hus. Rgt. │2 Sqn. 18 Hus. Rgt. ─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────── Artillery. │48 F. A. Rgt. │241 Art. Command: │ │ 48 F. A. Rgt. │ │ 102 Ft. A. Btn. (Staff, 1, │ │ 2, and 3 Btries.). │ │ 1055, 1061, and 1062 Light │ │ Am. Col. ─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────── Engineers and│(241) Pion. Btn.: │241 Pion. Btn. Liaisons. │ │ │ 373 Pion Co. │ 373 Pion. Co. │ 374 Pion. Co. │ 374 Pion. Co. │ (441) T. M. Co. │ 441 T. M. Co. │ 241 Tel. Detch. │ 5 Searchlight Section. │ │241 Signal Command: │ │ 241 Tel. Detch. │ │ 27 Wireless Detch. ─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────── Medical and │253 Ambulance Co. │253 Ambulance Co. Veterinary.│ │ │206 Field Hospital. │206 Field Hospital. │207 Field Hospital. │207 Field Hospital. │Vet. Hospital. │274 Vet. Hospital. ─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────── Transport. │M. T. Col. │651 M. T. Col. ─────────────┴───────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────
HISTORY.
(12th and 19th Corps Districts—Saxony.)
1917.
The 241st Division was formed at the beginning of 1917 and composed of new regiments (type of divisions 231 and following).
The 473d and 574th Infantry Regiments were formed in the camp at Zeithain in January, 1917, by drafts from the 1918 class and the depots and regiments of the 19th Corps District (Saxony). The 472d Infantry Regiment was originally in the 12th Corps District (Dresden) formed in the same way.
RUSSIA.
1. On March 1, 1917, the 241st Division went to Brest-Litowsk. In April it took over the sector of Postavy in the vicinity of Lake Narotch, where it remained until the middle of June.
GALICIA.
2. Relieved by the 21st Division, it entrained on June 17 at Sventsiany, northwest of Lake Narotch, and went to Galicia, southwest of Brzezany, detraining on June 22. At the beginning of July, it went into line in this region and took part in the German counteroffensive at the end of July advancing south of Skala at the beginning of August. It took up a position on the Zbrucz.
3. After this time the 241st Division occupied various sectors of the Galician front (Koroskow, Husiatin).
RECRUITING.
The 241st Division was entirely Saxon.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
It was on the Eastern Front from the time of its formation until February, 1918. “Our new regiment is a gang of headstrong kids.” (Letter from a man of the 473d Infantry Regiment, Apr. 2, 1917.)
1918.
1. The division rested in the vicinity of Signy l’Abbaye until March 15. It then proceeded by steps toward the St. Gobain forest (Fressancourt, Mar. 24).
BATTLE OF PICARDY.
2. It was engaged south of the Oise (Amigny-Septvaux) from March 25–26 to April 5. Between the 6th and 9th it advanced from Septvaux and Fresnes toward Coucy, encountering heavy losses. The division received the thanks of the King of Saxony for its conduct in this fighting.
BATTLE OF THE AISNE.
3. The division held the sector of Coucy le Chateau until May 29. On the 29th it attacked and advanced as far as Crecy au Mont. It halted on the line Nouvron-Vingre and held there until relieved at the end of June. In the attack of June 5–6 toward Vic sur Aisne the division lost heavily. On the 23d of June it received a draft of 1,500 men.
SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE.
4. It rested near Coucy le Chateau for about a week, and on July 10 was engaged south of the Aisne between Ambleny and Pernaut. Then it was struck by the Allied attack on the 18th and thrown back on Mercin. The division lost 42 officers and 2,074 men as prisoners alone. It was relieved at a date between July 22 and 26.
SECOND BATTLE OF PICARDY.
5. The division rested and was reconstituted at Vouplaix, Sains Richaumont near Vervins until August 20. It was moved to La Fere (22d) and on the 25th engaged east of Noyon (Baboeuf-Appilly) and September 4. After that date it fell back gradually by Chauny, Fravecy, on Vendeuil, where it was relieved about September 20.
CAMBRAI-ST. QUENTIN.
6. After 10 days’ rest the division was reengaged north of St. Quentin (Romicourt-Montbrehain) from October 1 to 10. It lost about 1,900 prisoners in this engagement.
MEUSE-ARGONNE.
7. The division rested nearly a month at Audun la Roman after October 22. The 7th Saxon Jaeger Regiment from the dissolved 197th Division had replaced the dissolved 472d Regiment when it appeared in line on November 5 east of the Meuse. The last identification was at Murvaux on November 7.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The division was rated as fourth class. Its heavy losses of prisoners indicate its poor quality.
242d Division.
COMPOSITION.
─────────────┬───────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────── │ 1917 │ 1918 ─────────────┼─────────────┬─────────────┼─────────────┬───────────── │ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment. ─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼───────────── Infantry. │242. │127. │242. │127. │ │475. │ │475. │ │476. │ │476. ─────────────┼─────────────┴─────────────┼─────────────┴───────────── Cavalry. │2 Sqn. Wurtt. Res. Drag. │2 Sqn. Wurtt. Res. Drag. │ Rgt. │ Rgt. ─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────── Artillery. │Art. Command: │242 Art. Command: │ 281 F. A. Regt. │ 281 F. A. Regt. │ │ 3 Abt. 13 Ft. A. Rgt. (9 │ │ and 10 Btries.). │ │ 751 Light Am. Col. │ │ 1091 Light Am. Col. │ │ 1105 Light Am. Col. ─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────── Engineers and│39 Pion. Btn.: │242 Pion. Btn.: Liaisons. │ │ │ 375 Pion. Co. │ 375 Pion. Co. │ 376 Pion. Co. │ 376 Pion. Co. │ 442 T. M. Co. │ 442 T. M. Co. │ 242 Tel. Detch. │242 Signal Command: │ │ 76 Wireless Detch. ─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────── Medical and │32 Ambulance Co. │32 Ambulance Co. Veterinary.│ │ │208 Field Hospital. │208 Field Hospital. │503 Field Hospital. │503 Field Hospital. │275 Vet. Hospital. │275 Vet. Hospital. ─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────── Transport │M. T. Col. │652 M. T. Col. ─────────────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────── Attached │ │78 M. G. S. S. Detch. │ │14 Art. Observation │ │ Section. │ │221 Reconnaissance Flight. │ │17 Balloon Sqn. │ │243 Carrier Pigeon Loft. │ │Elements attached, June 7, │ │ 1918. (German document.) ─────────────┴───────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────
HISTORY.
(13th Corps District—Wurttemberg.)
1917.
The 242d Division was formed at the end of 1916. Like all of the divisions of the same series, the 1918 class entered largely into the composition of the regiments (475th and 476th). These two were recruited from the 13th Corps District (Wurttemberg). Initial effectiveness, 235 to 240 men per company.
The 127th Infantry Regiment is an active peace-time regiment taken from the 27th Division.
1. On March 11, 1917, the 475th and 476th Infantry Regiments left the camp of Muensingen, where they had received training since January, and went to Lorraine. They were joined there by the 127th Infantry Regiment.
LORRAINE.
2. From March 29 to April 30 the 242d Division was in line between Abaucourt and Bezange wood.
3. From May 4 to 15 it was employed upon defensive works north of the Suippe.
CHAMPAGNE-CORNILLET.
4. During the night of May 15–16 it went into line south of Nauroy (Grille-Cornillet wood), where the French attack of May 20 caused it heavy losses (3 officers and 194 men prisoners). Several companies of the 476th Infantry Regiment remained in the Cornillet tunnel.
5. The 242d Division was relieved during the night of May 31-June 1, and after a few days’ rest northeast of Lavannes went into line in a calm sector near Betheny from June 3–4 until August 6.
6. The 242d Division was at rest in the Charleville area from August 7 to 20.
MEUSE.
7. On August 20 it was transferred to the right bank of the Meuse (Beaumont sector). It received the French attack of August 26 (7 officers and 390 men prisoners, mostly from the 475th Infantry Regiment). It counterattacked to relieve Beaumont and remained in line until September 10.
AISNE.
8. From the beginning of October until December 16 it held the sector of Berry au Bac, where its only activity consisted in one raid on November 12.
RECRUITING.
The 242d Division was recruited entirely from Wurttemberg.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
In Champagne the 242d Division showed itself energetic and tenacious (May, 1917).
It was a good division, with a high morale, and the prisoners talked very little (December, 1917).
The 242d Division was listed as an assault division and received the training for divisions of that category (February-March, 1918).
The 475th and 476th Infantry Regiments, however, were considered only mediocre.
1918.
1. The division marched to its entraining point at Bergnicourt (west of Junville) on March 22–24 and entrained for Guise. From there it marched by night toward the Montdidier-Noyan front via Ly Fontaine, Guiscard, Margny aux Cerises.
BATTLE OF PICARDY.
2. It was engaged near Conchy les Pots, Orvillers, Sorel from March 29 to April 8, then near Boulogne la Grasse, Mortemer, from April 10 to 26. The division’s losses were heavy.
BATTLE OF THE AISNE.
3. After its relief it was transported to Champagne, detraining near Le Chatelet sur Retourne. There it rested three weeks. It entered in line between Brimont and Vitry les Reims after May 20. It attacked on the 27th and advanced by Merfy (29th), Tinquex (31st), as far as the line Betheny, Courcelles, St. Brice (June 2). It held that sector until the 1st of August, when it retreated on La Neuvillette and held the front Betheny-Vitry road. It was relieved about September 26.
4. The division was engaged northeast of St. Pierre a Arnes from October 5 to 11. It then fell back on Rethel. On the 20th it was moved to the area east of Vouziers and put in reserve. On October 23 it was engaged near Chestres, and later near Ballay, Quatre-Champs until November 4. Beginning on the 4th it retired in the direction of Sedan by Rancourt (Nov. 8).
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The division was rated as third class. It was a fair division, although the discipline was relaxed after September.
243d Division (formerly 8th Ersatz Division).
COMPOSITION.
─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────── │ 1914–15 │ 1916 ─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬────────────── │ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment. ─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼────────────── _Infantry. │29 Mixed Ers. │29, 30, and 31│29 Mixed Ers. │363. │ │ Brig. Ers. │ │ │ │ Btns. │ │ │ │32, 80, and 86│ │364. │ │ Brig. Ers. │ │ │ │ Btns. │ │ │41 Mixed Ers. │41, 42, 49, │51 Mixed Ers. │365. │ │ and (50), │ │ │ │ Brig. Ers. │ │ │ │ Btns. │ │ │51 Mixed Ers. │51 and 52 │ │51 Ers. │ │ Brig. Ers. │ │ │ │ Btns. │ │ │ │53 and 54 │ │52 Ers. │ │ Brig. Ers. │ │ │ │ Btns. │ │ │ │ │ (Composition in October.) │ │ │ │51 Ers. │ │ │ │52 Ers. │ │ │ │365. │ │ │ │400. ─────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────┼──────────────┴────────────── Cavalry. │Cav. Detchs. of the 29, 41, │8 Cav. Sqn. │ and 51 Ers. Brigs. │ ─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────── Artillery. │Ers. Abtls. of the 23, 27, │8 Ers. Brig.: │ 44, 29, and 65 F. A. Rgts. │ │ │ 92 F. A. Rgt. │ │ 65 Ers. F. A. Rgt. │ │ │ │ ─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────── Engineers and│1 Ers. Co. 16 Pions. │1 Ers. Co. 3 Pion. Btn. No. Liaisons. │ │ 16. │1 Ers. Co. 21 Pions. │1 Ers. Co. 21 Pions. │ │253 Pion. Co. │ │306 Pion. Co. │ │162 T. M. Co. │ │ │ │ │ │ ─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────── Medical and │ │ Veterinary.│ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────── Transport │ │ ─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────── Attached │ │117 Labor Btn. │ │44 Ldw. Brig. (93 Ldw. and │ │ 382 Ldw. Rgts.). ─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────
─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────── │ 1917 │ 1918 ─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬────────────── │ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment. ─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼────────────── _Infantry. │247. │122 Fus. │247. │122. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │478. │ │478. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │479. │ │479. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ─────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────┼──────────────┴────────────── Cavalry. │3 Sqn. 19 Uhlan Rgt. 13 C. │3 Sqn. 19 Uhlan Rgt. │ Dist. Ers. Cav. Detch. │ ─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────── Artillery. │238 F. A. Rgt. (formerly 65 │238 F. A. Rgt. │ Ers. F. A. Rgt.). │ │ │36 Ft. A. Btn. │ │1151 Light Am. Col. │ │1152 Light Am. Col. │ │1163 Light Am. Col. ─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────── Engineers and│(243) Pion. Btn.: │243 Pion. Btn.: Liaisons. │ │ │ 253 Pion. Co. │ 1 Res. Co. 13 Pions. │ 306 Pion. Co. │ 2 Res. Co. 13 Pions. │ 100 T. M. Co. │ 16 Searchlight Section. │ 162 T. M. Co. │243 Signal Command: │ 443 T. M. Co. │ 243 Tel. Detch. │ 248 Searchlight Section. │ 8 Wireless Detch. │ Tel. Detch. │ ─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────── Medical and │420 Ambulance Co. │420 Ambulance Co. Veterinary.│ │ │137 Field Hospital. │93 Res. Field Hospital. │138 Field Hospital. │94 Res. Field Hospital. │Vet. Hospital. │277 Vet. Hospital. ─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────── Transport │M. T. Col. │653 M. T. Col. ─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────── Attached │ │ │ │ │ │ ─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────
HISTORY.
(243d Division (former 8th Ersatz Division): 18th Corps District- Wurttemberg.)
1914–15.
The 243d Division is the former 8th Ersatz Division. The latter was formed in August, 1914, with the help of the surplus trained men in the depots (Reserve and Landwehr 1st Ban.) in the proportion of 1 battalion per active brigade. In this way it comprised 13 brigade Ersatz battalions grouped into 3 mixed brigades (29th, 41st, and 51st).
LORRAINE.
1. Detraining on August 17, 1914, at Sarrebruecken, in the rear of the 6th Army, elements of the 8th Ersatz Division went into action on the 20th. It fought at Hoéville and Serres, north of Luneville, on the 25th and took part in the attacks upon Nancy the first part of September. Sent to the rear of the front in the vicinity of Morhange, it was transferred to Haye at the end of September to relieve the 14th Corps. It stayed there for two years between Limey on the west and Le Pretre wood on the east.
2. In August, 1915, the brigade Ersatz battalions were grouped into regiments. The 8th Ersatz Division was then composed of the 363d, 364th, and 365th Infantry Regiments (Prussian) and of the 51st and 52d Ersatz Regiments (Wurttemberg). It continued to hold the lines in Haye, south of Thiaucourt.
1916.
LE PRETRE WOOD.
1. Until the beginning of October, 1916, the 8th Ersatz Division occupied the sector of the Pretre wood, north of Fey en Haye. In August it lost the 364th Infantry Regiment, assigned to the 33d Reserve Division, and on September 20 the 363d, which entered into the composition of the 214th Division. It received a new regiment, the 400th Infantry Regiment, formed in September by drafts upon its infantry units.
SOMME.
2. Leaving the 400th Infantry Regiment in Haye, and composed of three regiments (365th Infantry Regiment, 51st and 52d Ersatz Regiments), the 8th Ersatz Division went to the Somme on October 3. After a rest in the vicinity of Le Catelet until the 10th it went into the sector east of south of Bouchavesnes, where it did not take part in any important action.
LORRAINE.
3. Relieved on November 18, it returned to Lorraine at Fey en Haye. It went into line southeast of Thiaucourt November 25, where the 400th Infantry Regiment was again assigned to the division.
1917.
1. The 8th Ersatz Division remained on the Lorraine front, southeast of Thiaucourt, until about May 10, 1917. In February the 400th Infantry Regiment was sent to Russia.
At the beginning of May the division underwent several changes—it gave the 365th Infantry Regiment to the 5th Landwehr Division and received the 122d Fusileer Regiment (Wurttemberg) from the 105th Division. The 51st and 52d Ersatz Regiments received the 478th and 479th. The 8th Ersatz Division, already called Wurttemberg, then became the 243d Division.
AISNE.
2. The reserve, first (behind the Rheims front), behind Brimont and Neufchâtel, the 243d Division then occupied the front between Miette and the Aisne (north of Berry au Bac) from May 29 to August 20.
MEUSE HILL 344.
3. Transferred to Verdun, the division went into action at Hill 344 on September 9. The 479th Infantry Regiment lost heavily during the attack of the 9th. The 122d Infantry Regiment took part in the attack of October 2 and also had losses.
MEUSE (LEFT BANK).
4. About October 6 the 243d Division was relieved and sent to rest near Stenay. On October 17 it took up its position on the left bank of the Meuse (Bethincourt sector), where it still remained in December.
RECRUITING.
The division had become purely Wurttemberg.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
The elements of the 243d Division appeared good. They were never engaged in very active sectors, except at Hill 344 in September, 1917. At Verdun they showed only mediocre combat value.
1918.