fbpx
Wikipedia

38th Division (German Empire)

January 01, 1970

The 38th Division (38. Division) was a unit of the Prussian/German Army.[1] It was formed on April 1, 1899, and was headquartered in Erfurt.[2] The division was subordinated in peacetime to the XI Army Corps (XI. Armeekorps).[3] The division was disbanded in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after World War I.

38th Division (38. Division); from August 2, 1914, 38th Infantry Division (38. Infanterie-Division)
Active1899-1919
CountryPrussia/Germany
BranchArmy
TypeInfantry (in peacetime included cavalry)
SizeApprox. 15,000
Part ofXI. Army Corps (XI. Armeekorps)
Garrison/HQErfurt
EngagementsWorld War I: 1st Masurian Lakes, Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive, Verdun, Somme, Arras (1917), Passchendaele

Recruitment edit

The division was recruited primarily in Thuringia: its Prussian elements were from Prussian Saxony while its other elements were from the smaller Thuringian states. The 71st Infantry was from Prussian Saxony and the Principality of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen. The 94th Infantry was the regiment of the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. The 95th Infantry was from the Duchies of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Saxe-Meiningen. The 96th Infantry had one battalion from Prussian Saxony, one from the Reuss principalities, and one from Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt.

Combat chronicle edit

The division began the war on the Western Front, fighting in Belgium and participating in the capture of the fortifications at Namur. It was soon transferred to the Eastern Front, where it saw action in the First Battle of the Masurian Lakes and in the Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive. It was transferred to the Western Front in October 1915, and after a period of fighting along the Aisne, entered the Battle of Verdun in 1916. It then saw action in the later phases of the Battle of the Somme. It remained along the Somme until 1917, and then fought in the battles of Arras and Passchendaele. In 1918, it fought in various defensive battles against Allied offensives and counteroffensives. Allied intelligence rated the division as a good division and considered it second class by 1918.[4][5]

Pre-World War I organization edit

The organization of the 38th Division in 1914, shortly before the outbreak of World War I, was as follows:[6]

  • 76.Infanterie-Brigade
    • 3. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 71
    • 6. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 95
  • 83.Infanterie-Brigade
    • Infanterie-Regiment Großherzhog von Sachsen (5. Thüringisches) Nr. 94
    • 7. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 96
  • 38. Kavallerie-Brigade
  • 38. Feldartillerie-Brigade
    • 1. Thüringisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 19
    • 2. Thüringisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 55
  • Landwehr-Inspektion Erfurt

Order of battle on mobilization edit

On mobilization in August 1914 at the beginning of World War I, most divisional cavalry, including brigade headquarters, was withdrawn to form cavalry divisions or split up among divisions as reconnaissance units. Divisions received engineer companies and other support units from their higher headquarters. The 38th Division was redesignated the 38th Infantry Division. Its initial wartime organization was as follows:[7]

  • 76. Infanterie-Brigade
    • 3. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 71
    • 6. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 95
  • 83. Infanterie-Brigade
    • Infanterie-Regiment Großherzhog von Sachsen (5. Thüringisches) Nr. 94
    • 7. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 96
  • Halbregiment Kürassier-Regiment (Brandenburgisches) Nr. 6
  • 38. Feldartillerie-Brigade
    • 1. Thüringisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 19
    • 2. Thüringisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 55
  • 2.Kompanie/Kurhessisches Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 11
  • 3.Kompanie/Kurhessisches Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 11

Late World War I organization edit

Divisions underwent many changes during the war, with regiments moving from division to division, and some being destroyed and rebuilt. During the war, most divisions became triangular - one infantry brigade with three infantry regiments rather than two infantry brigades of two regiments (a "square division"). An artillery commander replaced the artillery brigade headquarters, the cavalry was further reduced, the engineer contingent was increased, and a divisional signals command was created. The 38th Infantry Division's order of battle on April 20, 1918, was as follows:[8]

  • 83. Infanterie-Brigade
    • Infanterie-Regiment Großherzhog von Sachsen (5. Thüringisches) Nr. 94
    • 6. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 95
    • 7. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 96
  • 3.Eskadron/Kürassier-Regiment (Brandenburgisches) Nr. 6
  • Artillerie-Kommandeur 38
    • 1. Thüringisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 19
    • Fußartillerie-Bataillon Nr. 61
  • Stab Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 135
    • 3.Kompanie/Kurhessisches Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 11
    • Pionier-Kompanie Nr. 284
    • Minenwerfer-Kompanie Nr. 38
  • Divisions-Nachrichten-Kommandeur 38

References edit

  • 38. Infanterie-Division (Chronik 1914/1918) - Der erste Weltkrieg
  • Claus von Bredow, bearb., Historische Rang- und Stammliste des deutschen Heeres (1905)
  • Hermann Cron et al., Ruhmeshalle unserer alten Armee (Berlin, 1935)
  • Hermann Cron, Geschichte des deutschen Heeres im Weltkriege 1914-1918 (Berlin, 1937)
  • Günter Wegner, Stellenbesetzung der deutschen Heere 1815-1939. (Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück, 1993), Bd. 1
  • Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty-One Divisions of the German Army which Participated in the War (1914-1918), compiled from records of Intelligence section of the General Staff, American Expeditionary Forces, at General Headquarters, Chaumont, France 1919 (1920, online)

Footnotes edit

  1. ^ From the late 1800s, the Prussian Army was effectively the German Army, as during the period of German unification (1866-1871) the states of the German Empire entered into conventions with Prussia regarding their armies and only the Bavarian Army remained fully autonomous.
  2. ^ Günter Wegner, Stellenbesetzung der deutschen Heere 1815-1939. (Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück, 1993), Bd. 1, p.132; Claus von Bredow, bearb., Historische Rang- und Stammliste des deuschen Heeres (1905), p. 591.
  3. ^ Bredow, p. 587.
  4. ^ 38. Infanterie-Division (Chronik 1914/1918)
  5. ^ Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty-One Divisions of the German Army which Participated in the War (1914-1918), compiled from records of Intelligence section of the General Staff, American Expeditionary Forces, at General Headquarters, Chaumont, France 1919 (1920), pp. 429-432 online.
  6. ^ Rangliste der Königlich Preußischen Armee (1914), pp. 90-91.
  7. ^ Hermann Cron et al., Ruhmeshalle unserer alten Armee (Berlin, 1935).
  8. ^ Cron et al., Ruhmeshalle.

January 01, 1970
38th, division, german, empire, 38th, division, division, unit, prussian, german, army, formed, april, 1899, headquartered, erfurt, division, subordinated, peacetime, army, corps, armeekorps, division, disbanded, 1919, during, demobilization, german, army, aft. The 38th Division 38 Division was a unit of the Prussian German Army 1 It was formed on April 1 1899 and was headquartered in Erfurt 2 The division was subordinated in peacetime to the XI Army Corps XI Armeekorps 3 The division was disbanded in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after World War I 38th Division 38 Division from August 2 1914 38th Infantry Division 38 Infanterie Division Active1899 1919CountryPrussia GermanyBranchArmyTypeInfantry in peacetime included cavalry SizeApprox 15 000Part ofXI Army Corps XI Armeekorps Garrison HQErfurtEngagementsWorld War I 1st Masurian Lakes Gorlice Tarnow Offensive Verdun Somme Arras 1917 Passchendaele Contents 1 Recruitment 2 Combat chronicle 3 Pre World War I organization 4 Order of battle on mobilization 5 Late World War I organization 6 References 7 FootnotesRecruitment editThe division was recruited primarily in Thuringia its Prussian elements were from Prussian Saxony while its other elements were from the smaller Thuringian states The 71st Infantry was from Prussian Saxony and the Principality of Schwarzburg Sondershausen The 94th Infantry was the regiment of the Grand Duchy of Saxe Weimar Eisenach The 95th Infantry was from the Duchies of Saxe Coburg Gotha and Saxe Meiningen The 96th Infantry had one battalion from Prussian Saxony one from the Reuss principalities and one from Schwarzburg Rudolstadt Combat chronicle editThe division began the war on the Western Front fighting in Belgium and participating in the capture of the fortifications at Namur It was soon transferred to the Eastern Front where it saw action in the First Battle of the Masurian Lakes and in the Gorlice Tarnow Offensive It was transferred to the Western Front in October 1915 and after a period of fighting along the Aisne entered the Battle of Verdun in 1916 It then saw action in the later phases of the Battle of the Somme It remained along the Somme until 1917 and then fought in the battles of Arras and Passchendaele In 1918 it fought in various defensive battles against Allied offensives and counteroffensives Allied intelligence rated the division as a good division and considered it second class by 1918 4 5 Pre World War I organization editThe organization of the 38th Division in 1914 shortly before the outbreak of World War I was as follows 6 76 Infanterie Brigade 3 Thuringisches Infanterie Regiment Nr 71 6 Thuringisches Infanterie Regiment Nr 95 83 Infanterie Brigade Infanterie Regiment Grossherzhog von Sachsen 5 Thuringisches Nr 94 7 Thuringisches Infanterie Regiment Nr 96 38 Kavallerie Brigade Jager Regiment zu Pferde Nr 2 Jager Regiment zu Pferde Nr 6 38 Feldartillerie Brigade 1 Thuringisches Feldartillerie Regiment Nr 19 2 Thuringisches Feldartillerie Regiment Nr 55 Landwehr Inspektion ErfurtOrder of battle on mobilization editOn mobilization in August 1914 at the beginning of World War I most divisional cavalry including brigade headquarters was withdrawn to form cavalry divisions or split up among divisions as reconnaissance units Divisions received engineer companies and other support units from their higher headquarters The 38th Division was redesignated the 38th Infantry Division Its initial wartime organization was as follows 7 76 Infanterie Brigade 3 Thuringisches Infanterie Regiment Nr 71 6 Thuringisches Infanterie Regiment Nr 95 83 Infanterie Brigade Infanterie Regiment Grossherzhog von Sachsen 5 Thuringisches Nr 94 7 Thuringisches Infanterie Regiment Nr 96 Halbregiment Kurassier Regiment Brandenburgisches Nr 6 38 Feldartillerie Brigade 1 Thuringisches Feldartillerie Regiment Nr 19 2 Thuringisches Feldartillerie Regiment Nr 55 2 Kompanie Kurhessisches Pionier Bataillon Nr 11 3 Kompanie Kurhessisches Pionier Bataillon Nr 11Late World War I organization editDivisions underwent many changes during the war with regiments moving from division to division and some being destroyed and rebuilt During the war most divisions became triangular one infantry brigade with three infantry regiments rather than two infantry brigades of two regiments a square division An artillery commander replaced the artillery brigade headquarters the cavalry was further reduced the engineer contingent was increased and a divisional signals command was created The 38th Infantry Division s order of battle on April 20 1918 was as follows 8 83 Infanterie Brigade Infanterie Regiment Grossherzhog von Sachsen 5 Thuringisches Nr 94 6 Thuringisches Infanterie Regiment Nr 95 7 Thuringisches Infanterie Regiment Nr 96 3 Eskadron Kurassier Regiment Brandenburgisches Nr 6 Artillerie Kommandeur 38 1 Thuringisches Feldartillerie Regiment Nr 19 Fussartillerie Bataillon Nr 61 Stab Pionier Bataillon Nr 135 3 Kompanie Kurhessisches Pionier Bataillon Nr 11 Pionier Kompanie Nr 284 Minenwerfer Kompanie Nr 38 Divisions Nachrichten Kommandeur 38References edit38 Infanterie Division Chronik 1914 1918 Der erste Weltkrieg Claus von Bredow bearb Historische Rang und Stammliste des deutschen Heeres 1905 Hermann Cron et al Ruhmeshalle unserer alten Armee Berlin 1935 Hermann Cron Geschichte des deutschen Heeres im Weltkriege 1914 1918 Berlin 1937 Gunter Wegner Stellenbesetzung der deutschen Heere 1815 1939 Biblio Verlag Osnabruck 1993 Bd 1 Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty One Divisions of the German Army which Participated in the War 1914 1918 compiled from records of Intelligence section of the General Staff American Expeditionary Forces at General Headquarters Chaumont France 1919 1920 online Footnotes edit From the late 1800s the Prussian Army was effectively the German Army as during the period of German unification 1866 1871 the states of the German Empire entered into conventions with Prussia regarding their armies and only the Bavarian Army remained fully autonomous Gunter Wegner Stellenbesetzung der deutschen Heere 1815 1939 Biblio Verlag Osnabruck 1993 Bd 1 p 132 Claus von Bredow bearb Historische Rang und Stammliste des deuschen Heeres 1905 p 591 Bredow p 587 38 Infanterie Division Chronik 1914 1918 Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty One Divisions of the German Army which Participated in the War 1914 1918 compiled from records of Intelligence section of the General Staff American Expeditionary Forces at General Headquarters Chaumont France 1919 1920 pp 429 432 online Rangliste der Koniglich Preussischen Armee 1914 pp 90 91 Hermann Cron et al Ruhmeshalle unserer alten Armee Berlin 1935 Cron et al Ruhmeshalle Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 38th Division German Empire amp oldid 1078231533, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.