Prussian Guard

Discussions on all aspects of Imperial Germany not covered in the other sections.
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Peter H
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#16

Post by Peter H » 03 Sep 2005, 13:46

5.Garde–Infantrie-Division

Formed in February 1917--3 Garde zu Fuss from 1.Garde Division,3 Grenadier Garde from 2.Garde Division,Brandenburg 20 Regiment.

Allied Intelligence, late 1917--"one of the best divisions of the German Army.Its regiments are extremely good."


1917-Craonne,Aisne,Chemin des Dames

1918-March Offensive,Aisne,Chateau Thierry,Marne,Aisne,Argonne,Woevre

Came to the assistance of the 1.Garde Division in the Argonne fighting and lost heavily as well there....the 3 Garde zu Fuss "was practically destroyed in this fighting."

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Peter H
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#17

Post by Peter H » 04 Sep 2005, 03:35

Garde-Kavallerie-Division

1914-Belgium,France

1915-Dutch border,Russia

1916-Russia

1917-Russia


Dismounted,converted to Garde-Kavallerie-Schützen-Division,at Zossen,March 1918.

1918-Champagne,Soissons,Champagne


With the 2.Garde Division,under direct OHL command at end of war for possible action in the homeland---fulfilled this role as a Freikorps formation,1918-19.

This well known photo from 1918 shows troops of the Garde-Kavallerie-Schützen-Division in action(souce Corbis):
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Aisne1918.jpg (75.2 KiB) Viewed 1924 times


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Peter H
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#18

Post by Peter H » 04 Sep 2005, 03:49

1.Garde-Reserve-Division

1914-Belgium,Namur,Poland,Bzura

1915-Poland,Smorgoni,France

1916-Messines,Artois,Somme,Flanders

1917-Somme,Hindenburg Line,Messines,Artois,Lens

1918-March Offensive,Lys,La Bassee,Cambrai,Landrecies

Allied estimate---"During 1918 it did not fight brilliantly,but it was always to be depended on...suffered very severe losses."

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Peter H
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#19

Post by Peter H » 04 Sep 2005, 03:55

2.Garde-Reserve-Division

1914-Belgium,Guise,Marne,Champagne

1915-Artois,Alsace,Givenchy,Artois,La Bassee

1916-La Bassee,1st Day of Somme,Somme

1917-Hindenburg Line,Ypres,St Julien,Armentieres

1918-March Offensive(Arras attack),Arras,La Bassee,Flanders

Allied estimate---"a second class division."

Erich Maria Remarque served in RIR 15,part of this division,in 1917.

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Peter H
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#20

Post by Peter H » 04 Sep 2005, 04:02

Garde-Ersatz-Division

1914-Lorraine,Haye

1915-Haye sector

1916-Woevre,Verdun("lost 50 percent of its infantry before Verdun"),Haye,Verdun

1917-Verdun,Aisne,Russia,Riga,France

1918-Verdun,March Offensive,Hangard,Champagne,Le Cateau,Alsace,Ypres

Allied estimate---"a second class division."

The only Garde formation to fight at Verdun.

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Peter H
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#21

Post by Peter H » 04 Sep 2005, 04:19

Garde-Jäger-Bataillonen

1914-Belgium,France(2.Cavalry Division)

1915-Alsace,Vosges(attached to 12.Landwehr Division)

1916-Vosges,Macedonia(10 Jager Regt)

1917-Macedonia

1918-Macedonia


Garde-Schutzen-Bataillonen

1914-Belgium,France(2.Cavalry Division)

1915-Alsace,Vosges(attached to 12.Landwehr Division)

1916-Vosges,Macedonia(10 Jager Regt)

1917-Macedonia

1918-Vosges

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Peter H
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#22

Post by Peter H » 04 Sep 2005, 08:43

From Life Magazine,April 20 1964---50th Commerative Issue on 1914.

Defeat of the Prussian Guard at Ypres, 1914, by the 2nd Battalion Ox and Bucks (52nd),by William Bar.
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Peter H
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#23

Post by Peter H » 04 Sep 2005, 08:51

Interesting photo of Garde in Belgium,1914.

Image
http://www.greatwardifferent.com/Great_ ... 914_18.jpg

Contrary to the belief that no Regimental numbers were worn by the Garde on their pickelhauben,these appear to be the exception.

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Peter H
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#24

Post by Peter H » 04 Sep 2005, 09:07

Somme July 1916--the Garde defend Contalmaison.

From Der Krieg in Wort und Bild.

Image

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Peter H
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#25

Post by Peter H » 04 Sep 2005, 09:20

Garde-Reserve-Pionier-Regiment

Formed by War Ministry Directive of 20th April 1916,No 681, 16.A.6.

This flamethrower regiment was under the direct command of the Supreme Army command,commanded by Major Reddemann.

The Kaiser,by A.K.D of 28th July 1916,awarded the Regiment the Death's Head insignia.

Carried out 160 flame attacks in 1916,165 in 1917,296 in 1918---"overall 82% of the attacks succeeded".(Cron)

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Peter H
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#26

Post by Peter H » 04 Sep 2005, 09:32

Reserve Garde-Jäger-Bataillonen

1914-Belgium,France,Poland(part of Garde Res Corps)

1915-Poland,Russia

1916-Russia

1917-Russia, then part of Jager Regiment 11(newly raised Jager Division late 1917),Italy

1918-Italy,Villers-Bretonneux,Oise,Marne,Cambrai,Le Quesnoy


Reserve Garde-Schutzen-Bataillonen

1914-Belgium,France,Poland(part of Garde Res Corps)

1915-Poland,Russia

1916-Russia

1917-Russia, then part of Jager Regiment 11(newly raised Jager Division),Italy

1918-Italy,Villers-Bretonneux,Oise,Marne,Cambrai,Le Quesnoy

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#27

Post by joerookery » 04 Sep 2005, 20:38

My question is about Gd Landwehr. They did not have a wide organization for instance I understand there was no Gd. Landwehr eisenbahn. I also understand they were never mobilized and sent forth as it was in the too hard to do box. None of this is gospel.
So the questions are:

1. What units made up the Gd. Landwehr?
2. If they were around in peacetime why not war?
3. Did any Gd. Lamdwehr unit mobilize?
4. How did you get into the Gd. Landwehr as an officer or OR?

Thanks in advance! Cool thread!

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#28

Post by Thaiboxer » 05 Sep 2005, 01:37

Thanks Peter

Some good info there, and pics. Once again appreciated.

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Peter H
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#29

Post by Peter H » 05 Sep 2005, 12:08

The only Garde Landwehr formations on active service in 1914 were:

Garde-Landwehr-Fussartillerie-Batillon Nr. 1 with the 10. Landwehr Division(Jacobi's Division in 1914,renamed 1.Landwehr Division 1915)

Garde-Landwehr-Fussartillerie-Regiment Nr. 2 with the Woernitz Division,Graudenz.It was renamed the 86 Fussartillerie-Regiment when the Woernitz Division was renamed the 86. Division in 1915.(?)

1.Garde Landwehr-Pionier-Kompanie--attached to 109.Division, 1915

My understanding is that Garde Landwehr Infantry Regiments were phased out in reforms by Schiefflen,or even before.Perhaps the growth in rural recruiting after 1871 meant that men of the Landwehr class who were former Guardsmen resided far away from the central region of Berlin?

The 1886 reform also saw the demise of the Landwehr officer---termed by some as "bourgeois liberals".Only Regular and Reserve officers existed after that date.
Last edited by Peter H on 05 Sep 2005, 12:26, edited 1 time in total.

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Peter H
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#30

Post by Peter H » 05 Sep 2005, 12:24

Garde Foot Artillery

Many Garde Reserve Foot artillery etc served in numerous non Garde units(sometimes detached later).From what I can gather:

Garde-Reserve-Fussartillerie-Regiment Nr. 1---10.Landwehr Division
II Bataillon,Garde-Reserve-Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr. 1---16.Landwehr Division
Garde-Fussartillerie-Regiment Nr. 3---10.Reserve-Division
Garde-Reserve-Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr. 4--10.Landwehr Division
Garde-Fussartillerie-Bataillon Nr. 1---212.Division
IV Bataillon,Garde-Reserve-Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr.2--served with 12.Landwehr Division(Ostsee-Division) in Finland 1918

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