18th Army

Tim · Post by **Tim** » 29 May 2003 02:43

Does anyone have any information on the 18th army during WWI. I have a document that belonged to my great grand father that mentions AOK 18, and I would be interested to learn where they were during the war.

Thanks!!

James McBride · Post by **James McBride** » 29 May 2003 04:23

Kaiser's Battle

It is partway down, you might want to type 18 into the Find (On this Page), and it will get you a tiny bit of info on the 18th army. I couldn't find much more, but I didn't search very long. Oh, and you don't need to do the Japanese Character thing, if it pops up for you.

James

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 29 May 2003 09:09

The 18th Army was formed in 1918 on the Western Front, in action from the March Offensive onwards around the St Quentin,Somme region:

http://www.lib.byu.edu/~rdh/wwi/1914/gruppew.html

Tim · Post by **Tim** » 29 May 2003 12:11

Thanks James and Moulded for the information!! Moulded, I don't have the document with me at the moment, but I think that it was dated in 1917. I'll have to double check though. My great grand father was at St Quentin. I have another photo that has the brand A259 on his horse, which I guess is his art. reg. Was there such a regiment?

Thanks again!!

Tim

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 29 May 2003 13:01

Tim,
The 18th Army contained the German 211th Infantry Division which had the 259th Field Artillery Regiment in it.This division was formed in 1917.
I wouldn't vouch for this 100% though because the AEF Intelligence Report I'm sourcing this from has the notation(?) next to the 259th FA Regt,meaning it wasn't fully sure of the composition of the division.

Regards,
Moulded

Tim · Post by **Tim** » 29 May 2003 14:19

Thanks again Moulded! That's interesting because my great grand father was with the 211 art. reg, also a part of the 211 inf. div. at the start of WW2. The document I mentioned has his marks for different subjects that he did at school. It was dated some time in 1917. I have another document, again with shool grades, that gave permission for him to leave school and join the army in 1914. Is it possible that he had to finish his schooling in order to do officer training, in this case in 1917, and then joined the newly formed 295 art. reg. This probably would have taken place in Darmstadt, does that sound correct?

Thanks!

Tim

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 30 May 2003 12:15

Tim,
All the German 200 series divisions were raised in 1917 from the 1919 class of new conscripts.However like all new formations,a cadre of experienced personnel,especially for artillery,would have been required.Hence your Great-Grandfather may have served in other units prior to this, before being transferred across in 1917.Any Officer Cadet joining up in 1914 would have got about 6 months training,so from 1915 onwards he could have been on active service.