German OB 3rd Ypres

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Comsat Angel
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German OB 3rd Ypres

#1

Post by Comsat Angel » 08 Oct 2004, 10:40

Can anyone point me at a website that gives the German Order of Battle for Third Ypres, down to division level? I've found several that deal with the British but none so far for the German side. Any information gratefully received.

monk2002uk
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#2

Post by monk2002uk » 10 Oct 2004, 10:58

Third Ypres covered several months. Did you have a particular battle that you were interested in or do you want a list of all units that participated at one time or another? The latter will be quite long, and relatively difficult to compile, as most divisions on the Western Front saw some action in Thirds Ypres IIRC.

Robert


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Bjørn from Norway
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#3

Post by Bjørn from Norway » 10 Oct 2004, 11:17

Hello!
Have you checked here? http://www.worldwar1.com/

B

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Peter H
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#4

Post by Peter H » 10 Oct 2004, 11:39

The German Official account of the battle states that 73 German divisions fought at Ypres July-November 1917.

I did some research on the OOB a few years ago so here it is.Note divisions are presented as deployed in the 9 phases of the battle---the bombardment,and the eight(British recognised)battles of the campaign.

Some units did more than one tour,denoted in bold.The reference (E) denotes an Eingreif(CounterAttack) Division,held in reserve

I will post this over a few days.

Bombardment phase July 16-30 1917:

3 Guard
235
38
22 Res
10 Bav
18 Res
16
111
6 Bav Res(relieved 30 July)
49 Res(relieved 28 July)
233 (relieved 30 July)


Note that Hitler's unit,the 6 Bavarian Reserve Division,was classified as being in the battle,although it did not see any fighting as such.It pulled out of the line after suffering losses due to artillery a day before the British zero hour attack began.
Last edited by Peter H on 10 Oct 2004, 14:14, edited 2 times in total.

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Peter H
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#5

Post by Peter H » 10 Oct 2004, 11:48

Pilckem Ridge 31 July-2 August 1917

3 Guard
235
38
22 res
10 Bav
18 Res
16
32
2 Guard Res(E)
12(E)
221
52 Res(E)
207(E)
50 Res(E)
111
23 Res

Note both the 111th and 23rd Reserve Division only saw battle on the 31 July,as they were relieved the night of 31 July.Ernst Jünger served in the 111th.

The 12th Division did not engage in battle but suffered moderate losses from artillery.It was soon withdrawn for service in Italy.
Last edited by Peter H on 10 Oct 2004, 14:15, edited 1 time in total.

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Peter H
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#6

Post by Peter H » 10 Oct 2004, 11:56

Langemarck 16-18 August

5 Bav(E)
34
214
3 Res
119
183
32
9 Bav Res
204
54
12 Res(E)
26 Res
79 Res(E)
27
26

Note both the 27 and 26 Divisions entered the line mid August.

German policy was to commit their divisions to say 7-10 days of battle,then pull them out,relieved by a new division.

Comsat Angel
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#7

Post by Comsat Angel » 11 Oct 2004, 10:21

Brilliant response, Peter! Thanks very much - this is just what I was after.

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Peter H
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#8

Post by Peter H » 11 Oct 2004, 12:21

Menin Road 20-25 Sept 1917

208
2 Guard Res
36
25(E)
121
Bavarian Ersatz
9 Res
234
16 Bav

Polygon Wood 26 Sept-3 Oct 1917

236(E)
10 Ersatz
50 Res
23 Res(E)
17(E)
19 Res
4 Bav(E)

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Peter H
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#9

Post by Peter H » 11 Oct 2004, 12:34

Broodseinde 4 October 1917

4 Guard(E)
45 Res(E)
6 Bav
4 Bav
20

Note the 4 Guard and 45 Reserve Divisions were massing for an attack
themselves at the same time as the British zero hour on the 4th and were badly cut up in the open.

Poelcappelle 9 October 1917
195
16
1 Bav Res
18
227
240
187
22 Res

The 16th Division had only suffered minor losses during the Pilckem Ridge being at the far southern limit of the British bombardment & attacks 31 July.Now back for a second tour it decimated the NZ Division on the 9 October.

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Peter H
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#10

Post by Peter H » 11 Oct 2004, 12:39

First Passchendaele 12 October 1917

111(E)
11 Bav
3 Guard(E)
220
5 Bav Res
24
35
36 Res
15

Second Passchendaele 26 Oct-10 Nov 1917

239
39
4
44 Res
7
11
238
199
27
185
40

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Peter H
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#11

Post by Peter H » 11 Oct 2004, 15:44

Comsat,
Glad to be of some help.

Also needs mentioning is the Canadian diversion at Lens/Hill 70 in August 1917.

German divisions involved were the 1 Guard Res,7,11 Res,8.

This adds another 4 divisions to the total:Kuhl in his memoirs states that 77 German divisions were involved in the Flanders fighting---I take this as 73 at Ypres,4 at Lens.

Regards,
Peter

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