Information on German units at Les Eparges

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Landsturm
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Information on German units at Les Eparges

#1

Post by Landsturm » 07 Nov 2004, 20:38

Hello, all! So far I have used this other forum (under same nickname), concentrating on Great War of 1914-1918, which I warmly recommend when you have a problem concerning the First World War...
http://www.1914-1918.org/forum/index.php
but now, I`m a new member here with you :)
Since this site is more German-related and forum members include real masterminds on this threat, I decided that this forum might be better for my problem. Ok enough of the backgrounds, lets get down to business...

I`m working on a graphic novel (a comic book, if you will) and I`m looking for some specific information on French attack to Les Eparges-ridge on February 17th 1915; what German units held Eparges in February 1915? According to my understanding there were Bavarian units, but which? And what else?

Thanks in advance! -Tuomas a.k.a Landsturm-

*Honour to those who gave the ultimate sacrife and to those who survived to tell it 1914-1918.
*To my grandfather, light-machinegunner Tauno Koivurinne, served in Sakkola, Karelian Isthmus for the Winter War November 30th 1939 / March 13th 1940 - wounded in Simpele, Karelian Isthmus July 31st 1941 during the Continuation War of 1941-1944.
*And to my respect my friend, to Terho Aleksander Saari fallen in Kollaa, Ladoga Karelia July 16th 1941.

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Glenn2438
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33rd Reserve-Division

#2

Post by Glenn2438 » 07 Nov 2004, 21:04

Hi Thomas,

the German forces defending Les Eparges in February 1915 were elements of the Prussian 33rd Reserve-Division which consisted of a regular Bavarian Brigade and a Prussian Reserve Infantry Brigade:

8th Bavarian Infantry Brigade:

4th Bavarian Infantry Regiment
8th Bavarian Infantry Regiment

66th Reserve Infantry Brigade:

Reserve Infantry Regiment 67
Reserve Infantry Regiment 130

Regards
Glenn


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Landsturm
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#3

Post by Landsturm » 07 Nov 2004, 21:21

Thank you very much, Glenn! I knew this forum would have more German-experts... Is there more information on what units held the front-line trenches that were blown up by four French mines at 14 o`clock, an hour before infantry attack?

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#4

Post by Landsturm » 07 Nov 2004, 21:26

« lls arrivent en courant, capotes ouvertes, sans armes, poussés par quelques-uns des nôtres. Ils dévalent, faisant rouler les mottes sous leurs grosses semelles ferrées.

- Halte ! crie le capitaine Rive.

« Ils s'arrêtent, essoufflés, inquiets, considèrent l'entonnoir plein de soldats français ; quelques-uns essaient de sourire ; deux ou trois s'asseyent dans la boue. Ce sont des hommes du 5e bavarois.


According to this eye-witness account (French soldier on German prisoners) there were also "5th Bavarians"... Could this be true, or did German prisoners simply lie their unit? In the situation that would make sense...

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Glenn2438
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#5

Post by Glenn2438 » 08 Nov 2004, 20:40

Tuomas,

the 8th Bavarian Infantry Regiment were manning the "Fingerstellung" when the mines were exploded. According to the regimental history most of the the forward platoon of the 6th Company, 2nd Battalion were buried and the other two platoons of the 6th Company suffered heavy casualties in the artillery barrage that followed.

Regards
Glenn
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Landsturm
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#6

Post by Landsturm » 08 Nov 2004, 21:23

Thank you very much! ... Again! So lets forget about the 5th.

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