German 4th Army 1915-1918

[Geheime Feldpolizei]

Can anyone help me regarding formations assigned to the German 4th Army during the period 1915-1918? I am particularly interested in what dates (and during what actions) IR 186 was assigned to 4th Army. Dates are important, so any detailed information would be much appreciated. I am working on a biography of a man who served with this unit and it is important to be precise.

[Peter H]

IR 186th was orginally part of the German 185th Infantry Division.In August 1916,due to its severe losses on the Somme,it had to be reconsituted in Hesse,and was withdrawn from the 185th Division.

In February 1917 IR 186th was added as a third regiment to the 25th Landwehr Division.This Landwehr Division was at the Chemin Des Dames in April 1917 and then Alsace.

Here's the history of its first assignment,the 185th Division,from the Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty-One Divisions of the German Army which participated in the War 1914-18.

[Peter H]

After a few months service with the 25th Landwehr Division,IR186th was then transferred to the German 56th Infantry Division in May 1917.

Here's Page 1 of the 56th Division's operations in 1917/18.

[Peter H]

Here's Page 2 of the 56th Division history---I would take 4th Army service in Flanders as commencing from the 24th April 1918 when it arrived at Messines.Prior to this date no Flanders service is indicated.It remained under 4th Army to the Armistice.The Kemmel fight and capture was well known to the German public in 1918.

[Peter H]

The fight for Kemmel 1918.The German AlpenKorps stormed the heights of Mt Kemmel,while the 56th Division seized the town.Opposing forces were French.From Corbis com.

[Peter H]

Kemmel town 1918.

http://pro.corbis.com/images/watermark/ ... 008116.jpg