3rd Landwehr Division (German Empire)
Encyclopedia
The 3rd Landwehr Division (3. Landwehr-Division) was an infantry division of the Imperial German Army
during World War I
. It was formed on mobilization of the German Army in August 1914 under the "Higher Landwehr Commander 3" (Höherer Landwehr-Kommandeur 3). The Landwehr
was the third category of the German Army, after the regular Army and the reserves. Thus Landwehr divisions were made up of older soldiers who had passed from the reserves, and were intended primarily for occupation and security duties rather than heavy combat. The division was a Landwehr
formation, but also had attached at the beginning of the war an Ersatz infantry brigade, made up of cadres from various regimental replacement battalions (this brigade was dissolved in September 1914). The division was primarily raised in the Prussian provinces of Posen, Lower Silesia, and West Prussia. The division was disbanded in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after World War I.
in World War I. It was on the front in Poland from the early days, and participated in the Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive
, crossing the Vistula in July and advancing toward the Bug, and eventually reaching the line between the Servech and Shchara rivers, where the front stabilized. It remained in the line there until the armistice on the Eastern Front in December 1917. Thereafter, the division served in Ukraine and in German occupation forces in Russia until late September 1918, when it went to the Western Front, serving in the Flanders area until the end of the war. Allied intelligence rated the division as fourth class and of mediocre combat value.
in September 1916, sending the 18th Landwehr Infantry Brigade to the 217th Infantry Division. Cavalry was reduced, pioneers were increased to a full battalion, and an artillery command and a divisional signals command were created. The division's order of battle on March 18, 1918 was as follows:
German Army (German Empire)
The German Army was the name given the combined land forces of the German Empire, also known as the National Army , Imperial Army or Imperial German Army. The term "Deutsches Heer" is also used for the modern German Army, the land component of the German Bundeswehr...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. It was formed on mobilization of the German Army in August 1914 under the "Higher Landwehr Commander 3" (Höherer Landwehr-Kommandeur 3). The Landwehr
Landwehr
Landwehr, or Landeswehr, is a German language term used in referring to certain national armies, or militias found in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Europe. In different context it refers to large scale, low strength fortifications...
was the third category of the German Army, after the regular Army and the reserves. Thus Landwehr divisions were made up of older soldiers who had passed from the reserves, and were intended primarily for occupation and security duties rather than heavy combat. The division was a Landwehr
Landwehr
Landwehr, or Landeswehr, is a German language term used in referring to certain national armies, or militias found in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Europe. In different context it refers to large scale, low strength fortifications...
formation, but also had attached at the beginning of the war an Ersatz infantry brigade, made up of cadres from various regimental replacement battalions (this brigade was dissolved in September 1914). The division was primarily raised in the Prussian provinces of Posen, Lower Silesia, and West Prussia. The division was disbanded in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after World War I.
Combat chronicle
The 3rd Landwehr Division fought on the Eastern FrontEastern Front (World War I)
The Eastern Front was a theatre of war during World War I in Central and, primarily, Eastern Europe. The term is in contrast to the Western Front. Despite the geographical separation, the events in the two theatres strongly influenced each other...
in World War I. It was on the front in Poland from the early days, and participated in the Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive
Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive
The Gorlice–Tarnów Offensive during World War I started as a minor German offensive to relieve Russian pressure on the Austro-Hungarians to their south on the Eastern Front, but resulted in the total collapse of the Russian lines and their retreat far into Russia...
, crossing the Vistula in July and advancing toward the Bug, and eventually reaching the line between the Servech and Shchara rivers, where the front stabilized. It remained in the line there until the armistice on the Eastern Front in December 1917. Thereafter, the division served in Ukraine and in German occupation forces in Russia until late September 1918, when it went to the Western Front, serving in the Flanders area until the end of the war. Allied intelligence rated the division as fourth class and of mediocre combat value.
Order of battle on mobilization
The order of battle of the 3rd Landwehr Division on mobilization in August 1914 was as follows:- 17.Landwehr-Infanterie-Brigade
- Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 6
- Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 7
- 18.Landwehr-Infanterie-Brigade
- Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 37
- Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 46
- 17.Ersatz-Infanterie-Brigade
- Brigade-Ersatz-Bataillon Nr. 17
- Brigade-Ersatz-Bataillon Nr. 18
- Brigade-Ersatz-Bataillon Nr. 19
- Brigade-Ersatz-Bataillon Nr. 20
- Brigade-Ersatz-Bataillon Nr. 77
- Landwehr-Kavallerie-Regiment Nr. 1
- 1.Landsturm-Batterie/V.Armeekorps
- 2.Landsturm-Batterie/V.Armeekorps
- Ersatz-Abteilung/1. Posensches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 20
- Ersatz-Abteilung/2. Niederschlesisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 41
- Ersatz-Kompanie/Niederschlesisches Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 5
Order of battle on March 18, 1918
The division underwent several structural changes as the war progressed. It was triangularizedTriangular division
A triangular division is a designation given to the way divisions are organized. In a triangular organization, the division's main body is composed of three regimental maneuver elements. These regiments may be controlled by a brigade headquarters or directly subordinated to the division commander...
in September 1916, sending the 18th Landwehr Infantry Brigade to the 217th Infantry Division. Cavalry was reduced, pioneers were increased to a full battalion, and an artillery command and a divisional signals command were created. The division's order of battle on March 18, 1918 was as follows:
- 17.Landwehr-Infanterie-Brigade
- Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 6
- Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 7
- Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 46
- 1.Eskadron/Dragoner-Regiment von Bredow (1. Schlesisches) Nr. 4
- Artillerie-Kommandeur 130
- Landwehr-Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 3
- 1.Ersatz-Kompanie/Niederschlesisches Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 5
- Divisions-Nachrichten-Kommandeur 503