1st Guards Infantry Division (German Empire)

The 1st Guards Infantry Division (German: 1. Garde-Infanterie-Division) was a unit of the Prussian (and later) Imperial German Army and was stationed in Berlin.

1st Guards Infantry Division
1. Garde-Infanterie-Division
1. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß (Painting by Carl Röchling, 1894)
Active5 September 1818 – 30 April 1919
Country Kingdom of Prussia
 German Empire
Branch Prussian Army
 Imperial German Army
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
Part ofGuards Corps
Garrison/HQBerlin
EngagementsAustro-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
World War I
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Helmuth von Moltke the Younger
Prince Eitel Friedrich

Origins

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The division was created on September 5, 1818 when the guards brigades, which had been created in 1813 and were assigned to various commands, were grouped into a single formation.[1] Ernst Ludwig von Tippelskirch was appointed as the first commander of the division.

Austro-Prussian War

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The division was active during the Austro-Prussian War. It was commanded by Generalmajor Constantin von Alvensleben and part of the Second Army.

Franco-Prussian War

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During the Franco-Prussian War, the division was commanded by Generalmajor Alexander August Wilhelm von Pape. It was part of the Second Army, commanded by Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia. Throughout the war 4 officers, 70 men, and 10 horses were killed.[2][3]

Order of Battle: 1870

  • Divisional Troops
    • Guards Jäger Battalion
    • Guards Hussars
    • 1st Foot Battalion, Guards Artillery

Imperial German Army

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By 1914 the division was subordinate to the Guards Corps of the Imperial German Army. At the outbreak of the First World War it was commanded by Gen-Lt. Oskar von Hutier. In April of 1915 Prince Eitel Friedrich took command of the division until October of 1918, when he was relieved by Eduard von Jena.

Order of Battle: 1914

  • 1st Guards Infantry Brigade
  • 2nd Guards Infantry Brigade
  • 1st Guards Field Artillery Brigade
    • 1st Guards Field Artillery
    • 2nd Guards Field Artillery
  • Guards Hussar Regiment (2nd, 3rd, and 5th Squadrons)
  • 1st Company, Guards Pioneer Battalion
  • 1st and 3rd Section, Guards Field Ambulance Company
  • 1st Guards Divisional Pontoon Train

References

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  1. ^ "Diese Seite wurde auf Grund der DSGVO geschlossen - Es tut mir sehr leid. Aber wir sind erneut in der Diktatur angekommen".
  2. ^ II, Prussia (Kingdom) Armee Grosser Generalstab Kriegsgeschichtliche Abteilung (1876). The Franco-German War, 1870-1871 ... H.M. Stationery Office. p. 95.
  3. ^ Niemann, August (1872). The French Campaign, 1870-1871: Military Description. W. Mitchell & Company. p. 35.
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