Histories of two hundred and fifty-one divisions of the German army which participated in the war (1914-1918)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

55620

Title

Histories of two hundred and fifty-one divisions of the German army which participated in the war (1914-1918)

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Compiled by the U.S. War Department's General Staff in 1919, this volume details the histories of 251 German army divisions active during World War I. Based on intelligence records from Chaumont, France, the text offers a comprehensive, division-by-division account of movements, battles, and combat effectiveness across the Western and Eastern Fronts.

Summary up to 500 words

Produced by the Intelligence Section of the General Staff, American Expeditionary Forces, in 1919, this authoritative compilation documents the operational histories of 251 German divisions that fought between 1914 and 1918. Compiled from records gathered at General Headquarters in Chaumont, France, the volume systematically profiles each unit, detailing their composition changes, troop origins, and specific engagements from the invasion of Belgium through the final offensives of 1918. The text covers major theaters including the Marne, Champagne, Somme, Verdun, and the Macedonian front, noting significant battles such as Ypres, the Battle of the Somme, and the German Spring Offensive. Entries assess the combat value of each division, often citing casualty figures, prisoner counts, and morale indicators. The narrative tracks the evolution of units, such as the transformation of the Metz Detachment into the 255th Division or the reorganization of reserve units into new formations. It highlights the shifting fortunes of the German army, from early successes in Belgium to the attrition of the Western Front and the eventual dissolution of many units following the Allied advance. The work serves as a critical historical record of German military organization and performance during the Great War, providing specific data on regimental losses and strategic redeployments that illuminate the broader context of the conflict's conclusion. Specific entries reveal the diverse recruitment bases of these forces, ranging from Hanover and Oldenburg to Württemberg and Silesia, and detail how units were frequently stripped of regiments to form new divisions or reinforce others as the war progressed. The volume concludes with estimates of each division's value at the time of dissolution, offering a granular view of the German army's degradation and the specific circumstances of its surrender.

LLM editorial rating

4.0/5

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Categories

• History
• Military History