242nd Infantry Division (German Empire)
Encyclopedia
The 242nd Infantry Division (242. Infanterie-Division) was a division of the Imperial German Army
during World War I
. The division was formed on January 16, 1917, and was part of the last large wave of new divisions created during World War I
. The division was assembled over the next two months from elements from other units. Its core was the 9. Württembergisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 127, a regular infantry regiment from the Kingdom of Württemberg
, as well as a brigade headquarters from a regular Württemberg infantry division. To this were added two newly raised Württemberg infantry regiments, along with cavalry, artillery, engineers and support units. The division was considered a Württemberg infantry division and received its initial troops and replacements from that kingdom.
The division entered the trenchline in a quiet sector of Lorraine in March 1917, and after a period of orientation, was sent to fight in the Second Battle of the Aisne
, also called the Third Battle of Champagne. It spent the rest of 1917 and the first part of 1918 in positional warfare near Reims
and in a defensive fight near Verdun
. In 1918, the division participated in the German Spring Offensive
, in the region of Montdidier-Noyon. The division was on the defensive thereafter, including during the Allied Hundred Days Offensive
. The division was demobilized in 1919. In 1917, Allied intelligence rated the division a good division with high morale, but by 1918 it was rated a third class division.
The organization of the division on May 2, 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...
. The division was formed on January 16, 1917, and was part of the last large wave of new divisions created 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...
. The division was assembled over the next two months from elements from other units. Its core was the 9. Württembergisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 127, a regular infantry regiment from the Kingdom of Württemberg
Kingdom of Württemberg
The Kingdom of Württemberg was a state that existed from 1806 to 1918, located in present-day Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was a continuation of the Duchy of Württemberg, which came into existence in 1495...
, as well as a brigade headquarters from a regular Württemberg infantry division. To this were added two newly raised Württemberg infantry regiments, along with cavalry, artillery, engineers and support units. The division was considered a Württemberg infantry division and received its initial troops and replacements from that kingdom.
The division entered the trenchline in a quiet sector of Lorraine in March 1917, and after a period of orientation, was sent to fight in the Second Battle of the Aisne
Second Battle of the Aisne
The Second Battle of the Aisne , was the massive main assault of the French military's Nivelle Offensive or Chemin des Dames Offensive in 1917 during World War I....
, also called the Third Battle of Champagne. It spent the rest of 1917 and the first part of 1918 in positional warfare near Reims
Reims
Reims , a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire....
and in a defensive fight near Verdun
Verdun
Verdun is a city in the Meuse department in Lorraine in north-eastern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Verdun is the biggest city in Meuse, although the capital of the department is the slightly smaller city of Bar-le-Duc.- History :...
. In 1918, the division participated in the German Spring Offensive
Spring Offensive
The 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht , also known as the Ludendorff Offensive, was a series of German attacks along the Western Front during World War I, beginning on 21 March 1918, which marked the deepest advances by either side since 1914...
, in the region of Montdidier-Noyon. The division was on the defensive thereafter, including during the Allied Hundred Days Offensive
Hundred Days Offensive
The Hundred Days Offensive was the final period of the First World War, during which the Allies launched a series of offensives against the Central Powers on the Western Front from 8 August to 11 November 1918, beginning with the Battle of Amiens. The offensive forced the German armies to retreat...
. The division was demobilized in 1919. In 1917, Allied intelligence rated the division a good division with high morale, but by 1918 it was rated a third class division.
The organization of the division on May 2, 1918 was as follows:
- 242. Infanterie-Brigade:
- 9. Württembergisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 127
- Württembergisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 475
- Württembergisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 476
- Maschinengewehr-Scharfschützen-Abteilung Nr. 78
- 2.Eskadron/Württembergisches Reserve-Dragoner-Regiment
- Artillerie-Kommandeur 242:
- Württembergisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 281
- III.Bataillon/Hohenzollernsches Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr. 13
- Württembergisches Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 242
- Divisions-Nachrichten-Kommandeur 242