119th Infantry Division (German Empire)
The 119th Infantry Division (119. Infanterie-Division) was a unit of the German Army during World War I. It was formed in August 1915 and dissolved in 1919.
Formation and Composition:
The division was primarily composed of units drawn from Westphalia and the Rhineland. Its initial organization included the 237th Infantry Brigade, consisting of the 225th and 226th Infantry Regiments, along with supporting artillery, pioneer, and supply detachments. Over time, the composition of the division shifted as units were transferred or reorganized.
Operational History:
The 119th Infantry Division spent the majority of its wartime service on the Western Front. It participated in relatively static trench warfare for much of the conflict, engaging in defensive actions in various sectors. The division did not participate in any major offensive operations. Specific battles and locations where the division served included:
- 1915-1917: Sector of the Western Front, primarily involved in defensive positions.
- 1918: Continued defensive operations and retreat during the Allied offensives.
- 1919: Dissolution after the armistice.
Order of Battle (October 1918):
- 225th Infantry Regiment
- 226th Infantry Regiment
- 406th Infantry Regiment
- 1st Battalion / 2nd Foot Artillery Regiment
- Pioneer Battalion No. 119
- Division Signals Detachment No. 119
Commanders:
The division was commanded by the following officers during its existence:
- Generalmajor Wilhelm von Woyna (August 1915 - December 1916)
- Generalmajor Karl von Kehler (December 1916 - January 1918)
- Generalmajor Paul Gruettner (January 1918 - 1919)
Post-War:
Following the armistice in November 1918, the 119th Infantry Division demobilized and was formally dissolved in 1919. Many of its constituent units were disbanded or integrated into other formations of the Weimar Republic's Reichswehr.