3rd Reserve Division (German Empire)


The 3rd Reserve Division was a reserve infantry division of the Imperial German Army in World War I. It was formed on mobilization in August 1914 from reserve infantry units primarily from Pomerania. The division served from the beginning of the war until early 1917 on the Eastern Front, after which it was transferred to the Western Front. It was rated a third class division by Allied intelligence.

August 1914 organization

The 3rd Reserve Division's initial wartime organization was as follows:
Divisions underwent many changes during the war, with regiments moving from division to division, and some being destroyed and rebuilt. During the war, most divisions became triangular - one infantry brigade with three infantry regiments rather than two infantry brigades of two regiments. The 3rd Reserve Division triangularized in November 1915. An artillery commander replaced the artillery brigade headquarters, the cavalry was further reduced, the engineer contingent was increased, and a divisional signals command was created. The 3rd Reserve Division's order of battle on March 1, 1918, was as follows: