4th Royal Bavarian Division - Late World War I Organization

Late World War I Organization

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 (a "square division"). The 4th Bavarian Infantry Division was triangularized in March 1915, sending the 8th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment to the newly-formed 10th Bavarian Infantry Division. An artillery commander replaced the artillery brigade headquarters, the cavalry was further reduced, and the engineer contingent was increased. Divisional signals commanders were established to better control communications, a major problem in coordinating infantry and artillery operations during World War I. The division's order of battle on April 1, 1918 was as follows:

• 7. bayerische Infanterie-Brigade
  • Kgl. Bayerisches 5. Infanterie-Regiment Großherzog Ernst Ludwig von Hessen
  • Kgl. Bayerisches 9. Infanterie-Regiment Wrede
  • Kgl. Bayerisches Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 5
• 5.Eskadron/Kgl. Bayerisches 3. Chevaulegers-Regiment Herzog Karl Theodor
• Kgl. Bayerischer Artillerie-Kommandeur 4
  • Kgl. Bayerisches 2. Feldartillerie-Regiment Horn
  • II.Bataillon/Kgl. Bayerisches 4. Fußartillerie-Regiment
• Kgl. Bayerisches Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 8
  • Kgl. Bayerische Pionier-Kompanie Nr. 6
  • Kgl. Bayerische Pionier-Kompanie Nr. 9
  • Kgl. Bayerische Minenwerfer-Kompanie Nr. 4
• Kgl. Bayerischer Divisions-Nachrichten-Kommandeur 4