3rd 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 3rd Bavarian Infantry Division was triangularized in April 1915, sending the 22nd Bavarian Infantry Regiment to the newly-formed 11th 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 March 31, 1918 was as follows:

• 6. bayerische Infanterie-Brigade
  • Kgl. Bayerisches 17. Infanterie-Regiment Orff
  • Kgl. Bayerisches 18. Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Ludwig Ferdinand
  • Kgl. Bayerisches 23. Infanterie-Regiment
• 4.Eskadron/Kgl. Bayerisches 3. Chevaulegers-Regiment Herzog Karl Theodor
• Kgl. Bayerischer Artillerie-Kommandeur 3
  • Kgl. Bayerisches 12. Feldartillerie-Regiment
  • Fußartillerie-Bataillon Nr. 43
• Kgl. Bayerisches 2. Pionier-Bataillon
  • Kgl. Bayerische Pionier-Kompanie Nr. 5
  • Kgl. Bayerische Pionier-Kompanie Nr. 7
  • Kgl. Bayerische Minenwerfer-Kompanie Nr. 3
• Kgl. Bayerischer Divisions-Nachrichten-Kommandeur 3