Active 1914–1919 Branch Army | Country Germany Type Infantry | |
Size Approx. 15,000
World War I: Gumbinnen, Tannenberg, 1st Masurian Lakes, 2nd Masurian Lakes, 3rd Ypres, Spring Offensive, Hundred Days Offensive | ||
The 3rd Reserve Division (3. 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.
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August 1914 organization
The 3rd Reserve Division's initial wartime organization was as follows:
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 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: