2nd Guards Infantry Division (German Empire)

2nd Guards Infantry Division
2. Garde-Infanterie-Division
Active	5 September 1818 – 30 April 1919
Country	Kingdom of Prussia  German Empire
Branch	Prussian Army  Imperial German Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Part of	Guards Corps
Garrison/HQ	Berlin
Engagements	Austro-Prussian War Franco-Prussian War World War I
Commanders
Notable commanders	Arnold von Winckler Walther von Lüttwitz Maximilian Ritter von Höhn

The 2nd Guards Infantry Division (German: 2. Garde-Infanterie-Division) was a unit in the Guards Corps of the Imperial German Army during the First World War. At the outbreak of war it was commanded by Lieutenant General Arnold von Winckler.[1]

Origins

The division was originally established on August 11, 1813 as a grenadier brigade of four battalions. On September 5, 1818, the brigade was expanded into the 2nd Division of the Guard and Grenadier Corps and was finally given the name 2nd Guard Division on December 22, 1819.

Franco-Prussian War

In the Franco-Prussian War, the division fought in the battles of Gravelotte and Sedan and was part of the siege of Paris. Here it took part in the Battle of Le Bourget.

Imperial German Army

Order of battle: 1914

• 3rd Guards Infantry Brigade
  • 1st (Emperor Alexander) Guards Grenadiers
  • 3rd (Queen Elisabeth) Guards Grenadiers
  • Guards Schützen Battalion
• 4th Guards Infantry Brigade
  • 2nd (Emperor Francis) Guards Grenadiers
  • 4th (Queen Augusta) Guards Grenadiers
• 2nd Guards Field Artillery Brigade
  • 2nd Guards Field Artillery Regiment
  • 4th Guards Field Artillery Regiment
• 2nd Guards Uhlans (1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Squadrons)
• 2nd and 3rd Companies, Guards Pioneer Battalion
• 2nd Section, Guards Field Ambulance Company

References

1. The First Battle of the Marne 1914: The French miracle halts the Germans, Ian Sumner page 22.