5th Cavalry Division (German Empire)

The 5th Cavalry Division (5. Kavallerie-Division) was a unit of the German Army in World War I. The division was formed on the mobilization of the German Army in August 1914. The division was dissolved in February 1918.

5th Cavalry Division
(5. Kavallerie-Division)
Flag of the Staff of a Division (1871–1918)
Active2 August 1914 – 27 February 1918
Disbanded27 February 1918
Country German Empire
BranchArmy
TypeCavalry
SizeApproximately 5,000 (on mobilisation)
EngagementsWorld War I

Combat chronicle

It was initially assigned to I Cavalry Corps, which preceded the 3rd Army on the Western Front. In October 1914, it was transferred to the Eastern Front. From 14 July 1915 to 1 September 1915, it was designated as Cavalry Corps Hendebreck. It was dismounted in October 1916 and dissolved on 27 February 1918.[1]

A more detailed combat chronicle can be found at the German-language version of this article.

Order of Battle on mobilisation

On formation, in August 1914, the component units of the division were:[2]

  • 9th Cavalry Brigade (from V Corps District)
    • 4th (1st Silesian) Dragoons "von Bredow"
    • 10th (Posen) Uhlans "Prince August of Württemberg"
  • 11th Cavalry Brigade (from VI Corps District)
  • 12th Cavalry Brigade (from VI Corps District)
    • 4th (1st Silesian) Hussars "von Schill"
    • 6th (2nd Silesian) Hussars "Count Götzen"
  • Horse Artillery Abteilung of the 5th (1st Lower Silesian) Field Artillery "von Podbielski" Regiment[3]
  • 1st Machine Gun Detachment
  • Pioneer Detachment
  • Signals Detachment
    • Heavy Wireless Station 3
    • Light Wireless Station 3
    • Light Wireless Station 4
  • Cavalry Motorised Vehicle Column 5

See: Table of Organisation and Equipment

Changes in organization
  • 9th Cavalry Brigade became independent on 26 December 1916
  • 11th Cavalry Brigade joined Guard Cavalry Division on 23 March 1918
  • 12th Cavalry Brigade became independent on 20 February 1918

See also

References
  1. Ellis & Cox 1993, p. 126
  2. Cron 2002, p. 299
  3. War Ministry of 11 December 1916, No 847: was changed into a field artillery abteilung; Cron 2002, p. 139

Bibliography
  • Cron, Hermann (2002). Imperial German Army 1914–18: Organisation, Structure, Orders-of-Battle [first published: 1937]. Helion & Co. ISBN 1-874622-70-1.
  • Ellis, John; Cox, Michael (1993). The World War I Databook. Aurum Press Ltd. ISBN 1-85410-766-6.
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