The 1st Guards Infantry Division (German: 1. Garde-Infanterie-Division) was a royal guard (later imperial guard) unit of the Prussian (and later) Imperial German Army and was stationed in Berlin.
Origins The division was created on September 5, 1818 when the guards brigades, which had been created in 1813 and were assigned to various commands, were grouped into a single formation. Ernst Ludwig von Tippelskirch was appointed as the first commander of the division.
Austro-Prussian War The division was active during the Austro-Prussian War. It was commanded by Generalmajor Constantin von Alvensleben and part of the Second Army.
Franco-Prussian War During the Franco-Prussian War, the division was commanded by Generalmajor Alexander August Wilhelm von Pape. It was part of the Second Army, commanded by Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia. Throughout the war 4 officers, 70 men, and 10 horses were killed.
Order of Battle: 1870 1st Guards Infantry Brigade 1st Foot Guards 3rd Foot Guards Guards Fusilier Regiment 2nd Guards Infantry Brigade 2nd Foot Guards 4th Foot Guards
Divisional Troops Guards Jäger Battalion Guards Hussars 1st Foot Battalion, Guards Artillery
Imperial German Army By 1914 the division was subordinate to the Guards Corps of the Imperial German Army. At the outbreak of the First World War it was commanded by Gen-Lt. Oskar von Hutier. In April of 1915 Prince Eitel Friedrich took command of the division until October of 1918, when he was relieved by Eduard von Jena.
Order of Battle: 1914 1st Guards Infantry Brigade 1st Foot Guards 3rd Foot Guards 2nd Guards Infantry Brigade 2nd Foot Guards 4th Foot Guards 1st Guards Field Artillery Brigade 1st Guards Field Artillery 2nd Guards Field Artillery Guards Hussar Regiment (2nd, 3rd, and 5th Squadrons) 1st Company, Guards Pioneer Battalion 1st and 3rd Section, Guards Field Ambulance Company 1st Guards Divisional Pontoon Train
References
External links Prussian Army Units, by Michael Hughes