General Notes:
This summary has been prepared from the regimental history in
order that unit members become intimately familiar with the regiment's
actions during the war.
The regiment had three distinct phases in its history. From the outbreak of war until March/April 1915 it served as a unified Regiment. From March/April 1915 until July 1916 it was split into two half-regiments and after July 1916 the regiment was broken up and each individual squadron was assigned to a separate division. Broadly speaking, these phases reflect both the declining role of cavalry in the trench warfare on the Western Front as well as Germanys need to use its manpower, horsepower, and raw materials more sparingly as the war progressed.
The regiment's 3rd Field Squadron spent the last half of the war attached to the 113th Division, as shown in the order of battle of that division published elsewhere on this website.
| Parade from the barracks to the Cologne-Gereon station on 1 August. Loading began at 10:00pm and the last train left the station at 6:15am on 2 August |
| Border Security by Luxemburg
Placed under the command of General Fuchs of the Trier Garrison The Advance into (the Belgian Province of) Luxemburg and France, with the 15th Infantry Division Began on 18 August Assault of the 3rd Squadron by Haut-Fays on 21 August Battles of Bievre and Monceau on 23 August Battle of Gross-Fayes on 24 August The Battle of the Meuse Crossings Battle by Sedan on 26-28 August Battle by Montgon on 31 August Battle by Somme-Py on 2 September Battle by Marson on 4 September The Battle of the Marne Battles by Marolles and Vitry le Francois on 6-10 September A note in the records speaks of 51 men and 111 horses, including those lightly wounded Somme-Py The German retreat following the Battle of the Marne was completed on 15 September In early October the men were immunized against Typhoid Beginning in November each squadron was rotated into the trenches to strengthen the lines Formation of the Cavalry Division Graf Lippe--December 1914 - March 1915 Formed from several cavalry regiments Formed to train the cavalry in trench warfare tactics and to provide a mobile reserve for the army Also engaged in building and expanding trenches Served in the lines with various units, participating in the Winter Battle for the Champagne region. |
The Half Regiment of Rittmeister Freiherr von Thielmann (1915-1916)
| Battles between the Meuse and Mosel--March 1915 - July
1916
On 23 March 1915 placed under the command of the 113th Infantry Division. September 1914 took part in a parade in front of His Majesty the Kaiser in St. Benoit Provided messenger service for the infantry. Many officers used by the infantry. Guarding trains is also mentioned during the Fall Champagne Battle. Battle by Verdun--March - April 1916 Attached to the staffs of the 113th Infantry Division And sent troops into the forward-most trenches Also train, bridge and canal protection |
3. Field Squadron when Attached to the 113th Infantry Division (1916-1918)
| Battles between the Meuse and Mosel from--October 1916
- January 1917
Largely served by providing messenger riders to the division Battles in Upper Alsace--January 1917 - April 1917 Included training in many service areas: gas protection, telephone operation, horse care Security and guard services, numerous troops placed at the disposal of the infantry and artillery Double Battle Aisne-Champagne--April 1917 - March 1918 Served as a communication unit for the division At that time the Squadron consisted of 50 men and NCOs From June - September took part in the Chemin des Dames Battles In October took part in the Battle of Winterberg (?) February - March 1918 the 113th Division rested behind the lines of the 18th Army The Great Battle in France--March 1918 - April 1918 Once again during this battle the Kuerassier had the opportunity to serve as patrol riders In April 1918 the Division had to rest again Battle by Soissons and Reims--June 1918 - July 1918 Pursuit between the Oise and Aisne Rivers and Over the Vesle to the Marne Attacks West of Soissons--July 1918 - August 1918 Division had a brief rest in August Battles on the Siegfried Line--September 1918 - End of War Division took part in the battles between Cambrai and St. Quentin Also in the fight around the Hermannstellung |
Demobilization
| Demobilization was not possible in Deutz because the Rhineland
was occupied by the victors.
Therefore, it occurred at the Grand Duke's palace in the village of Rastede near Oldenburg Shortly before Christmas the 3rd Squadron returned under command of Lt. Bertram |