3rd Division (German Empire)
| 3rd Division (3. Division); in 1870-71 and from August 2, 1914, 3rd Infantry Division (3. Infanterie-Division) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1818–1919 |
| Country | Prussia/Germany |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry (in peacetime included cavalry) |
| Size | Approx. 15,000 |
| Part of | II. Army Corps (II. Armeekorps) |
| Garrison/HQ | Stettin |
| Engagements |
Austro-Prussian War: Königgrätz |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia, August Graf von Werder, Georg von der Marwitz |
Austro-Prussian War: Königgrätz
Franco-Prussian War: Gravelotte, Metz, Paris
The 3rd Division (3. Division) was a unit of the Prussian/German Army. It was formed in Stettin (now Szczecin, Poland) in May 1816 as a Troop Brigade (Truppen-Brigade). It became the 3rd Division on September 5, 1818. From the corps' formation in 1820, the division was subordinated in peacetime to the II Army Corps (II. Armeekorps). The 3rd Division was disbanded in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after World War I.
The 3rd Division and its regiments fought in the Austro-Prussian War against Austria in 1866, distinguishing itself at the Battle of Königgrätz. The division then fought in the Franco-Prussian War against France in 1870-71. It saw action in the Battle of Gravelotte, the Siege of Metz, and the Siege of Paris, among other actions.
In World War I, the 3rd Division served initially on the Western Front, seeing action in the invasion of Belgium, the First Battle of the Marne and the Race to the Sea. The division was then transferred to the Eastern Front, and remained there until the end of the war with Russia. It then served in occupation duty in Russia until October 1918, when it returned to the Western Front for the final few weeks of the war.
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