The Original 12 M.W.K

12th Division Barracks - Breslau

The 12th Minenwerfer Kompagnie (Company) falls under the 1st Pioneer (Engineer) Battalion No.6 of the 24th Infantry Brigade of the 12th Division of the VI Germany Army Corps. It was originated on May 9, 1915 in Oberschlesien Prussia (Upper Silesia) and was made up of 3 Zugs (Platoons); Schwere (Heavy) No.57, Mittlere (Middle) No.169 and Leichte (Light) No.283. Each Zug was further divided into individual Trupps. Both the Schwere and Mittlere Trupps were issued an individual mortar, while the Leichte Trupps were issued one 76mm Minenwerfer as well as two smaller "portable" Granatenwerfers.

12th Division Pioneer

Unlike Infantry Kompagnies, which were only designated with the numbers 1-12 per Regiment (13 being reserved for MG-Komps), Minenwerfer Kompagnies would bear the same numbers as the Division under which they served. Our unit fields both a Minenwerfer and two Granatenwerfers, representing 12.M.W.K, Zug 283. Prior to WWI, Germany was divided into 24 Army Corp Districts. Each one provided a complete Army Corp of two Divisions plus supporting arms and services. These Corp Districts were numbered I to XXI Prussian and I to III Bavarian. In addition, a Guard Corp was created to recruit from all over Prussia as well as Alsace-Lorraine. The 12th Division was headquartered in Breslau, Germany and combined with the 11th Division to make up the VI Army Corp. By the time the 12th Minenwerfer Kompagnie was established in 1915, There was only one Infantry Brigade, No.24, within the 12th Division. Aside from the 1st Pioneer Battalion No.6, of Neisse, the Brigade also included Infantry Regiments; IR23, IR62 and IR63 as well as Artillery, Cavalry, Medical, and Transport Units.

Minenwerfer Pioneer

During the war, the 12th Division fought and moved about Europe as a single entity. By the time that the 12th Minenwerfer Kompagnie was established in May 1915, the Division had already fought in the battle of Rossignol les Bulles and the Reims sector. They saw their first heavy fighting from July 1-16, 1915 in the Souchez sector. Following that, things remained relatively calm for the next year when on July 1, 1916, they were thrown into the Battle of the Somme which continued until the end of November. This fighting cost the Division over 60% of its strength. After a short rest to recuperate, 1917 was spent bouncing between Russia, Ypres and Italy. In March, 1918, they moved to Vis en Artois, where they managed to pass the second line with heavy losses. Starting at the beginning of September, they began to be driven back and never recovered until the Armistice on the 11th of November, 1918.

For a detailed list of 12th Division actions during the war, click: ( Chronological History of the 12th Division )

Minenwerfer Trupp

Granatenwerfer Trupp