The division was formed on mobilization of the German Army in August 1914[1] as part of VIII Reserve Corps.
The division was disbanded in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after World War I.
The 15th Reserve Division fought on the Western Front, participating in the opening German offensive which led to the Allied Great Retreat, fighting at Sedan in late August 1914.
It went to the Flanders/Artois region in April 1918 and remained in that general area until the end of the war.
Over the course of the war, other changes took place, including the formation of artillery and signals commands and a pioneer battalion.