[3] The division was disbanded in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after the First World War.
It was formed by merging the contingents of the Hanseatic Cities with those of the Mecklenburg grand duchies.
[4] In the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, the division was initially part of the reserve of the Prussian Army.
The division then entered the Loire campaign, fighting in the battles of Loigny-Poupry, 2nd Orléans, Beaugency-Cravant, and Le Mans.
[5] During World War I, the division marched through Luxembourg, Belgium and France, in what became known to the Allies as the Great Retreat, culminating in the First Battle of the Marne.
Allied intelligence rated it a first class division, one of the best in the German Army.
Divisions received engineer companies and other support units from their higher headquarters.