History of the recreated 120th

History of the Original 120th

 IR 120 was founded and is still commanded by Unteroffizier Marc Benedict.  

He wanted to find a unit with a good reputation that fought from 1914-1918 against

English, French, and American troops.  

IR 120 made its first historic comeback at the very first W.W.I. event, which was

fought at Mount Saint Mary's College in Emmittsburg, MD on September 22-23-24th 1978.  

The total participation at this event was 18 Germans and 36 Allies.

In 1995 the GWA moved to it's permanent location in Newville, Pennsylvania where IR

120 continues to carry on the legacy of bravery, aggression in battle and loyalty.

By belonging to the 120th a member gets to live the life of a standard, everyday

infantryman.  We fight in the trenches and die in the trenches even if only in mock you

wear and carry the uniform and gear that a German Infantry soldier wore and carried.  

You lay in the mud, barbed wire and whatever else happens to be in the trench at the

time just like they did 90 years ago.  At night you may not hear or see that enemy

soldier creeping up to cut your throat.  You could also get captured and may be

beaten or shot.  Despite the harsh life in the trenches all members of the 120th are

proud to be a part of one of the oldest, most authentic and most respected units in the world.   All members are "gute Kameraden."  You certainly will not find a more authentic experience.

Originally written by. Musketier Marc Baetsch 1993

Revised by. Musketier Ryan "Franz" Rentschler 2002

Nr. 120 belonged to the 27th Division.  Along with the 26th Division they belonged to the 13th Army Corps (Royal Wurttemberg) and were recruited entirely from the state of Wurttemberg.  At the beginning of the war in August 1914, the 26th and 27th formed a part of the 5th army.  it was engadged in battle between Longivy and Viston on August 22 and on the 23rd north of Longuyon.  The 120th went on to fight its way across the Meuse River and Argonne Forrest and found itself fighting at Pretz and Vaubecourt.  It then retired north and took up positions in the Argonne.  

At the beginning of October the 13th Army Corps was broken up due to the 26th Div. being sent to Serbia.  The two divisions would remain seperated until December.

     In 1915 the 120th was engadged in mine warfare in the Argonne and in August took part in local offensives.  In September, at the time of the French offensive, the 27th was split in half with the 123rd and 124th being moved to Champaign, where they remained in reserve.  In December the the 13th Corps was reformed.  From January to July 1916 the 120th was in a line south-east of Ypres Salient between Sanctuary Wood and the Yepres-Comines Canal.  On Febuary 24th units of the 27th Div. took possession of the British trenches of Buff only to lose them on March 2nd.  On June 2nd both divisions made a bloody assault on the Canadians in the Cillebeck sector and took possession of Observation Ridge, but were forced to abandon it by a counter attack.  All units took heavy losses in this action.  

At the end of July the 13th Corps was transfered to the Somme front.  On August 1st the 120th went into line in the Guillemont sector.  Despite serious losses it put up a successful resistance to the attacks upon the village.  The devision remained at the Somme until 1917.  During the year it was sent to Flanders and back to Ypres where it took heavy artillery fire.  In March 1918 it was moved a distance of 20 miles to Villers-Guislain where it arrived at 5:00AM.  The 120 was hit so hard almost an entire battalion was lost.  By November 11th, 1918 the 120th was still on line near Tailly.  

120th Monument

Michelsburg, Ulm

The Iron Corps

Melody "Praise with much beautiful speech"

Land in the West like in the East

Rings the praise for the Swabian Corps,

Where the enemy threatens the srongest,

One sends the Wurttembergers to the front

The Swabians carried the empire's battle flag

Some day some day, today black, white, red

The captain shouts shouts shouts, the flag stands firm,

And he found the heros death

Still the Swabians attacked Harder,

Clear in the wind their banner fluttered,

and they gave no rest

Until the enemy begged for mercy

Rejoicing prevailed upon joyous fellows

In the Swabian homeland,

Because the Corps of Wurttembergers

was named the Iron Corps

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