At mobilization in 1914 maps had been issued to officers corresponding to the areas they were to operate in but the war of movement meant they would often march "off the map" before new ones could be issued. Once the war of movement was over on the western front the marching maps were no longer detailed enough for the units in the trench. Detailed maps with local terrain features were needed. Initially 11 Festungs-Vermessungs-Abteilungen (fortress surveying section) had taken to the field to make maps for the heavy artillery, these were followed by Feldvermessungstrupps (Field surveying troops) set up by the A.O.K.s. (Armee Ober Kommando).

Right: Iron Cross award document to a member of the mapping section 10 of the A.O.K.10 on the Eastern Front

In July 1915 the position of Feldvermessungschef was created to oversee the surveying units. These were divided into a Meßwesen der Artillerie and Vermessungs Abteilungen, one of which was attached to each A.O.K. in the west and each Heeresgruppe in the East.   Each Abteilung had a Geology group, Trigonometry group and panoramic photo group as well as a printing and map making section. The Geologists were also used in an advisory capacity when it came to trench digging, mining, irrigation etc. The trigonometry group measured the terrain and important features on the ground and the panoramic photo detachment worked closely with the Feldluftschiffer (Balloon) units who photographed deep into enemy territory.

Using their combined skills the Vermessungs Abteilung would update maps showing changes behind the enemy lines and document the results of the artillery fire. To collect the needed information mapping sections were created at Gruppenkommando and divisional level.  

By 1917 there were 2 Vermessungs-Abteilungen for each A.O.K. with a Staff officer to command them. The staff officer was responsible within the A.O.K. he was attached to for all Geographical surveying, trigonomic, topographic and photographic work, the printing and distribution of maps, the personnel of the Vermessungs Abteilungen and their equipment.  

To give a better overview of work done a responsible for each front sector was appointed in July 1917. Kommandeure der Vermessungstruppen Nr.1 for the Western Front, Kommandeure der Vermessungstruppen Nr.2 for the South Eastern front. Two months later the Stabsoffizier des Vermessungswesens of the Heeresgruppe Woyrsch became the Kommandeure der Vermessungstruppen Nr.3 for the Eastern Front.  

The three Kommandeure der Vermessungstruppen had the Feldvermessungschefs of the various A.O.K. or Heeresgruppen on their respective fronts reporting to them, he was able to transfer men and material within his sector and coordinate the work done in border areas between different A.O.K.s.