HISTORY.
(7th Corps District—Westphalia.)
1914.
Woevre.
1. The 47th Reserve Division, formed between August and October, 1914, and composing the 24th Reserve Corps with the 48th Reserve Division, was concentrated in the vicinity of Metz about October 20, sent to the Woevre, south of Etain, on the 26th, went into action at Magnaville on the 31st, and at Maucourt on November 6 to 11.
Russia.
2. On November 23 the 47th Reserve Division entrained for the Eastern Front.
Dunajec.
3. Detraining in the vicinity of Cracow at the beginning of December, it went into action on the Dunajec (Neu-Sandec) west of Tarnow on the 8th, where it suffered serious check on December 20.
1915.
1. On January 10, 1915, the 47th Reserve Division was identified on the Dunajec-Gorlice front.
Galicia.
2. From the end of January to the month of April it occupied the front west of Tarnow, near the Tarnow-Cracow railroad.
Poland.
3. It took part in the spring and summer offensive of 1915. On July 2 it was on the right bank of the Vistula, in the vicinity of Janow. From July 20 to August 9 it took part in the advance from the Wysnica to the Wieprz, reached the Bug on October 19, the Jaselda on September 8, and fought along this last river until the 12th. On the 13th it was at Slonim.
4. At the end of September it went to the vicinity of Baranovitchi. On October 19 it held the lines near Lipsk.
1916.
Russia.
1. The 47th Reserve Division remained in the sector of Lipsk-Baranovitchi during the entire year of 1916 and until May, 1917, when it entrained for France. On July 23 the 217th Reserve Infantry Regiment was withdrawn from the division to aid in the formation of the 225th Division.
1917.
France.
1. At the beginning of May, 1917, the 47th Reserve Division was transferred to the Western Front. (Itinerary of the 219th Reserve Infantry Regiment: Entrained on May 3 at Baranovitchi, Warsaw, Lodz, Lissa, Glogau, Leipzig, Erfurt, Frankfort, Metz; detrained at Bouillonville, near Thiaucourt, on May 7.)
Aisne.
2. After a stay in the Woevre, at Bois le Prêtre, until the beginning of June, and a short rest near Marle, the 47th Reserve Division went into line north of Braye en Laonnois (west of the Épine de Chevregny) on June 20. It took part in the attacks launched in this sector and suffered heavy losses from June 22 to July 8. Some of its elements were engaged in the French attack of October 23, after which they retired to the village of Chevregny.
3. The 47th Reserve Division was relieved at the end of October.
Forêt de St. Gobain.
4. After a rest in the villages of the Serre valley, it took over the sector of Septvaux in the Forêt de St. Gobain about November 20.
RECRUITING.
Mixed at the time of its formation, the division has become entirely Westphalian since its reduction to three regiments. The levies from the Russian front in the course of 1917, however, introduced outside elements (men from the 1st, 2d, and 3d Corps District in May, coming from the 406th, 420th, and 421st Infantry Regiments). Thirteen prisoners (220th Reserve Infantry Regiment) captured on October 1, 1917, north of Braye en Laonnois, came from the following Provinces in Germany: 4 from Westphalia, 2 from Hanover, 3 from East Prussia, 1 from the Rhine Province, 1 from Oldenburg, 1 from Silesia, and 1 from Pomerania.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
The 47th Reserve Division is a mediocre division more fitted for defense than attack, but still capable of effort after rest and reorganization. It had won some reputation in the offensive at Poland and Courland.
Its effectives include a large proportion of Poles.
In the sector of Chevregny, Froidmont (June-July), it gave a good account of itself, although sanitary conditions were very defective (Dec. 1, 1917).
1918.
1. About the beginning of February the division was relieved by the 3d Bavarian Division and went to train near Vervins.
Battle of Picardy.
2. It was engaged in the Somme offensive on March 21 near Tergnier and participated in the attack until the 25th. It was reengaged on April 1 southwest of Lassigny and held that sector until May 2, when it was relieved by the extension of the 206th Division.
3. The division entrained at Ham on May 6 and moved to St. Quentin area. From May 27 onward it followed up the advance behind the 113th Division, and finally relieved that division on June 1 near Vierzy. It was relieved on June 20.
Marne.
4. This division, although greatly weakened, was returned to line without having been reconstructed, in the vicinity of Longpont. At this time the division had not more than 40 to 50 rifles to a company. It again suffered heavy losses, and about July 27 was retired to rest.
5. The division was dissolved at Mainbresson on June 30. The 218th Reserve Regiment was formed into one battalion, which became the 3d Battalion of the 53d Reserve Infantry Regiment. The 219th Reserve Regiment was drafted to the 159th Regiment.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The division was rated as second class. Its dissolution was occasioned by its low effective strength following its losses and failure to receive drafts.