4. The 3d Bavarian Division was withdrawn from the Messines sector June 8, 1917, and taken to the Conflans area. After a short period of repose, during which it was partially reconstituted, it was put into the line in the sector of the Bezange forest (south of Château-Salins) July 18.
5. The 3d Bavarian Division received a reinforcement of 4,500 men—convalescents, exclusively—between June 8 and the end of August. (At the end of August the personnel averaged only 120 men who drew rations (80 combatants) per company in the 17th Battalion.) The losses sustained the 7th of June had not been made good by the 28th of August.
6. The division was sent into Lorraine for rest and reconstitution, remaining on the defensive, and pursuing the instruction of its detachments in the use of light minenwerfers and assault tactics.
Aisne.
7. It left Lorraine in the middle of October. On the 28th it occupied the Aisne front to the north of Braye-en-Laonnois (Trucy sector). The 17th Battalion was the only one to engage in the October battles which preceded the German retreat to the north of the Ailette.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
The 3d Bavarian Division is one of the best German units.
It always fought well, showing great energy in the offensive and preserving a great tenacity in the defensive.
Nevertheless, the fighting value of this division appears to have diminished during the course of the year 1917.