6. The division rested between Guise and Le Nouvion (Mannappes Lechelle) from the middle of June to July 18. During this period the Spanish sickness ravished the troops. Reinforcements reconstituted the division during this period. On July 19 the division was transported to Anezy le Chateau by way of Wassigny, Guise, Mesbricourt. By marches it moved by steps to south of Soissons.
Battle of the Marne.
7. On July 21 the division was engaged near Buzancy. It fell back to the Vesle by Acy on August 1–2. It remained in the sector south of Vailly (Ciry-Salsogne, Sermoise) until September 5, when it retired to the line Vailly-Celle sur Aisne. After losing more than 1,000 prisoners it was relieved on September 18.
Ardennes.
8. The division was reengaged in the region of Jonchery on September 28. It retired north of the Aisne (Sept. 30) toward Berry au Bac. Again retreated October 10 by Prouvais, La Malmaison, to Nizy le Comte. It was in line there until October 17, when it retired to the second line for a week. It was reengaged in the same region from October 25 to November 5, when it retreated by Rozoy and Brunehamel with extremely heavy losses.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
Before the summer of 1918 the 5th Division was an excellent assault division, frequently mentioned in German communiques. But after August, 1918, it became a sector-holding division. It was almost constantly in line after July 21 with consequent lowering of morale and discipline. In November it had but two battalions per regiment and three companies per battalion.
5th Reserve Division.
COMPOSITION.
| 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigade. | Regiment. | Brigade. | Regiment. | Brigade. | Regiment. | Brigade. | Regiment. | Brigade. | Regiment. | |
| Infantry. | 9 Res. | 8 Res. | 9 Res. | 8 Res. | 10 Res. | 8 Res. | 10 Res. | 8 Res. | 9 Res. | 8 Res. |
| 48 Res. | 48 Res. | 12 Res. | 12 Res. | 12 Res. | ||||||
| 10 Res. | 12 Res. | 10 Res. | 12 Res. | 48 Res. | 48 Res. | 48 Res. | ||||
| 52 Res. | 52 Res. | |||||||||
| 3 Res. Jag. Btn. | 3 Res. Jag. Btn. | |||||||||
| Cavalry. | 2 Res. Dragoon Rgt. (3 Sqns.). | 2 Res. Drag. Rgt. | 2 Res. Drag. Rgt. (?) (1 Sqn.). | 5 Sqn. 4 Drag. Rgt. | ||||||
| Artillery. | 5 Res. F. A. Rgt. (6 Btries.). | 5 Res. F. A. Rgt. | 5 Res. F. A. Rgt. | 90 Art. Command: | 90 Art. Command: | |||||
| 5 Res. F. A. Rgt. | 5 Res. F. A. Rgt. | |||||||||
| 4 Abt. 17 Res. Ft. A. Rgt. | ||||||||||
| 1086 Light Am. Col. | ||||||||||
| 1176 Light Am. Col. | ||||||||||
| 1202 Light Am. Col. | ||||||||||
| Engineers and Liaisons. | 4 Field Co. and 2 Res. Co. of the 2 Pion. Btn. No. 3. | 4 Field Co. and 2 Res. Co. of the 2 Pion. Btn. No. 3. | 4 Field Co. and 2 Res. Co. of the 2 Pion. Btn. No. 3. | (305) Pion. Btn.: | 505 Pion. Btn.: | |||||
| 5 Res. Pont. Engs. | 205 T. M. Co. | 4 Co. 3 Pions. | 4 Co. 3 Pions. | |||||||
| 5 Res. Tel. Detch. | 5 Res. Pont. Engs. | 2 Res. Co. 3 Pions. | 2 Res. Co. 3 Pions. | |||||||
| 5 Res. Tel. Detch. | 205 T. M. Co. | 205 T. M. Co. | ||||||||
| Tel. Detch. | 69 Searchlight Section. | |||||||||
| 405 Signal Command: | ||||||||||
| 405 Tel. Detch. | ||||||||||
| 44 Wireless Detch. | ||||||||||
| Medical and Veterinary. | 503 Ambulance Co. | 503 Ambulance Co. | ||||||||
| 64 Res. Field Hospital. | 64 Res. Field Hospital. | |||||||||
| 65 Res. Field Hospital. | 65 Res. Field Hospital. | |||||||||
| Vet. Hospital. | 135 Res. Vet. Hospital. | |||||||||
| Transports. | M. T. Col. | 705 M. T. Col. | ||||||||