Brandenburg.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
The 6th Reserve Division, a short time after its return from the Eastern Front, was considered about as follows: “Its value is mediocre. In spite of its units from Brandenburg and the recent creation of shock troops, its long stay in Russia has greatly depreciated its fighting value” (July 11, 1917).
This judgment was completely verified August 20, 1917: “The 6th Reserve Division on the whole opposed no resistance to the French attack of August 20 at any point. * * * The conduct of a good number of its officers seems not to have been edifying. A good many seized the pretext of intoxication or gave unsatisfactory reasons for withdrawing to the rear” (October, 1917).
The German command thought best to send this division back to the Eastern Front (September, 1917).
1918.
France.
The 6th Reserve Division entrained at Zborow the evening of March 8, and traveled via Sokal-Brest Litovsk-Varsovia-Kaliscz-Lissa-Gorlitz-Bautzen-Dresden-Leipsic-Weimar-Erfurth-Eisenach-Bebra-Fulda-Hanau-Frankfort-Mainz-Kreuznach-Thionville-Sedan to Balhain (northeast of Asfeld), where it arrived March 15.
The division rested at Villers (near Asfeld) until the 25th of March, when it reentrained and traveled to Crécy sur Serre. From there it marched via Mesbrecourt-Pouilly sur Serre-La Fère-Liez-Commonchon to the area northeast of Noyon, and remained in reserve for some days. Elements of the division came into line west of Chauny at the end of March, but were soon withdrawn. About the 1st of April the whole division marched to Roye and remained there until the 15th, when it continued its march via Erches and Arvillers to Plessier, relieving the 2d Guard Division southwest of Moreuil May 1.
The beginning of August it was relieved by the 24th Division and shortly after it was dissolved and the men composing it were sent as drafts to the 5th and 6th Divisions.