RECRUITING.
Prussian Saxony and part of Thuringia.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
At Tahure in October, 1915, and at Verdun the division obtained only mediocre results in spite of heavy losses. “This division seems to be rather a sector division than a shock unit.”
1918.
Rethel.
1. On January 14 the division was relieved by the 14th Bavarian Division and sent to Wassigny (north of Rethel) to rest and train. On March 14 it started by night marches toward St. Quentin, bivouacking in the woods by day and avoiding all villages. The itinerary followed was Dezy le Gros-Bucy les Pierrepont-Marle-Origny et Mesnil-St. Laurent, where it arrived March 21.
Battle of Picardy.
2. From the 22d to the 28th the division was in army reserve. It followed the general advance through Itancourt, Essigny, Grand Serancourt, St. Simon, Golancourt, Muirancourt, and Candor. On March 29 it relieved the 1st Bavarian Division west of Lassigny, where it attacked on the day following. It suffered such heavy losses that it was hastily relieved on the night of March 31-April 1.