The division (Fifth District) was recruited in Lower Silesia, where the German population is much more numerous than the Polish population. Although it received men from the Second and Third Districts in 1913 and men from the Seventh District in 1916, it could without great difficulty get all its men from its original territory. Its replacements come almost entirely from Lower Silesia, and in emergency from Silesia. It is more homogeneous than the 10th Division, where the Polish elements have to be balanced off by Germans.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
Among the various German units which were engaged in front of Verdun and at Californie Plateau, the 9th Division was one of those which showed the least resistance.
1918.
1. The division was relieved on the Chemin des Dames front on December 29 and went to rest and train in the Guise area until the middle of March, when it proceeded to the battle front.
Battle of Picardy.
2. It was at Marcyon March 20. On the 21st it followed up the attack without being engaged through Happencourt, Artemps, Tugny, Dury, Pithon, Ham, and Nesle (Mar. 25). It was engaged on the 26th near Roye and advanced by Montdidier to west of Mesnil-St. Georges March 27–28. Its attack of March 30 on Ayencourt-Royancourt met with heavy losses.
Montdidier.
3. The division was withdrawn on April 1 for a short rest, during which it received a draft of 400 men. It returned to line southwest of Montdidier and was in line from April 5 to 8.
4. Until the 18th it was in reserve near La Boissiere and later near Nesle until April 24.