1915.
Artois.
1. In April the 12th Division gave the 157th Infantry Regiment to the 117th Division, a new formation.
2. Toward the middle of June, 1915, the 6th Army Corps was relieved on the Rheims front and transferred to Artois. The 12th Division then occupied a sector to the south of Souchez, from which it was relieved toward the end of September. In the Souchez sector it took part in some very heavy engagements (1st to the 16th of July).
3. After a rather short rest period in the region of Cambrai, the division took its position in the sector which crosses the Somme (during the first half of October).
1916.
Somme.
1. On the 1st of July, 1916, the 12th Division received the entire weight of the English attack north of the Somme (sectors Contalmaison-Hardecourt) and suffered very heavily (losses 61.5 per cent).
2. It was relieved on July 12 and reorganized in the vicinity of Cambrai.
3. About the 20th of July the 12th Division again took part in the battle of the Somme (in the sector northeast of Pozières), where it suffered heavy losses.