RECRUITING.
The 13th Division is a Westphalian Division, in addition to contingents from the two principalities of Lippe. These were even mentioned with honor in the German communique of July 1, 1917, a thing which would ordinarily be sufficient to identify the division.
It is manifest, however, that in 1917 the provincial character of the division had been very much changed. The replacements of September (1918 class) were taken from the recruit depots nearby (5th Reserved Division, 29th Division, 103d Division), and introduced, especially in the 15th Infantry Regiment, men from Brandenburg, Baden, and Thuringia. Some Westphalians came in October, but they were mostly older men (classes 1892 to 1903 of the Landsturm), coming from Landsturm battalion of the 7th Corps District.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
In the Somme battle (September, 1916) the 13th Division put up a vigorous defense and did not yield any ground.
On the Aisne (June-July, 1916) its combat value was just as great; it attacked vigorously and put up a stubborn resistance to our counterattacks. Besides that, it is mentioned in the German communiques: September, 1916, for its valor on the Somme, December 20, 1916, and January 25, 1917 (Hill 304); January 29, 1917, the 15th and the 13th Infantry Regiments are praised for their heroic resistance. It may be considered as a good division.
It must be noticed, however, that on October 23, on the Chemin des Dames, in spite of stringent orders to hold its position, the 13th Division put up very little resistance; units surrendered en masse with their officers.
The 55th Infantry Regiment is probably only of mediocre worth since its reconstruction after the battle of Malmaison.
1918.
1. The division was relieved from the Verdun front about February 6 and went to rest in the vicinity of Arlon, and after February 15 at Valenciennes and Mons. It marched to the Somme front in four nights, and then rested at Clary for two days.