4. About the 23d of September the 16th Division was sent to rest in the Bruges area.
Ypres.
At the beginning of October it was sent to the Ypres front.
Some elements were engaged on October 3 and 4 against the British attacks east of Zonnebeke. On October 6 the division went to the southeast of Poelcappelle and supported the local offensives, against the British troops (Oct. 9–12).
The 16th Division remained behind the front from October 12 to November 24.
At this date it took over the sector north of Becelaere and a short time afterwards that of Passchendaele (east), where it was relieved about the middle of January, 1918.
RECRUITING.
The 16th Division is recruited almost exclusively from the Rhine Provinces.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
Before being engaged on the Somme the 16th Division had gained a wonderful reputation. It was known as the “Iron Division.” In the battle of the Somme it did not, however, distinguish itself in any way.