1918.
Battle of the Lys.
1. The northern sector was a fairly quiet front in the winter months and the division remained in line here until just before the German offensive on the Lys of April 9. Prior to this attack all of the division but one battalion of the 76th Reserve Regiment was withdrawn and sent hurriedly to the vicinity of Messines. It attacked there with other German divisions on the morning of April 9 under orders to take Messines by the evening of the 10th and to push ahead as far as possible. It gained considerable ground at heavy cost. Elements of the 7th Division relieved part of the 17th Reserve Division a few days later, but the bulk of the division remained in line until about April 22, when it was relieved by the 13th Reserve Division and the 19th Reserve Division.
2. On April 24 the division arrived in the Maldeghem area for a long rest. While there the divisional and the brigade commanders were decorated for their part in the Lys offensive. Death notices published in the German newspapers disclosed the death of two battalion and many company commanders on the Lys. While at rest the division went through courses of training. On June 4 it entrained at Eecloo and moved via Mons and Marle to Tergnier. At this time the Noyon offensive (June 9) was being organized. The division marched at night to Boulogne la Grasse (10th) and went into line on the evening of the 11th near Mery, relieving the 227th Division.
Oise.
3. The division was in heavy fighting immediately and suffered severely in the successful French counteroffensive of June 16.
Battle of the Matz.
4. The French attack in August threw the division back on Canny sur Matz and later north of Fresnieres. It passed to second line about August 31, but was reengaged on September 5 at Esmery-Hallon. It suffered heavy losses and was taken out on September 9.
5. The division was moved to Lorraine, where it rested a month and returned to Le Cateau on October 10.
6. The division was engaged at Le Cateau on October 11 and resisted the British attack until November 3. It fought near Le Cateau (Oct. 18), Bazuel (21st), Forest (23d), Landrecies (24th), and Bois L’Eveque (Oct. 27). The division received the men of the 265th Reserve Regiment (108th Division) as a draft in October.