7. Sent to rest in the Stenay area on December 22, the 19th Reserve Division occupied the Chaume wood sector on January 15, 1918. It was still there at the beginning of March.
RECRUITING.
The 19th Reserve Division is recruited from the 10th Corps District (Hanover, Oldenburg, Brunswick). There are few elements foreign to the district.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
During the French offensive on the Chemin des Dames on April 16 the 19th Reserve Division gave the impression of having energetic and intelligent leadership. The attitude of the men was generally good.
The division suffered enormous losses on the Aisne.
The quality of the replacements received and its stay on the Russian front have diminished the value of this division, which was a good combat unit.
The presence of a certain number of Poles and Alsatians must be noted who are inclined to desertion (67 deserters from the 73d Reserve Infantry Regiment on Sept. 28, 1917). (November, 1917.)
1918.
1. About April 6 the division was relieved and moved to Belgium, entering line at Dixmude on April 17.