Noyon.
6. On August 29 it came into line and held the sector Mont St. Simeon-Baboeuf. The division resisted the French attack until September 3, when it fell back slowly toward the Crozat Canal, offering resistance at Behericourt-Baboeuf (4th), Cuivry-Caillouel-Crepigny-Bethancourt (5th), and Villequier Aumont (6th). It was relieved on the night of September 7–8 by the 11th Division and rested at Ribemont and then farther north in the billets at Fontaine Notre Dame, Regny, and Homblieres.
St. Quentin.
7. From September 10 to 12 the division was relieving the 75th Reserve Division in the sector Castres-Contescourt-Hill 98. The division held in this vicinity until September 28 when the British advance north of St. Quentin compelled it to retreat. Between October 2 and 5 the division held the line Harley-Neuville-St. Amand. On the 8th it was again forced to retreat. The division was relieved on October 15–16. In this fighting the division lost at least one-third of its effectives. The battalion had but three companies, and the effective strength of the infantry companies averaged about 35. The entire division had but about 1,300 infantry combatants.
8. After its relief by the 18th Division on the night of October 15–16, the division remained near the front at Grand Verly, Hannappes, and Lesquielles. It was suddenly alerted on October 17 and obliged to return to support the 18th Division west of Petit Verly. It put up a stiff resistance on October 18, but was thrown back east of the Sambre Canal, losing a large number of prisoners.
In the closing week the division was at Favril (5th), Marvilles (6th).
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The division was rated as second class. It was heavily engaged at Kemmel in April, after which it did not appear in an active front until the autumn. The division resisted the Allied advance on the St. Quentin area in September and October with great tenacity.