5. Relieved on September 25 and entraining on the 27th at Rechicourt, the division was transferred to Champagne, where it occupied the sector Nogent-l’Abbesse (Nov. 11 to beginning of February, 1918).
RECRUITING.
The 25th Reserve Division is recruited from the Grand Duchy of Hesse, the Electorate of Hesse, and Hesse-Nassau. At times replacements were furnished from the Rhine districts, including the Grand Duchy of Baden (especially in 1916).
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
The 25th Reserve Division put up a splendid defense against the French at the time of the attack on August 20, 1917.
It was an excellent organization at the outbreak of the campaign, but it seems (in spite of recent assertions of prisoners that it is still unfit to attack and was put in the fourth class, Arbeits Division) that the 25th Reserve Division, although it is exhausted by too long stays in line, is capable of rendering services even on an active front. Therefore it must be considered as a good division of the second class until more detailed information is received (Mar. 30, 1918).
1918.
1. The 25th Reserve Division was relieved by the 21st Division in the Nogent-l’Abbesse sector on February 6, and went to the Vouziers area, where it was put through a course of training, but not in open warfare.
Aisne.
2. On the 20th it relieved the 10th Reserve Division near Juvincourt (northwest of Rheims); it was withdrawn on April 11.