The 38th Division is a good division.
As a rule it gave a good account of itself in the numerous battles in which it took part. On June 13, 1916, however, at the Mort Homme, the 94th Infantry Regiment is said to have refused to go over the top (letter).
The heavy losses which it suffered at the end of 1917 in the course of the attack upon Ypres, were made up by the replacements composed, for the most part, of the 1918 class.
This element did not have a good effect upon the morale of the division.
1918.
Battle of the Lys.
1. The division remained in Passchendaele area until its relief by the 58th Division about April 5. It rested in the Lille area until the night of April 15–16 when it entered the line at Meteren to reenforce the battle line. It was withdrawn about May 8.
2. The division rested at Provin after May 12. It entered line north of Givenchy on May 21 and held that sector until July 5, when it was relieved by the 1st Guard Reserve Division. It rested at Lille until August 6, when it was alerted and railed to Cambrai, remaining there until August 9. The division moved from Cambrai by motor trucks on August 10 and came into line on the battle front near Lihons on the same day.
Somme.
3. Until September 22, the division was engaged in resisting the allied advance. It held a sector south of Chaulnes until August 20, when it retired to the St. Christ area (22d). After the 8th of September the division was falling back in a northeasterly direction by Péronne toward Le Catelet. It was withdrawn from line near Hargicourt on September 22.