Battle of the Lys.
1. The division held the Armentieres sector until it was relieved about March 22 by the 32d Division. On April 9 it reenforced the battle front near Merris. It was engaged in heavy fighting, and between April 9 and 16 the losses of the division amounted to 50 per cent of the strength. On April 17 it was relieved by the 12th Division.
2. The division came in on the quiet Lens sector on April 25–26, relieving the 220th Division. It held the sector until June 25, when it was relieved by the 36th Reserve Division and moved to the region southwest of Soissons, where on June 30 it relieved the 14th Division. It suffered from the French attack of July 18, losing 1,400 prisoners. It was withdrawn about July 22.
3. The division rested nearly a month undergoing reconstitution by elements from the dissolved 211th Division. The 390th Regiment was completely merged with the 42d Division. From Laon the division moved to Rethel.
Champagne.
4. From its entry into the Champagne line on August 22 in relief of the 28th Division until October 1 it was engaged in resisting the French offensive operations in Champagne, during which period it lost about 2,000 prisoners. The division was withdrawn on October 1. After two weeks in the second line the division returned to line about October 14 near Olizy. It continued in line until the armistice. After November 3 the division was opposite the left flank of the American front.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The division was rated as third class. It was used as an attack division in the Lys offensive, but thereafter was employed solely on the defensive. The division had a good composition with a large percentage of men of the younger classes.