In general the morale of the 52d Division has appeared rather high. In the sector of Juvincourt (April to July, 1917) the troops of the division showed nerve and dash in the course of the local operations in which they took part.
The division had few losses until the month of September.
However, it lost heavily on October 23 (the battle of La Malmaison), especially the 170th Infantry Regiment.
1918.
Champagne.
1. The 52d Division, which had been resting near Vouziers since December 15, relieved the 52d Reserve Division near Tahure (northeast of Suippes) on the 10th of January. During the time the division held this sector the elements not actually in the front line were being trained in open warfare. Early in March it was relieved by the 52d Reserve Division and went to the Vouziers area, where it received still more intensive training in the war of movement.
Picardy.
2. The division entrained near Vouziers on the 22d of March, and detrained on the following day near Bohain. On the 24th it left and marched via Fresnoy le Grand-Holnon wood (26th)-Bethenicourt (27th)-Etalon-Liancourt-Fosse to Fresnoy les Roye. It relieved the 28th Division near Hangest en Santerre (northwest of Montdidier) on the 28th. It was relieved by the 76th Reserve Division on the 14th of April and went to rest in the Sedan area.
Aisne.
3. Here it was thoroughly reconstituted. It entrained on the 22d of May, arriving at La Malmaison (southeast of Laon) the same day. On the 26th it went into line near Juvincourt (east of Craonne), and took part in the initial attack on the following day. It crossed the Aisne between Pontavert and Gernicourt; proceeding via Bouvancourt and Guyancourt, it crossed the Vesle at Jonquery on the 28th, reached Faverolles on the 29th, Olizy on the 31st, and the Marne, in the region of Verneuil, on June 2. The division was at first ordered to cross the same day, but the order was subsequently rescinded. It was withdrawn, after having suffered severely, about the 10th, and was reported to be at rest in the Sedan area on the 15th. On the 20th it was reported in reserve in the Tournai region.