At the time of its formation the 52d Reserve Division was made up of one Rhenish Regiment and three from Baden; to-day it is entirely Rhenish.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
In May and June, 1917, the 52d Reserve Division held a very difficult sector south of Berry au Bac where it apparently lost very heavily. However, it acted like a good division.
During its rest in the vicinity of Vouziers, at the end of January, 1918, it was given very intensive training. It was considered as an attack division. (Interrogation of prisoners, February, 1918.)
1918.
Champagne.
1. The 52d Reserve Division was relieved by the 52d Division in the Tahure sector on January 10 and went to the vicinity of Vouziers, where it was intensively trained in open warfare.
2. Early in March it returned to line and relieved the 52d Division. It was relieved on the 23d of April by the 1st Bavarian Division.
Ypres.
3. It proceeded to march to Vouziers, where it entrained on the 28th and, traveling via Mezières-Signy-Hirson-Mons-Tournai, detrained at Mouscron on the 30th. On May 4 it marched to Wervicq, and on the following day moved into line via Warneton and Messines, relieving the 3d Guard Division in the Voormezeele sector (south of Ypres). In the fighting before Dickebusch on the 8th heavy losses were suffered. It was withdrawn about the 25th, and went to rest near Menin.