In 1917 the division took on a distinctly provincial aspect, its regiments receiving replacements from Prussian Saxony (the 36th Fusileers and the 66th Infantry) and in Thuringe (the 32d Reserve Regiment).
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
The 113th Division was a good unit. It put up an energetic resistance on the Chemin des Dames on May 5, 1917. From that time up to the offensive of March, 1918, it had not been seriously engaged.
1918.
1. Having finished its training in the Sissonne region, the 113th Division relieved the 235th Division about the middle of January in the Juvincourt sector (east of Craonne), and was itself relieved by the 5th Reserve Division on the 21st of February. It trained for a week at Vervins, and then moved to Wassigny, where it underwent more training until the 16th of March, when it marched via Bohain and Fonsommes to Bellicourt.
St. Quentin.
2. On the 21st it attacked in the first line near Maissemy (northwest of St. Quentin). Although suffering very heavy losses, the division had succeeded in pushing on as far as St. Christ-Briost and Pargny (on the Somme) on the 24th. It was withdrawn shortly after (probably on the 26th).
Aisne.
3. On the 27th of May the division reenforced the Aisne front near Craonne and attacked in the first line. It was withdrawn about the 14th of June and went to rest near Conde sur Aisne (east of Soissons).
4. The division reenforced the front near Troissy (east of Dormans) on the 15th of July. It was caught in the confusion caused by the Allied counteroffensive, and was forced to retire. It was not identified after the 22d, and so it seems as though it was not in line after that date until prisoners were again taken on the 29th near Villers-Agron (southeast of Fere en Tardenois), which is in a line almost due north of where it had previously been engaged. Here it took over the part of the line previously held by the 2d Guard Division. It was withdrawn early in August and went to rest in the region southeast of Maubeuge.