HISTORY.
(50th: 5th District—Posen. 358th: 2d District—Pomerania. 363d: 8th District—Rhine Province.)
1916.
The 214th Division was formed in Lorraine in September, 1916. Two of its regiments came from the Ersatz Divisions—the 358th, former Brigade Ersatz Battalions Nos. 1, 2, 5, and 50; from the Ersatz Guard Division; the 363d, former Brigade Ersatz Battalions Nos. 29 (Aix la Chapelle), 30 (Coblentz), and 31 (Trèves), from the 8th Ersatz Division. These two regiments were for two years in the Haye. The 50th Infantry was taken from the 10th Division (Verdun front).
Somme.
1. Started for the Eastern Front September 10, 1916, but was stopped at Frankfort on Main and brought back to France to oppose the offensive on the Somme. Hastily engaged at Rancourt September 19–20, but lost that village. Lost heavily (600 prisoners) and was relieved October 2.
Bois le Prêtre.
2. From October 15 to November 25 the division held the Bois le Pretre sector.
Somme.
3. At the beginning of December it again went to the Somme in the region of Bapaume (Gueudecourt).