The 221st Division was formed in the Ardennes (vicinity of Mouzon) in October, 1916, by taking the 41st Infantry Regiment from the 1st Division, the 60th Reserve Infantry Regiment (21st Corps District) from the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division, and the 1st Reserve Ersatz Regiment (Guard Depots) from the 1st Reserve Ersatz Brigade.
Somme.
1. A short time after its formation the 221st Division was transferred south of the Somme. On October 21–23 it went into line east of Berny; it remained there during the entire winter of 1916–17 and launched only a few local attacks.
1917.
Hindenburg Line.
1. At the end of March, 1917, the division withdrew with the German Army to the new positions on the Hindenburg Line, northwest of St. Quentin.
Artois.
2. Relieved about April 8, it rested for 10 days near Tournai, and on April 27 went into line in the sector of Guémappe-Monchy le Preux (southeast of Arras). It was seriously engaged against the British offensive until May 8–9.
3. About May 28 it returned to the Hindenburg Line between Moeuvres and Havrincourt.