Chapter XXI: Part 21

3. On October 20 the 39th Division was relieved from the Verdun front and transferred to the Somme. On the 29th it occupied the sector of Sailly Saillisel. In the attack of Sailly Saillisel by the French troops the three regiments of the division were all put into line simultaneously and acted especially with the assault troops. In these battles the losses of the division were very great (an average of 80 men per company). In the 126th Infantry Regiment, the 4th Company received at least 82 men as replacements between November 16 and 23; the 3d Company, 106 men.

VERDUN.

4. Withdrawn from the Somme, about November 11, the 39th Division was again sent to Verdun. Between December 8 and December 12 it went into the sector between the Louvemont road and the Chaufour wood and there sustained our attack of December 15. It was relieved on the 20th, very much exhausted, and went for reorganization near Vouziers.

1917.

ARGONNE.

1. About January 10, 1917, the division went into line in the sector of Ville sur Tourbe (Argonne). It was withdrawn at the beginning of March. In the course of this month, it was engaged in Champagne, in the attack of March 27 at Cernay en Dormois. It remained in the sector of Massiges until the beginning of May.

CHAMPAGNE.

2. It then went to the vicinity of Rheims (Loivre-Berry au Bac sector) from May 11 to the beginning of July.

ARTOIS.

3. Sent to rest near Asfeld, it then went into line west of Fontaine les Croisilles (middle of July). Withdrawn from the Arras front, it occupied the Loos sector in September.

FLANDERS.

4. At the end of October, it went to Flanders, Passchendaele sector, then Becelaere sector.

ARTOIS.

5. At the end of November, it was again in Artois, north of La Bassee Canal, a position which it was still occupying February, 1918.

RECRUITING.

The 171st and 172d Infantry Regiments are recruited in the Rhine District, in the widest sense of the word (Grand Duchy of Baden, Rhenish Hesse, Rhine Province), and from Westphalia.

The 126th Infantry Regiment, in Alsace since 1871, represents the participation of Wurttemberg in the guard of the Reichsland. Besides its maintenance by the younger recruiting classes, at the end of 1916 it took some of the best elements from the 123d, 125th, and 126th Landwehr Regiments (young Landsturm classes, then having at least 20 to 22 months of service).

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

In spite of its relatively high losses, the 39th Division did well on the Somme (October to November, 1916). During its second engagement at Verdun, the Division was much less brilliant. Its resistance was weak (December, 1916).

1918.

LA BASSEE.

1. During the night of February 25–26 the 39th Division was relieved by the 44th Reserve Division and went to rest near Sequedin (west of Lille), where it is presumed to have been trained in open warfare.

PICARDY.

2. About the middle of March, when the Germans were concentrating their reserves on the Cambrai-St. Quentin front, the 39th Division left the Lille area for the Cambrai front. On the 21st of March, when the initial attack was delivered, the 39th Division was in reserve to the 20th Division and only came into action on the evening of that day, at Beaumetz (west of Cambrai). Encountering fighting of the severest kind, the division had to be withdrawn to reserve by the evening of the 23d.

3. The division reappeared in line on the 28th and continued to make slow progress until it reached the area south of Hebuterne (west of Bapaume). It was relieved on the 6th of April by the 26th Division and went to rest in the Cambrai area.

LYS.

4. It left this area about the 12th and marched by stages to the Lys battle front, arriving on the 17th in the Estaires area (west of Lille). The German attacks in this area had been successfully held up by the British by this time and the division was not immediately required. On the 30th it came into line northwest of Merville (west of Lille) and relieved the 12th Reserve Division. The division was not heavily engaged in this sector; it was relieved by the 44th Reserve Division on May 26 and went to rest in the vicinity of Lille.

5. On the 3d of July it relieved the 48th Reserve Division in the Vieux Berquin sector (east of Hazebrouck), and was relieved by the 187th Division during the night of July 13–14. It went to the Haubourdin area (southwest of Lille) and there received training as an assault division.

ARRAS.

6. During the night of August 2–3 it relieved the 185th Division south of Neuville-Vitasse (south of Arras). In the heavy fighting that followed the division lost over 1,300 prisoners and was driven back as far as Cherisy, where it was withdrawn on the 30th and went to rest near Aniches (east of Douai).

CAMBRAI.

7. On September 18 the division reenforced the front near Ecourt-St. Quentin (northwest of Cambrai). It was driven back as far as Palluel, where it was relieved by the 58th Division on the 28th.

YPRES.

9. The division entrained at Roulers and detrained at Menin, entering line east of Gheluvelt (north of Menin) all on the same day. About the 25th of October it was withdrawn from line near Vichte (east of Courtrai) to which point it had been driven back. It rested then for about a week in the region of Audenarde.

10. During the night of October 31-November 1 the division relieved the 23d Reserve Division in the Nukerke sector (south of Audenarde); it was identified in line there on the 9th and was probably still there on the 11th.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 39th is rated as a second-class division. With the exception of a statement in the German communique of October 2, that the 132d Regiment had displayed “unusual fighting ability” in the operations north of Menin, there is nothing to show that the division had distinguished itself in any way in the fighting during 1918.

39th Bavarian Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────
│ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────
Infantry. │1 Bav. Ers. │1 Bav. Ers. │1 Bav. Ers. │1 Bav. Ers.
│ │3 Bav. Ers. │ │3 Bav. Ers.
│ │81 Ldw. │9 Bav. Ers. │5 Bav. Ers.
│52 Ldw. │80 Ldw. │ │15 Bav. Ldw.
│ │29 Ers. │ │
│ 8 Jag. Btn. │ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────
Cavalry. │ │1 Sqn. 2 Chev. Rgt.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Artillery. │1 Ers. Abt. 51 Rgt. │10 Bav. Res. Rgt.
│ │5 Mountain Gun Abt.
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Engineers and│ │2 Ers. Co. 1 Pion.
Liaisons. │ │
│ │410 T. M. Co.
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Medical and │ │
Veterinary.│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Transports. │ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Attached. │1 Ldst. Btn. Duren. │8 Jag. Btn. (2d Cyc. Co.).
│8th Corps No. 18. │1 Ldst. Btn. Rosenheim (1
│ │ Bav. Corps No. 4).
│ │Ldst. Btn. Landshut (1 Bav.
│ │ Corps No. 7).
│ │Ldst. Btn. Esslingen (13
│ │ Corps No. 18).
│ │Ldst. Btn. Passau 2 (1 Bav.
│ │ Corps No. 6).
─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────

─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────
Infantry. │1 Bav. Ers. │1 Bav. Ers. │1 Bav. Ers. │1 Bav. Ers.
│ │2 Bav. Ers. │ │2 Bav. Ers.
│ │5 Bav. Ers. │ │5 Bav. Ers.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────
Cavalry. │1 Sqn. 2 Chev. Rgt. │1 Sqn. 2 Bav. Light Cav. Rgt.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Artillery. │Artillery Command: │11 Bav. Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ 10 Bav. Res. Rgt. │111 Bav. Light Am. Col.
│ │112 Bav. Light Am. Col.
│ │165 Bav. Light Am. Col.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Engineers and│23 Bav. Pion. Btn.: │23 Bav. Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 20 Bav. Res. Pion. Co. │ 20 Bav. Res. Pion. Co.
│ 21 Bav. Res. Pion. Co. │ 21 Bav. Res. Pion. Co.
│ 410 T. M. Co. │ 23 Bav. Searchlight Section.
│ 9 Bav. Searchlight Section. │ 9 Bav. Searchlight Section.
│ 430 Bav. Tel. Detch. │439 Bav. Signal Command:
│ │ 439 Bav. Tel. Detch.
│ │ 105 Bav. Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Medical and │524 Ambulance Co. │20 Bav. Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│2 Bav. Field Hospital. │2 Bav. Field Hospital.
│24 Bav. Vet. Hospital. │51 Bav. Field Hospital.
│227 Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Transports. │40, 41, and 49 Bav. Light │
│ Mun. Cols. │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Attached. │1 Ldst. Btn. │
│Ldst. Btn. Mosbach I (14 │
│ Corps No. 1). │
│Ldst. Btn. Passau II (1 Bav. │
│ Corps No. 6). │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────

HISTORY.

(Bavaria.)

1915.

ALSACE.

1. The 39th Bavarian Reserve Division was formed in February, 1915, on the Alsace front in the vicinity of Ste. Marie aux Mines. (See 30th Bavarian Reserve Division.)

It then comprised the 52d Landwehr Brigade, consisting of the 80th Landwehr Regiment and 29th Ersatz Regiment (since become the 61st), and the 1st Bavarian Ersatz Brigade (81st Landwehr Regiment, 3d and 1st Bavarian Ersatz Regiments). After October, 1915, we find them officially designated “Bavarian.”

2. During 1915 and until the beginning of November, 1916, the 39th Bavarian Reserve Division occupied the sector included between the Ban de Sapt and Ste. Marie aux Mines. The elements of the division took part in several local attacks in this region (south of Lusse in February, 1915; at La Fontenelle in June and July, 1915).

1916.

ALSACE.

1. 1916 same sector of Alsace (Ban de Sapt and Ste. Marie aux Mines).

2. In March, 1916, the composition of the 39th Bavarian Reserve Division was modified—the 81st Landwehr Regiment was replaced by the 15th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment, coming from the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division. In July the division comprised the 1st Bavarian Ersatz Brigade (1st and 3d Bavarian Ersatz Regiments) and the 9th Bavarian Ersatz Brigade (the 15th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment and the 5th Bavarian Ersatz Regiment, the latter having been formed in July).

3. In October the 3d Bavarian Ersatz Regiment was assigned to the 9th Bavarian Reserve Division and the 29th Ersatz Regiment to the 223d Division, both being new formations. From that time on the 39th Bavarian Reserve Division was entirely Bavarian.

In November the 15th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment went over to the 30th Bavarian Reserve Division, which sent the 2d Bavarian Ersatz Regiment in its place to the 39th Bavarian Reserve Division.

VERDUN.

4. Relieved from its sector in the Vosges about November 6, 1916, the 39th Bavarian Reserve Division was sent to the Verdun front in the vicinity of Vaux. It underwent the French attack of December 15, during which certain of its units (5th Bavarian Ersatz Regiment) suffered heavily. It was withdrawn on December 17.

1917.

ALSACE.

1. In the middle of January, 1917, the 39th Bavarian Reserve Division was sent back to its former sector in the vicinity of Ste. Marie aux Mines (Wisembach, Lusse, Provenchères) which it occupied from then on without changing.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

Except in December, 1916, at Verdun, the 39th Bavarian Reserve Division has always occupied the same sector of the Vosges. Its combat value appears mediocre.

The average age of the men in the 1st and 5th Bavarian Ersatz Regiments is between 30 and 40 years (April to July, 1918).

In February and March, 1918, all the younger elements (20 to 26 years) were withdrawn from the division and sent to active and reserve regiments.

1918.

ALSACE.

1. The 39th Bavarian Reserve Division was still in its sector in Alsace, northwest of Ste. Marie aux Mines, on the 11th of November.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

It is rated as a fourth-class division. Most of the men are old, the younger men having been combed out in February and March to be sent to other organizations, and although the companies are large—the average ration strength seems to be 200 men—the division has very little combat value.

40th Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │88. │104. │88. │104. │88. │104.
│ │181. │ │181. │ │181.
│89. │133. │89. │133. │ │134.
│ │134. │ │134. │ │
│ 13 Jag. Btn. │ 13 Jag. Btn. │ 13 Jag. Btn.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Cavalry. │19 Hus. Rgt. │19 Hus. Rgt. │19 Hus. Rgt. (3
│ │ │ Sqns.).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │40 Brig.: │40 Brig.: │40 Brig.:
│ │ │
│ 32 Rgt. │ 32 Rgt. │ 32 Rgt.
│ 68 Rgt. │ 68 Rgt. │ 68 Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 and 2 Field Cos. │1 and 2 Field Cos. │1 and 2 Cos. 1
Liaisons. │ 1 Pions. No. 32. │ 1 Pion. No. 22. │ Pion. No. 22.
│ │40 Pont. Engs. │ 40 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │40 Tel. Detch. │ 40 Pont. Engs.
│ │ │ 40 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │Anti-Aircraft
│ │ │ Detch.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │88. │104. │88. │104.
│ │181. │ │134.
│ │134. │ │181.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2 Sqn. 19 Hus. Rgt.│2 Sqn. 19 Hus. Rgt.
│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │40 Artillery │40 Art. Command:
│ Command: │
│ 32 Rgt. │ 32 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 403 Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ 877 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 960 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1408 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│141 Pion. Btn.: │141 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 1 and 3 Cos. 22 │ 3 Co. 22 Pions.
│ Pions. │
│ 40 T. M. Co. │ 54 Res. Pion. Co.
│ 310 Searchlight. │ 40 T. M. Co.
│ 40 Tel. Detch. │ 131 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ │40 Signal Command:
│ │ 40 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 171 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │48 Saxon Ambulance │48 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ Co. │
│306, 309 Field │306 Field Hospital.
│ Hospitals. │
│Vet. Hospital. │309 Field Hospital.
│ │40 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │Light Mun. Col. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │
│ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(19th Corps District—Saxony.)

1914.

BELGIUM-MARNE.

1. The 40th Division (4th Saxon) formed, with the 24th Division (2d Saxon), the 19th Army Corps, which, at the outbreak of the war, was a part of the 3d Army (Von Hausen). Detraining north of Trèves August 10–12, the division entered the north of Luxemburg on the 13th, Belgium on the 18th. It crossed the Meuse on the 23d above Dinant, and entered France by way of Fumay. It fought on August 30 at Chesnois, reached Semide on September 1, Somme Py on September 2, Châlons on September 4. On liaison with the right wing of the 4th Army, it took part in the battle of the Marne west of Vitry le François. After the battle it retired to Souain.

FLANDERS.

2. At the beginning of October the 19th Army Corps was transferred to Lille. It belonged to the 6th Army (Crown Prince of Bavaria). Attacked by the British troops, it was forced back upon the line between Ploegsteert wood and Grenier wood.

At the end of October the 9th Company of the 107th Infantry Regiment (24th Division) had only 38 men left (letter).

1915.

1. In 1915 and until August 1916 the two divisions of the 19th Army Corps were retained in the zone of Ploegsteert and Grenier wood.

2. Elements of the 40th Division were sent as reenforcements in the battles of Neuve Chapelle (March 1915), of Festubert (May to June 1915) and upon the occasion of the Franco-British offensives in Artois (La Bassee-Souchez, June to October 1915). In March 1915, the 40th Division was definitely reduced to three regiments, having given the 133d Infantry Regiment to the 24th Division.

1916.

SOMME.

1. On August 8, 1916, the 40th Division took part in the battle of the Somme in the region north of Pozières. It was in violent battles and was withdrawn, very much exhausted.

ARTOIS.

2. At the end of August, it went from the Somme front to the sector of Neuve Chapelle-La Bassée Canal, where it remained for six weeks.

SOMME.

3. About the middle of October, it returned to the Somme (sector north of Le Sars-Butte de Warlencourt) for a second period of three weeks during which its losses were again very heavy (the total losses of the 40th Division in August and October on the Somme were 6,127 men).

On October 30, the 7th Company of the 104th Infantry Regiment received at least 75 men as replacements (1917 class) who had had only three months of service.

4. Relieved from the Somme, the Division went into the sector of St. Eloi-Messines about November 11.

1917.

1. The division left the Messines front about March 26, before the beginning of the British offensive at Arras, and remained at rest in the area of Renaix.

FLANDERS.

2. It returned to line on April 23 in the same sector, and was subjected to the artillery preparation for the battle of Messines, which caused it extremely heavy losses. The 104th Infantry Regiment lost 224 men as prisoners.

On June 7, the first day of the attack, it was withdrawn from the front and sent to rest in the vicinity of Bruges and Thielt until July 19.

3. On July 22 it went into line north of Ypres in the sector of Steenstraat-Het-Sas. It suffered the bombardment in the attack of July 31.

ST. QUENTIN.

4. After a rest, in the course of which it was reorganized, it spent several weeks in the sector of Itancourt, in the vicinity of St. Quentin. During the months of August and September it received 2,300 men as replacements. A large number came from the Russian front (244th Reserve Infantry Regiment, 350th Landwehr Regiment, the 19th Landsturm Battalion from the garrison of Posen; besides these, Saxons were withdrawn from the 428th Infantry Regiment and the 8th Landsturm).

FLANDERS.

5. On October 12 the 40th Division was transferred to Flanders for a second time. From October 17 to 27 it occupied the sector of Langewaade- Zevecoten, northeast of Bixschoote, and there underwent the attack of October 27, which again caused it heavy losses.

RUSSIA.

6. The division was then sent to Russia, where it arrived at the end of November. It was there assigned to the 10th Army and took up its position south of Smorgoni, where it still was at the beginning of January, 1918.

RECRUITING.

The 40th Division is purely Saxon.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The attitude of the division has generally been passive (especially during the attack of July 31, 1917, north of Ypres).

In the 104th Infantry Regiment (July 22–28) the men scattered under fire, sometimes with their noncommissioned officers, and fled to a distance of 8 kilometers behind the front.

The same thing happened for the period October 17–27. In the 134th Infantry Regiment, which was considered the best regiment of the division, one-half of the 6th Company left the front line on October 24.

Only the assault detachment offered any energetic resistance on October 27, 1917.

1918.

RUSSIA.

1. The 40th Division was identified in the region of Lake Narotch-Niemen for the last time on the 15th of January. It then went into reserve in the vicinity of Vilna.

FRANCE.

2. The division was not identified between the 4th of February, when it was stated as being “on the Eastern front,” and the 20th of March, when it was in Lorraine. It very probably came from the East about the end of February.

WOEVRE.

3. On April 15 it relieved the 4th Bavarian Division near Regnieville (west of Pont à Mousson). During this time whenever units were out of line they were intensively trained. It was withdrawn on June 1, its place being taken by the 183d Division.

MARNE.

4. The division entrained at Jaulny the following day and traveled via Rembercourt-Waville-Onville-Chambley-Mars la Tour-Jarny-Conflans- Montmedy-Sedan-Mézières-Rethel, detraining at Asfeld la Ville on the 3d. On the 16th it relieved the 2d Guard Division near Troësnes. This sector was a quiet one until the beginning of the Allied counteroffensive of July 18. The 40th Division was caught in this drive and was driven northward. On the 24th it was relieved by the Bavarian Ersatz Division and went to rest near Oisy le Verger (northwest of Cambrai).

ARRAS.

5. On the 22d of August the division entered line near Courcelles le Comte (south of Arras), counterattacking the same day. It was withdrawn on the 31st.

YPRES.

6. After a short rest near Roubaix, it relieved the 236th Division southeast of Ypres on September 10. After losing nearly 1,300 prisoners, the division was withdrawn from line near Wervicq, October 8, and went to the Courtrai area, where it rested six days.

7. On the 15th it reenforced the front near Gulleghem (northeast of Menin). It was withdrawn from line in the Vichte sector (east of Courtrai), about the 26th.

8. On November 8 the division returned to line near Avelghem (northeast of Roubaix), and was still in line on the 11th.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

Until 1918 the 40th (Saxon) Division had been considered as being a second-class unit. It was soon noticed that practically all Saxon troops were not fighting as well as before, and this was particularly true of the 40th Division, for although its men were young and the number of effectives high, it was used in none of the German offensives. It must be considered a third-class division.

41st Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │72. │18. │72. │18. │74. │18.
│ │59. │ │59. │ │148.
│74. │148. │74. │148. │ │152.
│ │152. │ │152. │ 9 Ldst. Btn.
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼───────────────────
Cavalry. │10 Dragoon Rgt. │ │10 Drag. Rgt. (3
│ │ │ Sqns.).
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │41 Brig.: │41 Brig.: │41 Brig.:
│ 35 Rgt. │ 35 Rgt. │ 35 Rgt.
│ 79 Rgt. │ 79 Rgt. │ 79 Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│2 Field Co. 1 Pion.│2 Field Co. 1 Pion.│2 Field Co. 1 Pion.
Liaisons. │ No. 26. │ No. 26. │ No. 26.
│ │41 Pont. Engs. │41 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │41 Tel. Detch. │41 Pont. Engs.
│ │ │41 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │41 Cyc. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │74. │18. │74. │18.
│ │148. │ │148.
│ │152. │ │152.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │1 Sq. 10 Dragoons. │4 Sqn. 10 Drag.
│ │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │41 Art. Command: │41 Art. Command:
│ 79 Rgt. │ 79 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 2 Abt. 15 Ft. A.
│ │ Rgt. (5, 7, and 8
│ │ Btries.).
│ │ 835 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1235 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1236 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│135 Pion. Btn. │26 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│1 and 2 Cos. 26 │ 1 Co. 26 Pions.
│ Pion. │
│41 T. M. Co. │ 2 Co. 26 Pions.
│Tel. Detch. │ 41 T. M. Co.
│ │ 37 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ │41 Signal Command:
│ │ 41 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 96 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │Ambulance Co. │261 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│316, 321, 323d │316 Field Hospital.
│ Field Hospitals. │
│Vet. Hospital. │323 Field Hospital.
│ │145 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │Light Mun. Col. │574 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │10 Btry. 7 Res. Ft.
│ │ A. Rgt.
│ │41 Ft. A. Btry.
│ │65 Carrier Pigeon
│ │ Loft.
│ │574 Carrier Pigeon
│ │ Loft.
│ │72 Balloon Sqn.
│ │219 Reconnaissance
│ │ Flight.
│ │8, 29, and 245 M.
│ │ T. Col.
│ │140 Art.
│ │ Observation
│ │ Section.
│ │(Elements attached
│ │ Aug. 18, 1918.
│ │ German document.)
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(20th Corps District—Eastern portion of West Prussia.)

1914.

At the outbreak of the war the 41st Division and the 37th Division formed the 20th Army Corps.

RUSSIA.

1. At the beginning of hostilities the 41st Division was engaged against Russia, first in East Prussia, then in Poland, beginning with October. It was at Lodz at the beginning of December, at Skiernewice on the 20th, and fought on the Rawka in January, 1915.

1915.

RUSSIA.

1. In February, 1915, transferred north of the Vistula, it operated until summer between Prasnysz and the valley of Bobr-Narew. From there it was taken to the northern frontier of East Prussia in July and advanced as far as Mitau, from there to Jakobstadt.

1916.

RUSSIA.

1. Until October, 1916, the division occupied the same sector on the Dvina, between Friedrichstadt and Jakobstadt. It underwent a Russian offensive in March, 1916, and took part in an attack on May 10. In these two actions it suffered serious losses.

ROUMANIA.

2. On October 21, the 41st Division, destined to take part in the Roumanian campaign, entrained southeast of Friedrichstadt, traveled by way of Mitau, Grodno, Warsaw, Oppeln, Budapest, Temesvar, and detrained on November 5 at Pay, south of Hatszeg. It went into action in the vicinity of Jiu and advanced almost without fighting. It entered Bucarest on December 6. On the 7th it again took up the pursuit of the Roumanians. On reaching the Sereth the 41st Division encountered the Russians. It remained in line until February 8, 1917. The losses of the division, slight in the battles with the Roumanians, were greater in the Russian attacks.

1917.

FRANCE.

1. Between February 8 and February 15 the 41st Division entrained at Zilibia for the Western Front. (Itinerary: Bucarest-Salzburg-Munich-Ulm- Augsburg-Thionville.) It detrained in Lorraine (Arsweiler, Ruxweiler, Audun le Roman) on February 20.

2. After a month of rest and training in Lorraine, during which it was reorganized (the 148th Infantry Regiment received 600 men as replacements), the division went into line, at the beginning of May, at Bois le Prêtre.

3. Between May 6 and May 9 it was transferred by way of Sedan to Rethel, from which place it marched to the vicinity of Sissonne.

CALIFORNIE PLATEAU.

4. Sent into line in the sector of Hurtebise for a very short stay (May 25–26 to May 28–29), it went into action on the 21st in the vicinity of Chevreux. It took part there in the attack of June 3 upon Californie Plateau, in the course of which its losses were serious (50 to 60 men per company in the 152d Regiment, heavy losses in the 148th Infantry Regiment).

5. The 42d Division remained in the sector of Chevreux until June 25. About July 3 it went to the east of the Butte du Mesnil. It remained in this sector, without any notable occurrences, until the beginning of November.

FLANDERS.

6. On November 12 it was in the vicinity of Staden, Houthulst wood, where it alternated with the 38th Division. Relieved on January 14, 1918, it went to rest near Bruges.

RECRUITING.

The 41st Division is recruited principally from West Prussia. As the region is not very large and has a relatively small population, the 41st Division borrows from other districts (especially the 6th Corps District). It contained a large number of Alsace-Lorrainers during its stay on the Russian front.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 41st Division, coming from the Russo-Roumanian front, where it had remained until the beginning of February, 1917, appears to have only a mediocre military value.

In the course of the attack of June 3, 1917, on the Californie Plateau, the retreat of the 148th Infantry Regiment was carried out in a state of extreme confusion.

During its stay on the Champagne front the 41st Division showed no offensive activity. (July 3-November, 1917.)

1918.

FLANDERS.

1. The 41st Division was relieved in the sector north of Ypres by the 38th Division toward the end of January, and went to rest near Bruges. While here the artillery received new guns, and it seems probable that the division was put through a course of training.

2. During the night of February 25–26 the division relieved the 2d Guard Reserve Division south of Westroosebeke (northeast of Ypres). About the 4th of March it was relieved by the 38th Division and went to rest in the Turcoing area.

ARRAS.

3. On the 26th of March the division was identified near Oppy (northeast of Arras). Here it was heavily engaged, and the attack which it attempted broke down through heavy casualties.

ALBERT.

4. The division was identified in the same area on the 28th, but not afterwards, and so it was very likely withdrawn during the next day or two. Early in April the division moved up in support of the 21st Reserve Division in the Beaumont-Hamel region (north of Albert), and during the night of the 7th–8th it relieved the 1st Guard Reserve Division a little farther to the north in the Puisieux sector (east of Hébuterne). On the 14th of April the division extended its front to the south so as to relieve the 24th Division. On the 11th of June it was relieved by the 26th Reserve Division and went to rest and refit in the Douai area.

5. On the 9th of July it relieved the 108th Division east of Villers- Bretonneux (east of Amiens). Here it was caught in the Allied drive of August 8, and after losing over 1,700 prisoners was withdrawn on the 10th.

6. After resting a fortnight immediately behind the front, it came back into line near Cappy (southeast of Bray) on the 25th. In the fighting that followed the division lost more than 800 prisoners, and even more killed and wounded. It was relieved early in September and went to rest and to be reconstituted near Château Salins (northeast of Nancy). On September 8 it received as a draft what was left of the dissolved 18th Reserve Regiment (225th Division disbanded).

ARGONNE.

7. Leaving Metz on October 6 and traveling via St. Juvin, the division reenforced the front near Sommerance (east of Grandpré) on the 9th to meet the American push of the 8th. It was withdrawn on the 31st after having suffered very heavy losses.

8. It rested a day or two immediately in rear of the front, and on the 3d it was thrown in near Nouart (southwest of Stenay), the Americans having attacked again on the 1st. It was again withdrawn on the 8th, and did not come back into line.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The 41st has been considered a second-class division. With the exception of its engagements in the spring near Albert and in the Argonne in October and November, it has not done a great deal of fighting during the year; during this fighting, however, it suffered very severely, so that when it was withdrawn on the 8th of November its companies did not have an average combatant strength of 25. On June 6 the commanding general issued an order indicating an increase in the number of instances in which subordinates emphatically refused to accompany their units into line and in which officers neglected to enforce obedience to orders, and insisting that the evil be remedied even though the men had to be shot.

42d Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │59. │97. │59. │97. │65. │17.
│ │138. │ │138. │ │131.
│65. │17. │65. │17. │ │138.
│ │131. │ │131. │ │
│ │ │ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │7 Uhlan Rgt. │1 Sqn. 7 Uhlan Rgt.│1 Sqn. 7 Uhlan Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │42 Brig.: │42 Brig.: │42 Brig.:
│8 F. A. Rgt. │8 F. A. Rgt. │ 8 F. A. Rgt.
│15 F. A. Rgt. │15 F. A. Rgt. │ 15 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│3 Field Co. (1 │3 and 5 Field Cos. │3 and 5 Field Cos.
Liaisons. │ Pion. Btn. No. │ (1 Pion. Btn. No.│ (1 Pion. Btn. No.
│ 27). │ 27). │ 27).
│ │42 Pont. Engs. │42 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │42 Tel. Detch. │42 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │
│ │ │42 Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │65. │17. │65. │17.
│ │131. │ │131.
│ │138. │ │138.
│ Gd. Res. Jag. Btn.│ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │1 Sqn. 7 Drag. Rgt.│1 Sqn. 7 Drag. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │42 Art. Command: │42 Art. Command:
│ 15 F. A. Rgt. │ 15 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 2 Abt. 15 Ft. A.
│ │ Rgt. (4, 11, and
│ │ 12 Btries.).
│ │ 804 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1044 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 11045 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(1/27 or 136 Pion. │27 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ Btn.): │
│ │
│ 3 Field Co. 27 │ 3 Co. 27 Pions.
│ Pions. │
│ 5 Field Co. 27 │ 5 Co. 27 Pions.
│ Pions. │
│ 42 T. M. Co. │ 42 T. M. Co.
│ 229 Searchlight │ 14 Searchlight
│ Section. │ Section.
│ 345 Searchlight │42 Signal Command:
│ Section. │
│ Tel. Detch. │ 42 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 147 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │263 Ambulance Co. │263 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│Field Hospital. │269 Field Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │368 Field Hospital.
│ │162 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │575 M. T. Col.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

HISTORY.

(21st Corps District—Lorraine.)

1914.

LORRAINE.

1. Upon mobilization, the 42d Division and the 31st Division formed the 21st Army Corps.

It was a part of the 6th Army (Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria), and fought, at the beginning of August, 1914, across the Lorraine frontier, in the vicinity of Château Salins, Dieuze, Rechicourt (Aug. 5–12). Engaged on the 20th northeast of Dieuze, the 42d Division reached Lunéville on the 22d and attacked Rehainviller and Gerbeviller on the 24th. These days had been very costly. On August 26 the 121st Infantry Regiment was reduced to 31 officers and 1,562 men. (Official Document.)

2. At the beginning of September it was sent to reenforce the 2d Bavarian Corps. On September 3 it was in the vicinity of Moyen-Domptail. It retired to Dieuze (Sept. 11–13) and entrained at Boulay on the 18th, for Cambrai.

SOMME.

3. On September 24 it was on the Somme. It fought at Gruny, Maucourt, in the vicinity of Chaulnes-Pressoire (end of September to beginning of October). It took up its position on the Chaulnes front, along the road from Amiens to St. Quentin (November-December).

1915.

1. The 42d Division occupied the lines north of Chaulnes until the end of January, 1915. On December 26, the losses of the 131st Infantry Regiment since the beginning of the campaign amounted to 87 officers and 3,233 men. (Official List of Casualties.)

2. About January 25 the 42d Division was relieved and entrained for the Eastern Front with the 31st Division (21st Army Corps).

3. Concentrated in East Prussia at the beginning of February, it formed a part of the Hindenburg Army which was to force the Russians across the frontier.

4. From the vicinity of Augustowo (Feb. 14) it advanced rapidly to the east; it reached Sopockin on the 20th, and took up its position with the 21st Army Corps on the line Sopockin-Chtabine (north of Grodno). On March 9 the violent Russian counterattacks caused it heavy losses.

MARIAMPOL.

5. At the beginning of March the 42d Division bore to the north; it was at Kalwarjia on March 26; occupied the vicinity of Mariampol on April 2. It fought in this sector from March 29 to April 24 and remained there until August. (On Apr. 13 the losses of the first two battalions of the 131st Infantry Regiment since the 6th of February had been 1,672 men, according to the Official Casualty List. The 7th Company had only 65 men left on Apr. 7.)

VILNA.

6. Renewing its forward march, the division reached Vilna on August 30; continuing toward the east, it reached Herviaty-Vorniany on September 20, then went toward Lake Narotch, vicinity of Postavy, where the front became stable.

In the autumn the 97th Infantry Regiment was transferred to the 108th Division, a new formation.

1916.

LAKE NAROTCH.

1. The 42d Division held its positions at Lake Narotch until April, 1917.

2. At the end of March, 1916, it sustained the Russian attacks and suffered great losses.

1917.

GALICIA.

1. On April 24, 1917, the 42d Division was relieved from the sector of Lake Narotch and entrained at Vilna for the Western Front. The activity along the Galician front caused its itinerary to be modified, and from Warsaw it was sent to Lemberg. In reserve first, it went into action on July 20 in the German counteroffensive of Brzezany, which took it to the region south of Tarnopol (Grjimalov, July 31).

RIGA.

2. Withdrawn from the Galician front at the beginning of August, it entrained at Lemberg on the 24th, and was transferred to Neugut (between Mitau and Jakobstadt) on August 27. It took part in the advance to Riga; one of its regiments crossed the Dvina, in the vicinity of Uxkull, on September 1.

OESEL ISLAND.

3. At the end of September it was sent to Libau, where important forces were being concentrated for the occupation of the islands in the Baltic. On October 12 the 131st Infantry Regiment landed on the Oesel Island, which it occupied until November 1. The 138th Infantry Regiment remained at Moon until October 25. At the beginning of November the 42d Division was transferred to the vicinity of Kovel. At the end of November it took over a calm sector in the vicinity of Kachovka.

FRANCE.

4. Entraining at Kovel on December 23, it arrived in France on December 28. (Itinerary: Warsaw-Thorn-Posen-Leipzig-Dortmund-Cologne-Herbestal- Brussels. It detrained at Ascq on the 28th.)

5. After a stay in the vicinity of Lille, it relieved the 4th Division east of Armentières on January 23, 1918.

RECRUITING.

As the regional system of recruiting could not furnish dependable elements, the 42d Division is principally recruited from Westphalia and the Rhine Province. The Alsace-Lorrainers were fairly numerous, however, during the stay of the division on the Russian front.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 42d Division occupied the Eastern Front from February, 1915, until the end of December, 1917.

In the offensive operations in which the 42d Division took part in 1917 the successes appear to have been fairly easy. The greater part of the time it has not had to sustain any serious action and its losses have been comparatively slight.

1918.

BATTLE OF THE LYS.

1. The division held the Armentieres sector until it was relieved about March 22 by the 32d Division. On April 9 it reenforced the battle front near Merris. It was engaged in heavy fighting, and between April 9 and 16 the losses of the division amounted to 50 per cent of the strength. On April 17 it was relieved by the 12th Division.

2. The division came in on the quiet Lens sector on April 25–26, relieving the 220th Division. It held the sector until June 25, when it was relieved by the 36th Reserve Division and moved to the region southwest of Soissons, where on June 30 it relieved the 14th Division. It suffered from the French attack of July 18, losing 1,400 prisoners. It was withdrawn about July 22.

3. The division rested nearly a month undergoing reconstitution by elements from the dissolved 211th Division. The 390th Regiment was completely merged with the 42d Division. From Laon the division moved to Rethel.

CHAMPAGNE.

4. From its entry into the Champagne line on August 22 in relief of the 28th Division until October 1 it was engaged in resisting the French offensive operations in Champagne, during which period it lost about 2,000 prisoners. The division was withdrawn on October 1. After two weeks in the second line the division returned to line about October 14 near Olizy. It continued in line until the armistice. After November 3 the division was opposite the left flank of the American front.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as third class. It was used as an attack division in the Lys offensive, but thereafter was employed solely on the defensive. The division had a good composition with a large percentage of men of the younger classes.

43d Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │85 Res. │201 Res. │85 Res. │201 Res. │85 Res. │201 Res.
│ │202 Res. │ │202 Res. │ │202 Res.
│86 Res. │203 Res. │86 Res. │203 Res. │86 Res. │203 Res.
│ │204 Res. │ │204 Res. │ │204 Res.
│ 15 Res. Jag. Btn. │ 15 Res. Jag. Btn. │ 15 Res. Jag. Btn.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Cavalry. │43 Res. Cav. Detch.│43 Res. Cav. Detch.│43 Res. Cav. Detch.
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │43 Res. F. A. Rgt. │43 Res. F. A. Rgt. │43 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (9 Btries.). │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│43 Res. Pion. Co. │43 Res. Pion. Co. │43 Res. Pion. Co.
Liaisons. │ │ │
│ │43 Res. Pont. Engs.│243 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │43 Res. Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │43 Res. Ambulance │
Veterinary.│ │ Co. │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918[19]
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │85 Res. │201 Res. │85 Res. │201 Res.
│ │202 Res. │ │202 Res.
│ │203 Res. │ │203 Res.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │43 Res. Cav. Detch.│43 Res. Cav. Detch.
│2 Sqn. 17 Hus. Rgt.│
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │Art. Command: │(?) Art. Command:
│ │
│ 43 Res. F. A. Rgt.│ 43 Res. F. A. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│343 Pion. Btn.: │343 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 43 Res. Pion. Co. │ 4 Co. 2 Pion. Btn.
│ │ No. 17.
│ 4 Field Co. 17 │ 1 Res. Co. 23
│ Pion. Btn. │ Pions.
│ 243 T. M. Co. │ 43 Res. Pion. Co.
│ 443 Tel. Detch. │ 243 T. M. Co.
│ │ 443 Tel. Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │525 Ambulance Co. │525 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│72 Res. Field │72 Res. Field
│ Hospital. │ Hospital.
│73 Res. Field │237 Vet. Hospital.
│ Hospital. │
│Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │730 T. M. Col. │730 M. T. Col.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
Footnote 19:

Composition at the time of dissolution, September, 1918.

HISTORY.

(From all of the Prussian territory, by selection, in the same manner as
the guard.)

1914.

1. The 43d Reserve Division (first series of reserve divisions engaged in October, 1914) formed at this time, with the 44th Reserve Division, the 22d Reserve Corps. It was formed from the regimental recruit depots of the guard, and has preserved from that time a selective system of recruiting from the whole of the Prussian territory.

2. Going into training at the camp of Doeberitz at the beginning of September, the 43d Reserve Division entrained on October 13 for Belgium, and on the 19th it began fighting in the vicinity of Dixmude, Merckem, Bixschoote, etc. It was in action there until the end of November.

YSER.

3. After the battle of the Yser the elements of the division occupied different parts of the front between Ypres and Nieuport.

1915.

FLANDERS.

1. At the beginning of January, 1915, the 86th Reserve Brigade was in line at Westende.

2. About the end of February the 43d Reserve Division was reconcentrated and then sent to rest in the vicinity of Menin-Roulers until April 25.

ARTOIS.

3. In May elements of the division were holding the sector Bixschoote- Boesinghe (North of the Ypres salient). Another part of the division was sent as a reenforcement north of Arras (Souchez) to oppose the French offensive. The 202d Reserve Infantry Regiment lost 76 officers and 1,320 men at Notre Dame de Lorette (Official List of Casualties).

RUSSIA.

4. About the beginning of July the 86th Reserve Brigade was transferred to Russia and took part in the offensive of Mackensen in Poland. Between May 15 and September 29 the 204th Reserve Infantry Regiment listed as casualties 63 officers and 3,511 men. (Official List of Casualties.)

CHAMPAGNE-SERBIA.

5. The 85th Reserve Brigade, sent to Lorraine (Xivray), then to Woevre (July to September), took part in the battle of Champagne (end of September), and then rejoined the rest of the division in Serbia, where the 43d Reserve Division took part in the campaign in October.

1916.

FRANCE.

1. The division left Serbia to return to France at the end of January and beginning of February, 1916.

VERDUN.

2. After a rest in the vicinity of Valenciennes (February-March) it was sent to the Verdun front at the end of March, and went into action west of the Meuse on April 10 (attacks of Bethincourt and the Mort Homme), where it suffered heavy losses between April 10 and May 25. The 12th Company of the 201st Reserve Infantry Regiment received not less than 185 men as replacements during the month of May. (Document.)

3. Toward the end of May the 43d Reserve Division was withdrawn from the front and sent to rest in the Thionville area. At Verdun it had lost 50 per cent of its infantry.

RUSSIA.

4. At the middle of June it entrained at Novion Porcien and was again sent to Russia. Itinerary: Charleville-Trèves-Cassel-Leipzig-Dresden- Breslau-Cracow-Lemberg-Stojanow (southwest of Sokal.) The 204th Reserve Infantry Regiment detrained on June 19.

5. On the Russian front the division was engaged west of Loutsk in the German counteroffensive in June. (Its losses may be estimated from the fact that the 12th Company of the 201st Reserve Infantry Regiment received replacements of 152 men in July and August, the 3d Company at least 145 men from July 9 to 29.)

FRANCE.

6. On November 15 the division was brought back to the Western Front. (Itinerary Oderberg-Leipzig-Frankfort-Mayence-Thionville-Sedan- Thourout.) Reduced to three regiments by the assignment of the 204th Reserve Infantry Regiment to the 218th Division, a new formation, it was at rest for almost a month in the vicinity of Rethel.

VERDUN.

7. In consequence of the French attack of December 15 north of Verdun, the division was concentrated in the vicinity of Azannes. On December 17 it relieved the remnants of the 10th Division in the Chambrettes sector.

1917.

1. The 43d Reserve Division remained at Verdun until January 31, 1917, without being engaged in any important action. However, it suffered rather heavy losses there.

CHAMPAGNE.

2. After a rest in Alsace, the division was sent to Champagne, where, on February 22, it reenforced the front between Loivre and east of the Cavaliers du Courcy. The French attack of April 16 caused it serious losses.

ARGONNE.

3. Relieved at the end of April, and reorganized, it went back into line in the calm sector of Vauquois about May 9; the 12th Company of the 201st Reserve Infantry Regiment was filled up by the arrival of 100 men (1918 class; men from the 613th and 614th dissolved Infantry Regiments).

4. At the end of May the division was withdrawn from the Argonne. It was rested and reorganized first in the Ardennes, then in the vicinity of Laon.

CHEMIN DES DAMES.

5. From July 18 to 20, it went into the sector Panthéon-Épine du Chevregny (south of Pargny-Filain) and almost at once underwent the artillery preparation and the French attack of July 30 which caused it heavy losses, increased by the counterattacks which it attempted on July 31 and August 10. On July 30 the 12th Company of the 202d Reserve Infantry Regiment had only 5 noncommissioned officers and 56 men left (document). On August 10 the 201st Reserve Infantry Regiment was almost completely destroyed and left 124 men as prisoners south of La Royère.

6. The 43d Reserve Division was relieved from the Chemin des Dames on August 23 and sent to rest until the end of September in the vicinity of Laon. It was filled up and reorganized.

LA MALMAISON.

7. Receiving training at the beginning of October in view of an offensive which was to anticipate the expected French attack, the elements of the 43d Reserve Division were engaged, beginning with October 15, to reenforce weakened divisions at Vaudesson, La Malmaison, and Bruyeres. They underwent the attack of October 23, which caused them heavy losses (53 officers, 2,190 men, prisoners). The remnants of the division were relieved on the Ailette on October 28.

RUSSIA.

8. The division was sent to Russia soon afterwards, where it detrained on November 11, in the vicinity of Baranovitchi, after five days’ travel. It then relieved the 201st Division, scheduled to go to France.

RECRUITING.

The 43d Reserve Division was recruited, as was the guard in which it had its origin, from the whole of the Prussian territory. The trained men (returned, wounded, and sick), who figure in the reenforcements which it received, had the same origin (Guard, 1st Reserve Guard Division, 261st and 262d Reserve Guard Ersatz Divisions, Guard Landsturm Battalions, etc.). In April, 1917, the division absorbed a part of the 613th and 614th Regiments formed from the Guard recruit depots and dissolved on March 31.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 43d Reserve Division has always been considered a very good organization (December, 1917).

On August 10, 1917, south of La Royère, the 201st Ersatz Regiment attacked “with very great energy.”

In October, 1917, at La Malmaison, the 43d Reserve Division was brought up for reenforcement as an attacking division.

Because of its recent losses (in the attack of Oct. 3) the 43d Reserve Division needs to be completely reorganized before going into action (December, 1917).

It is to be noted that all the recruits of the division come from the Guard recruit depots. (After the losses suffered on Apr. 16, 1917, the division received 3,000 men from the depots of Brandenburg.)

The human material at the disposition of the division is of high quality.

1918.

1. The division left Russia on February 9 and arrived at the Camp Alten- Grabon near Magdeburg about the middle of February. After resting there about five weeks the division entrained on March 18 and traveled via Bielefeld-Gladbach-Aachen-Visé—Hasselt-Louvain-Brussels-Denderleeuw- Audenarde-Courtrai-Tourcoing to Lille, where the regiment detrained on the 22d, billeting at Loos. On the night of April 1–2 the 202d Reserve Infantry Regiment marched via Emmerin and Wattignies to Herrin, continuing on the night of April 2–3 via Chemy-Camphin-Ostricourt to Malmaison and thence to Herrin-Lietard. On April 4 the regiment proceeded to Noyelles-Godault, on the 5th back to Malmaison, and thence on the 7th to Billy Berclau.

LA BASSEE CANAL.

2. The division was engaged at Festubert on April 9. The objective of the division was to break through the enemy’s positions, force the passage of the Lawe and the La Bassee Canals, and capture the heights of Hinges and the town of Bethum. It was held up by British resistance at Festubert and did not penetrate farther. On April 29 it was relieved by the 9th Reserve Division.

SOMME.

3. After its relief, the division rested in the area south of Lille until June 24, when it relieved the 24th Reserve Division at Bouzencourt. Until August 8, it held the sector on the Somme. In the fighting in August, the division lost 600 prisoners. On August 20 it returned to line at Bray and was engaged until the end of the month. The total number of prisoners lost by the division in these two engagements was 1,100.

4. Early in September the division was broken up. The 203d Reserve Regiment was turned into the Guard Ersatz Division, the 202d Reserve Regiment to the 2d Guard Division.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as third class. Its complete failure on the La Bassee attack in April and its subsequently long retention in line on the Somme prepared the way for its dissolution about the first of September.

44th Reserve Division.

COMPOSITION.