it was reviewed by the Kaiser. It was in the sector north of Bailleul
from May 8 to July 3. At this time the company effectives of the
division seems to have been about 50 men. The division rested at Bruges
from the 5th to the 17th, when it returned to the Merckem sector and
occupied it until August 18. Considerable replacements were received in
mid-August by the division.
ARTOIS.
4. It rested near Lille (Aug. 19–24), and on August 25 was railed to
Douai. On the 26th the division occupied the Drocourt-Queant line and
fought in the area until about September 30, when it was relieved after
losing 800 prisoners.
BATTLE OF CAMBRESIS.
5. The division was reengaged on October 1 northwest of Cambrai. It
withdrew to Abancourt (9th), Hem-Lenglet (11th), Denain north of Maing,
Famars (28th), northwest of Maresches (Nov. 1). It passed to second line
about the 1st of the month, returning on November 9 near Harchies. The
division was not in line on November 11.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The division was rated as second class. It was considered as a good
sector-holding division in 1918.
35th Reserve Division.
COMPOSITION.
─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │5 Ldw. │2 Ldw. │5 Ldw. │2 Ldw. │5 Ldw. │2 Ldw.
│ │ │ │ │ (Mixed)│
│ │9 Ldw. │ │9 Ldw. │ │9 Ldw.
│(z) │107 Ldw. │(z) │107 Ldw. │ │107 Ldw.
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │3d Res. Heavy │3d Res. Heavy │3d Res. Heavy
│ Cavalry. │ Cavalry. │ Cavalry.
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │Ers. Abt. 35, 81 F.│35 Res. F. A. Rgt. │35 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ A. Rgt. │ │ 833d Battery.
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│2 Pion. Btn. No. │2 Pion. Btn. No. │235 T. M. Co.
Liaisons. │ 17. │ 17. │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │5 Ldst. Pion. Co.
│ │ │ 9th Corps.
│ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │167. │420. │167. │420.
│ │ │ │
│ │421. │ │438.
│ │438. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │2 Sq. 4 Jag. z. Pf.│Staff, 4 Horse Jag.
│ │ Rgt.
│ │2 Sqn. 4 Horse Jag.
│ │ Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │Art. Command: │ (z)
│ │
│ 35 Res. F. A. Rgt.│
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│335 Pion. Btn. │335 Pion. Btn.
Liaisons. │ │
│1 Res. Co. 17 Pion.│1 Res. Co. 17
│ │ Pions.
│235 T. M. Co. │149 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│35 Res. Searchlight│435 Signal Command:
│ Section. │
│Tel. Detch. │ 435 Tel. Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │238 Ambulance Co. │238 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│Field Hospital. │291 Field Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │435 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │Light Mun. Col. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │93 Brig. reenforced│
│ by 20 and 24 │
│ Ldst. Btns. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
HISTORY.
(420th Infantry Regiment: 1st Corps District—East Prussia. 421st
Infantry Regiment: 2d Corps District—Pomerania. 438th Infantry Regiment:
14th Corps District—Grand Duchy of Baden.)
1914.
The 35th Reserve Division is a Landwehr division. It has always occupied
the Eastern Front.
POLAND.
1. At the outbreak of the war the 35th Reserve Division fought (Aug.
25–28) on the southern frontier of East Prussia, which it crossed. It
took part in the Polish campaign—southwest of Warsaw in October and
November, 1914, in the vicinity of Czenstochow in December.
1915.
GALICIA.
1. From January to March, 1915, the division was in line south of the
Pilica. From April to June it took part in the operations in the
Carpathians, then in the vicinity of Lemberg.
RUSSIA.
2. In the middle of July it was replaced near Sokal (Galicia) by the
39th Austrian Division and went south of Grabowiec. The pursuit of the
Russians led it north of Cholm in the beginning of August, east of
Brest-Litovsk, near Kobrin in September, then to the Chtchara at the
mouth of the Oginski Canal in October.
3. It took up its position along the canal north of Logischin.
1916.
OGINSKI CANAL.
1. The 35th Reserve Division remained in line along the Oginski Canal
for more than two years (Oct., 1915 to Feb., 1918).
2. About October, 1916, the 5th Landwehr Brigade (2d and 9th Landwehr
Regiments) was assigned to the 226th Division (being formed in the
Smorgoni sector). The 35th Reserve Division received two new
regiments—the 420th and 421st Infantry Regiments.
1917.
OGINSKI CANAL.
1. The division was in the same sector.
In July, 1917, the 438th Infantry Regiment became a part of the 35th
Reserve Division to replace the 107th Saxon Landwehr Regiment, which had
been transferred to the 45th Landwehr Division (Saxon).
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
Composed of Landwehr and Landsturm elements, retained for more than two
years in a calm sector of the Russian front, later in the Ukraine, the
35th Reserve Division has only a mediocre military value.
1918.
UKRAINE.
1. In March the division advanced into Ukraine, after having furnished
men to the 10th Landwehr Division, which was about to leave for the
Western Front. In this advance the division saw some fighting and
consequently suffered some losses. In April the division was identified
in the Gomel region. The division was identified in Ukraine early in
October, and so its reported presence in Flanders on September 20
appears incorrect.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The division was rated as fourth class.
36th Division.
COMPOSITION.
─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │69. │129. │69. │129. │71. │5 Gren.
│ │175. │ │175. │ │175.
│71. │5 Gren. │71. │5 Gren. │ │128.
│ │128. │ │128. │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │5 Hus. Rgt. │ │4 Sq. 5 Hus. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │36 Brig.: │36 Brig.: │36 Brig.:
│ 36 Rgt. │ 36 Rgt. │ 36 Rgt.
│ 72 Rgt. │ 72 Rgt. │ 72 Rgt.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│ │1 Pion. Btn. No. │1 Pion. Btn. No.
Liaisons. │ │ 17: │ 17:
│ │ Field Co. 17 Pion.│ 2 Co. 17 Pion.
│ │ │
│ │ 36 Tel. Detch. │ 3 and 4 Cos. 35
│ │ │ Pion.
│ │ 36 Pont. Engs. │ 3 Co. 36 Pion.
│ │ │ 36 T. M. Co.
│ │ │
│ │ │ 36 Tel. Detch.
│ │ │ 36 Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │71. │5 Gren. │71. │5.
│ │175. │ │128.
│ │128. │ │175.
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │4 Sq. 5 Hus. Rgt. │4 Sq. 5 Hus. Rgt.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │36 Art. Command: │36 Art. Command:
│ 36 Rgt. │ 36 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 1 Abt. 4 Res. Ft.
│ │ A. Rgt.
│ │ 824 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1209 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1229 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 Pion. Btn. No. │17 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ 17: │
│ 3 and 5 Cos. 17 │ 3 Co. 17 Pions.
│ Pion. │
│ 36 T. M. Co. │ 5 Co. 17 Pions.
│ │
│ 36 Tel. Detch. │ 36 T. M. Co.
│ │ 209 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ │36 Signal Command:
│ │ 36 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 62 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │43 Ambulance Co. │43 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│288, 290 Field │288 Field Hospital.
│ Hospts. │
│36 Vet. Hospital. │290 Field Hospital.
│ │36 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transport. │ │569 M. T. Col.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
HISTORY.
(17th Corps District—West Prussia.)
1914.
The 36th Division (with the 35th Division) was a part of the 17th Army
Corps (Danzig).
EAST PRUSSIA-RUSSIA.
1. The 17th Army Corps, which comprises the 35th and 36th Divisions, was
sent to East Prussia in August, 1914, where it belonged to the 8th Army,
soon placed under the command of Von Hindenburg. With this army it took
part in the battle of Tannenberg on August 30, and in the battle of
Loetzen on September 9, then with the 9th German Army (Mackensen), in
the battle of Radom, on October 6.
2. In the battles which mark the advance upon Warsaw and then the
retreat, the regiments of the 36th Division, and especially the 5th
Grenadier Regiment, suffered considerable losses (principally at Lodz
between Nov. 23 and Dec. 6).
1915.
1. During the winter of 1914–15 the 36th Division, with the 17th Army
Corps, took part in the actions along the Bzura until June. In July it
was on the Narew, later on the right bank of the Bug, and at the
beginning of September on the Chtchara River.
2. At the end of September, 1915, at the time of the pressure exerted by
the Franco-British offensive, the 17th Army Corps entrained for the
Western Front.
FRANCE.
3. Detraining at Peronne on October 10, it was sent to rest in the
vicinity of Ham until October 16. At this date it went into line in the
Roye sector. Until the battle of the Somme it was not seriously engaged.
1916.
SOMME.
1. Upon the outbreak of the Franco-British offensive on the Somme in
July, 1916, the 36th Division occupied the sector included between the
south of Chilly and the north of Andechy. It was not engaged as a whole
until October, the time when the battle front extended as far as the
Chaulnes-Chilly sector. Until then it had only sent detached units to
reenforce certain points south of the river.
2. About the end of September it occupied the front from north of
Fouquescourt to the Chaulnes railroad. Relieved between October 15 and
20, and sent to rest between Nesle and Ham, it had to go back into line
on October 24–25 to replace, in the sector south of Ablaincourt-Chaulnes
wood, the divisions which our attacks north of Chaulnes had exhausted.
Its regiments lost heavily during this period. The 128th Infantry
Regiment lost more than the others, especially on November 7, 10, and
11.
3. On December 8 the 36th Division left the front north of Chaulnes and
was sent north of Roye to the Fouquescourt sector.
1917.
ST. QUENTIN.
1. On March 17, 1917, it was included in the retirement and withdrew to
the Hindenburg Line, where it established itself, on March 23, south of
St. Quentin.
ARTOIS.
2. After a month’s rest (Apr. 9-May 9) behind the front, the 36th
Division went into line southeast of Arras in the Guemappe sector. It
had only a few local engagements there and did not suffer any great
losses.
3. It then spent a part of June at rest in the Douai area and took up
its position on July 4 in the sector of Oppy-Gavrelle (Artois). It did
not take part in any serious engagements there.
YPRES.
4. Relieved at the end of August, it entrained at Douai on the 28th for
Courtrai and Isegsem. Sent on September 10–11 into the sector of
Poelcapelle, it had to be replaced there on the 23d because of the heavy
losses which it received from the British attack.
5. The division left Flanders on September 27 to occupy a calm sector
west of St. Quentin, where it still was at the beginning of February,
1918.
RECRUITING.
The 36th Division is recruited from the same region as the 35th
Division.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
The 36th Division was an excellent combat division.
In the battles of the Somme and of Arras the 36th Division gave a good
account of itself.
On the Ypres front the combat spirit of the division was less energetic
than in the preceding battles. The British Artillery, however, had
reduced its effectives by one-half.
1918.
BATTLE OF PICARDY.
1. The division was relieved in the sector north of St. Quentin about
February 1 and entered the sector south of St. Quentin within a few
days. It was in line when the Somme offensive came off and advanced in
the front line by Essigny le Grand, Clastres, Brouchy, Guiscard,
Campagne, Candor. From the 23d to the 25th it was in second line. On the
25th it was reengaged in the Lassigny area. The division was relieved on
April 8.
2. The division rested in close support southeast of Roye until April
20. A draft of 300 men was received about this time.
3. On April 20 the division was engaged southeast of Montdidier (Rollet)
until April 28. It was in reserve from the 28th to the beginning of May
in the vicinity of Roye. A draft of 1,000 men was received on April 29.
On May 9 the division was moved to Wasigny, where it rested until the
22d. It marched toward the Aisne front by night from May 22 to 27 via
Rozoy sur Serre, Montcornet, Liesse, Montaigu.
BATTLE OF THE AISNE.
4. The division had in line on the 27th only one battalion of the 128th
Regiment (near Winterberg). The rest of the division followed the
advance in reserve, passing through Villers en Prayeres, Fismes, Villers
sur Fere. It was engaged from May 29 to the middle of June at Courmont,
Fresnes (29th), Jaulgonne (31st), east of Chateau Thierry. The division
withdrew from the sector east of Chateau Thierry about June 30.
SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE.
5. It rested in the salient (near Fere en Tardenois) until July 14,
undergoing reconstitution. On that date it marched to the front and was
engaged the next day. It crossed the Marne and penetrated south of
Charteves, but was stopped and thrown back on Mezy and Fossoy. From July
20 to 22 it was in second line. Reengaged south of the Ourcq on 22d, the
division fought at Rocourt and Villeneuve sur Fere until July 27.
BATTLE OF THE SOMME.
6. The division rested near Laon in early August. It was brought up to
resist the British attack north of Bapaume on August 24. It was still
under strength and was unable to check the advance. It was forced to
fall back on Vaulx Vraucourt, Ecoust St. Mein (27th–30th), Pronville,
and Inchy (Sept. 2–3). The losses in prisoners amounted to 800 in this
fighting.
7. On the 16th of September the division was again in line south of La
Bassee. Beginning October 1 it retreated on Bauvin, Pont a Vendin,
Provin (16th), Attiches (18th), and toward the south of Tournai. It was
last identified at Bany on November 10.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The division was rated as second class. It was heavily engaged in 1918
as a follow-up division in the attacks and to hold important defensive
sectors.
36th Reserve Division.
COMPOSITION.
─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │69 Res. │21 Res. │69 Res. │21 Res. │69 Res. │21 Res.
│ │61 Res. │ │61 Res. │ │61 Res.
│70 Res. │5 Res. │70 Res. │5 Res. │70 Res. │5 Res.
│ │54. │ │54. │ │54.
│ │2 Res. │ │2 Res. │ │
│ Jag. Btn. │ Jag Btn. │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │1 Res. Hus. Rgt. (3│1 Res. Hus. Rgt. │
│ Sqns.). │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │36 Res. Rgt. (6 │36 Res. Rgt. (7 │36 Res. Rgt. (7
│ Btries.). │ Btries.). │ Btries.).
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│1 Res. Co. 2, Pion.│1 Res. Co. 2, Pion.│1 Res. Co. 2, Pion.
Liaisons. │ No. 2. │ No. 2. │ No. 2.
│ │ 2 Co. 32 Res. │ 236 T. M. Co.
│ │ Pion. │
│ │ 36 Res. Pont. │ 36 Res. Pont.
│ │ Engs. │ Engs.
│ │ 36 Res. Tel. │ 36 Res. Tel.
│ │ Detch. │ Detch.
│ │ │ 80 Art. Survey
│ │ │ Section.
│ │ │ 24 Sound Ranging
│ │ │ Section.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │ │
Veterinary.│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │ │217 Anti-Aircraft
│ │ │ Detch.
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │69 Res. │5 Res. │69 Res. │54.
│ │61 Res. │ │5 Res.
│ │54. │ │61 Res.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │5 Sq. 2 Guard │5 Sqn. 2 Gd. Drag.
│ Dragoon. │ Rgt.
│1 and 2 Sqns. 1st │
│ Res. Uhlan Rgt. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │72 Art. Command: │72 Art. Command:
│ │
│ 36 Res. Rgt. (9 │ 36 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ Btries.). │
│ │ 3 Abt. 4 Res. Ft.
│ │ A. Rgt.
│ │ 833 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1252 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1306 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│336 Pion. Btn. │2 Pion. Btn.
Liaisons. │ │
│ 1 Res. Co., 2 │1 Co. 2 Pions.
│ Pion. │
│ 236 T. M. Co. │1 Res. Co. 2 Pions.
│ │
│ 436 Tel. Detch. │236 T. M. Co.
│ │
│ │45 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ │436 Signal Command:
│ │
│ │ 436 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 119 Wireless
│ │ Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │515 Ambulance Co. │515 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│398 Field Hospital.│10 Res. Field
│ │ Hospital.
│Vet. Hospital. │12 Res. Field
│ │ Hospital.
│ │138 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │Light Mun. Col. │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Attached. │ │
│ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
HISTORY.
(17th Corps District—Western Prussia and the eastern part of Pomerania.)
1914.
EAST PRUSSIA.
1. At the outbreak of the war the 36th Reserve Division constituting,
with the 1st Reserve Division, the 1st Reserve Corps, was engaged in
East Prussia in the vicinity of Gumbinnen-Angerburg.
BZURA.
2. Assigned to the 9th German Army (Mackensen), it fought on November 6
on the left bank of the Vistula and on the Bzura at the beginning of
December.
1915.
1. At the beginning of 1915 the 36th Reserve Division took part in the
engagements on the line Bzura-Rawka-Bolimov (Jan. 4 and Feb. 5).
PRASNYSZ.
2. On February 13 the division entrained, with the entire 1st Reserve
Corps, to reenforce the right wing of the Germany Army, which was
pushing back the Russians from East Prussia. Detraining at Ostrolenka,
it attacked in the vicinity of Mlawa, then near Prasnysz (April), where
the Russian counterattacks caused it to suffer heavy losses.
COURLAND.
3. In May, it took part in the Hindenburg offensive in Courland. First
occupying the sector of Jurburg, north of Niemen, it reached Ponieviej
in July and from there pushed on to the vicinity of Dvinsk. The division
suffered heavily during this period. On October 15, the 61st Reserve
Infantry Regiment had an average of only 80 men per company (letter).
FRIEDRICHSTADT.
4. In December, the 36th Reserve Division occupied the sector of
Friedrichstadt, southeast of Riga.
1916.
1. The division remained in its Courland sector (Friedrichstadt) until
September 24, 1916.
GALICIA.
2. At the end of September and the beginning of October, it entrained at
Libau and was transferred to Galicia. The 54th Infantry Regiment was
engaged on October 3 east of Brzezany to oppose the advance of the
Russians. The rest of the division rejoined the rest of the 54th
Infantry Regiment on October 19, and remained in this area.
1917.
1. About the end of May, 1917, the 36th Reserve Division was relieved
from the sector south of Brzezany and entrained near Rohatyn (Galicia)
for the Western Front. Itinerary: Lemberg-Cracow-Oppeln-Munich-
Karlsruhe.
LORRAINE.
2. Detraining in Lorraine on the 1st of June, the division received
training until June 24. At this date, it took over a calm sector in Haye
for a fortnight.
ARTOIS.
3. Sent to the vicinity of Lens in July, the 36th Reserve Division
occupied the sector of Mericourt until the beginning of October.
FLANDERS.
4. About October 20, it went into line east of Ypres (north of
Becelaere).
RECRUITING.
The 36th Reserve Division is recruited from West Prussia and the eastern
part of Pomerania. It contained a large number of Alsace-Lorrainers
during its stay on the Western Front.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
In Russia the 36th Reserve Division took part in several major
operations.
It did not come to the Western Front until June, 1917.
1918.
BATTLE OF THE LYS.
1. The division was relieved in the Foret de Holthust on April 4 by the
1st Landwehr Division, and marched via Amersveld to Cortemarch, where it
entrained and arrived at Courtrai on April 5. It left Courtrai on the
8th and marched toward Armentieres. On the 10th the division followed up
the German advance in support of an assault division, and on the 11th
came into action north of Armentieres. Losses were severe and the
division retired about April 13 to rest. It returned in the Ploegsteert
area on April 17 and went to rest in the Roulers area. On May 11, the
division came back to line for the third time north of Hinges.
2. It was withdrawn about May 25, rested behind the front until June 11,
when it relieved the 235th Division northwest of Bethune, which sector
it held until about June 22.
LENS.
3. On June 26 the division entered line in Artois area, southeast of
Loos. It held this quiet sector until October 2.
BELGIUM.
4. On the night of October 4–5 the division relieved the 16th Bavarian
Division southwest of Roulers. From then until about November 4, the
division fought first in the Roulers area, and after October 15, at
Thielt (17th), Deynze (26th), Ecke (Nov. 2). It was withdrawn from line
about November 4 and did not reenter.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The division was rated as third class. It was heavily engaged on the Lys
in the spring without achieving much success. Thereafter the division
was employed on the defensive.
37th Division.
COMPOSITION.