the sector of Wieltje (north of the Ypres-Zonnebeke road) and
transferred to the Somme. It went into action between Combles and Morval
about December 18 and suffered very heavy losses from the British attack
of the 26th.
CHAMPAGNE.
2. After occupying the Lille front (Neuve Chapelle) for a few days, the
division was sent to Champagne at the beginning of October.
It took over the sector of Tahure-Rouvroy (south of Ripont) in the
middle of October.
1917.
CHAMPAGNE.
1. The 51st Reserve Division remained on the Massiges front until the
middle of May, 1917, with a short rest at the end of February.
2. It was engaged in the attacks on Maisons de Champagne in March, and
suffered quite heavily.
3. In the middle of May it went into line near Nauroy and Moronvilliers
(Casque-Mont Haut), where it lost heavily.
4. Withdrawn from the front about June 8, it returned, after a short
rest in the vicinity of Marvaux, to the sector east of Tahure (June 22-
Aug. 10).
MEUSE.
5. Brought back to the right bank of the Meuse, after a rest in the
vicinity of Sedan-Montmédy, the division occupied the sector of
Samogneux-Hill 344, about August 22, and lost heavily (French attack of
Aug. 25, German attack of Sept. 9).
CHAMPAGNE.
6. It was relieved about September 12 and sent to rest behind the
Champagne front.
RECRUITING.
Mixed at the time of its formation, the division is actually recruited
in the 11th Corps District (Electorate of Hesse and Thuringia), and is
so designated in various documents. Beginning with March 13, 1917, it
has received young men of the 1918 class who have less than four months’
training (236th Reserve Infantry Regiment).
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
The 51st Reserve Division was good at the beginning of the war, but now
appears mediocre.
Health conditions seem to be poor (August, 1917).
1918.
CHAMPAGNE.
1. The 51st Reserve Division remained in the Vouziers being trained
until about the 20th of January, when it relieved the 52d Division near
the Butte du Mesnil. It was relieved early in March and went to the
Vouziers-Rethel area, where it received some more training in open
warfare.
PICARDY.
2. On the 20th it entrained, and arrived at Etreux (north of Guise) the
following day. From there it marched via St. Quentin-Ham-Roye-Faverolles
to Montdidier, where it arrived on the 30th. The following day it
reenforced the front near Ayencourt (south of Montdidier), relieving the
9th Division. It was relieved by the 2d Division during the night of the
1st-2d of May and went to rest in the Chimay area.
AISNE.
3. On the 30th of May the division, thoroughly rested and brought up to
strength, reenforced the battle front near Vauxbuin (southwest of
Soissons). Here it became heavily engaged and suffered severe losses,
especially the first two days. It was relieved near Cutry (southwest of
Soissons) on June 16, and went to rest near Oulchy le Chateau.
4. During the night of July 19–20, the division reenforced the front
near Blanzy (south of Soissons). Here it became heavily engaged. It was
forced back by the Allied counteroffensive, and was withdrawn from line
south of Braine early in August. It went to rest near Marle.
CHAMPAGNE.
5. On September 28 the division entered line near Somme-Py (north of
Suippes). Here it was badly handled and had to be withdrawn on the 4th
of October, when it had been driven back to St. Etienne à Py. It then
rested for a day or two near Vouziers.
OISE.
6. On the 6th it entrained at Vouziers and Vrizy and arrived at La
Ferté-Chevresis two days later. It was then put on trucks and moved up
to the front, taking over the Bernot-Origny sector (east of St. Quentin)
on the 8th. It was withdrawn about the 15th.
CHAMPAGNE.
7. After having rested a fortnight between the Oise and the Aisne, the
division entered line east of Rethel on the 31st, remaining in line
until the signing of the armistice.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The 51st Reserve is to be considered a good second-class division. It
did not distinguish itself by any brilliant fighting, but it did acquit
itself in the battles of the Somme and the Aisne and during the Allied
counteroffensive. It suffered exceedingly heavy losses, but these were
in large measure made good by drafts of 1919 class recruits.
52d Division.
COMPOSITION.
─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────
│ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────
Infantry. │104. │66. │104. │66.
│ │169. │ │169.
│ │170. │ │170.
─────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────
Cavalry. │(2) Sqn. 16 Uhlan Rgt. │2 Sqn. 16 Uhlan Rgt.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Artillery. │52 Brig.: │52 Brig.:
│ 103 F. A. Rgt. (6 Btries.). │ 103 F. A. Rgt.
│ 104 F. A. Rgt. (6 Btries., 3│ 104 F. A. Rgt.
│ of which are Hows.). │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Engineers and│103 Pion. Co. │103 Pion. Co.
Liaisons. │ │
│104 Pion. Co. │104 Pion. Co.
│ │52 T. M. Co.
│ │52 Tel. Detch.
│ │52 Pont. Engs.
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Medical and │ │
Veterinary.│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Transport. │ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Odd units. │ │52 Cyclist Co.
│ │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Attached. │1 & 2 Potsdam Landst. Inf. │
│ Btn. (3 C. Dist.). │
│2 Co. 24 Pions. │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────
─────────────┬─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────┼──────────────┬──────────────
│ Brigade. │ Regiment. │ Brigade. │ Regiment.
─────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────
Infantry. │56. │111. │56. │111.
│ │169. │ │169.
│ │170. │ │170.
─────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────┼──────────────┴──────────────
Cavalry. │4 Sqn. 16 Uhlan Rgt. │4 Sqn. 16 Uhlan Rgt.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Artillery. │52 Art. Command: │52 Art. Command:
│ 104 F. A. Rgt. (9 Btries.). │ 104 F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 84 Ft. A. Btn. (Staff, 1, 2,
│ │ and 3 Btries.).
│ │
│ │ 892 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 917 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1371 Light Am. Col.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Engineers and│137 Pion. Btn.: │137 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 103 Pion. Co. │ 103 Pion. Co.
│ 104 Pion. Co. │ 104 Pion. Co.
│ 52 T. M. Co. │ 52 T. M. Co.
│ 103 Searchlight Section. │ 32 Searchlight Section.
│ 52 Tel. Detch. │52 Signal Command:
│ │ 52 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 46 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Medical and │52 Ambulance Co. │52 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│341 Field Hospital. │341 Field Hospital.
│342 Field Hospital. │342 Field Hospital.
│343 Field Hospital. │205 Vet. Hospital.
│205 Vet. Hospital. │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Transport. │ │577 M. T. Col.
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Odd units. │52 Cyclist Co. │
│577 Divisional Supply Co. │
─────────────┼─────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────
Attached. │147 Giant Periscope Sect. │
│ │
│209 Field Sig. Section. │
│210 Field Sig. Section. │
│Pigeon Loft. │
│107 Wireless Detch. │
│57 Wireless Compass Station. │
│52 Trench Wireless Detch. │
│Power Buzzer Section. │
│16 M. G. S. S. Detch. │
│Staff of 203 Ft. A. Rgt. │
│Staff of 3 Abtl. 27 Ft. A. │
│ Rgt. │
│1 Btry. 94 Ft. A. Btn. │
│1 Btry. 14 Ft. A. Rgt. │
│1 Btry. 4 Ft. A. Rgt. │
│4 Naval Gun Btry. │
│237 Close-range Btry. (3 7- │
│ cm. guns). │
│44 Art. Survey Section. │
│ │
│The following is according to│
│ a captured German document │
│ dated June 4, 1917: │
│ │
│87 Supply Train. │
│103 M. T. Col. │
│274 M. T. Col. │
│725 M. T. Col. │
│944 M. T. Col. │
│2 Ammunition Train. │
│4 Ammunition Train. │
│136 Ammunition Train (new │
│ pattern). │
│65 Supply Train. │
│663 Supply Depot. │
│665 Supply Depot. │
│107 Balloon Sqn. │
│8 Air Sqns. (Protective │
│ Flight). │
│205 Air Sqn. (Reconnaissance │
│ Flight). │
│1 Co. 14 Labor Btn. │
│2 Co. 14 Labor Btn. │
│3 Co. 14 Labor Btn. │
│1 Co. 56 Road Const. Btn. │
│6 Co. 56 Road Const. Btn. │
─────────────┴─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────
HISTORY.
(14th Corps District—Grand Duchy of Baden.)
1915.
The 52d Division (of the even 50 to 58 series) was formed in March,
1915, by taking the 169th and 170th Infantry Regiments from the 29th
Division (14th Army Corps, Baden), and the 66th Landwehr Regiment from
the 7th Division (4th Army Corps). On April 6, 1917, the last-named
regiment was replaced by the 111th Infantry Regiment (the 4th Regiment
of the 28th Division, also from Baden).
ARTOIS.
1. In April, 1915, the 52d Division was in line south of Arras (Monchy
aux Bois, Hebuterne). It occupied this sector until September, 1916.
1916.
SOMME.
1. During the Franco-English offensive on the Somme the 52d Division
bore to the south and held the sector Hebuterne, Beaumont-Hamel, north
of Thiepval (September-November, 1916).
2. On November 26 the division was withdrawn from the front and sent to
rest in the vicinity of Bouchain (December).
1917.
ALSACE.
1. On January 13, 1917, the 52d Division was sent to Alsace (northwest
of Bale).
2. About the middle of January it took over the sector of Altkirch
(Carspach-Hirtzbach), which it held until the end of March.
3. After a few days at rest (at the beginning of April) in the Grand
Duchy of Baden south of Muellheim, it entrained on April 16 north of
Bale and was transferred to the Aisne, already including men of the 1918
class in its ranks.
AISNE.
4. On April 21 it went into line south of Juvincourt. It occupied this
sector until July 10, with a period of rest from June 1 to 15.
CALIFORNIE PLATEAU.
5. About July 24 it went back into line on the Californie Plateau, where
it launched an attack on September 14.
6. Sent into rest in the vicinity of Sissonne about the end of
September, it appeared in the vicinity of Pinon about the middle of
October, where it went into action and lost heavily on the 23d.
CHAMPAGNE.
7. After a rest in the vicinity of Chimay (beginning of November), it
went into line on the Champagne front (Butte du Mesnil-Maisons de
Champagne); it remained there until December 15.
8. From December 15 until January, 1918, it was at rest in the vicinity
of Vouziers.
RECRUITING.
Since April, 1917, the 52d Division has been almost purely Badensian.
Besides the Badensians, who form almost all of the drafts, we find men
from the neighboring districts of the Empire (Rhine Province, Hesse-
Nassau).
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
In general the morale of the 52d Division has appeared rather high. In
the sector of Juvincourt (April to July, 1917) the troops of the
division showed nerve and dash in the course of the local operations in
which they took part.
The division had few losses until the month of September.
However, it lost heavily on October 23 (the battle of La Malmaison),
especially the 170th Infantry Regiment.
1918.
CHAMPAGNE.
1. The 52d Division, which had been resting near Vouziers since December
15, relieved the 52d Reserve Division near Tahure (northeast of Suippes)
on the 10th of January. During the time the division held this sector
the elements not actually in the front line were being trained in open
warfare. Early in March it was relieved by the 52d Reserve Division and
went to the Vouziers area, where it received still more intensive
training in the war of movement.
PICARDY.
2. The division entrained near Vouziers on the 22d of March, and
detrained on the following day near Bohain. On the 24th it left and
marched via Fresnoy le Grand-Holnon wood (26th)-Bethenicourt (27th)-
Etalon-Liancourt-Fosse to Fresnoy les Roye. It relieved the 28th
Division near Hangest en Santerre (northwest of Montdidier) on the 28th.
It was relieved by the 76th Reserve Division on the 14th of April and
went to rest in the Sedan area.
AISNE.
3. Here it was thoroughly reconstituted. It entrained on the 22d of May,
arriving at La Malmaison (southeast of Laon) the same day. On the 26th
it went into line near Juvincourt (east of Craonne), and took part in
the initial attack on the following day. It crossed the Aisne between
Pontavert and Gernicourt; proceeding via Bouvancourt and Guyancourt, it
crossed the Vesle at Jonquery on the 28th, reached Faverolles on the
29th, Olizy on the 31st, and the Marne, in the region of Verneuil, on
June 2. The division was at first ordered to cross the same day, but the
order was subsequently rescinded. It was withdrawn, after having
suffered severely, about the 10th, and was reported to be at rest in the
Sedan area on the 15th. On the 20th it was reported in reserve in the
Tournai region.
LENS.
4. During the night of July 12–13 it relieved the 119th Division in the
Avion sector (south of Lens). It was relieved about the 5th of August by
the extension of fronts of flanking divisions.
ARMENTIERES.
5. During the night of the 6th–7th it relieved the 207th Division near
Vieux Berquin (southwest of Bailleul), the 207th Division taking over
the sector just vacated by the 52d Division. On the 17th it was
withdrawn, the neighboring divisions extending their fronts.
BAPAUME.
6. Five days later it reenforced the battle front near Miraumont (west
of Bapaume). It was withdrawn about the 4th of September, after having
lost over 1,300 prisoners, and went to rest in the Courtrai area. Here
the battalions were reduced to three companies, the strength of which
was further made up by drafts of the 29th Ersatz Regiment (223d Division
disbanded).
ARGONNE.
7. On September 28 the division reenforced the front near Exermont
(southeast of Grandpre). In the heavy fighting that followed the
division was driven back to Landres et St. Georges, where it was
withdrawn about the 14th of October after having suffered heavy losses
(almost 600 in prisoners alone).
8. During the night of October 31-November 1 the division, which had
received large numbers of replacements during its two weeks’ rest,
relieved the 41st Division east of Busancy (north of Grandpre). It was
still in line on the 11th.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The 52d is rated as one of the best German divisions. It was in a great
deal of heavy fighting during 1918 (as in preceding years) and acquitted
itself most creditably.
52d Reserve Division.
COMPOSITION.
─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1914 │ 1915 │ 1916
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │103 Res. │237 Res. │103 Res. │237 Res. │103 Res. │237 Res.
│ │238 Res. │ │238 Res. │ │238 Res.
│104 Res. │239 Res. │104 Res. │239 Res. │104 Res. │239 Res.
│ │240 Res. │ │240 Res. │ │240 Res.
│ 24 Res. Jag. Btn. │ 24 Res. Jag. Btn. │ 24 Res. Jag. Btn.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Cavalry. │52 Res. Cav. Detch.│52 Res. Cav. Detch.│52 Res. Cav. Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │52 Res. F. A. Rgt. │52 Res. F. A. Rgt. │52 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ (9 Btries.). │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│52 Res. Pion. Co. │52 Res. Pion. Co. │52 Res. Pion. Co.
Liaisons. │ │ │
│ │52 Res. Pont. Engs.│1 Ldw. Pion. Co. (9
│ │ │ C. Dist.).
│ │ │2 Ers. Co. 24
│ │ │ Pions.
│ │ │252 T. M. Co.
│ │ │52 Res. Pont. Engs.
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │ │52 Res. Ambulance │
Veterinary.│ │ Co. │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
│ │ │
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │ │ │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
─────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
│ 1917 │ 1918
─────────────┼─────────┬─────────┼─────────┬─────────
│Brigade. │Regiment.│Brigade. │Regiment.
─────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Infantry. │104 Res. │238 Res. │104 Res. │239 Res.
│ │239 Res. │ │239 Res.
│ │240 Res. │ │240 Res.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ │
─────────────┼─────────┴─────────┼─────────┴─────────
Cavalry. │ │52 Res. Cav. Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Artillery. │(?) Art. Command: │69 Art. Command:
│ │
│52 Res. F. A. Rgt. │ 52 Res. F. A. Rgt.
│ │ 51 Ft. A. Btn.
│ │ 894 Light Am. Col.
│ │ 1365 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
│ │ 1393 Light Am.
│ │ Col.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Engineers and│(352) Pion. Btn.: │253 Pion. Btn.:
Liaisons. │ │
│ 8 Co. 28 Pions. │ 8 Co. 28 Pions.
│ │
│ 52 Res. Pion. Co. │ 52 Res. Pion. Co.
│ │
│ 252 T. M. Co. │ 252 T. M. Co.
│ (?) 312 T. M. Co. │ 184 Searchlight
│ │ Section.
│ 452 Tel. Detch. │452 Signal Command:
│ │ 452 Tel. Detch.
│ │ 23 Wireless Detch.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Medical and │534 Ambulance Co. │534 Ambulance Co.
Veterinary.│ │
│88 Res. Field │89 Field Hospital.
│ Hospital. │
│Vet. Hospital. │90 Field Hospital.
│ │264 Vet. Hospital.
─────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Transports. │M. T. Col. │
─────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
HISTORY.
(8th Corps District—Rhine Province.)
1914.
FLANDERS.
1. The 52d Reserve Division (belonging to the 26th Reserve Corps with
the 51st Reserve Division), formed between August and October, 1914, was
trained at the Senne Camp and entrained for Belgium on October 12.
The division was engaged in the first battle of the Ypres about October
22.
It fought in October and November in the vicinity of Langemarck-
Passachendaele and suffered heavy losses. Between October 18 and 28, the
240th Reserve Infantry Regiment listed casualties of 28 officers and
1,360 men. (Official List of Casualties.)
1915.
YPRES.
1. The division remained on the front north of Ypres (Pilckem, St.
Julien, Zonnebeke) during the year 1915 and until the month of
September, 1916. Certain of its regiments lost very heavily in April and
May—25 officers and 1,268 men casualties in the 240th Reserve Infantry
Regiment. (Official List of Casualties.)
1916.
SOMME.
1. About September 14, 1916, it was transferred to the Somme minus the
237th Reserve Infantry Regiment, sent to Galicia for the formation of
the 199th Division.
It was engaged in the Lesboeufs sector (Sept. 16–29) and lost very
heavily in the British attack of the 26th.
CHAMPAGNE.
2. Sent to Champagne, it went into line at the Butte de Souain on
October 6, then on November 6 entered St. Marie à Py and the vicinity of
Tahure.
1917.
CHAMPAGNE.
1. The 52d Reserve Division occupied the Tahure front south of Rouvroy
until April 20, 1917. It suffered losses at Maisons de Champagne, at the
end of March, which caused hasty replacements of the 1918 class with
only four months’ training to be sent.
SAPIGNEUL.
2. Relieved between April 15 and 20, it went to the vicinity of Rethel
and passed in review at Asfeld on May 3; went into line on the 5th
southeast of Berry au Bac and underwent the French attack of the 7th
south of Sapigneul. (The 239th Reserve Division had 107 prisoners
taken.) On May 31 it again lost heavily while attacking Hill 108.
YPRES.
3. The division was withdrawn from the Aisne front at the beginning of
July and transferred to Belgium. It went into action on the Ypres-Menin
road on the 31st, the day of the British offensive, and lost heavily.
The attacks of August 10 again caused serious losses—the remnants of the
1st Battalion of the 238th Reserve Infantry Regiment formed only two
companies at the time of their relief. (British Summary of Information,
Aug. 11.)
CHAMPAGNE.
4. About August 11 the 52d Reserve Division left the Belgian front for
Champagne, where it again took over its own sector east of the Butte de
Souain about August 26. It remained there until the end of December.
RECRUITING.
At the time of its formation the 52d Reserve Division was made up of one
Rhenish Regiment and three from Baden; to-day it is entirely Rhenish.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
In May and June, 1917, the 52d Reserve Division held a very difficult
sector south of Berry au Bac where it apparently lost very heavily.
However, it acted like a good division.
During its rest in the vicinity of Vouziers, at the end of January,
1918, it was given very intensive training. It was considered as an
attack division. (Interrogation of prisoners, February, 1918.)
1918.
CHAMPAGNE.
1. The 52d Reserve Division was relieved by the 52d Division in the
Tahure sector on January 10 and went to the vicinity of Vouziers, where
it was intensively trained in open warfare.
2. Early in March it returned to line and relieved the 52d Division. It
was relieved on the 23d of April by the 1st Bavarian Division.
YPRES.
3. It proceeded to march to Vouziers, where it entrained on the 28th
and, traveling via Mezières-Signy-Hirson-Mons-Tournai, detrained at
Mouscron on the 30th. On May 4 it marched to Wervicq, and on the
following day moved into line via Warneton and Messines, relieving the
3d Guard Division in the Voormezeele sector (south of Ypres). In the
fighting before Dickebusch on the 8th heavy losses were suffered. It was
withdrawn about the 25th, and went to rest near Menin.
4. During the night of the 13th–14th of June it relieved the 58th
Division near Locre (south of Ypres). It was relieved on the 1st of
July, the flanking divisions extending their fronts, and went to rest in
the region southwest of Courtrai.
5. On the 6th of August it came back into line, relieving the 58th
Division in the Kemmel sector (south of Ypres). It was withdrawn about
the 26th.
CAMBRAI.
6. About the 2d of September it reenforced the front in the Bertincourt
sector (east of Bapaume). After having suffered severe losses in killed
and wounded, besides losing over 1,000 prisoners, it was relieved by the
6th Division near Havrincourt on the 16th.
COURTRAI.
7. About the 27th it entered line near Moorslede (southwest of Roulers).
It suffered severe losses here, and was withdrawn early in October.
8. On October 14 it relieved the Guard Ersatz Division in the Iseghem
sector (north of Courtrai). It was heavily engaged here, and was finally
withdrawn on the 25th. It did not reenter line.
VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.
The 52d was rated as a second-class division, but it was probably not so
good as other divisions similarly rated, for although it was intensively
trained for use as a shock unit for almost two months in Champagne early
in the year it was not used in any of the German offensives. It is to be
noted, however, that the German communique of October 24 said,
“Southwest of Deynze the veteran 52d Reserve Division, which has been in
battle daily since October 14, repulsed the renewed attacks of the enemy
along the Deynze-Waregem railway.”
53d Reserve Division.
COMPOSITION.