(42d Infantry Regiment; 2d Corps District—Pomerania. 59th Infantry Regiment; 20th Corps District—Eastern part of West Prussia. 354th Infantry Regiment; 6th Corps District—Silesia.)

1916.

The 216th Division was formed in Galicia in July, 1916, by drafts upon regiments of other divisions. At the time of formation it comprised the 182d Infantry Regiment, from the 123d Division (Saxon), the 354th Infantry Regiment from the 38th Division and the 21st Reserve Infantry Regiment from the 217th Division.

Galicia-Transylvania.

1. In Galicia (Brzezany) beginning of October, the 216th Division was transferred to the Transylvanian front (valley of the Olt) on November 8.

Roumania.

2. It took part in the Roumanian campaign.

3. At the end of December it was south of Rimnicu-Sarat.

1917.

Roumania.

1. In January, 1917, the 216th Division was in line east of Focsani, where it remained until August.

2. It took part in the attacks north of Focsani in August, where the 182d Infantry Regiment lost especially heavily.

3. At this time the 42d and 59th Infantry Regiments, filled up in June by men borrowed from the 76th Reserve Division, then in the rear of the Roumanian front replaced the 182d Infantry Regiment, transferred to the 212th Division and the 21st Infantry Regiment, sent to the Macedonian front.

4. With this composition the 216th Division occupied the line north of the mouth of the Buzeu. It was still there at the end of December. The 354th Infantry Regiment was identified on December 28 by fraternizing.

RECRUITING.

The 42d Infantry Regiment, Pomeranian, and the 59th Infantry Regiment, from Posen, also contained contingents from the 2d, 5th and 20th Corps Districts, and since 1915 have contained a large number of Alsace-Lorrainers. The 354 Infantry Regiment, formed from mobile depot battalions of the former Breslau Garrison, replaced its 3d Battalion (Saxon) by Prussians, and consisted almost entirely of drafts from Silesia.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

The 216th Division fought and held sectors almost entirely on the Roumanian front.

1918.

1. On the 1st of April the division started for the Western Front. It traveled via Bucharest-Budapest-Prague-Dresden-Leipsig-Erfurt-Frankfort-Thionville-Luxemburg-Namur-Mons-Valenciennes, and detrained at Orchies and Somain from April 12 to 20.

Kemme.

2. It entered line at Kemme on May 9 and with the exception of the first week in June held that sector until June 18.

3. The division rested and underwent training north of Courtrai (Oostroosebeke-Marialoop) until July 23. It was then railed to Laon and marched toward the front south of Fismes through Urcel, Brenelle, Bozoches, Mont St. Martin. It was in reserve northeast of Cierges on July 28–29.

4. It was engaged near Cierges and west of the Bois Meuniere on July 29 and 30. The next day it returned north of Cierges and later to the Vesle east of Fismes (Magneux). The division lost heavily in their retreat. It held the sector on the Vesle until September 5, when it fell back through Merval toward the line of the Aisne. It held on the line west of Revillon, south of Villers en Prayeres until October 10. Again it gave way before the Allied pressure and retired through Bouconville, north of Aubigny (11th–12th), Montaigu (13th) toward Liesse-Sissonne. In this area the division was withdrawn from line on October 23.

Champagne.

5. Without having had an opportunity to rest, the division was returned to line northwest of Chateau Porcien on October 25 and fought until November 5.

6. At the time of the armistice the division was considered in reserve of 5th Army.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as third class. Its conduct during the retreat to the Vesle was good. The three months of constant service in line greatly fatigued the troops and lowered the morale of the division.