(12th and 19th Corps Districts—Saxony.)

1917.

The 241st Division was formed at the beginning of 1917 and composed of new regiments (type of divisions 231 and following).

The 473d and 574th Infantry Regiments were formed in the camp at Zeithain in January, 1917, by drafts from the 1918 class and the depots and regiments of the 19th Corps District (Saxony). The 472d Infantry Regiment was originally in the 12th Corps District (Dresden) formed in the same way.

Russia.

1. On March 1, 1917, the 241st Division went to Brest-Litowsk. In April it took over the sector of Postavy in the vicinity of Lake Narotch, where it remained until the middle of June.

Galicia.

2. Relieved by the 21st Division, it entrained on June 17 at Sventsiany, northwest of Lake Narotch, and went to Galicia, southwest of Brzezany, detraining on June 22. At the beginning of July, it went into line in this region and took part in the German counteroffensive at the end of July advancing south of Skala at the beginning of August. It took up a position on the Zbrucz.

3. After this time the 241st Division occupied various sectors of the Galician front (Koroskow, Husiatin).

The 241st Division was entirely Saxon.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

It was on the Eastern Front from the time of its formation until February, 1918. “Our new regiment is a gang of headstrong kids.” (Letter from a man of the 473d Infantry Regiment, Apr. 2, 1917.)

1918.

1. The division rested in the vicinity of Signy l’Abbaye until March 15. It then proceeded by steps toward the St. Gobain forest (Fressancourt, Mar. 24).

Battle of Picardy.

2. It was engaged south of the Oise (Amigny-Septvaux) from March 25–26 to April 5. Between the 6th and 9th it advanced from Septvaux and Fresnes toward Coucy, encountering heavy losses. The division received the thanks of the King of Saxony for its conduct in this fighting.

Battle of the Aisne.

3. The division held the sector of Coucy le Chateau until May 29. On the 29th it attacked and advanced as far as Crecy au Mont. It halted on the line Nouvron-Vingre and held there until relieved at the end of June. In the attack of June 5–6 toward Vic sur Aisne the division lost heavily. On the 23d of June it received a draft of 1,500 men.

Second Battle of the Marne.

4. It rested near Coucy le Chateau for about a week, and on July 10 was engaged south of the Aisne between Ambleny and Pernaut. Then it was struck by the Allied attack on the 18th and thrown back on Mercin. The division lost 42 officers and 2,074 men as prisoners alone. It was relieved at a date between July 22 and 26.

Second Battle of Picardy.

5. The division rested and was reconstituted at Vouplaix, Sains Richaumont near Vervins until August 20. It was moved to La Fere (22d) and on the 25th engaged east of Noyon (Baboeuf-Appilly) and September 4. After that date it fell back gradually by Chauny, Fravecy, on Vendeuil, where it was relieved about September 20.

Cambrai-St. Quentin.

6. After 10 days’ rest the division was reengaged north of St. Quentin (Romicourt-Montbrehain) from October 1 to 10. It lost about 1,900 prisoners in this engagement.

Meuse-Argonne.

7. The division rested nearly a month at Audun la Roman after October 22. The 7th Saxon Jaeger Regiment from the dissolved 197th Division had replaced the dissolved 472d Regiment when it appeared in line on November 5 east of the Meuse. The last identification was at Murvaux on November 7.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as fourth class. Its heavy losses of prisoners indicate its poor quality.