(13th Corps District—Wurttemberg.)

1917.

The 242d Division was formed at the end of 1916. Like all of the divisions of the same series, the 1918 class entered largely into the composition of the regiments (475th and 476th). These two were recruited from the 13th Corps District (Wurttemberg). Initial effectiveness, 235 to 240 men per company.

The 127th Infantry Regiment is an active peace-time regiment taken from the 27th Division.

1. On March 11, 1917, the 475th and 476th Infantry Regiments left the camp of Muensingen, where they had received training since January, and went to Lorraine. They were joined there by the 127th Infantry Regiment.

Lorraine.

2. From March 29 to April 30 the 242d Division was in line between Abaucourt and Bezange wood.

3. From May 4 to 15 it was employed upon defensive works north of the Suippe.

4. During the night of May 15–16 it went into line south of Nauroy (Grille-Cornillet wood), where the French attack of May 20 caused it heavy losses (3 officers and 194 men prisoners). Several companies of the 476th Infantry Regiment remained in the Cornillet tunnel.

5. The 242d Division was relieved during the night of May 31-June 1, and after a few days’ rest northeast of Lavannes went into line in a calm sector near Betheny from June 3–4 until August 6.

6. The 242d Division was at rest in the Charleville area from August 7 to 20.

Meuse.

7. On August 20 it was transferred to the right bank of the Meuse (Beaumont sector). It received the French attack of August 26 (7 officers and 390 men prisoners, mostly from the 475th Infantry Regiment). It counterattacked to relieve Beaumont and remained in line until September 10.

Aisne.

8. From the beginning of October until December 16 it held the sector of Berry au Bac, where its only activity consisted in one raid on November 12.

RECRUITING.

The 242d Division was recruited entirely from Wurttemberg.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

In Champagne the 242d Division showed itself energetic and tenacious (May, 1917).

It was a good division, with a high morale, and the prisoners talked very little (December, 1917).

The 242d Division was listed as an assault division and received the training for divisions of that category (February-March, 1918).

The 475th and 476th Infantry Regiments, however, were considered only mediocre.

1918.

1. The division marched to its entraining point at Bergnicourt (west of Junville) on March 22–24 and entrained for Guise. From there it marched by night toward the Montdidier-Noyan front via Ly Fontaine, Guiscard, Margny aux Cerises.

Battle of Picardy.

2. It was engaged near Conchy les Pots, Orvillers, Sorel from March 29 to April 8, then near Boulogne la Grasse, Mortemer, from April 10 to 26. The division’s losses were heavy.

Battle of the Aisne.

3. After its relief it was transported to Champagne, detraining near Le Chatelet sur Retourne. There it rested three weeks. It entered in line between Brimont and Vitry les Reims after May 20. It attacked on the 27th and advanced by Merfy (29th), Tinquex (31st), as far as the line Betheny, Courcelles, St. Brice (June 2). It held that sector until the 1st of August, when it retreated on La Neuvillette and held the front Betheny-Vitry road. It was relieved about September 26.

4. The division was engaged northeast of St. Pierre a Arnes from October 5 to 11. It then fell back on Rethel. On the 20th it was moved to the area east of Vouziers and put in reserve. On October 23 it was engaged near Chestres, and later near Ballay, Quatre-Champs until November 4. Beginning on the 4th it retired in the direction of Sedan by Rancourt (Nov. 8).

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as third class. It was a fair division, although the discipline was relaxed after September.