(102d Landwehr: 12th Corps District—Saxony. 244th Reserve Regiment and 40th Ersatz: 19th Corps District—Saxony.)

1917.

The 96th Division was a newly formed unit, being organized on the Galician front in July, 1917.

One of its regiments, the 244th Reserve, was part of the 53d Reserve Division (until the end of 1916) and later part of the 215th Division.

The 40th Ersatz, formerly of the 19th Ersatz Division, also came to this division from the 215th Division. As to the 102d Landwehr, it was with the 82d Reserve Division in the vicinity of Pinsk.

Galicia.

1. After the Russian offensive beginning in July the 96th Division was put into line in the Zborow sector. At the end of July it took part in the German counteroffensive and advanced up to the Russian-Galician frontier. It held the Husiatin sector until February, 1918, sending important reenforcements in December, 1917, to the 241st Division (Saxon).

RECRUITING.

Division is entirely Saxon.

VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.

Coming from the Eastern Front at the beginning of April, 1918, the 96th Division seemed to have only a mediocre combat value (April, 1918).

1. The division continued to hold the quiet sector south of Blamont until the armistice.

VALUE—1918 ESTIMATE.

The division was rated as fourth class. It had practically no losses on the Western Front. The companies averaged 115 men of an average age of 25 to 35 years.