1. Regrouped with its three regiments in Upper Alsace (vicinity of Ferrette) at the end of 1916, the 37th
Division spent some time at rest and, in the middle of January, 1917, went into line in the sector which
extends from Niederlarg to the Swiss frontier.
The division occupied this sector until the month of May.
2. About May 1 it was relieved, entrained south of Mulhouse and sent to Charleville by way of
Strassburg, Sarrebruecken, and Sedan, from which place it went to the vicinity of Gizy (6 kilometers
from Sissonne).
Aisne.
3. After a week’s rest, it went into line on the Aisne at the Chemins des Dames, in the sector of
Courtecon, which it occupied until the end of July.
4. During these two months (May 25 to the end of July), the 37th Division did not play an important
rôle. However, units of the division carried out several local operations in the course of this period. On
July 14, units from the three regiments aided by the assault troops of the 5th Assault Battalion,
succeeded, at the expense of very heavy losses, in reducing a salient near the Cerny sugar refinery.
St. Gobain .
5. On July 31 the 37th Division was relieved, and about August 3 went into line in the St. Gobain sector
(in front of Coucy le Chateau) which it occupied until the end of November. On October 23 it suffered
losses (Mont des Singes) from our bombardments. On the 24th the division withdrew its units across
the canal and occupied the sector included between the Brancourt-Quincy road and Anizy.
RECRUITING.
The 37th Division is recruited from East and West Prussia. During its stay on the Eastern Front it
contained a large number of Alsace-Lorrainers. Because of its circumscribed territorial extent, the 37th
Division contains an admixture of elements coming from other districts (5th and 6th Corps Districts
among others). Nevertheless, and in spite of their official designations (from Moravia, from Ermeland),
its regiments are called “East Prussian” in the German communique of July 15, 1917.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
On July 14 and 15, 1917, the 37th Division attacked with great energy. At that time, it seemed to be of
good quality and of high morale. However, according to statements of prisoners of the 151st Infantry
Regiment made in September, October, and November, the morale appears to have weakened (Jan. 18,
1918).
1918.
Laon.
1. During January and early February the 37th Division and the 14th Reserve Division relieved each
other in the St. Gobain sector (north of Soissons). It seems probable (though the fact has never been
proved) that during one of its periods out of line, the 37th Division was given a course of training in
open warfare. On February 20, the 37th relieved the 14th Reserve in the same sector, and it was in turn
relieved by the 14th Reserve about the 9th of March.