3. It remained in reserve first on the Wytschaete-Messines front, and then (Aug. 1) relieved the 22d Reserve Division in the sector east of Klein-Zillebeke after the Franco-British attack. In this sector the division did not engage in battle but suffered greatly from artillery bombardments. ITALY. 4. It was relieved on August 20 and transferred to Alsace for reorganization and rest. It remained in the region west of Bale until the end of September. It was then sent to the Italian front, to the 14th German Army, where it was engaged in the Tolmino sector on October 25, and relieved on the Piave about the 8th of December. FRANCE. 5. The 12th Division was brought back from Italy to the French front about December 25. At the beginning of January, 1918, it was in the neighborhood of Zabern. RECRUITING. The 12th Division is recruited from Upper Silesia, a great mining and industrial center, which suffices to insure its own full recruiting and even helps out other districts less populated or temporarily below strength. The sending of these men outside of the district has the advantage of reducing, in its own regiments, the Polish element, which dominates in Upper Silesia. VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE. The 12th Division fought well at the Somme. It appears to have been reorganized during its stay at Zabern (January, 1918). It has always been considered a good division. 1918. LORRAINE. 1. On January 24 the 12th division entered the Domevre sector, relieving the 233d Division. It was relieved on February 20 and went to rest and train in Alsace. On March 18 it entrained at Froeschweiler and moved to Ath, from where it marched to the Gory-Belloune area, south of Douai (a march of 40 miles). BATTLE OF PICARDY. 2. On the 23d the division moved to Drury and up the Cambrai-Arras road to Vis en Artois, coming into line on the night of March 23–24. It attacked on the 24th, but was held up by the British artillery fire. It remained in line until April 1, making little progress in spite of heavy and costly fighting. BATTLE OF THE LYS. 3. The division rested in the suburbs of Douai until mid-April. It was engaged northeast of Merris on the 17th. It appears to have received replacements in the interim. The division passed into the second line on May 18, after suffering especially heavy losses. In recognition of the service of the 12th Division, south of Arras and in the Lys battle, Gen. Lequis, the division commander, received the Order of Merit in May. 4. The division was at rest near Renaix (Belgium) from May 29 to July 12. It entrained at Audenarde on the 12th and moved to Perenchies (via Coutrai and Lille). METEREN. 5. The division was engaged south of Meteren on the night of July 19–20; here it remained until August 28. In a local operation on August 18 the division lost 300 prisoners, otherwise the sector was quiet. BATTLE OF CAMBRAI.