Das Infanterie-Regiment Generalfeldmarschall von Mackensen Nr. 129 (3rd Westpreußisches) 11te Kompanie in 1918.
Spring.
French and German troops fighting in Noyon.
The 105th Division assumed a position at the front in January of 1918. The spring was mostly quiet until April. The division was engaged west of Noyon (roughly 25 miles southwest of St. Quentin) on April 15 and remained in that area until May 17, when it was relieved by the 22rd Division. Losses were very considerable in the early part of the division’s occupation of that sector. It appears as if the 105th Division was not part of any of the major attacks, but instead held the line in a quieter area that may have received some Allied counterattacks. The Allies in this area seemed to have been a combination of Australians, Brits, Morrocans, and French.
Summer.
Ruins of Moulin sous Touvent, 1918.
The 105th Division rested north of Noyon until May 31 when it reinforced the troops along the Aisne battle front at Nampcel, east of the Oise. Through June it was engaged in this sector. The Division attempted a local attack on Moulin sous Touvent on July 3 without success. In minor operations in June and July the division lost about 1,000 prisoners. In August it was heavily engaged and pushed back on Noyon, where it was relieved by the 54th Division about September 1st.
Fall.
German Blockhouse near Mesbrecourt.
The division rested for about three weeks in the area south of Ferte Chevresis-Montigny sur Crecy. Due to the major push by the Entente known as the “100 Days Offensive” it was engaged at Septvaux about September 27th. It fought in the retreat through Fourdrain as far as Mesbrecourt-Assis sur Serre. It held that sector until the loss of Mesbrecourt on October 22, after which it took up a position to the north. The division was in the neighborhood of Pargny wood until November 5. Thereafter it was identified at Vervins on the 6th, Voulpaix on the 7th, and north of Wimy on the 9th. According to American Intelligence the 105th Division was rated as third class in the Fall of 1918 with low morale due to the beating it had taken in 1918.