45th Infantry Division (France)
The alleged first gas attack of the Western Front was launched against its positions (among other divisions) north of Ypres on 22 April 1915.
[a] 24 August – 6 September : transported by sea to Sète, then by rail to the south of Paris; where its journey temporarily halted.
[5] 25 February – 13 April : withdrawn from the front line to Avesnes-le-Comte; rest, then from 30 March sent to Doullens; refresher training.
13 April – 8 June : moved to the front line, to occupy of a sector towards Poelkapelle and Langemark (flanking the British Army).
[22] 30 September 1915 – 11 March 1916 : withdrew from the front line to the south-east of Bergues; rest and refresher training.
16 February – 4 March : employed on working parties at Fitz-James, for the entrenched camp of Paris.
4 – 15 March : moved to the front line, to occupy a sector towards Beuvraignes and the Bois des Loges (excluded).
[25] 11 April – 19 May : withdrew from the front line, moved to Mourmelon-le-Grand; at rest in the vicinity of La Chaussée-sur-Marne.
[26] 19 May – 18 August : transported by rail to the front line and from 26 May, occupied a sector situated towards La Neuville-au-Pont and the north of Loivre.
22 October – 11 December : moved to the front line, and occupied the sector towards Sapigneul and the south of Godat.
From 16 November, ring road movement and took up positions in a new sector between Courcy and the south of Godat.
[26] 26 January – 29 March : moved to the front line, occupied the sector towards Courcy, Marne and Bétheny.
29 March – 28 April : withdrew from the front line, was transported by trucks to the Vendeuil region.
Contributed to stopping the German offensive during violent fighting between Grivesnes and the west of Montdidier.
20 May – 2 June : moved to the Saint-Thierry massif, the next day, 21 May, occupied a sector towards Courcy and Loivre.
8–20 September : withdrew from the front line, moved to Arcis-le-Ponsart; then occupied a sector between the west of Romain, Marne and the south of Glennes.
20 September – 8 October : organization of the positions conquered north of the Vesle between the west of Romain and the south of Glennes.
From 10 October, occupied a sector on the Suippe, towards Burgundy; then progressed towards the region of Saint-Germainmont, Le Thour (Battle of the Serre).
[10] On 5 September, the division was created, with four régiments at its core, three of Zouaves, one of tirailleurs algériens, each regiment comprising three infantry battalions.
[32] Divisional cavalry: Régiment de marche of Chasseurs d'Afrique from the 1st and 2nd Regiments[32] Artillery: a divisional artillery with 3 groups[32] Engineers: a field company of sappers[32] Lines of communication: a detachment of telegraphists, a reserve of medical equipment, Sanitary Sections, a group of stretcher-bearers, 4 Field Ambulances, 4 hospital sections.
