the division initially fought in the battle of the frontiers in 1914, including the battle before nancy-epinal. from september 1914 to october 1916, it was in the trenchlines and fought in the region between the meuse and moselle rivers, especially in an area known as the priest's forest (german: "priesterwald", french: "bois le prêtre"). in october 1916, it entered the battle of the somme. afterwards, it returned to the priesterwald, where it was converted into the 243rd infantry division. allied intelligence rated the division's elements as good.