[franksolich]

I think Frank is referring to other division size units which stayed at or near the front while drawing replacements from the rear area manpower pools.

Yes.

[Tallguy]

You pose an interesting question. I can only guess that it has to do with the Army studies on the individual psychological impact of combat and how that relates to unit effectiveness.

Pennsylvania’s National Guard was organized into the 28th Infantry Division. They landed shortly after D-Day, marched into Paris, then went into combat near the Heurtgen Forest. Basically they took so many casualties in this battle that they ceased to be “Pennsylvania” in character. The division got an infusion of manpower from all over the US. The division was shifted to a “quiet sector” in the Ardennes to rest & refit. Then it was shattered yet again during the opening phase of the Battle of the Bulge.