The division was in training until the spring of 1941, when it became part of 12. Armee for the attack on Yugoslavia. After the successful conclusion of the Balkan campaign it then became part of 17.Armee in Heeresgruppe Sud for the inva-sion of the Soviet Union Taking part in the advance towards the Volga, it fought in the Battles at Uman and Mius, where it suffered heavy casualties, In the German summer offensive of 1942 the division struck into the Caucasus mountains and fought with some distinction, becoming involved in the containment of the attempted Russian landings at Novorossisk in the Kuban bridgehead. In 1944, having taken part in the ferocious battles around the Dnieper Bend, it received a commendation from Generalfeldmarschall von Manstein for the part it had played in the destruction of the Soviet 1st Tank Army.

In late 1944 the division withdrew across the Carpathian Mountains into Hungary, and was involved in the fighting retreat into Czechoslovakia and Austria, ending up as part of 1.Panzerarmee. By the end of the year this once powerful division had been reduced to a Kampfgruppe; it surrendered to the Soviets on 9. May 1945.