During this time, the division's transit through neutral Sweden caused the Midsummer Crisis of 1941.

It was destroyed in March 1945 in Pomerania by the First Polish Army, subordinated to the Soviet 1st Belorussian Front.

In April 1940 it was employed in the invasion of Norway, landing at Oslo, Kristiansand, Arendal, and Stavanger.

It was troops from this division that were present on the heavy cruiser Blücher when it was sunk in the Battle of Drøbak Sound in the early hours of the invasion of Norway.

In early 1945 it was transferred back to Germany, standing in reserve for a time at Berlin, then destroyed by the Soviets in Pomerania in March.