The division fought exclusively on the Eastern Front, taking part in the battles of Moscow and Kursk.

In March 1942 it was withdrawn to Bryansk for refitting and a rest after heavy casualties during the winter that lead to disbanding of a number of its units.

[3] The 20th Panzer Division, consisting of just one of the nominal three tank battalions, remained in the central sector of the Eastern Front, taking part in the capture of Voronezh in mid-1942 but otherwise engaged in defensive operations.

Having suffered heavy losses during the Red Army's Operation Bagration, the division was sent to Romania for refitting in August 1944.

It counterattacked again in the Bautzen area, succeeding in relieving the local garrison at heavy cost to Soviet forces.