The division remained there in that role until November 1939 after which it was transported to Lippstadt in order to commence training for the attack on France and the Low Countries in 1940.

Just before the attack on May 10, the division was moved to the town of Kleve on the Dutch border where it was attached to the XXVI Corps under General der Artillerie Albert Wodrig, which was itself part of Heeresgruppe B (Army Group) under General-Oberst Fedor von Bock.

This led to the 256th Division coming to Mill in pieces after which heavy fighting ensued for almost 48 hours.

The 256th continued to fight along the line 's-Hertogenbosch, Tilburg, south of Breda, Braschaat, Antwerp and then on to the Nieuwpoort/Dunkirk area where they sealed the salient around the last harbour used to evacuate retreating French and British forces.

After that, the division was transferred to East-Poland in order to prepare for battles on the Eastern Front, it was put on the frontline for Operation Barbarossa.