The division was part of the Rhine Army, commanded by Marshall Mac Mahon.

Composition : After the dissolution of the Imperial Army, it joined the new Armée de la Loire, commanded by General Louis d'Aurelle de Paladines.

2nd Infantry Division : General Martineau des Chenez The 2nd Infantry Division was mobilised in the 1st Military Region in August 1914.

[1] Infantry Artillery Cavalry Engineers 4–13 August 13–23 August 23–29 August 29 August – 6 September 6–13 September 13 September – 12 December 12 December 1914 – 12 January 1915 12–20 January 20 January – 2 March 2 March – 5 April 5–11 April 11–29 April 29 April – 11 May 11–15 May 15 May – 3 September 3 September – 2 October 2 October 1915 – 12 February 1916 12–21 February 21 February – 8 March 8 March – 14 April 14 April – 24 July 24 July – 3 September 3 September – 5 October 5–9 October 9–16 October 16 October – 30 November 30 November – 14 December 14 December 1916 – 6 January 1917 6 January – 27 February 21 February – 6 March 6 March – 8 April 8–19 April 19 April – 7 July 7–30 July 30 July – 4 August 4–22 August 22 August – 6 October 6–16 October 16 October – 21 November 21 November – 7 December 7 December 1917 – 17 January 1918 17 January – 20 March 20–31 March 31 March – 20 May: Retreat from the front; movement towards Fismes, and, on 3 April, towards Écuiry; rest.

Under the order of battle of 10 May 1940, the 2nd Infantry Division joined the Colonial Army Corps (with the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division and the 56th (London) Infantry Division), under the command of General Condé of the Third French Army.