Created in Morocco following the liberation of French North Africa, the division fought in Italy, metropolitan France and in Germany.

Formed in Morocco since May 1943, it embarked in Bizerte in November 1943 and was the first French division which landed in Italy.

It was engaged in the Monte-Cassino in the Apennine Mountains in the Scapoli-Pantano sector and fought in the Battles of San Michele de Pantano (December 12 to 22, 1943), Mainarde (December 23 to 29, 1943), Costa San Pietro and Monacasale (January 12-15, 1944), and Monte-Croce (January 21, 1944).

The division didn't participate in the Invasion of Southern France, but landed there at the end of August 1944, and was moved to the front in the Alps.

During World War II, the 2nd DIM was cited twice on the orders of the Army, and lost more than 16,000 men (killed, wounded and missing):