The division was deployed to China in May 1939 to perform rear area security duties in the Second Sino-Japanese War.
From some time in 1940 to March 1944 the 35th Division was stationed in the Kaifeng area of North China.
After reorganization, the division was assigned to the 12th army, and participated in the mop-up operations in the Taihang Mountains.
[6] The 219th regiment was also successfully transferred to New Guinea, though a battalion was left behind to garrison the St. Andrew Strait.
[7] The Japanese forces retreated to a final defensive perimeter around Sorong in May 1945, where they thrived until the surrender of Japan on 15 August 1945, thanks to abundant local supplies of Sago-derived foodstuffs.