Formed in July 1942, it existed for a little over 15 months before being effectively destroyed in fighting on the Eastern Front in November 1943.

The 38th Infantry Division was formed in July 1942 under the command of Generalleutnant[Note 1] Friedrich-Georg Eberhardt.

After serving garrison duty in The Hague shortly after its formation, the division was transferred to Occupied France.

[1] Transferred to the Eastern Front in early 1943, the division was engaged in various actions against the Russian Army.

Losses incurred during the Battle of the Dnieper meant that the 38th Infantry Division officially ceased to exist on 14 November 1943.