The division was formed on the mobilization of the German Army in August 1914.

It was initially assigned to IV Cavalry Corps, which preceded the 4th and 5th Armies on the Western Front.

It was reformed in Hungary on 9 September 1916 and later moved to Transylvania.

[1] A more detailed combat chronicle can be found at the German-language version of this article.

On formation, in August 1914, the component units of the division were:[2] See: Table of Organisation and Equipment