The division was set up on December 20, 1941, with the headquarters in Braunschweig for the occupation of Denmark.

The division had an average age of 38 years and was called the "Whipped Cream Division” due to the relative ease of the occupation, high food supply, and copious amount of dairy products.

In mid-January 1943, both regiments were transferred to Army Group Center on the Eastern Front.

During this period, the division had its command post in the district of Keuchingen near Mettlach.

The division pastor, Wilhelm Wöste, led the capitulation negotiations.