[3] On 2 October 1939, the 41st Division under the command of Lieutenant General Moritake Tanabe was assigned to 1st Army in North China.

[citation needed] Upon the outbreak of the Pacific War on 7 December 1941, the division was based in Qingdao in eastern China, under the command of Shimizu Tsunenori.

Consequently, the 41st Division arrived at Wewak on 12 February 1943,[5] where they were attached to the 18th Army and subsequently took part in the New Guinea campaign throughout 1943–45, fighting against Australian and United States forces.

At this time, the Shoge Detachment was sent to fortify positions at Lae, eventually participating in Salamaua–Lae campaign together with 51st Division.

The remnants of the 41st Division have retreated to Prince Alexander Mountains and has a heavy loss of life due malnutrition and disease before the war ended with surrender of Japan 15 August 1945.