It provided a parachute battalion for one minor airborne operation, but the war ended before the complete formation could take part.

The division was still in the midst of formation, reorganisation and training when it was called upon to provide a parachute force to take part in Operation Dracula.

This was an amphibious operation intended to capture Rangoon, the capital and principal port of Burma, which was reinstated at short notice after being earlier cancelled.

The division was preparing to take part in the projected invasions of Malaya and Singapore when the war ended unexpectedly.

The division provided small airborne parties that landed in Japanese-occupied territories ahead of the main Allied forces, locating camps containing Allied prisoners of war and interned civilians, and delivering emergency relief supplies.