It operated in the occupied Ukraine and Southern Russia regions behind Army Group South's front lines.

[1] Its duties included security of communications and supply lines, economic exploitation and combatting irregular fighters (partisans) in Wehrmacht's rear areas.

The division was subordinated to Karl von Roques, commander of Army Group South Rear Area.

In early September 1941, he issued instructions to the division to coordinate its activities in "cleansing" operations with the forces under the command of Friedrich Jeckeln, the Higher SS and Police Leader for the region.

The unit was largely destroyed in the Brody Pocket in July 1944, and many of the division's soldiers, including the wounded commander Johannes Nedtwig, being taken into Soviet captivity.