The division was formed in September 1914 and organized over the next month, arriving in the line in October.
[1] The 217th Reserve Infantry Regiment was raised in the Prussian Province of Saxony and the Duchy of Anhalt.
In 1918, the division fought in the German spring offensive, breaking through at St.Quentin–La Fère and fighting on to the Montdidier-Noyon region.
In 1918 it was rated second class, and it was noted that its strength had been allowed to diminish without replenishment, leading to its dissolution.
Over the course of the war, other changes took place, including the formation of artillery and signals commands and a pioneer battalion.