The division was part of the III Royal Bavarian Army Corps.
During World War I, the division served on the Western Front.
After a brief period in reserve, the division went in the trenchlines in the Meuse-Moselle region until September 1916, and then fought briefly in the Battle of the Somme, where it suffered heavy losses.
Divisions received engineer companies and other support units from their higher headquarters.
Divisional signals commanders were established to better control communications, a major problem in coordinating infantry and artillery operations during World War I.