Fighting its way across the Bug River, it approached the Polish capital at Warsaw on 18 September and remained in the vicinity until the end of the campaign.

In December 1939 the division was shifted to the west and subsequently took part in the attack on Belgium on 10 May 1940 as a unit of 4th Army Corps.

During the advance into Belgium the 61st divisions 151st Infantry Regiment linked up with German airborne troops assaulting Fort Eben-Emael on 11 May, the Belgian defenders surrendered the fortifications on the same day.

Loses in the western campaign were 348 killed, 1052 wounded, 106 missing[1] The division served occupation duty in Brittany afterward.

The island was defended by 3rd Independent Brigade of the 8th Army of the Leningrad front, plus coastal artillery, and naval units.

Held in reserve, it was one of only two divisions considered "fully combat effective" by the Army Group North in July of that year.

Evacuated to East Prussia, the division fought in the so-called Heiligenbeil pocket, caught between the advancing Soviets and the Frisches Haff.

It was mobilised in Wehrkreis 1, East Prussia, with its headquarters at Insterburg The division had a standard early war infantry establishment.