The division was part of the III Royal Bavarian Army Corps.
During World War I, the division served on the Western Front.
In July and August 1916, the division fought in the Battle of Verdun, and afterwards went into combat in the Argonne Forest.
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.