The division fought in the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, including the Battle of Königgrätz.
[4] In the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, the division saw action in the battles of Beaumont and Sedan, and in the Siege of Paris.
On mobilization in August 1914 at the beginning of World War I, most divisional cavalry, including brigade headquarters, was withdrawn to form cavalry divisions or split up among divisions as reconnaissance units.
Divisions received engineer companies and other support units from their higher headquarters.
Its initial wartime organization was as follows:[10] During the Battle of the Somme, the division was commanded by General der Infanterie Ernst II.