The 262nd Infantry Division was posted opposite the Maginot Line in late 1939 and remained there until after the conclusion of the Battle of France. In September 1940, the division was redeployed to occupied Poland, and participated in "Operation Barbarossa" in June 1941. It advanced via Brody, Zhytomyr, Kiev and Bryansk and was then deployed to the Battle of Moscow. In 1942, it served under Army Group Center. On 15 September 1942, Friedrich Karst replaced Theisen as divisional commander.