The division remained in reserve until February 1942, when the division was assigned to XXIX Army Corps under command of 6th Army. At this point, the Operations Division of OKH had issued a series of preliminary instructions for the campaigns throughout the year 1942 and had prioritized Army Group South, which 62nd Infantry Division was a part of, for reinforcements over the other army groups as the focus of the war shifted southwards. 20 German divisions and 21 Axis divisions from other countries joined the southern front sector for the upcoming operations. In May 1942, the division joined VIII Army Corps and then was moved to LI Army Corps in June, both under 6th Army. In this function, the 62nd Infantry Division participated in the major Axis victory at the Second Battle of Kharkov (12 May – 28 May 1942) and the first phase of the subsequent Axis summer offensive ("Case Blue") of 1942.