Elements of the division was used for anti-partisan duties in Croatia during training until June 1944 while the rest was in Hungary where the division took part in the occupation of Hungary.
Elements of it fought against the Slovak uprising Sep and Oct 1944 but it was not until one month later the division fought as a whole unit for the first time, this was against the Red Army south of Budapest.
It later fought in Silesia and Bohemia with the survivors surrendering to Czech and Soviet forces at the end of the war.

It was ironically named after the SA hero Horst Wessel as it was originally planned to include SA volunteers.

The "Horst Wessel" cuff title was authorized for this unit.

Commander
SS-Brigadeführer Wilhelm Trabant (25 Jan 1944 - 3 Jan 1945)
SS-Gruppenführer Josef Fitzthum (3 Jan 1945 - 10 Jan 1945)
SS-Oberführer Georg Bochmann (10 Jan 1945 - ? Mar 1945)
SS-Standartenführer Heinrich Petersen (? Mar 1945 - 8 May 1945)