The unit was created on April 28, 1937, as a reserve division of the Eastern Army.[1][2] Subsequently, the 32nd Division was integrated into the XI Army Corps,[3] being placed in the rear. Command of the unit fell to Alfonso Arana Vivanco, who was replaced in July 1937 by Manuel Gancedo Sáenz.[4]
During the Aragon Offensive, the 32nd Division was forced to withdraw, establishing its new defensive positions on the Segre front . On September 8, 1938, the forces of the unit relieved the 55th Division in the Agramunt-Artesa de Segre-Tornabous sector.[5] After the start of the Catalonia Offensive the 32nd Division, faced with strong enemy pressure, was forced to withdraw. In the course of the fighting, it suffered a severe loss. In January 1939 it was briefly added to the X Army Corps, although during the rest of the campaign it did not play a relevant role and ended up withdrawing to the French border.