In December 1939, it fought in the Winter War and attacked the town of Lieksa.

On October 28, 1941 the 1st and 2nd Moscow Worker's Brigades were in Moscow formed using Destroyer Battalions' troops, similar to the earlier People's Militia formations.

On November 14, 1941, they were upgraded in status to the 4th and 5th Moscow Rifle Divisions respectively.

[2] During the rest of the Second World War, it fought in Kalinin, Kursk, the Carpathians, and Budapest.

In the summer of 1945, the division was disbanded and the soldiers then served with the Southern Group of Forces.