It was formed in August–September 1940, after the forced annexation of Latvia to the USSR, based on the Kurzeme and Vidzeme Divisions of the Latvian Army.

On June 22, 1941, it was stationed at summer camps in the Gulbene area in an abbreviated format.

[citation needed] The main body (about 30% of the total force) came from the central and southern areas of the current Pskov Oblast.

The combat training level of the Latvian Riflemen was quite high - many of them received awards and honors from the commanders in the war, including for their period of stay in the 181st Division.

[1] Created again at Chelyabinsk from the 10th Rifle Division NKVD in February 1943, fought at Demyansk, Korosten, and in Poland and Germany.