The 257th Rifle Division, the first of three unrelated units to share the designation during World War II, began forming shortly after the beginning of the German invasion of the Soviet Union, in accordance with a 29 June 1941 directive of the State Defense Committee that ordered the formation of fifteen rifle divisions from the NKVD troops.
[2] Brought up to strength by residents of Tula, Kuybyshev and Saratov Oblasts, the division formed between 11 and 19 July.
[3] After the formation process ended, the 257th was assigned to the newly formed 34th Army, with which it entrained on 18 July to man the Mozhaisk Defense Line west of Maloyaroslavets.
During the day, the division reached the line of Bela, Ilovets, and Malovasilyevsky Bor, continuing to advance towards Tuleblya.
[9] In intense defensive battles the division fought in the area of Drotino, Vzglyady and Rykanovo, and on the Pola river.