Formed in the summer of 1941, the division fought in the Crimean Campaign, during which it was destroyed and rebuilt twice.

In the North Caucasus the division was transferred to the 47th Army, and returned to the Crimea in March 1942, fighting in the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula.

It was soon transferred back to the 51st Army, and was destroyed on 8 May when the final German offensive, Operation Bustard Hunt, began.

The remnants of the division were evacuated to the North Caucasus, where they were completely rebuilt.

When the Donbas strategic offensive began in July, the division was part of the 28th Army.