Just before Operation Typhoon, the German offensive on Moscow, began in late September, the division's 855th Rifle Regiment was detached to the 3rd Army.

The division was destroyed in the Bryansk pocket that was created by the German advance by mid-October, and was officially disbanded on 27 December 1941.

After the Soviet disaster at the Second Battle of Kharkov in May, the 278th was hurriedly relocated south and assigned to the Southwestern Front's 38th Army.

When Case Blue, the German summer offensive, began in late June, the division was forced to retreat along with the rest of the front.

The division distinguished itself in the offensive, which destroyed the Italian Eighth Army and prevented German relief attempts.