This new division began forming in the last days of 1941, and saw some limited service in the Second Battle of Kharkov, but then had to fall back in the face of the German summer offensive, became encircled quite early on, and had to be disbanded in July.

While the division was effectively destroyed as a fighting force during that month, it appears that at least a cadre escaped, including Col. Sokolov, who remained in command on the books until December 1.

[9] While it escaped the catastrophe that engulfed the "southern group" in the Kharkov offensive, the 301st still took significant casualties in its attacks, which left it too weak to survive in the face of the German Operation Blue.

[11] The final 301st Rifle Division began forming in late June, 1943, and completed on August 14, when Col. Vladimir Semyonovich Antonov was named as commanding officer; he would remain in this position for the duration of the war.

[12] The 3rd formation of this brigade started forming in late August, 1942, at Baku in the Transcaucasus Military District from students of the army and navy schools in and around the city.

It was part of the emergency response to the Axis advance into the Caucasus in July, and in September the brigade went to the front in the 11th Guards Rifle Corps of 9th Army.

Since enemy armor could be expected in quantity, the brigade was reinforced with heavy support, including: The 34th remained under these commands when the Germans began to retreat after Stalingrad, and on January 24, 1943, it took part in the liberation of Armavir.

The 157th remained facing the German forces in the Taman peninsula over the coming months, then it began converting to the 301st Rifle Division in June.

The troops that participated in the liberation of the Donbass, during which they captured Stalino and other cities, by order of the Supreme High Command on September 8, 1943, are given congratulations, and in Moscow a salute was given with 20 artillery salvos of 224 guns.

On the 11th the division reached the Dniestr River and, without bridging equipment, began forcing a crossing with improvised means:"The 1050th Rifle Regiment from Col. V.S.

Antonov's 301st Rifle Division began crossing the river shortly after noon, a platoon and company at a time on these fragile rafts and boats.

At the start of the offensive 9th Corps, reinforced by 96th Tank Brigade, was committed to the fighting on the second day, moving up to the area north of Lake Botno while covered by an 11km-wide smoke screen.

In November, 5th Shock joined 1st Belorussian Front for the duration, allowing the 301st to take part in the final defeat of Germany in Poland, East Pomerania, and in Berlin.

[21] On May 2, 1945, units of the 301st reported the capture of the ruins of the New Reich Chancellery building, just as fighting in the city was drawing to an end, and Colonel Antonov was shown the burned bodies of Josef and Magda Goebbels.