It took part in the first Soviet winter counteroffensive, then played peripheral roles in the battles around the Rhzev salient, before advancing in the offensive that liberated Smolensk in the summer of 1943.

After a series of frustrating attempts during the autumn and winter of 1943-44, the city of Orsha was finally liberated in the opening days of Operation Bagration, and the 352nd was recognized for its role in the battle.

In the winter of 1945 the 352nd took part in the invasion of East Prussia and the capture of Königsberg, but in April it finally was swung off its very straightforward combat path when it and its 31st Army were transferred to 1st Ukrainian Front advancing into Czechoslovakia.

Its basic order of battle was as follows: At the time it was forming the division's personnel was noted as containing a "high percentage of Tatars", which is unsurprising, given the location.

In the event encircling moves by other elements of the Army forced the enemy to abandon this town, and by evening the division had reached Peshki, helping to capture four tanks, 13 motor vehicles, seven mortars and 13 artillery pieces.

[6] By January 1, 1942, 20th Army had reached a line roughly along the Lama River and was fighting to improve its positions to continue the offensive to the west.

During the night of January 1–2, the 1162nd Rifle Regiment, the 1st Battalion of the 1160th Regiment, and the 64th Rifle Brigade, backed by tanks, waged a fierce fight for the village of Birkino, which failed despite killing up to 40 enemy officers and soldiers; Birkino was finally liberated on January 4.

On January 9 the division was ordered to destroy the enemy in the Timonino area with the support of the 537th Artillery Regiment and the 2nd Guards Mortar Battalion.

With the help of the 49th Rifle Brigade (which was backed by a single KV tank and four T-34s) the 352nd captured Timonino by 1330, and then continued its offensive towards Kaleevo, Bolshoe Goloperovo and Afanasovo.

Command control was "carried out comparatively well" with communications "maintained by radio and telephone... periodically with the 352nd Rifle Division."

[10] General Pronin, who would go on to be named a Hero of the Soviet Union in 1945 while leading the 16th Guards Rifle Division, was succeeded in command by Col. M. T. Ilin through the summer months.

Shortly after the start of the summer offensive towards Smolensk in August, the division was transferred to 49th Army, where it would remain until the spring of the following year.

The strong German defenses in this region, manned by their 342nd and 35th Infantry Divisions, along with the weakness of his Army after months of offensive combat, convinced Col. Gen.

In part due to the water obstacle the Army's offensive developed slowly over the first few days, but once the Dniepr was crossed the town of Dubrovno was reached on June 25, just 15 km east of Orsha.

"[17] On July 25 the division was further distinguished with a unit award of the Order of the Red Banner for its service in the liberation of Grodno.