Formed in March 1941 on the basis of the 5th Light Tank Brigade in the Ural Military District.

In the active army from June 1941 to July 1941.

The division's management was stationed in Bryansk by June 22.

For this reason, it remained under completion in the area of Rzhev, with the exception of the 102nd Tank Regiment, which was sent to Vitebsk by the command of the 23rd Mechanized Corps, where on July 10, 1941, it participated in several attempts to knock the enemy out the bridgehead in the eastern part of the city together with the 220th Motorized Division.

She took part in the preparation of defensive lines (Selizharovo, Olenino, Vasilyevo).