The formation of the division was not completed, and it consisted of only the 72nd High-Speed Bomber Aviation Regiment, which was composed of 34 serviceable Tupolev SB fast medium bombers.

It operated from the beginning of the war in the area of Lake Ladoga and Byelomorsk.

On 25 July 1941, the division made a raid on Finland, losing one flight of nine planes, one of them knocked her.

In general, the division launched strikes against ground forces of the enemy and provided air support to Soviet troops.

At the end of August 1941 the division included 88 serviceable and 15 defective aircraft.