The 33rd Division was created in March 1949 under the Regulation of the Redesignations of All Organizations and Units of the Army, issued by Central Military Commission on November 1, 1948, basing on the 9th Division, 3rd Column of the Zhongyuan Field Army.
Its history can be traced to the 8th Brigade, 3rd Column of Zhongyuan Field Army, formed in October 1945.
Under the flag of 33rd, it took part in several major battles during the Chinese Civil War.
The remaining personnel of the division was re-organized into Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade, 26th Army.
The Division is now stationing in Yantai, Shandong as a mobilization formation, which composes of: