The 301st Rifle Division began service as a standard Red Army rifle division shortly after the German invasion, but was soon destroyed in the encirclement of Kiev. A new division was formed in late 1941/early 1942, but was worn down in offensive battles near Kharkov and further while defending against the German summer offensive and had to be disbanded. Nearly a year later a third 301st was raised. This incarnation of the division compiled a creditable record of service in several major offensives up to the gates of Berlin in April 1945, and also served briefly post-war in the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany, headquartered in Berlin.