The 303rd Rifle Division began service as a standard Red Army rifle division shortly after the German invasion, and in its first formation fought in the central part of the Soviet-German front for a few months until encircled and annihilated in the fighting around Vyasma. A second 303rd was raised a few months later and fought on, mainly in the central sector of Ukraine, distinguishing itself in an assault crossing of the Dniepr River at Verkhnodniprovsk, and later in the liberation of the town of Belitsy. It ended the war at Prague, having advanced through Romania, Hungary and Austria.