The original 103rd Guards Rifle Division was formed from the previous 13th Guards Airborne Division on 18 December 1944 in Bykhaw. The 3rd Guards Airborne Brigade became the 317th Guards Rifle Regiment, the 5th Guards Airborne Brigade became the 322nd Guards Rifle Regiment and the remaining rifle units became the 324th Guards Rifle Regiment. The division became part of the 37th Guards Rifle Corps and in February were embarked on trains and moved to positions south of Budapest. Between 16 March and 1 April, the division advanced along Lake Balaton after participating in the repulse of Operation Spring Awakening. On 23 March, the division helped capture Veszprém, on 26 March Devecser, on 28 March Sárvár and finally Szombathely on 29 March. On 2 April, the division captured Gloggnitz and then fought in Vienna. After the capture of Vienna in the Vienna Offensive, the division advanced westward, pursuing retreating German units.