In September, the 76th was relocated to the North Caucasus in an attempt to halt the advance towards Rostov-on-Don of the German Army Group South. It fought in the Battle of Rostov in November, which temporarily retook the city and pushed Army Group South back to the Mius River. On 9 December, the 76th Mountain Rifle Division was redesignated as the 76th Rifle Division, part of the Southwestern Front's 38th Army. It was transferred to the 21st Army in May 1942.