Following this defeat, the division was transferred to the Transcaucasian Front, to stop the Germans from penetrating to the oil fields of Azerbaijan. There, the division successfully held defensive positions, refusing to give up ground. In the beginning of 1943 the division fought near Novorossisk. On 7 November 1943 the division crossed the Kerch strait and landed its troops near Kerch, as part of the Kerch-Eltigen Operation. On 1 January 1944, the Division was part of the Separate Coastal Army's 16th Rifle Corps, along with the 89th, 227th, and 339th Rifle Divisions. In April 1944 the division liberated Feodosiya, and later helped liberate Sevastopol. By the end of May 1944 the Transcaucasian Front had completely freed Crimea from German occupation.