 It was commanded by Col. Pavel Nikolaievich Kitzuk throughout its existence; Maj. (later, Lt. Col.) Leonid Kolobov served as chief of staff from September, 1941 to August, 1942.In July, 1942, the German 17th Army began an offensive through the passes of the Caucasus Mountains towards the Soviet ports along the eastern coast of the Black Sea, focusing on Tuapse.Given this threat, the 408th was redeployed in this direction and was split up.