Motorized divisions
Each mechanized corps, along with two panzer divisions, included a motorized division. It was intended to consolidate the success achieved by tank divisions and to solve other problems in the depths of the enemy's defenses. The motorized divisions of the first nine mechanized corps were deployed from rifle divisions while maintaining the previous numbering. For the second wave of MK, the formation of new divisions began - from scratch or on the basis of disbanded cavalry divisions. The composition and organization of the motorized division were approved by the Decree of the Defense Committee of May 22, 1940, No. 215s.
The organizationally motorized division consisted of the following units and subunits:
• division management;
• two motorized rifle regiments;
• cannon artillery battery (4 76-mm guns);
• tank regiment (consisting of 4 tank battalions and support units);
• howitzer artillery regiment;
• support units.
According to the wartime staff, the division had to be: 11534 people; 258 BT and I7T-37 tanks; 51 armored vehicles; 12 152 mm howitzers; 16 122 mm howitzers; 16 76 mm cannons; 30 45-mm anti-tank guns; 8 37 mm anti-aircraft guns; 12 anti-aircraft machine guns DShK; 12 82 mm mortars; 60 50mm mortars; 80 heavy machine guns; 367 light machine guns; 1587 cars; 128 tractors; 159 motorcycles.
BA-10 of the 2nd MK of General Yu. V. Novoselov are moving to Ungheni for a counterattack on the Romanian units.
Medium armored vehicles BA-10 on the march. The headlights of the armored vehicle are covered with light-shielding visors.
BA-20 armored vehicle and its driver, awarded the Order of the Red Banner.
The numbering of units in motorized divisions was the same as for rifle divisions, that is, unsystematic (although until 1939 the numbering of regiments in rifle divisions was simple - their numbers were in order, for example, 11th SD - 31st, 32nd and 33rd Rifle Division, 24th Rifle Division - 70th, 71st and 72nd Rifle Divisions (since 1939, 7th, 168th and 274th Rifle Divisions, respectively).
Motorized divisions differed greatly in terms of manning, weapons and equipment. This is clearly seen in the example of three compounds - 131st, 213rd and 215th MD, which were part of the mechanized corps KOVO. Having personnel close to the regular one (1 1534 people), in the 131st MD - 10,580, in the 213rd MD - 10,021, in the 215th MD - 10648 people, these divisions experienced a large shortage of command personnel: with the regular number of command personnel in 1095 people, there were in the 131st MD - 784, in the 213rd MD - 459, in the 215th MD - 596. Tank park - on average 36% of the state. By divisions: in the 131st - 122 tanks, in the 213rd - 55, in the 215th - 129. Artillery weapons - the total percentage of manning in three divisions: 76-mm guns - 66, 6%, 37-mm guns - 50 %, 152mm howitzers - 22.2%, 122mm howitzers - 91.6%, 82mm mortars - 88.8%, 50mm mortars - 100%.
The situation with vehicles was much worse:
cars - 24% of the state. Instead of 1587 cars, at the 131st MD - 595, at the 213rd MD - 140, at the 215th MD - 405;
tractors and tractors - 62.6% of the state. Of the 128 staff members, at the 131st MD - 69, at the 213rd MD - 47, at the 215th MD - 62;
motorcycles - 3.5% of the state. Instead of 159 cars, in the 131st MD - 17, in the 213rd and 215th MD - none at all.
But these were divisions of the First Strategic Echelon. In the inner districts, the situation was even worse. Therefore, from the first days of the war, most of the motorized divisions were used in battles as rifle formations.
In total, before the war, the mechanized corps had 29 motorized divisions. In addition to them, there were several more separate motorized divisions.
The fates of mechanized corps motorized divisions during the war years were different:
The 1st MD of the 7th MK 1941-21-09 was transformed into the 1st Guards honey (from 1943-23-01 1st Guards). Completed the combat path during the war years as the 1st Guards Moscow-Minsk Proletarian Order of Lenin Red Banner Orders of Suvorov and Kutuzov SD.
The 7th MD of the 8th MK 12.09.1941 was reorganized into the 7th SD. 1941-27-12 was disbanded.
The 15th MD of the 2nd MK 6.08.1941 was reorganized into the 15th SD. She ended the war as the 15th Inzenskaya Si-vash-Szczecin Order of Lenin, Twice Red Banner Orders of Suvorov and the Red Banner of Labor SD.
The 29th mdb-gomk on September 19, 1941 was disbanded.
The 81st MD of the 4th MK 16.07.1941 was reorganized into the 81st SD. 1942-27-09 disbanded.
The 84th MD of the 3rd MK on July 16, 1941 was reorganized into the 84th SD. She ended the war as the 84th Kharkov Red Banner SD.
103rd MD 26th MK. 1941-28-08 was transformed into the 103rd rifle division. 1941-27-12 was disbanded.
The 109th MD of the 5th MK 1941-19-07 was transformed into the 304th SD.
The 131st MD of the 9th MK 1941-29-07 was reorganized into the 131st SD. 1941-27-12 was disbanded.
The 163rd MD of the 1st MK on 1941-15-09 was reorganized into the 163rd SD. She ended the war as the 163rd Romnensko-Kievskaya Order of Lenin Red Banner Orders of Suvorov and Kutuzov SD.
The 185th MD of the 21st MK on 1941-25-08 was reorganized into the 185th SD. She ended the war as the 185th Pankratov-Prague Order of Suvorov SD.
The 198th MD of the 10th MK 1941-17-09 was reorganized into the 198th SD.
202nd MD, 12th MK, 20.09.1941, was reorganized into 202nd SD. She ended the war as the 202nd Korsun-Shevchenkovskaya Red Banner Orders of Suvorov and Kutuzov SD.
The 204th MD of the 11th MK on September 19, 1941 was disbanded.
The 205th MD of the 14th MK was disbanded on 1941-30-06.
The 208th MD of the 13th MK was disbanded on September 19, 1941.
The 209th MD of the 17th MK on 1941-19-09 was disbanded.
The 210th MD of the 20th MK 1941-14-07 was converted to the 4th CD.
The 212nd MD of the 15th MK 1941-29-07 was reorganized into the 212nd SD. 1941-21-11 was disbanded.
The 213rd MD of the 19th MK 19.09.1941 was disbanded.
The 215th MD of the 22nd MK 19.09.1941 was disbanded.
The 216th MD of the 24th MK 19.09.1941 was disbanded.
218th MD of the 18th MK on 1941-08-09 was reorganized into
218th SD. 1942-27-09 was disbanded.
219th MD of the 25th MK 9.09.1941 was reorganized into
219th SD. 1941-27-12 was disbanded.
The 220th MD of the 23rd MK July 21, 1941 was reorganized into the 220th SD. She ended the war as the 220th Orsha Red Banner Order of Suvorov SD.
The 221st MD of the 27th MK on 1941-10-08 was disbanded.
The 236th MD of the 28th MK 09.1941 was reorganized into the 236th SD. She ended the war as the 236th Dnipropetrovsk Red Banner Order of Suvorov SD.
The 239th MD of the 30th MK 6.08.1941 was reorganized into
239th SD. She ended the war as the 239th Red Banner SD.
The 240th MD of the 16th MK 6.08.1941 was reorganized into
240th SD. She ended the war as the 240th Kiev-Dne-Provskaya Red Banner Orders of Suvorov and Bogdan Khmelnitsky SD.
After the abolition of mechanized corps, most of the motorized divisions were transferred to the states of rifle divisions, since there were practically no tanks left in them, and there was no hope of new ones.
Tank divisions
The main striking force of the mechanized corps were the two tank divisions that were part of them. The main purpose of the tank division was to break through the weakly fortified defense of the pro. tivnik, the development of an offensive to great depth and actions in the operational depth - the defeat of reserves, disruption of command and demoralization of the rear, the capture of important objects. In defensive operations, TDs were supposed to inflict counterstrikes in order to destroy the enemy that had broken through. This task before the war was considered secondary and unlikely. Therefore, in the ensuing battles, it was not possible to organize and carry out properly counterattacks.
The organization of the tank division and its staff fully corresponded to its purpose. Due to the dominance of the theory of "war with little blood on foreign territory1", which implied the seizure of air supremacy and the offensive as the main type of hostilities, tank divisions had great striking power, but absolutely insufficient (as the war showed) number of air defense systems and evacuation equipment.
The formation of tank divisions began in accordance with the states approved by the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR dated July 6, 1940 No. I93-464s. The division was supposed to: personnel - 11343 people, tanks - 413 (of which 105 KB, 210T-34, 26 BT-7, 18 T-26, 54 chemical), armored vehicles - 91, guns and mortars (without 50-mm) - 58. In March 1941, the organization of the tank regiment of the tank division was changed - the number of heavy tanks in it decreased from 52 to 31. Accordingly, the number of tanks in the division decreased from 413 to 375. In the mechanized corps, instead of 1108 tanks, there were 1031. In 1940,. It was
18 tank divisions were formed as part of mechanized corps and two separate divisions (the 6th - in the ZKVO and the 9th - in the SAVO).
The organizational structure of the tank divisions was as follows:
• two tank regiments, each consisting of 4 tank battalions (a battalion of heavy tanks - 31 KB and 2 battalions of medium tanks, 52 T-34s each; a battalion of chemical tanks);
• motorized rifle regiment;
• howitzer artillery regiment;
• auxiliary units.
A tank company of medium tanks had 17 vehicles (in a platoon - 5), a battalion - 52 tanks. The battalion of heavy tanks consisted of 31 tanks (10 in a company, 3 in a platoon).
T-34s move into position. Attention is drawn to the "bare" cases - the machines are not equipped with spare parts, boxes with accessories and tools. Northwestern Front, September 1941
The numbering of units in armored divisions was simpler than in motorized and rifle divisions. The numbers of the tank regiments went in order (with a few exceptions) and corresponded to the division number multiplied by 2, and the number multiplied by 2 minus 1 (for example, in the 47th TD - the 93rd and 94th TP). Exception: 16th td - 31st and 149th tp. 23rd TD - 45th and 144th TP, 24th TD - 48th and 49th TP, 25th TD - 50th and 113th TP, 27th TD - 54th and 140th TP, 29th TP - 57th and 59th TP, 31st TP - 46th and 148th TP. The numbers of a motorized rifle regiment, an artillery regiment, an anti-aircraft artillery battalion, a reconnaissance battalion, a pontoon bridge, a medical and sanitary battalion, a transport battalion, a repair and restoration battalion and a communications battalion, a regulation company and a field bakery coincided with the division number. Field postal stations and cash desks of the State Bank had their own numbering system.
In the tank divisions formed for the mechanized corps of the internal districts, the numbering system was violated - the numbers of the regiments changed - and did not have the former harmony.
Here is the composition of the 1st Red Banner Tank Division: 1st, 2nd TP, 1st MRP, 1st Guards, 1st Ozadn, 1st Intelligence Battalion, 1st Pontoon Battalion, 1st Separate communications battalion, 1st medical battalion, 1st motor transport battalion, 1st repair and restoration battalion, 1st regulation company, 1st field bakery, 63rd field post station, 204th field cash office of the State Bank.
The staff of the tank division of the Red Army in 1941 was 10,942 people, including 1,288 people in command and control personnel, 2,331 people in junior command personnel, 7323 privates.
The division's armament consisted of 375 tanks (63 heavy, 210 medium, 26 BT, 22 T-26, 54 chemical); 95 armored vehicles (56 BA-10 and 39 BA-20); 12 122 mm howitzers; 12 152 mm howitzers; 4 76 mm regimental cannons; 12 37 mm automatic anti-aircraft guns; 18 82mm battalion mortars; 27 50mm company mortars; 1360 vehicles; 84 tractors; 380 motorcycles; 122 light machine guns; 390 submachine guns; 1528 self-loading rifles.
The events of the beginning of the war showed that the weak point of the tank divisions was the lack of anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons, armored personnel carriers (there were none at all), although all other weapons were at the level of the best models of the Wehrmacht or even surpassed it.
Colonel Baranov (second from left) points out the battle line to the tankmen of his unit. The "wheelhouse" characteristic of the 1941 T-34 model, the driver's observation devices and the rounded joint of the front hull sheets are clearly visible. South of Ukraine, October 1941
Heavy tanks in KOVO, ZOVO and PribOVO were represented by 48 T-35s (all in the 34th TD), 516 KV-1 and KV-2 (the latter in the 41st TD had 31 at the beginning of the war, but all of them remained without ammunition). A fleet of medium tanks in the western districts in 1940-1941. replenished with 1070 "thirty-fours". The most widespread were the light BT-5 and BT-7 (about 3500 units) and the most widespread in the Red Army T-26, as well as its flamethrower modifications (about 9500 vehicles in total). For reconnaissance were intended floating T-37, T-38, T-40 and armored vehicles BA-20 and BA-10, which were equipped with reconnaissance battalions and reconnaissance companies of tank divisions.
Each armored division in the state was supposed to have 84 towing vehicles and tractors for towing artillery pieces. In fact, there were much fewer of them, for example, in the 19th TD - 52, and in many divisions the situation was even worse: in the 41st TD - 15, in the 20th TD - 38, in the 35th TD - 7, in the 40th TD - 5. The percentage of manning with tractors of the tank divisions of the mechanized corps of the 5th Army KOVO was 26, 1%. In addition, agricultural tractors were very often used, as there was not enough special equipment. As for the suitability of the existing tractors as an evacuation vehicle, even the best of them, the Comintern, could only tow a 12-ton cargo and was, at best, suitable for the removal of light tanks.
The authorized number of tank divisions' fleet was 1,360 vehicles. But they were also lacking, so the number of cars ranged from 157 in the 40th TD to 682 in the 41st TD. The average manning of the tank divisions of the 9th, 19th, 22nd mechanized corps was 27% of the standard, and the motorized divisions - 24%.
Each tank division was supposed to have 380 motorcycles on staff. However, in reality, the picture was different. 35, 40, 41 TD had no motorcycles at all, 19 and 20 TD had 10 cars each, 43 TD had 18. The total percentage of staffing was only 1.7 of the standard. The situation was no better in the motorized divisions - with the standard number of 159 motorcycles, 213, 215 md they did not have them at all, at 131 md there were 17. The percentage of staffing was 3, 5. In addition, the existing motorcycles served order and were in poor technical condition. Here is the testimony of the commander of the 43rd reconnaissance battalion of the 43rd TD, VS Arkhipov: “By the beginning of June 1941, the 43rd reconnaissance battalion was almost completely formed. there are very few of them, so most of the fighters were transported by trucks. This created great difficulties in conducting intelligence and organizing communications.
BA-10 are being repaired in the factory workshops.
Communication facilities were one of the weak points of the mechanized corps. As in the case of the 1939 model, the 71-TK tank radio stations and the 5-AK automobile radio stations remained the main ones. These radio facilities were not enough to control the tank corps of the previous organization, and even more so the new corps, the number of tanks in which almost doubled.
Despite the homogeneity on paper, in reality the number of personnel, weapons and equipment in the tank divisions was different, there were very few fully equipped divisions by the beginning of the war.
The number of tanks ranged from 36 in the 20th TD to 415 in the 41st TD. Close to the standard number of vehicles had 1, 3, 7, 8, 10 etc., most of the divisions were in the initial stage of formation.
Comparing the armament of the Soviet and German tank divisions, it should be noted that the Red Army tank division in the number of tanks (standard) exceeded the German one by 2 times, yielding in number of personnel (10,942 versus 16,000 people). The organizational and staff structure of the divisions had differences: in the Soviet there were 2 tank regiments of 3 battalions, in the German - one tank regiment of 2 battalions. Against one motorized rifle regiment (3 battalions) in the Red Army TD, the German had 2 grenadier regiments (2 battalions each). The rest of the units and divisions were practically the same.
Table N9 7. Data on the tank fleet of some tank divisions
The tank fleet of tank divisions of the Red Army was also diverse. If the 7th, 8th, 10th TD had a large number of new KB and T-34 tanks, then in the 40th TD, out of 158 tanks, 139 were lightly armored amphibious T-37s and only 19 T-26s, and its combat potential as a tank formation was minimal - one loud name. Most of the divisions had mainly BT and T-26 series tanks of various modifications.
The manning of armored divisions with weapons and military equipment can be considered on the example of formations 9, 19, 22 of mechanized corps KOVO, since there is the most reliable information about them. Let's start with the personnel. The total staffing of tank divisions with command and control personnel was 46% (with a staffing of 1288 people, ranging from 428 in the 35th TD to 722 in the 19th TD), junior officers - 48.7% (staffing - 2331 people, in fact - from 687 in the 20th TD to 1644 in the 35th TD). More than half of the commanders of various levels were missing. With a staff of 10,942 people, the number of personnel ranged from 8,434 in the 43rd TD to 9347 in the 19th TD. The overall staffing level was 81.4%.
Tanks in these 6 divisions had 51% of the staff. The range of types of vehicles was great: there was only KB 9.41%, T-34 - even less - 0.16%, BT - 41%, T-26 - 64.9%, chemical - 16%. The main vehicle was the T-26 - in the 41st TD - 342, in the 43rd TD - 230. The situation with artillery weapons was a little better - the overall percentage of staffing by types of guns was as follows: 76-mm guns - 66, 6%, 37mm anti-aircraft guns - 33.3%, 152mm howitzers - 66.6%, 122mm howitzers - 86%.
A big problem for division commanders was the lack of vehicles, especially fuel trucks. For example, in 11, 13, 17, 20 mechanized corps of motor vehicles there were only 8 - 26% of the standard.
The most difficult situation with fuel tankers was in the Baltic OVO, where the commander of the district, Mr. Kuznetsov, was forced on June 18, 1941 to give the order: and the 12th mechanized corps . All this led to sad consequences: in the first days of the war, tanks very often found themselves without fuel at the most inopportune moment and had to wait for it for hours (which frustrated all plans of interaction), or the crews had to destroy their vehicles so that they would not get to the enemy.
T-34s enter positions near Leningrad.
Another drawback of tank divisions was the lack of evacuation means, as a result of which not only damaged, but even serviceable, but stuck in swamps, on rivers and other obstacles, tanks were not evacuated and were destroyed. The divisions had only 3-4 low-power tractors for evacuation. In addition, in the pre-war years, repairs were considered as a purely technical measure, providing only the elimination of malfunctions in machines during operation, but did not contribute to the restoration of the combat capability of the troops. Therefore, the repair of equipment on the battlefield was supposed to be carried out only after the troops had completed their combat missions. In combination with poor training of personnel, all this led to the fact that the loss of materiel for non-combat reasons exceeded 50%.
Table No. 8. The number of vehicles in the border districts
The reason for this "extravagance", along with the weakness of the repair base and the lack of spare parts (according to current practice, their production was stopped when the vehicle itself was removed from the production plans), was the poor training of many crews, who for the first time in the army met with complex equipment and abandoned tanks at the slightest breakdown that they were not able to eliminate. According to German data, in the first two months of the war, they captured 14079 Soviet tanks by destroyed or abandoned crews.
This is also discussed in the political report of the propaganda department of the South-Western Front on July 8, 1941: In the 22nd mechanized corps during the same time (22.06 - 06.07.1941) 46 vehicles, 119 tanks were lost, of which 58 were blown up by our units during the time of withdrawal due to the impossibility of repairing on the way. The losses of KB tanks in the 41st Panzer Division are exceptionally high. Of the 31 tanks in the division, 9 remained on June 6. repair - 5 … Large losses of KB tanks are explained primarily by poor technical training of the crews, their low knowledge of the technical part of tanks, as well as a lack of spare parts.
Table No. 9. Reasons for losses of materiel of the 8th TD of the 4th MK of the South-Western Division on 1941-01-08
Table No. 10. Reasons for losses of materiel of the 10th TD of the 15th MK South-Western Factory
The state of many tank divisions before the war can be imagined by reading "Description of military operations of the 40th TD of the 19th MK":
“By June 22, 1941, the division was equipped with tanks by 8-9%, and those were not serviceable. intended for a training-combat park) Service tanks are completely absent.
Armament: tank regiments had rifles for guard duty. The command staff was equipped with personal weapons by 35%. The division had no special weapons due to the lack of tanks. The artillery regiment had 12 guns. The motorized rifle regiment was equipped with service weapons, especially automatic weapons, by 17-18%."
The Pz Kfpw III Ausf E destroyed in the Smolensk direction. The tanks that broke through to the trenches were shot at the sides and stern. July 20, 1941
The pre-war deployment of many divisions was extremely unprofitable. Here is one example: the 22nd Panzer Division of the 14th MK4th Army of the Western Military District was located in the southern military town of Brest (2.5 km from the border). For her, access to the gathering areas was a serious problem - to get to the Zhabinka area, it was necessary to cross the Mukhavets River, cross the Varshavskoe highway and two railway lines: Brest - Baranovichi and Brest - Kovel. This meant that during the passage of the division, all movement in the Brest region would cease. In addition, due to the proximity of the border, the division in the very first hours of the war suffered huge losses from artillery fire, having lost, moreover, ammunition and fuel and lubricants.
Red Army soldiers at a light armored personnel carrier Sd Kfz 253 stuck in their trenches.
After the start of the war, the organizational and staff structure of many tank divisions, due to a lack of material, underwent changes. Already on June 24, the tank divisions of the 21st mechanized corps of the Moscow Military District were reorganized. In the 42nd and 46th TD, two tank regiments remained, but each now had only one two-company tank battalion. The company has 3 platoons of 3 tanks each. 9 command tanks were added to them. In total, the tank division had 45 tanks, which was less than in the tank battalion of the pre-war organization. In July 1941, after the abolition of the mechanized corps, 10 tank divisions of the new organization were formed from the mechanized corps of the internal military districts - the number of tanks in the state was reduced to 217, in a tank company instead of 17 tanks there were 10, the howitzer artillery regiment was transformed into an anti-tank one, instead of a repair and restoration battalion, a repair and restoration company was introduced into the divisions, which had:
• a platoon for the repair of heavy and medium tanks;
• 2 platoons for the repair of light tanks;
• platoon for the repair of wheeled vehicles;
• electrical platoon;
• platoon for the repair of artillery and small arms;
• platoon of supply of spare parts;
• tractor (evacuation) platoon.
The famous photograph depicting a T-34 tank duel with a German "Panzer" captures the car of the tank company commander L. L. Kukushkin, who destroyed three enemy tanks in one of the battles. Armament has already been removed from the defeated Pz Kpfwll Ausf C and the engine compartment has been disassembled. August 7, 1941
Separate tank divisions were transferred to the subordination of the commanders of the combined arms armies.
Until January 1942, all tank divisions were disbanded or transformed into tank brigades, which became the main tactical unit of the armored forces. Until 1945, only the 61st and 111th tank divisions, which were part of the Trans-Baikal Front, survived. They took part in the defeat of the Kwantung Army in August-September 1945.
The military operations of Soviet tank divisions in the summer of 1941 can be judged by the example of the 43rd TD of the 19th MK of the 5th Army of the South-Western Front. It was not possible to complete the formation by the beginning of the war, although the division had 237 tanks, of which 5 KB, 2 T-34 and 230 T-26. The division was commanded by p-k I. G. Tsibin, the chief of staff was p-k. V. A. Butman-Doroshkevich. About how the 43rd TD entered the war, says the "Report on the hostilities of the 43rd TD of the 19th MK for the period from 22 to 29 June 1941":
Personnel:
The divisional headquarters was staffed with almost completely fully trained command personnel, cobbled together and capable of commanding the troops; its staffing took place at the expense of the headquarters of the 35th Red Banner Tank Brigade that arrived in the division.
Senior and middle command personnel were also quite satisfactorily prepared, most had combat experience in battles with Finland.
The division was staffed with specialists, both in quantity and quality, quite satisfactorily, the crews of combat vehicles were trained, many of them had combat experience and fully mastered the available equipment.
The junior command personnel, especially the motorized rifle regiment, were not included by 70%, they were insufficiently prepared, since they arrived from other units and were nominated from the Red Army.
The personnel of the first battalions of tank regiments remained untrained as soon as they arrived for staffing, due to the lack of material, having completed only the course of a young soldier.
The combat vehicles were completely ready for battle, manned by crews, but technically badly worn out. Out of the available number of cars, about 150 were out of order, were partially repaired at repair stations, and some of them stood without chauffeurs in Berdichev until they were received from the assigned staff according to the mobplan. The division had only 40-45% of spare parts for combat vehicles in the warehouses of the division.
The available number of vehicles in no way provided the division to set out on a campaign and raise all supplies. As a result, the bulk of the personnel of the motorized rifle regiment and other specialists of non-combat vehicles could not be lifted by vehicles. Also, the people of the first battalions of tank regiments that did not have material could not be raised.
There were no shells for 37-mm anti-aircraft guns in the unit at all. For the 122 and 152 mm guns, there was only one ammunition load. MP with automatic weapons and mortars was manned by 1520% against the timetable."
Pz KpfwIIAusf C, shot down by Soviet tankers on the Southwestern Front. August 1941
At noon on June 22, the division was tasked with concentrating 20 kilometers south-west of Rovno and being ready for an offensive in the direction of Dub-no-Dubrovka. The march on its own took three days under continuous air strikes with a constant shortage of fuels and lubricants and spare parts, which literally had to be searched for along the route, moving away from the unit by 150-200 km. During all this time, the division headquarters did not receive any information about the situation at the front, intelligence and operational reports, remaining in the dark even about the neighbors on the flanks and the enemy. So, it was believed that the main forces of the Red Army were already successfully fighting to the west and the task of the division was to eliminate the breakthrough tank groups of the Germans. At the same time, one and a half thousand people had to move on foot due to lack of transport. On the morning of June 26, the division's tank group, which included 2 KB, 2 T-34 and 75 T-26, moved to Dubno, and met the retreating Soviet units. They managed to be stopped and, having subjugated themselves, included in the defense. However, the division was left without artillery, hopelessly lagging behind on the march, and did not have any cover from the air, still not really owning intelligence data. Nevertheless, as a result of a tank attack, it was possible to reach the goal and reach the outskirts of Dubno, throwing the enemy back 15 km. The tank battle lasted 4 hours, and its result was 21 destroyed German tanks, two anti-tank guns and 50 vehicles, and, due to the lack of armor-piercing shells KB and T-34, they had to fire with fragmentation shells and crush the enemy anti-tank guns with our weight. The price of this was 2 burned out KB and 15 T-26. It was not possible to develop the achieved success due to weak interaction with the neighbors, who retreated under the flank counterattack of the Germans. Behind them, under fire at night, the 43rd etc. retreated.
T-34, which lost its road roller and burned down after being blown up by a mine.
T-34 destroyed by an explosion of ammunition.
Having occupied the lines east of Rovno, the 43rd TD continued to remain under artillery fire and bombardment, repelling the attacks of the Germans and constantly losing contact with the neighbors, every now and then discovering that they had already left their positions. Tankers had to switch to "mobile defense", leaving one line after another with short counterattacks and fighting off the advancing Germans. By the end of the day on June 28, the 43rd TD had lost 19 T-26 tanks.
The following are data on the tank divisions of the Red Army with a brief description of their combat path.
The 1st Red Banner TD was formed in July 1940 in the Leningrad Military District on the basis of the 20th Red Banner Tbri of the 1st Ltbr as part of the 1st MK. Was stationed in Pskov before the war. By order of the Chief of Staff of the Leningrad Military District, Mr. Nikishev, on June 17, 1941, she was transferred to the Arctic, where from the beginning of the war until July 8 she fought against 36 ak Germans in the Alakurtti area. 3.07 the crew of the 1st tp tank under the command of the station A. M. Borisov, holding the line at the bridge over the Kuolaiki River, repelled enemy attacks for 32 hours. In July (without the 2nd TP), it was transferred to the Gatchina area and until mid-August fought defensive battles on the outskirts of Leningrad. In mid-September, it became part of the 42nd Army of the Leningrad Front and defended itself on the Ligovo-Pulkovo line. On September 30, it was disbanded, and the 123rd brigade was created on its basis. The commander is Mr. V. I. Baranov. On June 22, she had 370 tanks and 53 armored vehicles.
The light tank T-60 was put into production in September 1941. The tank in the photo has two types of rollers - solid and cast with spokes.
Modified KB, carrying 25-mm screens of the upper and lower frontal hull plates, introduced in July 1941, and the mounting bracket for the DT anti-aircraft machine gun (the machine gun itself is absent).
1st TD (2nd formation) converted from 1st honey on 18.08. She fought on the Western Front. On September 21, it was renamed to the 1st Guards.
2nd TD was formed in July 1940 in the PribVO as part of the 3rd MK. Before the war, it was stationed in Ukmerge. On June 22, she was in the region east of Kaunas. On June 23, together with the 48th and 125th Rifle Division, she launched a counterattack on the troops of Army Group North in the direction of Scoudville. In the oncoming tank battle with the 6th TD of the Germans, it inflicted great damage on it, but by the end of June 24 it was surrounded by the troops of the 56th MK Manstein and was left without fuel and ammunition. In the Raseinai area, one KB from the division held back the offensive of Mr. Landgraf's 6th TD for almost two days. On June 26, she fought the last battle in the forest northeast of the town of Raseiniai, in which the division commander, Mr. E. N. Solyankin, was killed. The remaining tanks were blown up, and parts of the personnel managed to get through to their own. It was disbanded on July 16.
3rd TD was formed in July 1940 in Leningrad Military District as part of the 1st MK. Before the war, it was stationed in the Pskov area, having 338 tanks and 74 BA in its composition. In early July, she received 10 KB tanks and was transferred to the NWF troops. Taking part in a counterattack on the 56th MK of the Germans, which was rushing to Novgorod, on July 5, she attacked the 1st TD of the Germans, which occupied the city of Ostrov. Lacking air support and leading an offensive without infantry, it lost more than half of its tanks. On July 6, 43 tanks remained in the division. By the evening of July 5, she seized the Island, but by the morning of July 6, a blow from the 1st and 6th German TD was knocked out of the city. On July 7, the 5th TP was transferred to the 22nd RC, and the 6th TP fought as part of the 41st RC, as a result of which the 3rd TD ceased to exist as a combat unit. By August 1, 15 tanks remained in the division, and it was used as an infantry unit. On December 14, 1941, it was reorganized into the 225th rifle division (it ended the war as the 225th Novgorod Order of Kutuzov SD). Commander - Colonel K. Yu. Andreev.
4th TD was formed in July 1940 in the Western Military District as part of the 6th MK. By the beginning of the war, it was based in the Bialystok area, having, among others, 63 KB and 88 T-34s. On June 22, she entered the battle at the turn of the Narev River, but by the evening she was withdrawn to participate in the counterstrike of the mechanized corps of the Western Front. On June 23, together with the tank divisions of the 6th and 11th MK, she launched a counterattack on the Suvalka grouping of German troops. During the battle, she was left without fuel and ammunition and was forced to retreat towards Novogrudok. The remaining tanks were blown up. The remnants of the division, along with other troops of the 3rd and 10th armies, were surrounded west of Minsk, where until July 1 they fought from the enemy's 10th MD, trying to break through to the Baranovichi area. Disbanded on 6 July. Commander - Mr. A. G. Potaturchev.
The 5th TD was formed in July 1940 in the PribVO on the basis of the 2nd ltbr as part of the 3rd MK. Before the war, she was stationed in the city of Alytus. On June 22, after leaving the point of permanent deployment, the division was supposed to deploy 30 km on the front to defend the crossings in the Alytus region and ensure the withdrawal of the 128th SD. Parts of the division entered the battle at different times, as soon as they were ready. In difficult conditions, the 5th TD could not complete the combat mission - the tank units suffered heavy losses and allowed German troops to capture 3 bridges across the Neman. The division itself was surrounded on the eastern banks of the Nemunas in the Alytus region and was practically destroyed. On June 22nd, the headquarters of the 3rd tank group informed the headquarters of the armies "Center": "On the evening of June 22nd, the 7th tank division had the largest tank battle for the period of this war east of Olit against the 5th tank division. 70 tanks and 20 aircraft (at airfields) of the enemy were destroyed. We have lost 11 tanks, of which 4 are heavy … ".
Repair of the KV-1 after the battle. The hinged logs were used for self-pulling, often necessary for a heavy machine.
A German soldier is leading the captured KV tankers. The "staged" snapshot is an obvious plot of one of the Wehrmacht propaganda companies; none of the crew would have survived in an exploded tank.
The shielded KV-1, fired at by 88mm cannons, is the only weapon capable of fighting these tanks.
6th TD was formed in July 1940.in ZakVO as a separate tank division, then included in the 28th MK. Before the war, it was based in Armenia, being fully staffed. After the 28th MK was disbanded in July 1941, it was included in the 47th Army as a separate TD. In August, it was transferred to the Nakhichevan region, from where on August 25, as part of the 45th Army, entered the territory of Iran and made a march to Tabriz. Later it was returned to the ZakVO, where on October 17 it was disbanded, and on its basis the 6th brigade was created. Commander - Col. V. A. Alekseev.
The 7th TD was formed in July 1940 in the Western Military District as part of the 6th MK. Before the war, it was stationed in the Bialystok area, having in its composition 368 tanks (of which 51 KB, 150 T-34). One of the most equipped and powerful armored divisions of the Red Army. On June 22, raised by alarm, on the night of the 23rd made a march to the area east of Bialystok to eliminate the allegedly broken through by the Germans, having lost 63 tanks from air strikes, but did not find the enemy. On the night of June 24, she made a march to the area south of Grodno, but again did not find the enemy. On June 24 - 25, she participated in the counterstrike of the 6th MK against the breakthrough German troops. Due to lack of fuel, she lost almost all of her tanks and retreated towards Minsk, where she was surrounded along with the troops of the 3rd and 10th armies. At the end of June, she tried to break through the front of the 12th German Panzer Division in the direction of Molodechno in order to get out of the encirclement, but by July 1 she had lost all the tanks. It was disbanded on 6 July. Commander - Mr. S. V. Borzilov (died surrounded on 1941-28-09).
Guns, tractors and trucks, abandoned in the encirclement near Kiev. In the Kiev cauldron, the Germans got 3,718 guns and about 15,000 trucks.
Flamethrower OT-133 were disarmed and blown up by their crews. District of Kiev, September 1941
The 8th TD was formed in July 1940 in KOVO as part of the 4th MK. By the beginning of the war, it was in the Lvov region, having 325 tanks (of which 50 KB, 140 T-34). Since June 22, she fought in the Lvov ledge near Gorodok, Nemirov with the troops of Army Group South. On June 23, in the Radekhov area, she repulsed attacks from the 262nd Infantry Division and other troops of the 44th Army Corps of the enemy. June 26 transferred to the subordination of the commander of the 15th MK. In late June - early July, she fought defensive battles in Western Ukraine and retreated to Kiev. From July 8, the combined detachment of the division defended Berdichev. At the end of July, she was surrounded near Uman, but managed to escape from the ring. In mid-August, she fought near Dnepropetrovsk. On September 20, it was disbanded, and on its basis the 130th brigade was created. Commander - P. S. Fotchenkov.
The 9th TD was formed in July 1940 in SAVO as a separate tank division, then included in the 27th MK. She was stationed in the city of Mary. In mid-June, the transfer of units of the division to the Ukraine began. After the start of the war, the 27th MK was disbanded, and the 9th TD became separate. Soon it changed its numbering, becoming the 104th TD. Commander - Col. V. G Burkov.
The 10th TD was formed in July 1940 in KOVO as part of the 4th MK. In 1941 transferred to the 15th MK. It was stationed before the war in the city of Zolochev. Fully equipped - 365 tanks (of which 63 KB, 38 T-34) and 83 BA. June 22 made a march to the area of Radekhov, Brody, where on the 23rd it entered the battle with the enemy's 262nd and 297th infantry divisions. On June 26, as part of the 15th MK, she participated in the attack of the mechanized corps of the South-Western Front, advancing from the Brody area on Radekhov, Berestechko. In battles, she suffered heavy losses and later covered the withdrawal of the SWF troops. In early July, near Berdichev, she fought with the 11th Panzer Division of the Germans, was surrounded, but managed to get through to her own. At the end of July, she was again surrounded by Uman and again managed to break out of the ring. After reorganization on August 20, it was included in the 40th Army, defended at Konotop. August 29 led the offensive in the direction of Shost-ka, Glukhov. In September, she repulsed (unsuccessfully) the blow of Guderian's Panzer Group to the south, which ended in the encirclement of the main forces of the South-Western Front. After the loss of almost all materiel, the 10th TD was withdrawn to the rear, to the Kharkov region. Here, on September 28, the 131st and 133rd brigades were disbanded, and on its basis the 131st and 133rd brigade were created (from 8.12.1942 - the 11th Guards Korsun-Berlin Red Banner Orders of Suvorov, Kutuzov, Bogdan Khmelnitsky brigade). Commander S. Ya. Ogurtsov (captured in August).
The 11th TD was formed in July 1940 in the OdVO as part of the 2nd MK. Before the war, it was stationed in the Tiraspol region. With the beginning of the war, it reached the Soviet-Romanian border, where on June 25, together with the 74th Rifle Division, it launched a counterattack in order to eliminate the Skulian bridgehead. On the 27th she freed Skullya. In late June - early July, she participated in the counterstrike of the 2nd micron to Balti in order to stop the enemy offensive. On July 8, she struck at the junction of the 4th Romanian and 11th German armies, having managed to stop the enemy by 10.07. In connection with the aggravation of the situation on the right flank of the Southern Division, the 2nd MK was transferred to the Khristianovka area, where on July 22, the 11th and 16th TD launched a counterattack on the 11th and 16th tank divisions of the Germans in the direction of Uman with the aim of not to allow the encirclement of the 18th Army. The task was completed, and in the future the division fought defensive battles, retreating to the east. By July 30, the 11th and 16th TDs of the 2nd MK had lost 442 out of 489 tanks. On August 27, it was disbanded, and the 132nd Tank Brigade was created on its base (from January 24, 1942, the 4th Guards Smolensk-Minsk Red Banner Order of Suvorov Tbr). The commander is Mr. G. I. Kuzmin.
The Germans inspect the abandoned equipment at the crossing of the Dnieper, removing usable spare parts. One of the drivers liked the "spare wheel" from the BA-10.
The 12th TD was formed in July 1940 in KOVO as part of the 8th MK based on the 14th Tank Brigade. Before the war, she was stationed in Stryi. On June 22, after the transfer of the 8th MK from the 26th Army to the 6th Army, she marched into a new concentration area. On the 23rd, in the Brody area, she repelled the blow of the 16th Panzer and 16th Motorized Divisions of the 48th MK of the Germans. On June 24, by order of the commander of the 6th Army, she made a march in a new direction. Having received an order from the commander of the South-Western Front, on June 26, she moved to a new deployment area to participate in a counterstrike of mechanized corps. In the first 4 days of the war, obeying the contradictory orders of the command, she covered 500 km and lost 50% of the materiel for technical reasons. On June 26, she was put into battle on the move, in parts and without sufficient preparation. Forcing the Slonów River and fighting the 16th German Panzer Division, it advanced 20 km. On June 27, at the Turkovichi-Poddubtsy line, it suffered heavy losses from artillery fire and went on the defensive. On the 28th, she again attacked the enemy - 16th TD, 75th and 111th Infantry Divisions, advanced 12 km, but by the evening she was forced to retreat. On the 29th, it was surrounded in the Radziwilov area, but by the end of the day managed to escape from the ring, having lost all materiel. By June 30, out of 858 tanks, 10 remained in the 8th MK. In subsequent battles, the division participated as an infantry unit. On September 1, it was disbanded, and the 129th brigade was created on its basis. The commander is Mr. T. A. Mishanin.
The 13th TD was formed in July 1940 in the ZabVO as part of the 5th MK. It was stationed in the Borzi area. On June 15, 1941, as part of the 16th Army, she was sent to KOVO. At the end of June, it was transferred to the ZF, where it became part of the 20th Army. On July 5, having 238 BT-7 and other vehicles, together with the 17th TD of the 5th MK, the 14th and 18th TD of the 7th MK, participated in a counterattack on the 39th and 47th MK of Army Group " Center "on the Lepel direction. Having advanced 20 km, I got up due to lack of fuel. Having resumed the offensive on July 7, the tank divisions ran into an organized defense and suffered heavy losses (more than 50% of the materiel). Since July 9, she fought against the 17th TD of the Germans north of Orsha. In mid-July, along with other troops of the 20th Army, she was surrounded in the Smolensk region. In early August, the remnants of the division made their way to their own. Disbanded on August 10. Commander - Colonel F. U. Grachev.
The 14th TD was formed in July 1940 in the Moscow Military District as part of the 7th MK. It was stationed in the Moscow region. By the beginning of the war, it had 179 BT-7 and other tanks. After the start of the war, the 7th mechanized corps became part of the ZF troops. On July 5, she participated in a counterstrike of 5 and 7 microns in the Lepel direction against 3 tgr. On July 8, she fought a counter battle with the 18th German Panzer Division in the Senno area. Due to heavy losses (more than 50% of tanks) on July 9, it was withdrawn from the battle to the reserve. At the end of July, she was in the Vyazma area in the reserve of the ZF commander. Disbanded on 19 August. Commander - Colonel I. D. Vasiliev.
The 15th TD was formed in March 1941 in KOVO as part of the 16th MK. She was stationed in Stanislav. Since the beginning of the war, she fought with the 48th mk Germans, operating on the right flank of the 1st tank group. June 26 transferred to the 18th Army of the Law Firm. In July, again as part of the SWF, she participated in defensive battles in the Berdichev area, covering the withdrawal of the SWF troops. By the end of July, she had lost almost all tanks (by 30.07 in the 16th MK - 5 T-28 and 12 BA) and
was surrounded by Uman. The remnants of the division managed to break out of the ring in August. On August 14, it was disbanded, and on its basis the 4th brigade was created (from 11.11.1941, the 1st Guards Chertkovskaya brigade twice the Order of Lenin, the Red Banner Orders of Suvorov, Kutuzov, Bogdan Khmelnitsky brigade). Commander - Col. V. I. Polozkov.
The 16th TD was formed in July 1940 in the OdVO as part of the 2nd MK. She was stationed in Kotovsk. After the outbreak of the war, it became part of the 9th Army of the Law Firm. At the end of June, together with the 11th TD, she participated in a counterattack in the direction of Balti, stopping the enemy offensive. Then she was transferred to the Uman region, where from the 11th TD she struck at the 11th and 16th tank divisions of the enemy in order to eliminate the threat of encirclement of the 18th army. Throwing the enemy back 40 km, further defensive battles were fought in the area of Khristianovka. Disbanded on 20 August. Commander - Colonel M. I. Myndro.
The 17th TD was formed in July 1940 in the ZabVO as part of the 5th MK. It was stationed in the Borzi area. By the beginning of the war, it had 255 BT-7 and other vehicles. On June 15, the transfer of the division to Ukraine began, but after the start of the war with the 5th MK, it was sent to the ZF. On July 5, she participated in the counterstrike of the 5th and 7th MK in the Lepel direction. Having advanced 20 km, she stood for almost a day without fuel, resuming the offensive on July 7. 8.07 fought a counter battle with the 18th tank division of the enemy in the Dubnyakov area. After the loss of most of the tanks, it was withdrawn to the reserve in the Orsha region. Later she took part in the Smolensk battle. The 17th mechanized infantry division of the division was the first in the Great Patriotic War to be awarded the Order of Lenin. On August 28, it was disbanded, and the 126th brigade was created on its basis. Commander - Colonel I. P. Korchagin.
Lying in the BT river. The tank, left on the bridge as an obstacle, was thrown into the water by German tankers to clear the way.
The skeleton of a T-26 destroyed by an explosion of fuel and ammunition. Karelian Isthmus.
KV-1 produced in August 1941 with additional hull armor. Onboard 25-mm screens of increased height to protect the turret ring. There is a plug in place of the headlight.
The 18th TD was formed in July 1940 in the Moscow Military District as part of the 7th MK. It was stationed in the Moscow region. On June 28, it became part of the ZF troops. In July, she took part in a counterstrike in the Lepel direction. In the oncoming tank battle with the 17th and 18th tank divisions, the enemy lost more than 50% of the materiel. July 9 brought to the reserve of the Polar Division in the Vyazma region. Later she fought in the Moscow direction. On September 1, it was disbanded, and the 127th brigade was created on its basis. Commander - Mr. F. T. Remizov.
The 19th TD was formed in March 1941 in KOVO as part of the 22nd MK. She was stationed in Rivne. On 22.06 it had 163 tanks. On the night of June 23, she made a 50 km march to the northeast of Lutsk, suffering losses from air strikes and for technical reasons (118 tanks - 72%). On the 24th, with only 45 T-26s, she attacked the 14th German Panzer Division in the Voinitsa area. Having lost most of the tanks, it retreated. In the battle, the commander of the 22nd mechanized corps Kondrusev was killed, the division commander was wounded. The remnants of the division withdrew to Rivne. On July 1, she took part in a counterattack in the direction of Dubno, but, having undergone 2.07 attack from the flank of the SS Adolf Hitler division, she was forced to defend herself, retreating to the east. 10-14.07 delivered strikes on the 113th infantry and 25th motorized divisions of the enemy in the Novograd-Volynsk direction. In late July - early August, she fought in the area of the Korostensky fortified area. By 19.08, only one tank remained in the division. Disbanded on October 8. The commander is Mr. K. A. Semenchenko.
The 20th TD was formed in July 1940 in KOVO as part of the 9th MK. She was stationed in Shepetivka. By the beginning of the war, she had 36 tanks. In the evening of June 22, she made a march to Lutsk. On the 24th at Klevani, she attacked the Germans' 13th MD, losing all tanks in the battle. 06/26 as part of the 9th MK participated in a counterattack in the Dubno area against the 13th tank and 299th infantry divisions of the enemy. By the end of the day, due to the threat of encirclement, she withdrew to Klevani. Until June 30, she fought with the 14th TD and 25th MD of the Germans at the turn of the Goryn River, and then at Klevan. On 10-14.07 she participated in a counterattack in the Novograd-Volynsky direction, after which, until August 6, she fought in the Korostensky fortified area (no tanks, 2 thousand personnel). At the end of August, it defended itself in the area north of Chernigov. Disbanded on September 9. Commander - p-k M. E. Katukov (in the first days of the war because of Katukov's illness - p-k V. M. Chernyaev).
Booked in the Leningrad ZIS-5 workshops with the installation of a DT machine gun in the cockpit and a 45-mm 21-K naval cannon in the wheelhouse in the back. Leningrad Front, October 5, 1941
Another version of a home-made armored truck with an anti-tank "forty-five" installation in the back. A car in winter camouflage. Leningrad Front, November 22, 1941
The 21st TD was formed in March 1941 in the Leningrad Military District as part of the 10th MK. It was stationed in the Leningrad region. From the beginning of the war, it was in reserve. In July, it was included in the 1st MK SZF, then it was aimed at strengthening the 11th Army. Participated on 14-18.07 in the counterstrike of the 11th Army against 56 MK Manstein in the area of the city of Soltsy, striking from the north. After 16 hours of battle with the 8th TD and 3rd MD, the Germans threw the enemy back 40 km. In August, it became part of the 48th Army and fought defensive battles in the NWF already as a rifle unit. March 3, 1942 was disbanded, and on its basis the 103rd (from 20.11.1944 - the 65th Guards Sevsko-Pomeranian Order of Lenin, twice Red Banner Orders of Suvorov, Kutuzov, Bogdan Khmelnitsky Tbr) and 104th Tbr … Commander - Colonel L. V. Bunin.
The 22nd TD was formed in March 1941 in the Western Military District as part of the 14th MK based on the 29th Tank Brigade. She was stationed in Brest, 2 km from the border. In the first hours of the war, it was subjected to massive shelling, as a result of which it lost most of its tanks, artillery and vehicles. The artillery and fuel depot were destroyed. The remnants of the division reached the concentration area by 12 o'clock, having almost no fuel, ammunition and communications. On the afternoon of June 22, she entered into battle with the 3rd Panzer Division of General Model. On June 23, with about 100 tanks, she participated in the counterstrike of the 14th MK in the Brest region. In the battle near Zhabinka with the 3rd TD, she suffered losses and, under threat of encirclement, retreated to Kobrin, where she was subjected to air strikes. The division commander, Mr. V. P. Puganoe, was killed. The command was taken over by Colonel I. V. Kon-nov. On June 24, together with the 30th TD, having a total of 25 tanks, it stopped the troops of the 47th MK of General Lemelsen at the turn of the Shara River, southeast of Baranovichi. 25 - 28.06 fought in the Slutsk area with the 3rd TD of the Germans. By the end of June 28, the division had 450 men, 45 vehicles, no tanks. Disbanded on June 28.
The 23rd TD was formed in March 1941 in the PribVO as part of the 12th MK. She was stationed in Liepaja. On June 22, she was in the Kurtuveni area. 06.23, having received an order to deliver a counterstrike against the forces of the enemy's Tilsit group that had broken through in the Scaudville area, made a march from Plunge to the Laukuwa area, having in its composition 333 T-26s. On the march, she lost 17 tanks from air strikes. On the same day, the first military clash with the enemy took place. On June 24, she took part in the oncoming tank battle in the Siauliai region with the troops of the 4th tank group. By the end of the day, having lost most of the tanks, the 23rd Division ceased to exist as a single combat unit. Its remnants became part of the 8th Army and defended in the Ostrov area until July 3rd. 8.07 under the blows of the 1st Panzer Division of the Germans left Pskov. At this time, the division had 2 serviceable tanks (plus 56 damaged and requiring repair). 144 tanks were lost from enemy fire, 122 - for technical reasons, 9 - transferred to other units. Disbanded on August 16. Commander - Col. T. S. Orlenko.
The 24th TD was formed in March 1941 in the Leningrad Military District as part of the 10th MK. It was stationed in the Leningrad region. On June 22, she had 139 BT-2, 88 BT-5 and other vehicles. In early July, it was included in the Luga task force. July 13 entered into battle with the 41st micron of the enemy, participating in a counterstrike on the Luga line. In July - August she fought defensive battles here. In early September, she was surrounded along with the troops of the Luga operational group. The remnants of the division managed to get through to their own. On September 22, it was disbanded, and the 124th and 125th tank brigades were created on its base. Commander - Colonel M. I. Chesnokov.
The 25th TD was formed in March 1941 in ZapOVO as part of the 13th MK. It was stationed in the area of Belsk Podlyasny. Since June 22, she fought on the Belo-Stok salient. June 25, together with other troops of the 10th Army, was surrounded west of Minsk. The remnants of the division, without materiel, made their way to their own at the end of July on the Sozh River. Disbanded on 4 July. Commander - Colonel N. M. Nikiforov.
The 26th TD was formed in March 1941 in ZapOVO as part of the 20th MK. It was stationed in the Borisov area. Before the war, the 20th mechanized corps had only 93 tanks. On June 24, the division was sent to the front as part of the 13th Army. On the same day she entered the battle at the Negoreloye station. For 7 days she fought in the interfluve of the Berezina and the Dnieper. June 29 - on the near approaches to Minsk from von Arnim's 17th TD, but by the end of the day she was forced to leave Minsk. With battles retreated to the Dnieper. 7.07 the division had 3,800 men and 5 guns. 9.07 in the defense sector of the 20th MK, the troops of the 2nd tank group of the Germans broke through the front of the 13th army, and soon it was withdrawn to the rear. On 12.07, the 26th TD was transferred to the subordination of the commander of the 61st RC and on 17.07 it took part in a counterattack on Orsha. Moving westward, it was stopped by German troops and forced to retreat to the starting line on July 20 with heavy losses. Disbanded on July 21. The commander is Mr. V. T. Obukhov.
The 27th TD was formed in March 1941 in the ZapOVO as part of the 17th MK. She was stationed in Novogrudok. By the beginning of the war, the formation of the division was not completed. There was no materiel, the personnel were armed with rifles by 30 - 35%. The ineffective division was ordered to take up defensive positions in the Baranovichi area. Only three thousand people went to the line of defense, and the remaining 6 thousand without weapons were concentrated in the forest. As a result of the blow of German troops, the division was defeated. Disbanded on 1 August. Commander - Col. A. O. Akhmanov.
Tank landing on KV-1 and T-34 armor during a counterattack. The tank unit of the cavalier of two Orders of the Red Banner, Major V. I. Filippov.
BT-7 on the left bank of the Neva near the crossing. November 23, 1941
The 28th TD was formed in February 1941 in the PribVO as part of the 12th MK. She was stationed in Riga. On June 18, she began to move to the border, having in its composition 210 BT-7 and other vehicles. On June 23, having received an order to launch a counterattack on German troops in the direction of Skaudvile, she marched to the starting line Varnai-Uzhventis, losing 27 tanks from air strikes. Having stood for several hours due to lack of fuel, she entered into battle with the 1st tank division of the enemy only in the evening of the 24th. On June 25, near Pashili, she crushed the column of the 8th motorized regiment of the Germans, but, having come under heavy shelling, after 4 hours of battle she withdrew, having lost 48 tanks. In total, 84 tanks were lost on June 25. By June 26, the division had 40 vehicles. In the following days, the 28th TD covered the withdrawal of the NWF troops. 6.07 was withdrawn to the rear for re-formation (by this time it had lost 133 tanks from enemy fire, and 68 for technical reasons). In early August, the remnants of the division, some parts of the 48th Army and all the attached sapper units were combined into an operational group under the command of the division commander I. T. Korovnikov for the defense of Novgorod, and then took part in the battles on Valdai. On September 13, the division had 552 people, 4 guns. On January 13, 1942, the 28th TD was transformed into the 241st SD (ended the war as the 241st Vinnytsia of the Orders of Bogdan Khmelnitsky and the Red Star of the SD). Commander - Colonel I. D. Chernyakhovsky.
The 29th TD was formed in March 1941 in the ZapOVO as part of the 11th MK. She was stationed in Grodno. On June 22, she counterattacked units of the enemy's 20th Army Corps in the direction of Lipsk, but due to the disorganized supply at the height of the battle, she was left without fuel and ammunition. As a result of the oncoming battle on the Golynka-Lipsk line, having lost almost all materiel and a large number of personnel, it retreated towards Novogrudok. On June 25, the division had 600 men and 15 tanks. At the end of June, it was surrounded to the west of Minsk. Due to lack of fuel, 2.07 was destroyed all materiel. The remnants of the division made their way to their own. Disbanded on July 14. Commander - Colonel N. P. Studnev.
The 30th TD was formed in April 1941 in the ZapOVO as part of the 14th MK based on the 32nd Tank Brigade. She was stationed in Pruzhany. Before the war had 174 T-26. On June 22, she entered the battle in the Pilica area with the 18th German TD of General Nering and stopped her for a while. 06/23, having 120 tanks, participated in the counterstrike of the 14th MK near Brest. During the oncoming tank battle with the 17th and 18th tank divisions of the enemy, she lost 60 tanks and withdrew, leaving Pruzhany. Due to poor organization and management, the counterstrike failed. On 24.06, together with the 22nd TD, she fought on the Shara River, where most of the infantry units were surrounded.25 - 28.06 defended Slutsk, repelling the attacks of the German 3rd Panzer Division. By the end of June 28, the division had 1,090 men, 2 T-26s, 90 vehicles and 3 tractors. Disbanded on June 30. Commander - Colonel S. I. Bogdanov.
The 31st TD was formed in March 1941 in the ZapOVO as part of the 13th MK. It was stationed in the area of Belsk Podlyasny. On June 22, she entered the battle in the defense zone of the 10th Army of the ZF at the turn of the Nurets River. It was surrounded in the area of Belovezhskaya Pushcha and destroyed. Disbanded on June 30. Commander - kennel S. A. Kalikhovich.
The 32nd TD was formed in March 1941 in KOVO as part of the 4th MK based on the 30th LTBR. She was stationed in Lviv. It was fully equipped, had about 200 KB and T-34. Since June 22, she fought on the Lvov ledge against the right wing of the strike group of Army Group South. It entered into contact with the enemy at noon on 22.06 south of Kristi-nopol. On June 23, she fought in the Great Bridges region. In the evening of the same day, having received an order from the commander of the 6th Army to destroy the enemy in the Kamenka area, she attacked German troops in this sector of the front. On 24.06 she was taken to Lviv, where she was shelled in the streets by members of the OUN. On June 25, she counterattacked units of the 14th MK in the Yavorov area, losing 15 tanks in battle. From 26.06 to the north-west of Lvov, it repulsed the attacks of the 1st Guards Rifle Division of the Germans. Later she fought defensive battles in the area of Starokon-stantinov, Ostropol. In early July, she took part in the defense of Berdichev, acting against the German 16th Panzer Division. She was surrounded near Uman at the end of July. The remnants of the division made their way to their own in August. On August 10, it was disbanded, and on its basis the 1st (from 16.02.1942 - the 6th Guards Sivash brigade) and the 8th brigade (from 11.01.1942 the 3rd Guards Minsk-Gdansk brigade of the Order of Lenin Red Banner Order of Suvorov tbr). Commander - Colonel E. G. Pushkin.
Dug T-28 in defensive positions near Leningrad. The tank is whitewashed with winter camouflage. December 9, 1941
The Red Army soldiers inspect the destroyed self-propelled gun Stu G III Ausf E. Judging by the antenna and armored box of a powerful radio station, this is the car of the battalion commander.
The 33rd TD was formed in March 1941 in ZapOVO as part of the 11th MK. She was stationed in Grodno. June 22 entered the battle in the Augustow area. On 23-24.06 she participated in the counterstrike of the 11th MK in the Bialystok area, but, being left in the midst of the battle without fuel and ammunition, she lost almost all the tanks and retreated towards Novogrudok. Here on 25.06 it was surrounded. The remnants of the division managed to get through to their own in July. Disbanded on July 14. Commander - Colonel M. F. Panov.
34th TD was formed in July 1940 in KOVO as part of the 8th MK based on the 14th heavy tank brigade. She was stationed in Sadovaya Vishna. The only tank division armed with heavy T-35 tanks (in the 67th 68th tank regiments there were 48 tanks that were previously part of the 14th tank brigade, and all of them were lost in the first days of the war for technical reasons). On June 22, it was transferred from the 26th Army to the 6th Army and marched to a new concentration area. 24.06 - another march (by order of the commander of the 6th Army) to a new location. On June 25, by order of the commander of the South-Western Front, she began to advance to participate in a counterstrike in the Dubno area. During the first three days of the war, it covered more than 500 km, having lost 50% of the materiel for technical reasons. On June 26, she attacked the enemy's 16th Panzer Division, advancing 10 km in the direction of Berestechko. On June 27, from the 34th TD, the 24th TP of the 12th TD and the 2nd ICP, a mobile group was formed under the command of Brigadier Commissar N. K. Popel, who was ordered to take Dubno by a member of the Military Council of the South-Western Front Vashugin under threat of execution. The offensive began without preliminary reconnaissance and preparation. With heavy losses, the division knocked out the enemy from Dubno by the evening of 27.06, throwing him back with the 11th TD. The next day, it was surrounded by the Germans (16th TD, 75th and 111th Infantry Divisions) and completely destroyed. On June 29, the division commander, I. V. Vasiliev, was killed in action. A small group led by Popel managed to get through to their own. After this failure, the corps commissar Vashugin shot himself. On August 15, the division was disbanded, and the 2nd and 16th tank brigades were created on its base. Commander - Colonel I. V. Vasiliev.
The 35th TD was formed in December 1940 in KOVO as part of the 9th MK. She was stationed in Novograd-Volynsk. By the beginning of the war, it had 142 tanks (141 T-26, I chemical). June 22 made a march to Lutsk.06.24 south-west of Klevani entered the battle with the 13th TD of the Germans, participating in the counterattack of the mechanized corps of the South-Western Front. 26-27.06 fought from the 299th front line at the Sta-vok-Mlynów line. In the evening of June 27, it retreated beyond the Goryn River under the blows of the 14th TD, 25th MD of the enemy. Then, until July 4, it defended itself in the Tsuman and Klevan area. 1014.07, as part of the 9th MK, inflicted a counterattack on the 44th and 95th infantry divisions of the Germans in the Novograd-Volynsk direction, slowing down their advance. At the end of July - beginning of August, she fought on the line of the Ko growth of a new fortified area. By 19.08 the division had 927 men and not a single tank. Disbanded on September 10. Commander - Mr. N. A. Novikov.
The 36th TD was formed in March 1941 in ZapOVO as part of the 17th MK. It was stationed in the area of Bara-noviches. By the beginning of the war, it had practically no materiel, therefore, from the first days of the war, it was used in defensive battles in Belarus as a rifle unit. Disbanded on 1 August. Commander - kennel S. Z. Miroshnikov.
The 37th TD was formed in March 1941 in KOVO as part of the 15th MK. She was stationed in Sukhodoly. June 22 made a march to the border in the area west of Brody. As part of the 15th mechanized corps, she participated in a counterattack on the right flank of the 1st tank group of Kleist, advancing from the Brod area in the direction of Radekhiv, Berestechko. In battles from the 297th Infantry Division, she suffered heavy losses and was forced to withdraw. In early July, it defended itself in the Berdichev area, then on the approaches to Kiev. On August 10, it was disbanded, and the 3rd brigade was created on its basis. Commander - Colonel F. G. Anikushkin.
Subdivision T-26 before the march.
On the Moscow direction: Pz Kpfw II Ausf C and Pz Kpfw III Ausf G on a village street near Rzhev.
The 38th TD was formed in March 1941 in ZapOVO as part of the 20th MK. It was stationed in the area of Bara-noviches. On June 22, 3 divisions of the 20th mechanized corps had 13 BT and 80 T-26 tanks. 24.06 sent to the front as part of the 13th Army. Until June 30, she fought on the outskirts of Minsk with the 17th TD von Arnim. After Minsk was abandoned, it retreated to the Berezino-Svisloch line. Until 9.07, she fought defensive battles on the Berezina-Dnieper line. After the Germans broke through the front in the defense sector of the 20th MK, it was withdrawn to the rear. On July 17, as part of the 61st Rifle Corps, together with the 26th TD, began an offensive against Orsha. Moved forward, but by 20.07 was thrown back to the starting line. Disbanded on 1 August.
The 39th TD was formed in March 1941 in KOVO as part of the 16th MK. She was stationed in Chernivtsi. From June 23, she participated in battles against the enemy's 48th micron. 06/26 transferred to the 18th Army of the SF, fought on the right flank of the SF. 4.07 was returned to the South-Western Front, on July 7, she began unloading from railway echelons, immediately engaging in battle near Berdichev, where in July-August she retreated to the east with battles. Disbanded on September 19. Commander - Col. N. V. Starkov.
The 40th TD was formed in March 1941 in KOVO as part of the 19th MK. She was stationed in Zhitomir. By the beginning of the war, it had 158 tanks (19 T-26, 139 T-37). Having completed a 300 km march, on June 24 it entered the battle west of Rovno. 06/26, participating in the counterstrike of the mechanized corps of the South-Western Front, fought a counter battle with the German 13th Panzer Division, in which it suffered heavy losses. Due to the breakthrough of the enemy's 13th tank division at the junction of the 40th and 43rd tank divisions and the threat of encirclement, she was forced to withdraw. 27.06 defended on the approaches to Rovno, repulsing the attacks of the 13th TD, 299th Infantry Division of the enemy. The next day, due to the coverage of the divisions of the 19th mechanized corps, the 11th German TD left Exactly and until 3.07 held the defense at the turn of the Goryn River. With 4.07 began to retreat to the line of fortified areas. By 9.07, 75 tanks remained in the 40th and 43rd divisions. 10 - 14.07 participated in a counterattack in the Novograd-Volynsk direction against the 99th and 298th divisions of the Germans. Then, until August 5, she defended herself on the line of the Ko-Rosten fortified area. Disbanded on August 10. On its basis, the 45th (from 1943-07-02, the 20th Guards Yassko-Mukdenskaya Red Banner Order of Kutuzov Tbr) and the 47th Tbr were created. Commander - Col. M. V. Shirobokov.
41st TD was formed in March 1941 in KOVO as part of the 22nd MK. She was stationed in Vladimir-Volynsky. By the beginning of the war, it had 415 tanks (31 KB, 342 T-26, 41 chemical and 1 T-37). All 31 KV-2s arrived a week before the war and had not yet been mastered by the crews. In addition, they did not have 152-mm shells, so on June 24, Chief of the General Staff G. K. Zhukov, who was at the South-Western Front, was forced to order the use of concrete-piercing shells of the 1909-30 model. On June 22, in accordance with the mobilization plan, the division left Vladimir-Volynsky for the Kovel region, but, on the way, hitting a swamp, got stuck in it and could not complete the task, having suffered, moreover, heavy losses from air strikes and artillery fire. For this, the division commander, p-k Pavlov, was removed from office. Having been transferred to the subordination of the commander of the 15th rifle division, the division was split into small units: on June 22, the 41st infantry division was transferred to the 45th rifle division, on June 23, two tank battalions were transferred to the 87th rifle division, 5 tanks to guard the headquarters of the 5th army … 06.24 20 tanks were transferred to the 45th rifle division, 30 tanks from the 62nd rifle division. On the same day, a tank company was engaged in the pursuit of small enemy landings, and two more tank companies were sent to guard the command post of the 15th sc. By the end of June 25, the entire 41st TD was divided into divisions. Then, until the beginning of July, it was in the Kovel region, ready to repel an attack from the direction of Brest. On July 1, with 16 KB and 106 T-26s, she participated in the counterstrike at Dubno against the 14th German Panzer Division, which ended in failure. After retreating to the east on 10-14.07, she participated in a counterattack in the Novograd-Volynsk direction against the 113th Infantry Division, 25th MD, SS Adolf Hitler. 18.07 began to move to the north-east. In late July - early August, she fought in the Korostensky fortified area. By 19.08, only one tank remained in the division. At the end of August, she defended herself on the Dnieper, in the Chernobyl region. Disbanded on September 9. Commander - p-k P. P. Pavlov.
Map from the German army magazine "Signal" for October 1941, illustrating the losses of the Red Army.
On the outskirts of Moscow. T-26s move forward to attack. October 1941
Members of the government evacuated to Kuibyshev receive the parade on November 7, 1941.
The 42nd TD was formed in March 1941 in the Moscow Military District as part of the 21st MK. It was stationed in the Idritsa area. By the beginning of the war, there were only 98 tanks in three divisions of the 21st MK. On June 25, as part of the 21st MK, it was transferred to the NWF in order to cover the Daugavpils direction, where the 8th Panzer and 3rd Motorized Divisions of the 56th MK Manstein attacked, which broke through at the junction of the 8th and 11th armies. After completing a 200 km march, on June 29 she entered into battle from the 121st infantry division east of Daugavpils, then participated in street battles from the 3rd German infantry division. From July 2, she repulsed the attacks of the 8th TD, the 3rd MD and the SS division "Death's Head" in the Rezekne area (on 3.07 she crushed the column of this division at Dalda). In July - August she participated in the battles near Pskov and Novgorod as a rifle unit. On September 5, it was disbanded, and the 42nd Tank Brigade was created on its basis. Commander - Col. N. I. Voeikov.
The 43rd TD was formed in March 1941 in KOVO as part of the 19th MK based on the 35th Light Tank Brigade. She was stationed in Berdichev. By the beginning of the war, it had 237 tanks (5 KB, 2 T-34, 230 T-26). June 22 began to move to the border. On 27-28.06, on the approaches to Rovno, she fought with the 13th tank and 299th infantry divisions. As a result of the breakthrough of the Germans (11th TD) and the threat of encirclement on June 28, she left Rovno and began to retreat to the east. In July, she took part in counterattacks on the left flank of Army Group South in the Kiev direction in the Novograd-Volynsky and Korostensky UR areas. In early August, it was withdrawn to the rear, near Kharkov. On August 10, it was disbanded, and the 10th brigade was created on its basis. Commander - Colonel I. G. Tsibin.
The 44th TD was formed in March 1941 in Od VO as part of the 18th MK based on the 49th LTBR. She was stationed in Tarutino. Since the beginning of the war, she fought in the band of the Law Firm. June 29, 18 MK was sent to the Western Front. On July 9, in view of the danger of encirclement of the 6th army of the South-Western Front by the troops of the 1st tank group, which had reached Berdichev, the divisions of the 18th mechanized corps, which were at that moment marching from Chernivtsi to Lyubar, were transferred to the 6th army. From 10.07 the 44th division fought near Berdichev with the 16th tank division of the enemy. On July 19, it became part of the 18th Army and took part in a counterattack south of Vinnitsa against the 17th German army. On July 25, 17th Army troops broke through the defenses in the zone of the 18th Mechanized Corps and 17th Rifle Corps, forcing them to withdraw from the Gaisin-Trostyanets area. By July 30, 22 tanks remained in the 18th MK. In early August, it was withdrawn to the rear, in the Pavlograd area. Disbanded on August 21. Commander - Col. V. P. Krymov.
The 45th TD was formed in March 1941 in KOVO as part of the 24th MK. It was stationed in the Pro-Skurov area. By the beginning of the war, there were 222 tanks in the 45th and 49th Panzer Divisions. Since June 22, she fought as part of the troops of the 26th Army of the South-Western Front. At the end of June, she defended herself in the Starokonstantinov area, fighting with the 14th MK. In early July, transferred to the 12th Army, defended in the area of the Letichevsky fortified area. At the end of July, she was surrounded near Uman, where she died. Disbanded on September 30.
KV-1 leaves the Moscow plant after repairs. The bolt-on armor plates on the turret and hull are clearly visible.
A camouflaged KV-1 in a forest ambush. Ambush tactics became the most effective in the fight against advancing enemy tanks. October 29, 1941
The 46th TD was formed in March 1941 in the Moscow Military District as part of the 21st MK. She was stationed in Opochka. At the end of June, it was transferred to the NWF to repel the German offensive on Daugavpils. On June 28, in the first echelon of the 21st MK, she struck at the 56th motorized corps, as a result of which the enemy was stopped in this direction until July 2. After the start of a new offensive by German troops (8 TD, 3 MD) in the Rezekne area, from 2.07 with battles, it retreated to the northeast. Later, being left without materiel, she participated in defensive battles in the North-West Federal District. On September 1, it was disbanded, and on its basis the 46th brigade was created (from 16.02.1942 the 7th Guards Novgorod-Berlin Red Banner Orders of Suvorov and the Red Star of the brigade). Commander - Col. V. A. Koptsov.
The 47th TD was formed in March 1941 in the OdVO as part of the 18th MK based on the 23rd LTBR. She was stationed in Ackerman. In the early days of the war, it was in reserve. On June 29, she was transferred to the Vinnitsa region, where in mid-July she entered into battle with units of the 17th Army. At the end of July, she was surrounded in the Tulchin region. On 28.07, the remnants of the division, without materiel, made their way to their own. In early August, a group under the command of Mr. P. V. Volokh was formed from parts of the 18th mechanized corps, which fought as part of the 18th army. On August 12, it was withdrawn to the rear in the Poltava region for re-formation. On August 31, with 34 tanks, it became part of the 38th Army and took up defenses on the Dnieper near Kremenchug. After the start of the German offensive with the aim of encircling the South-Western Front with battles retreated to Poltava. 09/10/19 she delivered a counterattack in the Kobelyak area, 09/19 - 09/22 she fought on the Pisarevka-Shevchenko line near Poltava. 30.09 withdrawn to the rear, to the Kharkov region. Here the 47th mechanized infantry division was transferred to the 199th rifle division, materiel to the 71st separate tank battalion. On October 7, it was disbanded, and the 142nd brigade was created on its basis. Commander - PC G. S. Rodin.
The 48th TD was formed in March 1941 and the OVO as part of the 23rd MK. It was stationed in the Orel region. At the end of June, she was transferred to the Western Front, where on July 6 she entered the battle. She took part in the Smolensk battle. On September 2, it was disbanded, and on its basis the 17th (from 1942-17-11, the 9th Guards Zaporozhye Order of Suvorov Tbr) and the 18th Tbr (from 1943-10-04, the 42nd Guards Smolensk Red Banner Orders of Suvorov, Bogdan Khmelnitsky, Red Star TBR). Commander - Colonel D. Ya. Yakovlev.
The 49th TD was formed in March 1941 in KOVO and the 24th MK. It was stationed in the Pro-Skurov area. With the beginning of the war, it became part of the 26th Army of the South-Western Front, and then, at the beginning of July, the 12th Army. She fought defensive battles in the area of the Letichevsky district. At the end of July, she was surrounded in the Uman region. Disbanded on 17 September.
The 50th TD was formed in March 1941 in the KhVO as part of the 25th MK. It was stationed in the Kharkov region. On June 25, she was sent by rail to the South-Western Branch. On June 30, she began unloading near Kiev, joining the 19th Army. But soon it was transferred to the Polar Division in the Gomel region. On July 4, at Novozybkovo, the 25th MK, having received an additional 32 T-34 tanks in addition to 300 tanks, became part of the 21st Army and struck at the German troops in the direction of Godilovichi. In mid-July, she took part in a counterattack on Bobruisk, after which she defended herself in the Mogilev area, repelling the attacks of the 10th and 17th infantry divisions. In mid-August, it was included in the 13th Army of the Bryansk Front. She fought against the troops of the 2nd Tgr, who turned south to encircle the South-Western Front. On September 17, it was disbanded, and the 150th brigade was created on its basis. Commander - Colonel B. S. Bakharev.
The 51st TD was formed in March 1941 in the ARVO as part of the 23rd MK. It was stationed in the Orel region. After the start of the war, it was included in the 30th Army, formed in the Moscow Military District, as a separate tank division. In July it was transformed into the 110th td.
The 52nd TD was formed in March 1941 in the North Caucasus Military District as part of the 26th MK. By the beginning of the war, the divisions of the 26th MK had 184 tanks. In mid-June, as part of the 19th Army, she began redeployment to Ukraine. After the outbreak of the war, it was transferred to the Western Front. After the disbandment of the 26th mechanized corps in early July, it was transformed into the 101st division. Commander - Colonel G. M. Mikhailov.
The 53rd TD was formed in March 1941 in SAVO as part of the 27th MK. It was stationed in the area of the city of Mary. In mid-June, the 27th mechanized corps was sent to the ZF. After the start of the war, the 27th MK was disbanded. The 53rd division became separate and transformed into the 105th division.
"Thirty-four" in a forest clearing. In addition to camouflage, the crew covered the tank in front with a barricade of logs.
BT-7 and KV-1 on the outskirts of the village after the battle.
Troopers on T-34 armor. The undercarriage combines different types of road wheels, but they all have rubber tires. The tank carries a spare 200-liter barrel of fuel on its armor.
The 54th TD was formed in March 1941 in the ZakVO as part of the 28th MK. After the start of the war, the 28th MK was disbanded, and the 54th TD became part of the 47th Army. It did not participate in hostilities, it was disbanded, and on its basis the 54th (from 26.12.1942, the 25th Guards Elninskaya Order of Lenin, Red Banner Order of Suvorov Tbr) and the 55th Tbr were created.
The 55th TD was formed in March 1941 in the KhVO as part of the 25th MK. She was stationed in Chuguev. On June 25, she was sent to the South-Western Front in the Kiev region, and at the beginning of July, with the troops of the 19th Army, she was transferred to the ZF. 4.07 entered the 21st Army. She took part in the counterattack near Bobruisk, in the Battle of Smolensk. On August 10, it was disbanded, and the 8th and 14th separate tank brigades were created on its basis. Commander - p-k V. N. Badanov.
The 56th TD was formed in March 1941 in the North Caucasus Military District as part of the 26th MK. In mid-June, as part of the 19th Army, she was sent to Ukraine. After the start of the war, it was transferred to the ZF. In July, after the disbandment of the 26th mechanized corps, it was transformed into the 102nd TD. Commander - Colonel I. D. Illarionov.
The 57th Red Banner TD was formed in March 1941 in the ZabVO as a separate TD of the 17th Army. She was stationed in Mongolia. In May 1941, she was included in the 5th MK of the 16th Army and sent to KOVO. By the beginning of the war, she had more than 300 tanks. She entered the battle at Shepetovka, then was transferred to the ZF in the 19th Army. Soon she was transferred to the 20th Army and took part in the Battle of Smolensk. From 9.07 she fought at Krasnoye from the 29th MD. By mid-July, the division did not have the main forces of the 114th and 115th TP: one lost tanks in the battles near Shepetovka, and the second was in the 20th Army. On July 20, it moved beyond the Dnieper. On September 1, it was disbanded, and the 128th brigade was created on its basis. Commander - Col. V. A. Mishulin.
The 58th TD was formed in March 1941 in the Far East as part of the 30th MK. In October, it was transferred to Moscow. She took part in defensive battles near Moscow from November 1, and then in the Soviet counteroffensive. On December 31, it was disbanded, and the 58th brigade was created on its basis. The commander is Mr. A. A. Kotlyarov.
59th TD was formed in March 1941 in the Far East as a separate tank division. It was stationed in the Khabarovsk region. In June
sent to the Western Front. On the way, it was transformed into the 108th td. Commander - Col. N. I. Orlov.
The 60th TD was formed in March 1941 in the Far East as part of the 30th MK. In October, it was transferred to the North-West Fleet, where it became part of the 4th Army. On November 1, she entered the battle, participating in the battles for Tikhvin. In the future, she fought in the NWF. On January 20, 1942, it was disbanded, and the 60th brigade was created on its basis. Commander - Mr. A. F. Popov.
The 61st Red Banner TD was formed in March 1941 in the ZabVO as a separate TD on the basis of the 11th brigade. It was stationed in Mongolia as part of the 17th Army. In 1941-1945. as part of the Trans-Baikal Front. The materiel - BT and T-26. In March 1945 she received T-34 tanks. In August 1945 it became part of the 39th Army. 9.08-2.09 1945 took part in the operation to defeat the Kwantung Army in Manchuria. Having overcome the Big Khingan, she ended the war on the Liaodong Peninsula, defeating the 107th and 117th Japanese infantry divisions. Commander - Colonel G. I. Voronkov.
A tank assault with the support of a T-34 attacking the village. Western Front, December 1941
The 101st TD was formed in July 1941 on the basis of the 52nd TD. July 15 entered the battle at the ZF. She took part in the Smolensk battle. In mid-July, she fought in the Smolensk area, trying to unblock the surrounded 16th, 19th and 20th armies of the ZF. On September 16, it was transformed into the 101st honey (1941-20-10 - disbanded). Commander - Colonel G. M. Mikhailov.
The 102nd TD was formed in July 1941 from the 56th TD. July 15 entered the battle at the ZF. As part of the 24th Army, she participated in the late August - early September in a counterattack near Yelnya against the 20th Army Corps. On September 10, it was disbanded, and the 144th brigade was created on its basis. Commander - Colonel I. D. Illarionov.
The 104th TD was formed in July 1941 from the 9th TD. On July 11, in the region of Bryansk, it became part of the ZF. 20-22.07 fought with the 10th TD of the Germans west of Spas-Demensk. Since July 23, as part of the task force of General Kachalov, she participated in a counterattack with the aim of breaking through to Smolensk. When leaving the region, Yelnya suffered heavy losses from aviation. On July 24, she launched an offensive in the direction of Smolensk, fighting from the 137th and 292nd Infantry Divisions. July 31 was surrounded in the area of Roslavl. In early August, the remnants of the division made their way to their own. On September 6, it was disbanded, and on its basis the 145th brigade was created (from 1943-10-04 the 43rd Guards Verkhnedneprovskaya brigade). Commander - Col. V. G. Burkov.
The 105th TD was formed in July 1941 from the 53rd TD. Since July 15, she has fought on the Western Front. She participated in the Smolensk battle, together with the 104th TD she tried to unblock the troops surrounded in the Smolensk region. On September 13, it was disbanded, and the 146th brigade was created on its basis.
The 107th TD was formed on July 17, 1941 on the basis of the 69th MD on the Western Front. On July 18, together with the 110th TD, she launched a counterattack on Dukhovshchina with the aim of reaching Smolensk for the release of the 16th, 19th, 20th armies of the Western Front. Having suffered heavy losses in battles with the 7th German Panzer Division, she could not complete the task. July 20, with 200 tanks, participated in the offensive of the 30th Army in the direction of Smolensk (until 28.07). In the future, she fought defensive battles at the ZF. At the beginning of September, the division had 153 tanks. On September 16, it was transformed into the 107th honey (from 1942-12-01, the 2nd Guards Department, from 1942-13-10, the 49th Guards Kherson Red Banner Order of Suvorov SD). Commander - P. N. Domrachev.
Soviet soldiers inspect the German MP 38 submachine gun near the captured Pz Kpfw IV Ausf E.
The 108th TD was formed in July 1941 from the 59th TD. On July 15, she entered the battle on the Western Front. At the end of August, as part of the mobile group of the Bryansk Front, she participated in a counterattack against the enemy's 47th Panzer Corps in the Unecha region, which ended unsuccessfully. Later she defended herself in the Orel region, fighting with Guderian's troops. By October 6, the division had 20 tanks. In November, as part of the 50th Army, she fought in the Epifani area. On December 2, it was disbanded, and the 108th brigade was created on its basis. Commander - Col. N. I. Orlov.
The 109th TD was formed in July 1941. From 15 July it took part in battles on the Western Front, in the Battle of Smolensk (without much success). On September 16, it was disbanded, and the 148th brigade was created on its basis.
The 110th TD was formed in July 1941 from the 51st TD. She participated in hostilities since July 15. On July 18, she struck in the direction of Dukhovshchina against the 7th German TD with the aim of reaching Smolensk. The task was not completed and was withdrawn to the reserve of the commander of the Polar Division in the Rzhev area. Subsequently, she fought on the Western Front. On September 1, it was disbanded, and the 141st and 142nd tank brigades were created on its basis.
111th TD was formed in March 1941 in the ZabVO on the territory of Mongolia. In 1941-1945. was part of the 17th Army of the Trans-Baikal Front. It was stationed in the Choibalsan area. 9.08-3.09.1945 participated in the defeat of the Kwantung Army, being in the reserve of the commander of the Trans-Baikal Front. Commander - Colonel I. I. Sergeev.
The 112th TD was formed in August 1941 as part of the troops of the Far Eastern Front on the basis of the 42nd Ltbr. It was stationed in the Voroshilov area. In October she was sent to the Western Front, near Moscow. On November 5, with 210 T-26 tanks, the division began hostilities in the Podolsk region as part of the ZF mobile group under the command of P. A. Belov. On November 18, she launched a counterattack on the 17th tank division of the enemy in the Tula region. As part of the 50th Army, she took part in a counterattack near Moscow. She liberated Yasnaya Polyana, on December 21 she was the first to enter Kaluga. 1942-03-01 was disbanded, and on its basis the 112th brigade was created (from 1943-23-10 44th Guards Berdichevskaya Order of Lenin Red Banner Orders of Suvorov, Kutuzov, Bogdan Khmelnitsky, Red Star, Sukhe-Bator and the Red Banner of the Mongolian People's Republic named after Sukhe-Bator tank brigade). Commander - Col. A. L. Getman.
Conclusion
The failures of the first months of the war and the loss of 90% of all materiel, especially noticeable in corps and tank divisions, forced by the end of 1941 to switch to new organizational forms and staffs that were more in line with the real situation. The main form of organization of armored and mechanized troops became brigades, tank, mechanized and motorized rifle, more mobile and flexible structurally and tactically. The return to large combat forms began in the spring of 1942. They were tank corps, which included three tank brigades with the necessary motorized rifle and artillery reinforcement, and in the fall of 1942, the first mechanized corps with a new organizational and staff structure were deployed:
• 3 mechanized brigades (each with a tank regiment);
• tank brigade;
• 2-3 self-propelled artillery regiments;
• mortar regiment;
• anti-aircraft artillery regiment;
• guards mortar division;
• motorcycle battalion;
• engineer battalion;
• communications battalion.
From December 1941, the armored troops began to be called armored and mechanized troops (BT and MB). Organizationally, they consisted of tank armies, tank and mechanized corps, tank, heavy tank, mechanized, self-propelled artillery and motorized rifle brigades and separate tank regiments.
