Soviet Units - ww2

Introduction

To the readers;

The intention of these documents is to provide potential Steel Panthers scenario designers an understanding and ability to create historical and realistic scenarios. Additionally, E-Mail games can now be “based” real force distributions instead of spur of the moment and ad hov creations. There are three take aways:

1. Realistic force creations2. New tactical opportunities3. New units creations

REALISTIC FORCE CREATIONS

Most nationalities utilized triangular formations. The different forms were dependent upon units available, strength of units and operational goals. Almost all armies used battalion sized unit formations as their minimum size. Steel Panthers limits this important characteristic with formation sized parameters.

I am not recommending playing regimental sized battles, but true battalion sized battles are currently impossible with the limits on unit numbers. An example of an realistic operational unit would be an American Regimental Combat Team.

Please refer to the RCTs organization.

Normally the RCT would have two advancing formations with a third in reserve. Each advancing formation would be a battalion of infantry and 1 or 2 companies of engineers. The artillery battalion and battery would be with the reserve formation. The armored company would be split between the advancing formations. This basic formation (one of the advancing columns) requires: 1 or 2 platoons of tanks, 2 or 3 sections of off board artillery (maybe on board), 1 or 2 platoons of engineers with trucks, roughly 28 infantry squads with supporting heavy weapons. The divisional motor pool would provide transportation for the infantry - some on the tanks and the rest in trucks. This may seem like a lot of units but it is only roughly 400 points!! (120 for the tanks, 40 for the artillery, 32 for the engineers, 16 for their trucks, 84 for the infantry, 36 for their trucks, and 70 for misc. (like a company from the Recon battalion - ACs)). This would be a standard formation used in SP. Yet, this type of formation is impossible to achieve with the unit number limitation.

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NEW TACTICAL OPPORTUNITIES

If players could create this type of formation, tactics would be dramatically different. Effective flanking maneuvers, thrusts ,etc. could be staged. You could afford to be aggressive because you could have some on board reserve to accomplish the mission if you make a mistake or miscalculation. Now, if a tactical mistake is made, you are essentially up a creek.

My goal was not to compliant, but provide an easy reference source to truly challenge other players in games. With unit formation charts, players can simulate an armored attack against an infantry unit and know what possible units would be available. Again it changes tactics. If you know the enemy will not have tanks, your selection of forces is going to be different. You might choose slow moving SP artillery units to “blast” at bunkers, etc. versus fast moving mobile tanks because you do not have to worry about an armored counter attack.

Thus, challenges would be what type of engagement, the year and month, the nationalities, and the unit type (Armor division versus an infantry or Armored infantry). This will create “unbalances” in player formations strengths. Armored units will have force advantages over infantry. This is what real military commanders hoped to achieve when attacking.

So how to make the game “fair”? Simple, negotiate point reallocations before the game; such as the infantry division defender has a 25% point bonus or the armor attacker has 25% penalty. Again these point reallocations change your tactics. It is not enough to capture two of the three objective areas, but as the armored commander you must assault all three to win.

My goal is to provide the resources to create circumstances like these, allowing different tactical plays. Unit structures and organizations create limits for force selections. In turn these limits provide different opportunities for tactics based on unit types. Indeed you’ll be faced with the same chooses actual commanders had or the lack of chooses dependent on you perspective.

NEW UNITS CREATIONS

Furthermore, anyone using Spedit can now create additional units based on realistic structures. For example, I have integrated (with the editor) the 4th platoon of the standard German infantry company into the other three platoons. This is realistic, the heavy weapons rarely operated alone, and it allows a large group (pool) of men to transport (carry) the heavy weapons. So their movement rates are not dramatically different than infantry (now they are so slow without motorized transport).

NATIONALITIES COMPLETED

I have researched four force structures:

1. German2. American3. British (still being cleaned up)4. Russian (still being cleaned up)

FREE AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

These documents are not commercial in nature and the information found in them is freely available in public libraries, etc. I highly recommend reading the reference sources listed. Most of the stories and accounts are dramatic and compelling. Any copyright infringement is unintentional and this documents distribution is free. My sole request is: if you create scenarios with these charts, I’d love to play them.

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Please include this preface and the reference sources with any distribution.

CONCLUSION

I do not plan to update or revise the documents - the compilation took too much time. I would appreciate receiving corrections or adjustments. Again these charts and tables are from multiple sources, which sometimes had slightly different organizations and unit strengths. Additionally, I have rough draft forms of the British and Russian forces. Once I clean them up, I post ‘em.

Have fun. Thanks.

S. Sheckells

[email protected]

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Soviet Units

These notes provide some knowledge of Soviet strategy, structures and forces. They are general in nature. Furthermore, many aspects of the Soviet forces are counter intuitive and unique. I recommend reading or at least skimming In Pursuit of Deep Battle by David Glantz for a deeper understanding.

An understanding of Soviet strategy is critical because the Soviet military was (currently ?) a formal and rigid structure. The doctrines and strategies outlined in their manuals were adhered to or the general was “removed”. One would believe exceptions existed and success win these unique endeavors was rewarded. No, that didn’t happen. Most innovative officers (who were potentially politically unstable) were purged from the army in a violent and ruthless manner. Consequently, the Soviet command played by a very rigid textbook.

This does not imply they were not intelligent or creative, but only that they fought in a rigid structure unlike western forces. Consequently, how does an intelligent, capable commander compensate for having to fight from a set rulebook or playbook? He or she makes sure the “plays” will work and designs a force structure capable of allowing the “plays” to be successful. Thus the Soviet force structure was critical in winning the war. It allowed the formalized and limited (compared to other nationalities) strategy to be successful.

1. There are three types of formations:

Organizational: The “paper” strength a unit has. Operational: A time period assessment of unit (based on reality). Operational is how the

forces were grouped and typically engaged the enemy in the field. Field: Snapshot of unit’s current strength. For example: an unit should have 5 tanks in a

platoon per company operating with 2 other companies. But recent losses in fighting has field forces at 4 tanks per platoon with only 2 companies (the third was too badly damaged).

2. The formations specified have optimums unit numbers. A misconception of Soviet forces was they had an abundance of troops and material. Actually they had a manpower shortage. Remember within the first year of the war, their losses were roughly the equivalent of their entire standing army before the war! Indeed, there were two distinct camps (replenishment) within the Soviet forces: Rifle and Mechanized units. The Rifle forces were infantry, cavalry and various support forces for those units. The Mechanized forces were Tank and Mechanized units with their support forces. The Rifle forces were always understrength because they were the last ones to receive replacements and supplies (see theoretical vs. actual Rifle Battalions). The Mech. Forces were rarely understrength, typically operating at full men, tanks, and vehicle strengths. The reason for the difference in resource allocation relates to their operational strategies (later notes).

3. The Rifle Corp.’s battalions and regiments use the Infantry Rifle Battalion OOBs. The Rifle Brigades and Battalions in the Tank And Mechanized Corps use the Mechanized Rifle battalion OOBs. Please note: in actuality the Infantry Rifle Battalion OOBs were the real forces present in a Rifle battalion in a Rifle or Cavalry Corp. and the Mechanized Rifle Battalion OOBs were what the OOBs for all battalions were supposed to be (but were not from manpower shortages). Thus only the Mechanized and Tank Corp. had truly full strength Rifle Battalions.

4. Soviet organization is fundamentally triangular. It is what? In almost all cases, there were 3 prime units to each force; 3 Tank Brigades to a tank corps, 3 Rifle Divisions to a Rifle Corps, 3 Tank Corps to a Tank Army, etc. Triangular force structures allow simple concise and manageable battlefield units, which is critical in large confusing and chaotic battles.

5. The Soviet were the first to fully develop the Blitzkrieg tactic! However, they were not the first to use it. As a result, they never developed a defensive strategy to counter the Blitzkrieg. The Germans attacked first - history speaks of the result: wholesale slaughter of Soviet forces early in the war.

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The Soviet Blitzkrieg was called Deep Battle and Deep Operations. Unlike western strategists, they developed an intermediate stage between strategy (the ultimate goal of the war or war phase) and tactics (the actions needed to accomplish small battlefield goals), which was an operational level. Thus their planners thought in terms of a strategy, operations, and tactics. The intermediate step is extraordinarily useful in expansive protracted conflicts like those in the wide expanses of Russia and the Eastern Front.

The military was segmented into two parts: a Attack or Mobile Group (I could not find a general term, the group was always referred to by its parts: the Shock Group or Pinning Group) and the Group for Further Operations (Group DD). The Attack Group and Group DD functioned at a theatre level like the Pinning Group and Shock Group did at an operational level (see below).

Operational actions split the forces into two groups: a Pinning Group (skovyayushchaya gruppa) accounting for 1/3rd of the forces and a Shock Group (udarnaya gruppa) being the other 2/3rd of the forces. The Pinning Group would engage the enemy, tie up his forces, probe for weak points, and “bleed” the enemy’s front line forces (necessitating enemy reserves being called up which further weaken the enemy’s rear). The Shock Group, after a weak point was found and the enemy sufficiently bled (the Pinning Group too), would assault through the enemy defensive lines; break into the rear; engage and crush weak ancillary enemy units (artillery, AA, support units, etc. ); capture, utilize or destroy enemy supplies; destroy logistical resources and means, etc..

The Attack Groups were tank and mechanized units. The Group DDs were what was left over. Who do you think got the honors in such battles? The Attack Group. Explains why the Rifle Divisions were the last in line for replenishment.

Within the Shock Group there was an Advance Guard Group (Forward Detachment). It was a brigade whose purpose was to quickly engage and assault the enemy (as encountered), take and hold operational positions allowing further exploitation of the enemies rear. It acted as a recon force, but unlike western recon forces (who probed enemy formations and terrain), the Forward Detachment was expected to overrun and annihilate the enemy. As one would expect, this vaulted position (it was considered an honor to lead) was frequently shifted among brigades because of the high casualty rate.

However, its most important role was taking and holding operational positions. In other words, the Shock Group did not care about strategic positions, but was intent on capturing positions to continue the Shock Group’s advance into the enemy’s rear. It would leave “pockets” of enemy forces behind and advance securing operational objectives which ensured the enemy pockets were isolated and without logistical support.

Then, after the Shock Group had past, the bulk of the army (Group DD) would surround, siege, starve, bomb, and annihilate the now isolated and desperate enemy pocket. Please note, like the American Island Hopping Strategy, this was fundamentally unique for those times. The German Blitzkrieg called for force breakthroughs into rear areas, but then subsequent destruction of enemy forces from the rear (envelopment vs. isolation). Most armies still attacked and attempted to defeat the enemy, not just isolate and starve them to surrender.

6. Soviet divided the war into three periods: Strategic Defense (June 1941 - Nov. 1942), the Transition (Dec. 1942 - Dec. 1943) and the Strategic Offensive (1944 - 1945). The transition was a period of learning and readjusting from the disastrous defeats and looses during the Strategic Defense. Interestingly, during the Strategic Defense the Soviets learned to counter Blitzkrieg strategies.

7. Storm Detachments. The Soviets created Storm Detachments for urban fighting. Storm Detachments were a battalion of infantry, a company of tanks or assault guns (a company of each was better), and artillery (the assault guns could be SP artillery moving with the tanks). The infantry were typically 50% sappers and 50% SMG squads (rifles have little use in close environments). Most assaults were down main streets (once “pacified”); allowing armor units to move freely to areas for support and firepower. The Soviets divided a city up and took a section of a city at a time. This divide and conquer tactic massed forces and “pushed” the defenders into smaller pockets. Consequently, once a small enough pocket formed the Soviets starved (food and water) the defenders and bombed them into oblivion (artillery). Strategic artillery shelling (shelling large areas without targets) is very wasteful of ordnance. However, if the area is “small enough” it becomes very

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destructive and demoralizing, especially to starving, dehydrated, and desperate men who know they will eventually lose. (Red Storm on the Reich by Christopher Duffy)

8. Grinding Detachments. This is the term the Soviets used to designate the actions taken by the Pinning Groups. They would grind the enemy in certain areas. Grinding is the assault on enemy areas to create breakthrough points for the Shock Group. It, unlike the general goal of a Pinning Group, was to probe, penetrate and secure the area to allow a unopposed passage way for the Shock Group. In general the Pinning Group didn’t secure areas, but looked for more enemies to “tie up”. Most Grind Detachments were engineer, heavy tank, heavy SP, etc. units. These were the slow units that used large caliber weapons to blow the hell out of the enemy. (Red Storm on the Reich by Christopher Duffy)

9. Meeting engagements were common. Sounds good to a E-Mail gamer! With Deep Operations, tank groups (brigades, corps., etc.) would frequently encounter German units of various sizes attempting to find their parent units or even return to stable German lines. Thus anywhere at any time a battle could ensue. The Soviets constantly prepared for attacks and defensive operations on all sides of their forces.

10. Soviet Strategy: In the first part of the war (1941 to mid 1942), their defensive formations were front line heavy with essentially a single line of defense (traditional) and reserve forces waiting to reinforce the line. Blitzkrieg broke through the strong front line, assaulted the line from the rear, and destroyed the line from its weak and non-defended rear. Their defensive reserve force were not mobile and did not respond to the rear entry threat. Thus both forces, the line and reserves, were devastated.

Traditional military strategy was attack the lines / troops / etc., defeat the enemy and win the day. Blitzkrieg is punch a hole and hit them from their weak soft cushy side. As a result, the Soviets began to experiment with multiple and subsequent defensive positions with mobile response reserves.

Their defensive strategy evolved into “Fronts” (meaning operational area). A metaphor for a Front is a group of interlocked bubbles. A unit (division, corp., etc.) is a bubble and the front is a group of bubbles lining up into two or three rows. The enemy will attack between the spaces in the bubbles (where the front seems weakest) and weaves through the rows of bubbles.

Each bubble is a compact and intact force that strikes against an exposed flank of the weaving and extended enemy formation. These bubbles are flexible and adaptable. They can move and shift according to need. Additionally, the Soviets developed tiny specialized bubbles to “fit” in between selected larger ones (mainly along the most obvious entrant paths and routes). These specialized bubbles were anti tank groups. So as an enemy force weaved through the bubble labyrinth it hit blocks (the AT groups) and the enemy force split up to take other paths, each time dividing itself into smaller (and more defeatable) units). Hence the methodology to defeat Blitzkrieg like tactics was fluid defensive groups.

The Germans did not learn from the Soviet’s early mistakes. When the Soviet began attacking west, the German forces used traditional defenses (single or double defensive lines) and got creamed. But their generals learned quickly and attempted to create fluid defensive lines and mobile response groups (the famous kampgruppen), but Hitler ordered the Fester Platze. Fester Platze were fortress areas and were to be defended to the last man. In his order (Hitler’s), he even stated that the German forces should allow themselves to be surrounded to tie up enemy forces and allow other German units to counter attack. This might have worked if the Soviets had a finite number of men and tanks, but they (the Soviets) could afford to allow Group DDs to be tied down. As a matter of fact, this defense was exactly what the Soviets wanted - given their Deep Operation Strategy. It allowed them to isolate and destroy large German armies, which the Germans could not replace. Please note, after several disastrous defeats, most German Army Group commanders disobeyed the Fester Platze orders, but it was too late (three or four Army Groups had already been isolated and were defeated or going to be defeated).

11. The Soviets seemed to mix TDs and SPs together. Adherent to their third period strategy (offensive), TDs and SPs were slow (13 or 14 speeds vs. 20 for T34s). Consequently most Soviets armored forces were tanks. This is unlike the Germans, who extensively used TDs in Late 1944 and

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1945. The TDs or Jagpanzers were designated as tanks. Consequently, many scenario designers assume tanks mean Panthers or PzIVs, when in many cases they were TDs. Simply put, TDs were less expensive in raw materials to build. Germany had a severe shortage of raw materials - so they built vehicles that were just as powerful, but required less material. Additionally, Germany’s strategy had become more defensive (advantageous for TDs, which were generally slower) rather than offensive (advantageous for tanks with speed) as in the beginning of the war.

12. Usually tanks were not “mixed”. This statement indirectly applies to the Soviets. The Soviet forces were medium tank “heavy” (T34s), which were fast (speed 20). Their other units were slower, but since the bulk of their forces were a single design group (the T34s), they would mix attack groups. You will find heavy tanks and medium tanks operating together even with the differences in speed (this is unique for most nationalities - because in general different speeds mean they will be unable to support each other - hence the enemy can divide and conquer).

13. A brigade is tank or mechanized unit. A distinction (as far as I can tell) exists between Tank / Mechanized Corps designation and Rifle / Cavalry / Air Assault Corps units. The Tank / Mechanized Corps used brigades vs. the divisional structure in Rifle units. The exceptions to this are Tank units which are designated in a battalion or regimental form. These units are independent of a Corps such as a Heavy Tank regiment, which is all heavy tanks versus a mix of medium, heavy and light tanks. These were force augmentors, who could also be attached to Rifle (infantry) Armies providing some armored forces for the primarily infantry units. Specifically the units were grouped into:

Tank / Mechanized Forces Rifle / Cavalry / Air Assault / Support ForcesAttack / Mobile Group Group DD

Army ArmyCorps Corps

DivisionBrigade RegimentBattalion BattalionCompany Company

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TABLE OF CONTENTSSOVIET ORGANIZATIONAL UNITS

1. Soviet Armed Forces 1941 - 1945

2. Rifle Corps1935 Rifle Corp.1940 - 1941 Rifle Corp.1942 Rifle Corp.Dec. 1943 Rifle Corp.1944 Rifle Corp.1944 Guards Rifle Corp.

3. Rifle Divisions12 / 1941 Rifle Division3 / 1942 Rifle Division7 / 1942 Rifle Division12 / 1942 Rifle Division7 / 1943 Rifle Division12 / 1944 Rifle Division6 / 1945 Rifle Division

4. Rifle Regiments1940 - 1942 Rifle Regiment1943 - 1945 Rifle Regiment

5. Divisional and Regimental Companies

6. Mechanized Rifle Battalions1941 - 6 / 1942 Mechanized Rifle Battalion7 / 1942 - 12 / 1942 Mechanized Rifle Battalion1/ 1943 - 12 / 1944 Mechanized Rifle Battalion1 / 1945 - 6 / 1945 Mechanized Rifle Battalion

7. Infantry Rifle Battalions1941 - 6 / 1942 Rifle Battalion7 / 1942 - 12 / 1942 Rifle Battalion1/ 1943 - 12 / 1944 Rifle Battalion1 / 1945 - 6 / 1945 Rifle Battalion

8. Tank Corp.3 / 1942 Tank Corp.4 / 1942 Tank Corp.7 / 1942 Tank Corp.7 / 1943 Tank Corp.12 / 1943 Tank Corp.12 / 1944 Tank Corp.8 / 1945 Tank Corp.

9. Tank Brigades and BattalionsTank Brigade 12 / 1941Tank Battalion 1941

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Separate Tank Battalion 1941

Tank Brigade 3 / 1942Tank Battalion 3 / 1942Separate Tank Battalion 3 / 1942



Tank Brigade 7 / 1943 - 1945Tank Battalion 7 / 1943 - 1945Separate Tank Battalion 7 / 1943 - 1945

10. Rifle Brigades1941 Rifle BrigadeMechanized Rifle Battalion 1941 - 6 / 1942

1942 Rifle Brigade - 7 / 1942Mechanized Rifle Battalion 7 / 1942

1943 - 1944 Rifle BrigadeMechanized Rifle Battalion 1943 - 12 / 1944

1945 Rifle BrigadeMechanized Rifle Battalion 1945

11. Tank RegimentsTank RegimentInfantry Tank BattalionAssault Gun Battalion

12. Mechanized Corp. 1942 - 19459 / 1942 Mechanized Corp. Type 19 / 1942 Mechanized Corp. Type 29 / 1942 Mechanized Corp. Type 39 / 1943 Mechanized Corp.12 / 1942 Mechanized Corp.12 / 1944 Mechanized Corp.

13. Mechanized Brigades and BattalionsMechanized Brigade 1941Mechanized battalion 1941 - 6 /1942

Mechanized Brigade 1942Mechanized battalion 7 / 1942 - 12 /1942

Mechanized Brigade 1943 - 1944Mechanized battalion 1 / 1943 - 12 /1944

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Mechanized Brigade 1945Mechanized battalion 1 / 1945 - 6 /1945

14. Air Assault Corp.Air Assault Corp. 1941 - 1943Air Assault Division 1941 - 1943Airborne Battalion

15. Artillery, Anti Tank, and Anti Aircraft Units16. Sappier Battalions17. Cavalry Corp.18. December 1941

December 1941 Light Corp.19431944 - 1945

19. Cavalry Divisions

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Soviet Armed Forces 1941 - 1945

There were five types of Soviet forces during World War II:

1. Rifle (Infantry based units)2. Air Assault (Airborne units)3. Tank (Armored forces)4. Mechanized Rifle (Armored Infantry forces)5. Cavalry (Mobile forces)

Notes, Assumptions, Qualifications

Armored:

* The number of tanks and their relative structure was provided. Consequently, their structure is accurate unless noted.

Artillery:

* The number of guns and their relative structure was provided. Consequently, their structure is accurate unless noted.

Infantry:

* Unfortunately, I could not find any references to size and structure below a regiment and battalion level for infantry formations.

So how did I come up with infantry formations?

Their structures were designed (speculation) utilizing these qualified facts:

1. The total manpower and strength of the units was known.2. The actual manpower of the units was known.3. The typical squad size was known (about 10 men).4. The Soviet forces were based upon a European model similar to German, British and French

forces.5. The Soviet forces were always (rare exceptions) triangular in nature: allowing two sections

and a reserve. An example is 2/3rd of forces in a Shock group and a 1/3rd in a Pinning group. Furthermore, the Army, Corp., and Brigade structure were based on three. This also tells you how to play and create their forces.

6. I applied the “building a wall” (BAW) paradigm.

Essentially, “Building a Wall” (BAW) is how you construct a brick wall. The bricks are the fundamental building blocks, the battalions and companies in this case. The mortar binds the bricks together, the ancillary, specialized, or support units in this case. When you build a wall and encounter a slight irregularity, you solve the problem with mortar i.e. the mortar smoothes out the problem. You do not break or redesign the bricks (in general). Consequently, with the fluctuations in force structures throughout the war, the Soviets would not (normally) redesign their bricks (the infantry and tanks - they are the bricks of a company or battalion). Thus if a lack of bricks occurred would you redesign all of the bricks (break the in two, etc.) into smaller bricks to build a miniature reproduction of your original wall? No, you would modify the walls design -

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make it shorter, less thick, not as long, etc.. You would not modify the bricks because they would not “fit” together anymore, which weakens the walls strength or effectiveness. Thus the Soviet command would not modify the basic squad, company, battalion, or regiment; but would add or subtract a company, battalion or even regiment (as long as it maintained the triangle concept). As a result, I formed (given the factual assumptions) representations of force structures.

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Rifle Corps

1935 1940 - 19413 Rifle Divisions 3 Rifle Divisions

1 Signal Battalion 1 Signal Battalion1 Sapper Battalion 1 Sapper Battalion

2 Artillery Regiments 2 Artillery Regiments1 Anti Aircraft Battalion 1 Anti Aircraft Battalion

1942 December 19432 or 3 Rifle Divisions 3 Rifle Divisions

1 Signal Battalion(These Corp. had STAVKA units

attached)1 Sapper Battalion

1 122mm Artillery Regiment (optional)

1944 1944 Guards3 Rifle Divisions 3 Rifle Divisions

1 Signal Battalion 1 Signal Battalion1 Sapper Battalion 1 Sapper Battalion

1 Self Propelled Artillery Battalion 1 Self Propelled Artillery Battalion1 Anti Aircraft Battalion 1 Anti Aircraft Battalion

1 Artillery Regiment 1 Artillery Regiment1 Mortar Regiment

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Rifle Divisions

Rifle Division December 1941:

Manpower: Theo: 11,626 Actual: 4000 - 9000

Armored Components

Infantry Artillery Misc.

1st Infantry Regiment 1 Artillery Regiment 1 Sapper Battalion2nd Infantry Regiment 1 Antiaircraft

Battalion1 Signal Company

3rd Infantry Regiment 1 Anti Tank Battalion

Rifle Division March 1942:


Armored Components





Rifle Division July 1942:


Armored Components





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Rifle Divisions



Armored Components


1st Infantry Regiment 1 Artillery Regiment 1 Sapper Battalion2nd Infantry Regiment 1 Anti Tank Battalion 1 Signal Company3rd Infantry Regiment

1 Recon company

Rifle Division July 1943:


Armored Components


1st Infantry Regiment 1 Artillery Regiment 1 Sapper Battalion2nd Infantry Regiment 1 Anti Tank Battalion 1 Signal Company3rd Infantry Regiment

1 Recon company



Armored Components


1st Infantry Regiment 1 Artillery Regiment 1 Sapper Battalion2nd Infantry Regiment 1 Anti Tank Battalion 1 Signal Company3rd Infantry Regiment 1 Anti Aircraft Battalion

(only Gds)1 Recon company

Rifle Division June 1945:

Manpower: Theo.: 11,780 Actual: 3500 - 6000

Armored Components


1 Self Propelled Artillery Regiment

1st Infantry Regiment 1 Artillery Regiment 1 Sapper Battalion

2nd Infantry Regiment 1 Anti Tank Battalion

1 Signal Company

3rd Infantry Regiment 1 Anti Aircraft Battalion

1 Recon company

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Rifle Regiments

Rifle Regiment 1940 - 1942:

Armored Components


1st Infantry Battalion 1 Artillery Battery 1 HQ Company2nd Infantry Battalion 1 Anti Tank

Company3rd Infantry Battalion

Rifle Regiment 1943 - 1945:

Armored Components


1st Infantry Battalion 1 Artillery Battery 1 HQ Company2nd Infantry Battalion 1st Anti Tank

Company3rd Infantry Battalion 2nd Anti Tank

Company

Divisional and Regimental Companies:

Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3HQ Company (1) sqd INTEL (2) sqd RECON (2) Cav sqd

Recon Company (1) sqd (4) Cav sqd (4) Cav sqd (4) Cav sqd

Signal Company (1) sqd INTEL (2) sqd INTEL (2) sqd

Towed AT Company

(1) sqd (3) 45mm AT guns(3) trcks

(3) 45mm AT guns(3) trcks

Towed Artillery Battery

(1) sqd (2) 76mm Art(2) trcks

(2) 76mm Art(2) trcks

In many cases the towed companies used horses instead of trucks.

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Mechanized Soviet Rifle Battalions

Mechanized Rifle Battalion 1941 - June 1942:

Battalion Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4 Platoon 5HQ (1) sqd INTEL (2) sqd AMMO (2) sqd

1 Rifle (5) sqds (5) sqds (5) sqds (5) sqds (2) 82mm Mtr




5 Mortar (3) 82mm Mtr (3) 82mm Mtr (3) 82mm Mtr (5) sqds (5) sqds

Service unknown

Infantry Unit Strength Chart

Unit Inf. Sctns

82mm Mtr

Platoon 5Company 20 2Battalion 95 17

Mechanized Rifle Battalion July 1942 - December 1942:







Service unknown


Unit Inf. Sctns

82mm Mtr


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Mechanized Soviet Rifle Battalions

Mechanized Rifle Battalion December 1942 - December 1944:





4 Mortar (3) 82mm Mtr (3) 82mm Mtr (3) 82mm Mtr (3) 82mm Mtr

Service unknown


Unit Inf. Sctns

82mm Mtr


Mechanized Rifle Battalion January 1945 - June 1945:







Service unknown


Unit Inf. Sctns

82mm Mtr


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Infantry Soviet Rifle Battalions

Rifle Battalion 1941 - June 1942:


1 Rifle (5) sqds (5) sqds (5) sqds (2) 82mm Mtr




5 Mortar (3) 82mm Mtr (3) 82mm Mtr (3) 82mm Mtr

Service unknown


Unit Inf. Sctns

82mm Mtr


Rifle Battalion July 1942 - December 1942:

Battalion

Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4 Platoon 5

HQ (1) sqd INTEL (2) sqd AMMO (2) sqd






Service unknown


Unit Inf. Sctns

82mm Mtr

Platoon 5Company

15 3

Battalion 65 24

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Actual Soviet Rifle Battalions

Rifle Battalion December 1942 - December 1944 :

Battalion







Service unknown


Unit Inf. Sctns

82mm Mtr

Platoon 5Company

15 3

Battalion 50 18

Rifle Battalion January 1945 - June 1945 :

Battalion








Service unknown


Unit Inf. Sctns

82mm Mtr

Platoon 5Company

15 2

Battalion 65 17

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Tank Corps 1942 - 1945

March 1942 April 19422 (1941) Tank Brigades 3 (1941) Tank Brigades

1 (1941) Motorized Rifle Brigade 1 (1941) Motorized Rifle Brigade

July 1942 July 19433 (1941) Tank Brigades 3 (1943) Tank Brigades

1 (1941) Motorized Rifle Brigade 1 (1943) Motorized Rifle Brigade1 Mortar Battery 1 Mortar Regiment

1 Armored Car Battalion 1 Light (1943) SP Artillery Regiment1 Sapper Company 1 Anti Aircraft Regiment2 Repair Companies 1 Anti Tank Regiment

1 Motorcycle Battalion 1 Heavy Anti Tank Battalion(w/ Guards) 1 Mortar battalion 1 Armored Car Battalion

1 Signal Battalion1 Sapper Battalion

2 Repair Companies1 Motorcycle Battalion

(w/ Guards) 1 Mortar battalion

December 1943 December 19443 (1943) Tank Brigades 3 (1943) Tank Brigades

1 (1943) Motorized Rifle Brigade 1 (1943) Motorized Rifle Brigade1 Mortar Regiment 1 Light Artillery Regiment

1 Anti Aircraft Regiment 1 Mortar Regiment1 Light (1943) SP Artillery Regiment 1 Anti Aircraft Regiment

1 Medium (1943) SP Artillery Regiment 1 Light (1944) SP Artillery Regiment1 Signal Battalion 1 Medium (1944) SP Artillery

Regiment1 Sapper Battalion 1 Heavy SP Artillery Regiment

2 Repair Companies 1 Signal Battalion1 Motorcycle Battalion 1 Sapper Battalion

(w/ Guards) 1 Mortar battalion 2 Repair Companies1 Motorcycle Battalion


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Tank Corps 1942 - 1945

August 19453 (1943) Tank Brigades1 Heavy Tank Regiment

1 (1943) Motorized Rifle Brigade1 Light Artillery Regiment

1 Mortar Regiment1 Light (1944) SP Artillery Regiment

1 Medium (1945) SP Artillery Regiment1 Heavy SP Artillery Regiment

1 Signal Battalion1 Sapper Battalion

2 Repair Companies1 Motorcycle Battalion


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Tank Brigade and Battalions 1941

Tank Brigade December 1941:> 1941 Tank Brigade

Armored Components


1st (1941) Tank Battalion

1 Motorized Rifle Battalion

1 HQ Company

2nd (1941) Tank Battalion

1 Recon Company

Tank Battalion 1941 : Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

HQ (1) sqd1 Heavy Tank (1) KVs (2) KVs (2) KVs2 Medium Tank (1) T34s (2) T34s (2) T34s (2) T34s3 Light Tank (1) T60s (3) T60s (3) T60s (3) T60sService unknown

Vehicle Strength Chart

Unit KV T34 T60 TotalPlatoon 2 2 3Company

5 7 10

Battalion 5 7 10 22

Separate Tank Battalion 1941 : Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

HQ (1) sqd1 Heavy Tank (1) KVs (2) KVs (2) KVs2 Medium Tank (2) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s3 Light Tank (1) T60s (3) T60s (3) T60s (3) T60s4 Light Tank (1) T60s (3) T60s (3) T60s (3) T60sService unknown



5 11 10

Battalion 5 11 20 36

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Tank Brigade March 1942:> March 1942 Tank Brigade

Armored Components


1st Tank Battalion 1 Motorized Rifle Battalion

1 HQ Company

2nd Tank Battalion 1 Recon Company

Tank Battalion March 1942 : Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

HQ (1) sqd1 Heavy Tank (1) KVs (2) KVs (2) KVs2 Medium Tank (1) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s3 Light Tank (1)

T60/T70s(3) T60/T70s (3) T60/T70s (3) T60/T70s

Service unknown



5 10 10


Separate Tank Battalion March 1942 : Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

HQ (1) sqd1 Heavy Tank (1) KVs (2) KVs (2) KVs2 Medium Tank (2) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s3 Light Tank (1)

T60/T70s(3) T60/T70s (3) T60/T70s (3) T60/T70s

4 Light Tank (1) T60/T70s

(3) T60/T70s (3) T60/T70s (3) T60/T70s

Service unknown



5 11 10


26


Tank Brigade July 1942:> July 1942 Tank Brigade

Armored Components



1 HQ Company


Tank Battalion July 1942 : Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

HQ (1) sqd1 Medium Tank (1) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s2 Medium Tank (1) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s3 Light Tank (3) T60/T70s (3) T60/T70s (3) T60/T70sService unknown



0 10 10


Separate Tank Battalion July 1942 : Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

HQ (1) sqd1 Heavy Tank (1) KVs (2) KVs (2) KVs2 Medium Tank (1) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s3 Medium Tank (1) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s4 Light Tank (1) T60s (3) T60s (3) T60s (3) T60sService unknown



5 10 10


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Tank Brigade September 1942:> September 1942 Tank Brigade

Armored Components



1 HQ Company

2nd Tank Battalion

Tank Battalion September 1942 : Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

HQ (1) sqd1 Medium Tank (1) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s2 Medium Tank (1) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s3 Light Tank (2) T70s (2) T70s (2) T70sService unknown



0 10 6

Battalion 0 20 6 26

Separate Tank Battalion September 1942 : Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

HQ (1) sqd1 Heavy Tank (1) KVs (3) KVs (3) KVs (3) KVs2 Medium Tank (1) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34sService unknown


Unit KV T34 T60 TotalPlatoon 3 3Company

10 10

Battalion 10 10 20

29


Tank Brigade July 1943:> July 1943 Tank Brigade

Armored Components



1 HQ Company


Tank Battalion July 1943 : Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

HQ (1) sqd1 Heavy Tank (1) KVs (2) KVs (2) KVs (2) KVs2 Medium Tank (1) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s3 Medium Tank (1) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s4 Light Tank (2) T70s (2) T70s (2) T70sService unknown



7 10 6

Battalion 7 20 6 33

Separate Tank Battalion July 1943 : Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

HQ (1) sqd1 Heavy Tank (1) KVs (2) KVs (2) KVs (2) KVs2 Heavy Tank (1) KVs (2) KVs (2) KVs (2) KVs3 Medium Tank (1) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s4 Medium Tank (1) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34s (3) T34sService unknown



7 10 0


30

Rifle Brigades 1941

Rifle Brigades were attached to Tank and Mechanized Corps. Occasionally, there would be independent Rifle Brigades attached to other larger parent

units. Most Rifle Brigades were motorized or mechanized. The two primary methods of transport

for motorized infantry was by truck and riding AFVs. Mechanized Rifle Brigades used half tracks and armored trucks. Half tracks were not as plentiful as with western armies. Motorized Rifle Brigades used trucks and AFVs as transport.

Rifle Brigade December 1941:> 1941 Rifle Brigade

Manpower: Theo.: 4400 Actual: 4000 - 5000

Armored Components


1st Rifle Battalion 1 Artillery Battalion 1 Signal Company2nd Rifle Battalion 1 Anti Tank

Battalion3rd Rifle Battalion 1 Light Mortar

Battalion1 Heavy Mortar

Battalion

Motorized Rifle Battalion 1941 - June 1942 :

Battalion








Service unknown


Unit Inf. Sctns

82mm Mtr

Platoon 5Company

20 2

Battalion 95 17

32

Rifle Brigades 1942 - 1943

Rifle Brigade July 1942:> 1943 Rifle Brigade


Armored Components



Battalion3rd Rifle Battalion 1 Heavy Mortar

Battalion4th Rifle Battalion

1 Automatic Weapons Battalion

Motorized Rifle Battalion July 1942 - December 1942 :

Battalion








Service unknown


Unit Inf. Sctns

82mm Mtr

Platoon 5Company

20 3

Battalion 95 24

33

Rifle Brigades 1943 - 1944

Rifle Brigade January 1943:> 1943 - 1944 Rifle Brigade


Armored Components






Motorized Rifle Battalion 1943 - December 1944 :

Battalion







Service unknown


Unit Inf. Sctns

82mm Mtr

Platoon 5Company

20 3

Battalion 65 18

34

Rifle Brigades 1945

Rifle Brigade January 1945:> 1945 Rifle Brigade


Armored Components






Motorized Rifle Battalion January 1945 - June 1945 :

Battalion








Service unknown


Unit Inf. Sctns

82mm Mtr

Platoon 5Company

20 2

Battalion 95 17

35

Tank Regiments

Tank Regiment:

Armored Components


1st Tank Battalion 1 SP Artillery Battery

1 HQ Company

2nd Assault Gun Battalion

Infantry Tank Battalion:Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

HQ (1) sqd1 Medium Tank (1) T34s (2) T34s (2) T34s (2) T34s2 Medium Tank (1) T34s (2) T34s (2) T34s (2) T34s3 Light Tank (1)

T60/T70s(2) T60/T70s (2) T60/T70s (2) T60/T70s

Service unknown

Assault Gun Battalion:Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

HQ (1) sqd1 Medium Company

(1) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85

2 Medium Company

(1) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85

3 Light Company (1) SU76 (2) SU76 (2) SU76Service unknown


Unit T34 T60/70 SU76/85 SU76 TotalPlatoon 2 2 2 2Company

7 7 5 5

Battalion 14 7 10 5Regiment

14 7 10 5 36

36

Mechanized Corps 1942 - 1945

September 1942Type 1 Type 2 Type 3

3 Mech. Brigades 3 Mech. Brigades 3 Mech. Brigades1 (Sept 42)Tank Brigade 2 (Sept 42)Tank Brigade 3 Separate Tank Battalions1 Anti Aircraft Regiment 1 Anti Aircraft Regiment 1 Anti Aircraft Regiment1 Anti Tank Regiment 1 Anti Tank Regiment 1 Anti Tank Regiment

1 Armored Car Battalion 1 Armored Car Battalion 1 Armored Car Battalion1 Sapper Battalion 1 Sapper Battalion 1 Sapper Battalion1 Medical Battalion 1 Medical Battalion 1 Medical Battalion1 Repair Battalion 1 Repair Battalion 1 Repair Battalion1 Signal Company 1 Signal Company 1 Signal Company

September 1943 December 19433 Mech. Brigades 3 Mech. Brigades

1 (Sept 42)Tank Brigade 1 (Sept 42)Tank Brigade1 Anti Aircraft Regiment 1 Anti Aircraft Regiment

1 Mortar Regiment 1 Mortar Regiment1 SP Artillery Regiment (SU76) 1 SP Artillery Regiment (SU76)

1 Armored Car Battalion 1 SP Artillery Regiment (SU85)1 Sapper Battalion 1 Armored Car Battalion1 Medical Battalion 1 Sapper Battalion1 Repair Battalion 1 Medical Battalion1 Signal Battalion 1 Repair Battalion

1 Motorcycle Battalion 1 Signal Battalion1 Motorcycle Battalion

(w/ Guards) 1 Mortar battalion(w/ Guards) 1 Mortar battalion (w/ Guards) 1 TD Battalion (SU76)

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Mechanized Corps 1942 - 1945

December 19443 Mech. Brigades

1 (July 43)Tank Brigade1 Anti Aircraft Regiment

1 Mortar Regiment1 SP Artillery Regiment (SU76)1 SP Artillery Regiment (SU85)1 SP Artillery Regiment (SU152)

1 Armored Car Battalion1 Sapper Battalion1 Medical Battalion1 Repair Battalion1 Signal Battalion

1 Motorcycle Battalion


38

Mechanized Brigade and Battalions

Mechanized Brigade 1941:

Armored Components


1st Tank Regiment 1st Mech. Rifle Battalion 1 HQ Company2nd Mech. Rifle Battalion3rd Mech. Rifle Battalion

Note: SU76 were upgraded to SU85s, then SU85 were upgraded to SU122s. The Mechanized Brigades did not change structure throughout the war (as far as I can tell).

Tank Regiment:

Armored Components



1 HQ Company


Tank Battalion:

Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4HQ (1) sqd1 Medium Tank (1) T34s (2) T34s (2) T34s (2) T34s2 Medium Tank (1) T34s (2) T34s (2) T34s (2) T34s3 Light Tank (1)

T60/T70s(2) T60/T70s (2) T60/T70s (2) T60/T70s

Service unknown

Assault Gun Battalion:

Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4HQ (1) sqd1 Medium Company

(1) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85

2 Medium Company

(1) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85


Mechanized Rifle Battalion 1941 - June 1942:

Battalion



1 SMG (4) sqds (4) sqds (4) sqds (4) sqds (2) 82mm Mtr


39




Service unknown

40



Armored Components




Tank Regiment:

Armored Components



1 HQ Company


Tank Battalion:


T60/T70s(2) T60/T70s (2) T60/T70s (2) T60/T70s

Service unknown



(1) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85

2 Medium Company

(1) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85


Mechanized Rifle Battalion July 1942 - December 1942:

Battalion





41




Service unknown

42


Mechanized Brigade 1943 - 1944:

Armored Components




Tank Regiment:

Armored Components



1 HQ Company


Tank Battalion:


T60/T70s(2) T60/T70s (2) T60/T70s (2) T60/T70s

Service unknown



(1) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85

2 Medium Company

(1) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85


Mechanized Rifle Battalion 1943 - December 1944:

Battalion





43



Service unknown

44



Armored Components




Tank Regiment:

Armored Components



1 HQ Company


Tank Battalion:


T60/T70s(2) T60/T70s (2) T60/T70s (2) T60/T70s

Service unknown



(1) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85

2 Medium Company

(1) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85 (2) SU76/85


Mechanized Rifle Battalion January 1945 - June 1945:

Battalion





45




Service unknown

46

Air Assault Corps

1941 - 19433 Air Assault Divisions

1 Signal platoon1 Light Tank Battalion

Air Assault Division 1941 - 1943:

Armored Components


1st Airborne Battalion 1 Anti Aircraft Company

2nd Airborne Battalion3rd Airborne Battalion4th Airborne Battalion1 Recon Company

(bikes)

Airborne Battalion 1941 - 1943:

Battalion



1 Rifle (5) sqds (5) sqds (5) sqds (5) sqds




5 AT (3) 45mm AT guns

(3) 45mm AT guns (3) 45mm AT guns

(3) 45mm AT guns

6 Gun (2) 76mm Art guns

(2) 76mm Art guns (2) 76mm Art guns



Unit Inf. Sctns

82mm Mtr

45mm AT

76mm Art

Platoon 5Company

20 6 12 6

Battalion 85 6 12 6

47

Artillery, Anti Tank and Anti Aircraft Units

There are literally hundreds of formation variants dependent on unit affiliation (rifle, tank, etc.), year, unit composition (light, medium, etc.), and type (howitzer, gun, etc.). Therefore I will provide a general overview and a few examples.

First of all, the Soviet artillery (I will use this term to refer to artillery, anti tank, and anti aircraft as a group, unless otherwise noted) is fundamentally based upon a section (platoon) size of two. Therefore the typical artillery battery (company) is 4 tubes (2 sections of 2 tubes). Consequently, different units would add or subtract sections (always 2 tubes) to a battery making it 6 tubes (3 sections of two).

Additionally, there is little consistantecy in battalion sizes. Typically a battalion would be 2 or 3 batteries (companies). In turn a regiment could be 2 or 3 battalions. In some cases rifle armies or corps had artillery regiments with 5 or 6 battalions.

Interestingly most gun sections did not seem to have tubes attached to the HQ sections. On the other hand, the howitzer units id seem to have tubes attached to the HQ sections.

In general:

Generic Howitzer Regiment

Battalion Company HQ Unit Section 1 Section 2 Section 31 HQ (1) sqd (2) Tubes

1st battery (2) Tubes (2) Tubes2nd battery (2) Tubes (2) Tubes

2 HQ (1) sqd (2) Tubes1st battery (2) Tubes (2) Tubes2nd battery (2) Tubes (2) TubesService unknown

Generic Gun Regiment

Battalion Company HQ Unit Section 1 Section 2 Section 31 HQ (1) sqd

1st battery (2) Tubes (2) Tubes (2) Tubes2nd battery (2) Tubes (2) Tubes (2) TubesService unknown

2 HQ (1) sqd1st battery (2) Tubes (2) Tubes (2) Tubes2nd battery (2) Tubes (2) Tubes (2) TubesService unknown

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Types of Towed Artillery:

From 1941 - 1943

Light = 76mmMedium = 122mmHeavy = 152mm

From 1943 - 1945

Light = 76mm or 122mmMedium = 122mm or 152mmHeavy = 152mm or 210mm

The medium and heavy artillery units usually utilized the 152mm for medium and the 210mm for heavy.

Types of Self Propelled Artillery:

From 1941 - 1943

Light = SU 76Medium = noneHeavy = none

From 1943 - 1944

Light = SU 76Medium = SU 85Heavy = SU 122

From 1944 - 1945

Light = SU 85Medium = SU 100Heavy = SU 152

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Types of Towed Anti Tank Guns:

From 1941 - 1943

Light = 45mmMedium = 57mmHeavy = none

From 1943 - 1945

Light = 45mmMedium = 57mmHeavy = 76mm

Types of Mortars:

From 1941 - 1945

Standard = 80mmHeavy = 120 mm

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Units:

Rifle Artillery (within a Corp.):

Unit Type Pre 1942 1942 - 1944 1 /1945 - 8/ 1945

9/ 1945 +

1st Regiment 24 32 32 202nd Regiment 20 20

Battalion 8 8 8 8SP Battalion 16 SU 76

Battery 4 4 4 4

Light 16 20 32 10Medium 8 12 20 20Heavy 0 0 0 10

The number of tubes.

Rifle Anti Tank and Anti Aircraft (within a Corp.):

Unit Type Pre 1942 1942 - 1944 1 /1945 - 8/ 1945

9/ 1945 +

Anti TankBattalion 12 12 18 18Battery 4 4 6 6

Light 12 12 6 6Medium 0 0 6 6Heavy 0 0 6 6

Anti AircraftBattalion 6 0 12 12Battery 2 0 4 4


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Units:

Tank Artillery (within a Corp.):

Unit Type Pre 1943 1943 - 1944 1945

1st Regiment 201st SP

Regiment21 30

2nd SP Regiment

21

3rd SP Regiment

21

Mortar Regiment

36 36

Mortar Battalion

10

Light 0 21 50Medium 0 0 21Heavy 0 0 21


Tank Anti Tank and Anti Aircraft (within a Corp.):

Unit Type Pre 1943 1943 - 1944 1945Anti TankBattalion 12Battery 6

Light 20Medium 12Heavy 0

Anti AircraftRegiment 12 12Battalion 6 6Battery 2 2

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54

Engineering or Sapper Battalions

I could not find any OOBs on the Soviet Sapper Battalions.

I would use the Infantry Rifle Battalion OOB as a generic unit structure for a Sapper Battalion. Additionally, there would be bridging companies, etc.

The Soviet forces utilized Sapper Battalions frequently and considered them elite troops. Remember rapid advances are stalled by natural obstacles such as rivers, gorges, etc.. Engineering units are the key to advance maintain. Furthermore, an integral component of the Grinding detachments were Sapper units. They were the ones who blow up boob wire, bunkers, etc..

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Cavalry Corps

December 1941 December 19412 or 3 Cavalry Divisions 2 or 3 Light Cavalry Divisions

1 or 2 Rifle Divisions 1 or 2 Rifle Divisions1 Signal Battalion 1 Signal Battalion

1 Artillery Regiments 1 Artillery Regiments1 Tank Brigade 1 Tank Brigade

1943 1944 - 19453 Cavalry Divisions 3 Cavalry Divisions

2 Light Tank Regiments 2 Light Tank Regiments1 SP TD Regiment 1 SP TD Regiment1 Mortar Battalion 1 Mortar Battalion

1 Separate TD (towed) Battalion 1 Separate TD (towed) Battalion1 Signal Battalion1 Sapper Battalion

(w/ Guards) 1 Mortar Regiment (w/ Guards) 1 Mortar Regiment

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Cavalry Divisions

Cavalry Division December 1941:

Actual Manpower: 6000

Armored Components


1 Light Tank Regiment

1st Cavalry Regiment 1 Cavalry Artillery Regiment

1 Sapper Company

1 Recon Battalion(18 ACs)

2nd Cavalry Regiment 1 Antiaircraft Battalion

1 Signal Company

3rd Cavalry Regiment4th Cavalry Regiment

Cavalry Division 1943 - 1945:

Armored Components


1st Cavalry Regiment 1 Cavalry Artillery Regiment ( 16 *76mm &

8*122mm)

1 Sapper Company


2nd Cavalry Regiment 1 Antiaircraft Company (six 37mm

AA)

1 Signal Company

3rd Cavalry Regiment

Light Cavalry Division 1941:

Actual Manpower: 3500

Armored Components


1st Cavalry Regiment 1 Cavalry Artillery Battalion


2nd Cavalry Regiment 1 Signal Company

3rd Cavalry Regiment

Cavalry Regiments and battalions are like Infantry Rifle Regiments and Battalions, except their basic squadron (platoon) had 4 squads instead 5; and the troop was equivalent to a company.

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Soviet Units - ww2

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