- Guards unit
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Guards units are elite units and formations in the armed forces of the former Soviet Union, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. These units were awarded guards status after distinguishing themselves in service, and are considered to have elite status. The Guards designation originated during the Great Patriotic War of 1941–45, its name coming from the Tsarist Imperial Guard. [Overy 1997, p 188.] _be. Гвардыя, "Hvardyya", _ru. Гвардия, "Gvardіya", _uk. Гвардія, "Hvardiya".
The title of the Soviet Guards was first introduced on
September 18 ,1941 in accordance with the decision of theHeadquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief (Stavka Verkhovnogo Glavnokomanduyuschego) and by the order №308 of thePeople's Commissar of Defense for the distinguished services during theYelnya Offensive . The 100th, 127th, 153rd and 161st Rifle Divisions were renamed into the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Guards Divisions, respectively. The Soviet 316th Rifle Division was renamed to the 8th Guards Rifle Division onNovember 18 ,1941 , following the actions of thepanfilovtsy . ByDecember 31 1941 the 107th, 120th, 64th, 316th, 78th, and 52nd Rifle Divisions had become the 5th through 10th Guards Rifle Divisions. [Glantz 2005, p 181.]All artillery units equipped with
Katyusha multiple rocket launchers were designated Guards Mortars. [Zaloga 1984, p 154.] Some twenty Guards Airborne Brigades were converted into the 11th–16th Guards Rifle Divisions in December 1943. [Glantz 2005, p 188.]The units and formations nominated for the Soviet Guard title received special Guards
banner s in accordance with the decision of thePresidium of the Supreme Soviet of theUSSR . OnMay 21 ,1942 , the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR introduced Guards ranks and Guardsbadge s to be worn of the right side of the chest. In June 1943, they introduced the Guards Red Banners for the land forces, and in February 1944 for the naval forces.After the Second World War a number of Guards troops were stationed in
Eastern Europe , for example, in theGroup of Soviet Forces in Germany .Since the break-up of the Soviet Union, Guards designations for military units have been retained by
Belarus ,Russia , andUkraine . A number of former Soviet republics have national guard branches of their armed forces, includingArmenia ,Azerbaijan , Georgia,Military of Kazakhstan (2,500 Republican Guards in 1994),Tajikistan ,Turkmenistan , andUzbekistan .See also
*
Divisions of the Soviet Union 1917-1945 has an almost complete list of Soviet Guards divisions
*List of guards units of Russia
*List of guards units of Ukraine Notes
References
*
David Glantz (2005). "Colossus Reborn: The Red Army at War 1941–43". University Press of Kansas. ISBN 978-0-7006-1353-3.
*Richard Overy (1997). "Russia's War: A History of the Soviet Effort: 1941–1945". New York: Penguin Books. ISBN 01-4027-169-4.
*Steven J. Zaloga and James Grandsen (1984). "Soviet Tanks and Combat Vehicles of World War Two". London: Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 0-85368-606-8.External links
* [http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/redarmyguards/ Red Army Guards] , from the U.S. Military "Intelligence Bulletin", March 1946
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