33rd Motor Rifle Division
Encyclopedia
Originally formed as a fortified region, the 33rd Motor-Rifle Order of the Red Banner Division was a rifle (infantry
) division of the Soviet Union's
Red Army
. The Blagoveshchensk
Fortified Region was created in 1932 and, from 1965 known as the 33rd Motor Rifle Division, continues to serve in the Russian Army
to this day.
.
The newly constituted Fortified Region was numbered 101st UR and included the following units:
By the order of the Peoples’ Commissar of the Military District No.0030 of 5 July 1939, the Fortified District became a part of the newly created Front Group and was subordinated to the 2nd Independent Red-Banner Far Eastern Army.
From 1 August to 1 December 1939, on the basis of the 189th independent Rifle Regiment of the Blagoveshchensk UR of the 2nd Independent Red-banner Far Eastern Army, were formed 20 independent platoons of caponnier artillery, each with 11 personnel, altogether 220 people, according to the personnel establishment No. 9/913.
.
On 17 March 1942 the two brigades became the 258th and 259th Independent Rifle Brigades.
On 22 November 1944 the 342nd Rifle Division (2nd formation) of 2nd Red Banner Army of the Far-Eastern Front was formed in the environs of Blagoveshchenk (Amur region) on the basis of 258th independent Rifle Brigade and 259th independent Rifle Brigade.
The commemorative formation day of the division was set on 1 December 1944.
The following units were included in the division’s formation at the time:
The 357th Rifle Regiment was formed from the 2nd and 3rd sub-machine gun battalions of the 258th independent Rifle Brigade in the village Novotroitskoe of the Blagoveshchensk region (Amur region) about 20–25 km from Blagoveshchenk, and its first regimental commander was Major I.T. Rudnik.
On 15 March 1945 according to the Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the 357th Rifle Regiment was entrusted with its combat banner.
In the middle of May 1945 the 342nd Rifle Division was brought out into the dunes along the Amur where it began to create the second defence entrenchment line. The division built defensive installations for two more months, then force marched 60 kilometers, and began work on new entrenchments.
In July 1945 the 342nd Rifle Division was included in the composition of the 87th Rifle Corps of the Coastal Group of Forces (subsequently the 1st Far East Front). The division was relocated into the Ussuri Krai
, and lived in camp tents near Lesozavodska.
At the start of military operations against Japan, the 87th Rifle Corps was in the reserve of the 1st Far-Eastern Front and was located in the region of the town of Lesozavodsk.
On 9 August 1945 the corps received an order to commence operations, and to cross the international border in the region of Grodekovo settlement. The corps advanced through steep mountain slopes, impassable roads, under strong downpours, and over swampy areas.
In the course of the Manchurian offensive operation the 87th Rifle Corps moved in into the reserve of the 35th Army
formations along the northern shore of Lake Khanka.
The 342nd Rifle Division was committed to battle once at the approaches to the Mishan (Japanese) Fortified Region. The 357th Rifle Regiment of 342nd rifle division reached Khobiy city in North Manchuria while constantly engaged in combat.
The 35th Army, from the staging area Guberovo, Ruzhino, Lesozavodsk, delivered the supporting attack of the 1st Far-Eastern Front (commander - Marshal of the Soviet Union K.A. Meretskov) in the direction of Lesozavodsk, Khutou, Mishan with the task of destroying the Mishan group of Japanese troops.
After assaulting across the Sungach river, the 342nd RD with 357th Rifle Regiment directed its concentrated efforts toward securing the area of Tsikhulin region, Khubey, and Yangan (50 kilometers west of Khulin). The stability of defence of the entire Japanese Mishansk Group depended on the retention of this region. As a result of persistent and bloody combat the 357th RR took the railway station and the city of Khubey.
For the next three days the division advanced as part of the corps second echelon into the depths of enemy held territory.
In the middle of August 1945 the 87th Rifle Corps http://samsv.narod.ru/Korp/Sk/sk087/default.html returned to the area of Lesozavodsk – Sibirtsevo, where it entrained and was transported to Vladivostok
.
During this time (on 11 to 12 August 1945) the 87th Rifle Corps was brought out from the reserve of the 1st Far-Eastern Front, and received new orders to prepare for landing operations on the island of Hokkaido (Japan).
At the end of August 1945, the 87th RC moved from Harbin in its entirety (264th, 342nd, 355th RD) and began redeployment to Sakhalin
for the purpose of concentrating the troops for the planned landing operation on the island of Hokkaido. This landing operation did not take place, but the corps still completed its concentration at Sakhalin. The Japanese opposing force on Sakhalin and the Kuriles was the Japanese Fifth Area Army.
At 0830 on 22 August 1945 the 355th RD of the 87th RC was taken out of the 1st Far-Eastern Front reserve and transported by the convoy VKMA-1 from Vladivostok to the port of Maoka (now Kholmsk
of South-Sakhalin region), arriving at 1600 on 25 August 1945.
On 23 August 1945 the Supreme Commander-in-Chief I.V. Stalin declared his appreciation for 357th RR of the 342nd RD for conspicuous courage and heroism.
On 28 August 1945 the 355th RD began its advance into the region of the port of Otomari, and then force marched on 1 September 1945 to in the Otomari region.
On 1400 on 23 August 1945 a new convoy VKMA-2 departed from Vladivostok to the port of Maoka, which transported the 342nd Rifle Division and 215th Artillery Brigade of the 87th Rifle Corps, arriving at 1425 on 26 August 1945 at the port.
Although the 342nd was in the process of being transported to Sakhalin on 25 August, on 22 August Stalin had already ordered Vasilevsky to halt the planned landing preparations on Hokkaido until further notice. However he allowed the transfer of the 87the Rifle Corps to continue to Sakhalin.
By 27 August 1945 the landing operation on was Hokkaido postponed, and then completely abandoned.
At 0920 on 25 August 1945 the convoy VKMA-3 departed Vladivostok with the 264th Rifle Division and staff of the 87th Rifle Corps. Because of a breakdown in the screw propeller in the transport “Leo Tolstoy” the convoy had to berth at the Vladimir Bay, where it stood until 28 August 1945, eventually reaching Maoka at 1330 on the 30 August 1945.
At 0000 on 30 August 1945 the 87th RC was transferred to the 2nd Far East Front by order of Marshal of the Soviet Union A.M. Vasilevsky. The corps became a part of the 16th Army
.
Unloading the last regiment of the 264th RD on Sakhalin was completed at 1900 on 1 September 1945.
On 2 September 1945 the transportation of the 87th Rifle Corps to Sakhalin island was completed.
On the night of 2 September 1945 the division was embarked on transports and was directed to the occupation of islands Iturup
and Urup
. Two regiments landed on Iturup island, an artillery regiment (less a battalion) and the staff of the division, while on the island of Urup two other regiments were landed.
The 342nd RD completed a 100 kilometer march from Kholmsk to Korsakov and during the march celebrated the great Victory Day on the 3 September 1945.
One division and the 113th Rifle Brigade were located in the southern part of the Kurile Islands, and two other rifle divisions in the southern part of Sakhalin Island, strengthened by one tank brigade from the front assets.
In Korsakov, the division was living in dugouts, and then began to build barracks at the station Dachnaya (389th RR). The division spent two winters living in the tents. After the war, Anita township on Sakhalin became the garrison of the 357th Rifle Regiment.
By 30 December 1945 all rifle divisions of the military district were reorganized with the new organization (with the divisional artillery brigades) and were authorised an establishment of 8132 personnel each.
After the war the composition of the 87th Rifle Corps was:
79th Rifle Division (from 22 February 1968 Red Banner):
258th Red Banner Rifle Division
342nd rifle division
In 1948 the 192nd Tank self-propelled Regiment was formed from personnel of the 342nd Rifle Division on the base of the 480th independent self-propelled Artillery Battalion.
In October 1953, by the order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR dated 23 April 1953, the staff of the Far East Military District, the former 2nd Far-Eastern Front, was reformed into the administration of the 15th Army.
The command staff of the 87th Rifle Corps was brought back to the continent.
On 4 March 1955, units were renumbered:
87th Rifle Corps was re-formed into 2nd Rifle Corps.
342nd Rifle Division was renamed the 56th rifle division;
258th Rifle Red Banner Division – became the 41st Rifle Red Banner Division (144th and 465th Rifle Regiments);
In March 1957, rifle divisions were reformed into motor-rifle divisions:
2nd Rifle Corps was re-formed into 2nd Army Corps;
56th Rifle Division became the 56th Motor-Rifle Division (in this case the 357th Rifle Regiment was renamed as the 390th Rifle Regiment);
41st Rifle Red Banner Division was renamed the 41st Motor-Rifle Red Banner Division;
79th Rifle Sakhalin Division was renamed the 79th Motor-Rifle Sakhalin Division
In 1958 (or perhaps 1960) HQ of the 2nd Army Corps and the 41st Motor Rifle Red Banner division were disbanded.
In July 1960 the administration of the 15th Combined Arms Army was integrated into the 2nd Army Corps (2nd formation).
In 1965 the 56th Motor-Rifle Division was renamed the 33rd Motor-Rifle Division.
The composition of the division was:
In 1969 on the staff of the 51st Combined Arms Army was formed on the basis of the staff of the 2nd Army Corps.
In 1987, the 192nd Tank Regiment was re-formed into 97th independent Tank Battalion.
At the end of the 1980s the composition of the 51st combined arms Army of the Far-Eastern military district included:
On 11 October 1993 the 51st (Combined Arms) Army became the 68th Army Corps. 25th Army Corps eventually became the headquarters of Ground and Coastal Defence Forces of the new North-Eastern Group of Troops and Forces in the Chukotka area.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
) division of the Soviet Union's
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
. The Blagoveshchensk
Blagoveshchensk
Blagoveshchensk is a city and the administrative center of Amur Oblast, Russia. Population: -Early history of the region:The early residents of both sides of the Amur in the region of today's Blagoveshchensk were the Daurs and Duchers...
Fortified Region was created in 1932 and, from 1965 known as the 33rd Motor Rifle Division, continues to serve in the Russian Army
Russian Ground Forces
The Russian Ground Forces are the land forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, formed from parts of the collapsing Soviet Army in 1992. The formation of these forces posed economic challenges after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and required reforms to professionalize the force...
to this day.
Pre-war origin
The 33rd MRD has a most unusual lineage which begun with the order by the Independent Red-Banner Far Eastern Army (OKDVA) No. 30/010 dated 18 March 1932 to the athe 4th Directorate of Works to construct the Blagoveshchensk Fortified Region UR) with the goal of protecting the left bank of the Amur river. Subsequently another order was issued (No. 176/72) on 31 October 1932, directing that the Fortified Region be included in the Army order of battleOrder of battle
In modern use, the order of battle is the identification, command structure, strength, and disposition of personnel, equipment, and units of an armed force participating in field operations. Various abbreviations are in use, including OOB, O/B, or OB, while ORBAT remains the most common in the...
.
The newly constituted Fortified Region was numbered 101st UR and included the following units:
- 108th independent machine-gun battalion;
- 256th independent machine-gun battalion.
By the order of the Peoples’ Commissar of the Military District No.0030 of 5 July 1939, the Fortified District became a part of the newly created Front Group and was subordinated to the 2nd Independent Red-Banner Far Eastern Army.
From 1 August to 1 December 1939, on the basis of the 189th independent Rifle Regiment of the Blagoveshchensk UR of the 2nd Independent Red-banner Far Eastern Army, were formed 20 independent platoons of caponnier artillery, each with 11 personnel, altogether 220 people, according to the personnel establishment No. 9/913.
World War Two Service
In October - November 1941 in the city of Blagoveshchenk of the Amur region, on the basis of the 189th independent Rifle Regiment of the Blagoveshchensk UR, were formed the 1st and 2nd Independent Rifle Brigades of the 101st Fortified Region (2nd Red Banner Army of the Far Eastern FrontSoviet Far East Front
The Far Eastern Front was a Front — a formation equivalent to a Western Army Group — of the Soviet Army during the Russian Civil War and the Second World War....
.
On 17 March 1942 the two brigades became the 258th and 259th Independent Rifle Brigades.
On 22 November 1944 the 342nd Rifle Division (2nd formation) of 2nd Red Banner Army of the Far-Eastern Front was formed in the environs of Blagoveshchenk (Amur region) on the basis of 258th independent Rifle Brigade and 259th independent Rifle Brigade.
The commemorative formation day of the division was set on 1 December 1944.
The following units were included in the division’s formation at the time:
- 357th Rifle Regiment;
- 377th Rifle Regiment;
- 389th Rifle Regiment;
- 39th Artillery Regiment;
- 480th Self-propelled Artillery Battalion;
- 171st Independent Anti-Tank Destroyer Artillery Battalion;
- 162nd Combat Engineer Battalion;
- 1036th Independent Signal Battalion ;
- 236th Medical and Sanitary Battalion;
- 58th Independent Reconnaissance Company;
- 571st Motor transport Company;
- 22nd Chemical Protection Company.
The 357th Rifle Regiment was formed from the 2nd and 3rd sub-machine gun battalions of the 258th independent Rifle Brigade in the village Novotroitskoe of the Blagoveshchensk region (Amur region) about 20–25 km from Blagoveshchenk, and its first regimental commander was Major I.T. Rudnik.
On 15 March 1945 according to the Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the 357th Rifle Regiment was entrusted with its combat banner.
In the middle of May 1945 the 342nd Rifle Division was brought out into the dunes along the Amur where it began to create the second defence entrenchment line. The division built defensive installations for two more months, then force marched 60 kilometers, and began work on new entrenchments.
In July 1945 the 342nd Rifle Division was included in the composition of the 87th Rifle Corps of the Coastal Group of Forces (subsequently the 1st Far East Front). The division was relocated into the Ussuri Krai
Ussuri krai
Ussuri krai is an unofficial name for a part of Primorsky Krai and Khabarovsky Krai that consisted of Ussuri and South-Ussuri Okrugs. The name was often used in late Imperial Russia...
, and lived in camp tents near Lesozavodska.
At the start of military operations against Japan, the 87th Rifle Corps was in the reserve of the 1st Far-Eastern Front and was located in the region of the town of Lesozavodsk.
Service in the invasion of Manchuria
On the dawn of 8 August 1945 the artillery preparation of the invasion of Manchuria began when the USSR declared war on Japan.On 9 August 1945 the corps received an order to commence operations, and to cross the international border in the region of Grodekovo settlement. The corps advanced through steep mountain slopes, impassable roads, under strong downpours, and over swampy areas.
In the course of the Manchurian offensive operation the 87th Rifle Corps moved in into the reserve of the 35th Army
35th Army (Soviet Union)
The 35th Red Banner Army is a field army of the Russian Ground Forces.The 35th Army was originally formed within the Soviet Red Army in July 1941 on the basis of 18th Rifle Corps, and joined the Far Eastern Front. Within Far Eastern Front it comprised 35th, 66th, 78th Rifle Divisions, the 109th...
formations along the northern shore of Lake Khanka.
The 342nd Rifle Division was committed to battle once at the approaches to the Mishan (Japanese) Fortified Region. The 357th Rifle Regiment of 342nd rifle division reached Khobiy city in North Manchuria while constantly engaged in combat.
The 35th Army, from the staging area Guberovo, Ruzhino, Lesozavodsk, delivered the supporting attack of the 1st Far-Eastern Front (commander - Marshal of the Soviet Union K.A. Meretskov) in the direction of Lesozavodsk, Khutou, Mishan with the task of destroying the Mishan group of Japanese troops.
After assaulting across the Sungach river, the 342nd RD with 357th Rifle Regiment directed its concentrated efforts toward securing the area of Tsikhulin region, Khubey, and Yangan (50 kilometers west of Khulin). The stability of defence of the entire Japanese Mishansk Group depended on the retention of this region. As a result of persistent and bloody combat the 357th RR took the railway station and the city of Khubey.
For the next three days the division advanced as part of the corps second echelon into the depths of enemy held territory.
In the middle of August 1945 the 87th Rifle Corps http://samsv.narod.ru/Korp/Sk/sk087/default.html returned to the area of Lesozavodsk – Sibirtsevo, where it entrained and was transported to Vladivostok
Vladivostok
The city is located in the southern extremity of Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, which is about 30 km long and approximately 12 km wide.The highest point is Mount Kholodilnik, the height of which is 257 m...
.
During this time (on 11 to 12 August 1945) the 87th Rifle Corps was brought out from the reserve of the 1st Far-Eastern Front, and received new orders to prepare for landing operations on the island of Hokkaido (Japan).
At the end of August 1945, the 87th RC moved from Harbin in its entirety (264th, 342nd, 355th RD) and began redeployment to Sakhalin
Sakhalin
Sakhalin or Saghalien, is a large island in the North Pacific, lying between 45°50' and 54°24' N.It is part of Russia, and is Russia's largest island, and is administered as part of Sakhalin Oblast...
for the purpose of concentrating the troops for the planned landing operation on the island of Hokkaido. This landing operation did not take place, but the corps still completed its concentration at Sakhalin. The Japanese opposing force on Sakhalin and the Kuriles was the Japanese Fifth Area Army.
At 0830 on 22 August 1945 the 355th RD of the 87th RC was taken out of the 1st Far-Eastern Front reserve and transported by the convoy VKMA-1 from Vladivostok to the port of Maoka (now Kholmsk
Kholmsk
Kholmsk is a town in Sakhalin Oblast, Russia, the administrative center of Kholmsky District. Population: 35,141 .-History:The town was founded in 1870 as a military post. After the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05, the town was transferred to Japanese control, along with the rest of southern...
of South-Sakhalin region), arriving at 1600 on 25 August 1945.
On 23 August 1945 the Supreme Commander-in-Chief I.V. Stalin declared his appreciation for 357th RR of the 342nd RD for conspicuous courage and heroism.
On 28 August 1945 the 355th RD began its advance into the region of the port of Otomari, and then force marched on 1 September 1945 to in the Otomari region.
On 1400 on 23 August 1945 a new convoy VKMA-2 departed from Vladivostok to the port of Maoka, which transported the 342nd Rifle Division and 215th Artillery Brigade of the 87th Rifle Corps, arriving at 1425 on 26 August 1945 at the port.
Although the 342nd was in the process of being transported to Sakhalin on 25 August, on 22 August Stalin had already ordered Vasilevsky to halt the planned landing preparations on Hokkaido until further notice. However he allowed the transfer of the 87the Rifle Corps to continue to Sakhalin.
By 27 August 1945 the landing operation on was Hokkaido postponed, and then completely abandoned.
At 0920 on 25 August 1945 the convoy VKMA-3 departed Vladivostok with the 264th Rifle Division and staff of the 87th Rifle Corps. Because of a breakdown in the screw propeller in the transport “Leo Tolstoy” the convoy had to berth at the Vladimir Bay, where it stood until 28 August 1945, eventually reaching Maoka at 1330 on the 30 August 1945.
At 0000 on 30 August 1945 the 87th RC was transferred to the 2nd Far East Front by order of Marshal of the Soviet Union A.M. Vasilevsky. The corps became a part of the 16th Army
16th Army (Soviet Union)
The 16th Army was a Soviet field army active from 1940 to 1945.-First Formation, 16th Army:Before Operation Barbarossa, HQ 16th Army was formed in July 1940 in the Transbaikal Military District . General Lieutenant М. F. Лукин took command...
.
Unloading the last regiment of the 264th RD on Sakhalin was completed at 1900 on 1 September 1945.
On 2 September 1945 the transportation of the 87th Rifle Corps to Sakhalin island was completed.
On the night of 2 September 1945 the division was embarked on transports and was directed to the occupation of islands Iturup
Iturup
Iturup is the largest island of the South Kuril Islands. It is the northernmost island in the southern Kuril/Chishima islands, and though it is presently controlled by Russia, Japan also claims this island...
and Urup
Urup
Urup is an uninhabited volcanic island near in the south of the Kuril Islands chain in the Sea of Okhotsk in the northwest Pacific Ocean. Its name is derived from the Ainu language word for salmon trout.-Geography and climate:...
. Two regiments landed on Iturup island, an artillery regiment (less a battalion) and the staff of the division, while on the island of Urup two other regiments were landed.
The 342nd RD completed a 100 kilometer march from Kholmsk to Korsakov and during the march celebrated the great Victory Day on the 3 September 1945.
One division and the 113th Rifle Brigade were located in the southern part of the Kurile Islands, and two other rifle divisions in the southern part of Sakhalin Island, strengthened by one tank brigade from the front assets.
In Korsakov, the division was living in dugouts, and then began to build barracks at the station Dachnaya (389th RR). The division spent two winters living in the tents. After the war, Anita township on Sakhalin became the garrison of the 357th Rifle Regiment.
Post-war service record
By the directive of the STAVKA of the Military High Command from 10 September 1945 to 15 October 1945 2nd Far East Front was redesignated the Far East Military District with the staff in the city of Toyokhara (now Yuzhno Sakhalinsk).By 30 December 1945 all rifle divisions of the military district were reorganized with the new organization (with the divisional artillery brigades) and were authorised an establishment of 8132 personnel each.
After the war the composition of the 87th Rifle Corps was:
79th Rifle Division (from 22 February 1968 Red Banner):
- 157th Rifle Order decorated Regiment;
- 165th Rifle Order decorated Regiment;
- 179th Rifle Order decorated Regiment;
- 284th Artillery Order decorated Regiment.
258th Red Banner Rifle Division
- 405th Rifle Regiment;
- 991st Rifle Regiment;
- 999th Rifle Regiment;
- 782nd Artillery Regiment;
- 342nd Anti-tank Battalion;
- 361st independent Reconnaissance Company;
- 557th Combat Engineer Battalion;
- 737th independent Signal Battalion ;
- 432bd Motor Transport Company;
- 305th Medical and Sanitary Battalion;
- 304th Company of Chemical Protection;
- 465th self-propelled Artillery battalion.
342nd rifle division
- 357th Rifle Regiment;
- 377th Rifle Regiment;
- 389th Rifle Regiment;
- 39th Artillery Regiment.
In 1948 the 192nd Tank self-propelled Regiment was formed from personnel of the 342nd Rifle Division on the base of the 480th independent self-propelled Artillery Battalion.
In October 1953, by the order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR dated 23 April 1953, the staff of the Far East Military District, the former 2nd Far-Eastern Front, was reformed into the administration of the 15th Army.
The command staff of the 87th Rifle Corps was brought back to the continent.
On 4 March 1955, units were renumbered:
87th Rifle Corps was re-formed into 2nd Rifle Corps.
342nd Rifle Division was renamed the 56th rifle division;
258th Rifle Red Banner Division – became the 41st Rifle Red Banner Division (144th and 465th Rifle Regiments);
In March 1957, rifle divisions were reformed into motor-rifle divisions:
2nd Rifle Corps was re-formed into 2nd Army Corps;
56th Rifle Division became the 56th Motor-Rifle Division (in this case the 357th Rifle Regiment was renamed as the 390th Rifle Regiment);
41st Rifle Red Banner Division was renamed the 41st Motor-Rifle Red Banner Division;
79th Rifle Sakhalin Division was renamed the 79th Motor-Rifle Sakhalin Division
In 1958 (or perhaps 1960) HQ of the 2nd Army Corps and the 41st Motor Rifle Red Banner division were disbanded.
In July 1960 the administration of the 15th Combined Arms Army was integrated into the 2nd Army Corps (2nd formation).
In 1965 the 56th Motor-Rifle Division was renamed the 33rd Motor-Rifle Division.
The composition of the division was:
- 377th Motor Rifle Regiment (Aniva);
- 389th Motor Rifle Regiment (Dachnoyet);
- 465th Motor Rifle Regiment (Leonidov, from 2002 Aniva);
- 192nd Tank Regiment (Aniva);
- 989th Artillery regiment;
- 416th independent Signal Battalion.
In 1969 on the staff of the 51st Combined Arms Army was formed on the basis of the staff of the 2nd Army Corps.
In 1987, the 192nd Tank Regiment was re-formed into 97th independent Tank Battalion.
At the end of the 1980s the composition of the 51st combined arms Army of the Far-Eastern military district included:
- 2nd Army Corps:
- 33rd Motor-Rifle Red Banner Division
- 79th Motor-Rifle Sakhalin Red Banner Division.
- 25th Army Corps (formed around 1974):
- 22nd Motor-Rifle Krasnodar-Harbin twice Red Banner Division
- 87th Motor-Rifle Division;
- 99th Motor-Rifle Division (ChukotkaChukotka Autonomous OkrugChukotka Autonomous Okrug , or Chukotka , is a federal subject of Russia located in the Russian Far East.Chukotka has a population of 53,824 according to the 2002 Census, and a surface area of . The principal town and the administrative center is Anadyr...
) (1324th and 1327th MRRs, were converted in 1984 to the 3840th Military Technology Storage Base until 1 June 1999, when it was disbanded on 1 December 2002 in the city of Anadyr’ and township of Schmidt) - 18th machine-gun artillery division (settlement Gor’achiy Kluch of Sakhalin region).
On 11 October 1993 the 51st (Combined Arms) Army became the 68th Army Corps. 25th Army Corps eventually became the headquarters of Ground and Coastal Defence Forces of the new North-Eastern Group of Troops and Forces in the Chukotka area.
Sources and references
- V.I. Feskov et al., 'The Soviet Army in the Period of the Cold War,' Tomsk University Press, 2004
- http://www.soldat.ru/forum/?gb=3&id=33542, Soldat.ru forums
- Axis History Forum, 342nd Rifle Division
- samsv.narod.ru