WW2 Soviet Units

 

The Russian army and its disadvantages and advantages are by now well known.  Much of the artillery fired over open sights rather than using indirect fire more normal in the other major armies. This caused heavy losses to the guns. The direct fire doctrine was reinforced by the appearance of assault artillery such as the SU-122, SU-152, and ISU-152. All units in this section are platoon-sized.

Soviet Rifle Regiment Headquarters 1938 to 1945 (Has 2, 3 or up to 4 Battalions, may have a Tank Battalion or more likely a SU76 battalion from 1943 while on the attack)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

1 Cannon Company                             2 76IG, 2 Limbers

1 Mortar Company                               1 120M, 1 Limber

1 Anti Tank Company                          2 45ATG, 2 Limbers

1 Anti Aircraft Platoon                                     1 12.7AAG, 1 Wagon

Note                                                                                                     For a Motorized Division Headquarters replaces Wagon/Limber with truck and adds a staff car.

Soviet Guards Rifle Regiment Headquarters 1941 to 1945 (Has 2, 3 or 4 Battalions, may have a Tank Battalion from 1942 while on the attack)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

1 Cannon Company                             2 76IG, 2 Limbers

1 Mortar Company                               2 120M, 2 Limber

1 Anti Tank Company                          2 57ATG, 2 Limber

1 Anti Aircraft Company                       2 12.7AAG, 2 Wagon

Note                                                                                                     For a Motorized Division Headquarters replaces wagon with light truck and adds a staff car.

Soviet Border Guards Regiment Headquarters 1938 to 1945 (Has 3 Battalions)

HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 Engr, 1 SMG

1 Anti Tank Company                          2 45ATG, 2 Limber

Soviet NKVD Regiment Headquarters 1938 to 1945 (Has 3 Battalions)

HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 Engr, 1 SMG

1 Anti Tank Company                          2 45ATG, 2 Limber

Soviet Mountain Regiment 1942 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

5 Rifle Companies each                       3 Rifle

Mortar Company                                  1 120M, 1 Limber

Engineer Company                              3 Engineer

Infantry Anti Tank Company                6 ATR, 1 45ATG, 1 Pack Horse

A note on Soviet Combat Brigades – Soviet brigades served on the ends of the Eastern Front.  Most Rifle Brigades were formed from citizen militias in Leningrad and served on the Northern end of the Eastern Front.  Naval Infantry brigades served with the fleet and fought along the coast of the Black Sea.  Mountain Brigades served in the Casascus Mountains, in the Recapture of the Crimea and later in the Balkans.

Soviet Rifle Brigade (Typical) 1942 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

4 Rifle Battalions each

HQ                                           1 HQ, 1 45ATG, 3 ATR, 1 Limber

3 Infantry Companies each      3 Rifle

1 Machinegun Company          2 MMG

1 Mortar Battery                       2 82M

SMG Battalion

HQ                                           1 HQ, 1 45ATG, 3 ATR, 1 Limber

3 Infantry Companies each      3 SMG

1 Machinegun Company          2 MMG

1 Mortar Battery                       2 82M

Artillery Battalion                                3 76H, 1 FAO, 3 Limber

Medium Mortar Battalion                     3 82M

Support Battalion                                2 45ATG, 1 76IG, 1 120M, 3 Limber, 1 Wagon

Soviet Navy Infantry Brigade (Typical) 1942 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

4 Rifle Battalions each

HQ                                           1 HQ, 1 45ATG, 3 ATR, 1 Limber

3 Infantry Companies each      3 Rifle

1 Machinegun Company          2 MMG

1 Mortar Battery                       2 82M

SMG Company                                     3 SMG

Artillery Battalion                                3 76H, 1 FAO, 3 Medium Truck

Engineer Battalion                              

HQ                                           1 HQ

3 Engineer companies each    3 Engineer

Support Battalion                                2 45ATG, 1 76IG, 1 120M, 3 Limber

Soviet Parachute Brigade (Typical) 1942 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 FAO

3 Rifle Battalions each

HQ                                           1 HQ, 1 45ATG, 3 ATR, 1 Jeep

3 Infantry Companies each      3 Para

1 Machinegun Company          2 MMG

1 Mortar Battery                       2 82M

SMG Battalion

HQ                                           1 HQ, 1 57ATG, 3 ATR, 1 Jeep

3 Infantry Companies each      3 SMG

1 Machinegun Company          2 MMG

1 Mortar Battery                       2 82M

Medium Mortar Battalion                     6 82M

Machinegun/Artillery Battalion                        6 MMG, 1 76ATG, 3 ATR, 1 Limber

Soviet Mountain Brigade (Typical) 1942 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Rifle Battalions each

HQ                                           1 HQ, 1 45ATG, 3 ATR, 2 Pack Horse

3 Infantry Companies each      3 Rifle

1 Machinegun Company          2 MMG

1 Mortar Battery                       2 82M 

Support Battalion                                2 45ATG, 1 76IG, 1 120M, 4 Limber

Soviet Guards Rifle Brigade (Typical) 1942 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 FAO

3 Rifle Battalions each

HQ                                           1 HQ, 1 57ATG, 3 ATR, 1 Limber

3 Infantry Companies each      3 Guards

1 Machinegun Company          2 MMG

1 Mortar Battery                       3 82M

SMG Battalion

HQ                                           1 HQ, 1 57ATG, 3 ATR, 1 Limber

3 Infantry Companies each      3 SMG

1 Machinegun Company          2 MMG

1 Mortar Battery                       3 82M

Artillery Battalion                                3 76H, 3 Medium Truck

Rocket Artillery Battalion                     3 M13, 3 Medium Truck

Engineer Battalion                              

HQ                                           1 HQ

3 Engineer companies each    3 Engineer

Anti Tank Battalion                              6 ATR, 2 45ATG, 2 Limber

Soviet Rifle and Motorized Battalion 1938 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 45ATG, 3 ATR, 1 Limber

3 Infantry Companies each                  3 Rifle

1 Machinegun Company                      2 MMG

1 Mortar Battery                                   2 82M

Note                                                                                                     For a motorized battalion, replace the Wagons with trucks and give trucks to the rifle units. Increase the strength of the anti-tank gun and Mortars to 4.  This is a full strength unit; many battalions had lower strengths of support weapons.

Soviet Guards Rifle Battalion 1943 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 57ATG, 3 ATR, 1 Limber

3 Infantry Companies each                  3 Guards

1 Machinegun Company                      2 MMG

1 Mortar Battery                                   2 82M

Note                                                                                                     For a motorized battalion, replace the Wagons with trucks. Increase the strength of the anti tank gun and Mortars to four.  This is a full strength unit; many battalions had lower strengths of support weapons.

Soviet Border Guards Battalion 1938 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ, 3 ATR

3 Infantry Companies each                  3 Rifle

1 Machinegun Platoon                         1 MMG

1 Mortar Platoon                                  1 82M

Soviet NKVD Battalion 1938 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ, 3 ATR

3 Infantry Companies each                  3 SMG

1 Machinegun Platoon                         1 MMG

1 Mortar Platoon                                  1 82M

Note                                                                                                     This unit is usually motorized but may not be used with army armored units, this unit is used as a military police unit behind friendly lines shooting stragglers and hunting down enemy partisans.  Such a unit in close proximity to army units will cause army units to fight harder and more fanatically.

Soviet Tank Regiment HQ 1938 to1941 (Medium regiment has 1 Light and 2 Fast or 3 Medium battalions.  Heavy regiment has 3 heavy battalions)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

2 Recce Companies each                    3 BA10

Note                                                                                                     This formation was officially reorganized in 1940.  The process was still in training and unfinished in 1941.  There is some question whether brigade or regiment is the correct term as the Red Army at this point used these terms inter-changably.  I use regiment to describe sub units of a tank or motorized division prior to 1942.  I use brigade after 1941 and to describe non-divisional formations before 1942.

Soviet Light Tank Battalion 1938 to 1941

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

4 Companies each                               3 T26

Note                                                                                                     Rifle Divisions had a Battalion of T26’s to 10/1941 but many were missing due to lack of fuel and spare parts.

Soviet Medium Tank Battalion 1941

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Medium Companies each                 2 T34a

Note                                                     Very few of these battalions in 1941.

Soviet Heavy Tank Battalion 1938 to 1941

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Heavy Companies each                    2 KV1

Note                                                                                                     Use T28 or T35 prior to 1940.  T28 and T35 are suitable replacements for KV1

Soviet Fast Tank Battalion 1938 to 1941

HQ                                                       1 HQ

2 Tank Companies each                      3 BT7

1 Light Company                                 3 T40-37

Note                                                                                                     T34a and KV1 tanks were available in limited quantities in 1941. All four tank types may be mixed in one battalion in July and August 1941.  Of the total available Soviet tank strength in June 1941, 30% was grounded for mechanical problems (mostly lacking spare parts), 20% lacked fuel and a further 5% broke down before moving into the assembly areas.  Thus the average strength of battalion was at 45% of its normal complement and then it met German air interdiction.   Tank strengths issued are confusing as T26, BT7 and T34 (most unlikely) may be used in the medium battalions and regiments while T35, T28, T34 and KV1 were all used in the Heavy Tank Regiments.  The following tank divisions were available in the summer of 1941:

3^rd Mechanized Corps

2^nd Tank Division – 2 battalions of BT7/T26, 1 Battalion of KV1, 1 Company of T34a

5^th Tank Division – 4 battalions of BT7/T26, 1 Company of T34a, 1 Company of KV1

12^th Mechanized Corps

23^rd Tank Division – 4 battalions of BT7/T26, 2 Company of KV1

28^th Tank Division – 3 battalions of BT7/T26, 1 Battalion of KV1

6^th Mechanized Corps

4^th Tank Division – 2 battalions of BT, 2 Battalions of T34a, 2 Company of KV1, 1 battalions of T26

7^th Tank Division – 3 battalions of BT, 1 Battalion of T34a, 2 Company of KV1

11^th Mechanized Corps

29^th Tank Division – 1 Battalion of T34a, 1 battalion of T26

33^rd Tank Division – 1 battalion of BT, 1 battalion of T26

13th Mechanized Corps

25^th Tank Division – 3 battalions of T26

31^st Tank Division – 2 battalions of T26

14^th Mechanized Corps

22^nd Tank Division – 3 battalions of T26

30^th Tank Division – 3 battalions of T26

4^th Mechanized Corps

8^th Tank Division – 3 battalions of T34a, 1 battalion of T28, 1 battalion of T26

32^nd Tank Division – 3 battalions of T34a, 1 battalion of BT, 1 battalion of T26

8^th Mechanized Corps

12^th Tank Division – 4 battalions of T34, 1 Battalion of KV1

34^th Tank Division – 4 battalions of BT7/T26, 1 Battalion of T35

9^th Mechanized Corps

20^th Tank Division – 6 battalions of T26

35^th Tank Division – 3 battalions of BT/T26, 1 Battalion of T28, 1 Company of T34

15^th Mechanized Corps

10^th Tank Division – 3 battalions of T26, 1 Battalion of BT7, 1 Company of T34a, 2 battalions of T26

37^th Tank Division – 3 battalions of BT7, 1 Battalion of T26, 1 Company of KV1, 1 Company of T34a

22^nd Mechanized Corps

19^th Tank Division – 3 battalions of BT7, 1 Battalion of T28, 1 Company of KV1

41^st Tank Division – 3 battalions of BT7, 1 Battalion of T34a, 1 Company of KV1, 1 battalions of T26

The above represents the nominal tank strength after leaving the assembly areas and when committed to battle.  Remember that this tank strength must be divided across 1 medium tank regiment and 1 heavy tank regiment.  One final note the third unit of a 1941 Mechanized Corps is a Motorized rifle Division.

Soviet Tank Division Artillery Regiment 1938 to 1941

HQ                                                       1 FAO

2 Light Battalions each                        3 76H, 3 Medium Truck

1 Medium Battalion                             3 122H, 3 Medium Truck

Soviet Infantry Division Artillery Regiment 1938 to 1941  

HQ                                                       1 FAO

2 Light Battalions each                        3 76H, 3 Limber

1 Medium Battalion                             3 122H, 3 Limber

1 Heavy Battalion                                3 152H, 3 Limber

Soviet Infantry Divisional Recce Battalion 1938 to 1942

HQ                                                       1 HQ

1 SMG Company                                  3 SMG, 3 Light Truck

1 Armored Car Company                     3 BA10

Note                                                                                                    Infantry Divisions had one of these.  Many were missing.

Soviet Independent Tank Brigade 1938 to 1941

HQ                                                       1 HQ

Recce Company                                  3 BA10

3 Companies each                               3 BT7

3 Companies each                               3 T28

3 Companies each                               3 T26

Soviet Tank Brigade September 1941 to May 1942 (This unit counts as a Battalion unless SMG Battalion is added)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

2 Companies each                               3 T34a

2 Companies each                               3 T26

1 Company                                          3 KV1 

14 Y Soviet Tank Brigade June 1942 to July 1943 (This unit counts as a Battalion unless SMG Battalion is added)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Companies each                               3 T34a

1 Company                                          3 T70

1 Recce Company                                3 SMG, 3 Motorcycle

Soviet Tank Brigade Headquarters July 1943 to May 1945 (3 Tank Battalions and 1 SMG Battalion)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

1 Recce Company                                3 SMG, 3 Motorcycle, 2 BA64

1 Anti Aircraft Company                       2 12.7AAG, 2 Light Trucks

1 Engineer Company                           3 Engr, 3 Medium Truck

1 Mortar Battery                                   1 120M, 1 Medium Truck

1 Howitzer Battery                               1 76H, 1 Medium Truck

Note                                                     T34/85 may be used from November 1943

Soviet Light Tank Battalion July 1943 to June 1944

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

2 Companies each                               3 T70

1 Company each                                  3 T34/76

Note                                                                                                     Converted to Medium Tank Battalions with T34/85 starting July 1944.

Soviet Medium Tank Battalion July 1943 to May 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

2 Companies each                               3 T34

Note                                                     T34/85 may be used from December 1943

Soviet Submachinegun Infantry Battalion September 1942 to May 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            3 SMG Companies each                      3 SMG, 2 H/T 

            1 Machinegun Platoon                         1 MMG, 1 H/T

            1 Mortar Battery                                   2 82M, 2 H/T

            1 Anti Tank Platoon                             1 45ATG, 3 ATR, 2 H/T

Note                                                                                                    Attached to Heavy Tank and Heavy Self Propelled Anti Tank or Assault Regiments. SMG Companies in units attached to armored units may ride on Tank Company (it was common practice not to issue transport to the infantry units so that they had to ride on the tanks and provide close in protection in the advance).

Soviet Tank Desant Battalion September 1942 to May 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            3 SMG Companies each                      3 SMG, 1 ATR

            1 Machinegun Platoon                         1 MMG

            1 Mortar Platoon                                  1 82M

Note                                                                                                    This is the SMG Battalion of a Tank Brigade.  This unit would ride the tanks of its brigade.        

Soviet Tank Corps Reconnaissance Battalion November 1943 to May 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 H/T, 1 82M

1 Armored Infantry Company               3 SMG, 3 H/T

1 Motorcycle Company                        3 SMG, 3 Motorcycles

1 Armored Car Company                     3 BA64

1 Tank Company                                  3 T70 (1945 T34/76)

Soviet Mechanized Corps Motorcycle (Reconnaissance) Battalion November 1943 to May 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 BA64

2 Motorcycle Companies each             3 SMG, 3 Motorcycles

1 Tank Company                                  3 T70 (1945 T34/76)

1 Mech Company                                 3 SMG, 3 H/T

1 Support Company                             1 57ATG, 1 82M, 2 Light Trucks

Soviet Heavy Tank Regiment 1942 to 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 BA64

4 Tank Companies each                      3 KV1 or KV 85 or ISII

            1 SMG Company each                         3 SMG, 1 ATR

Note                                                                                                     KV1 to 1943, KV 85 1943 ISII from 1944.

Soviet Cavalry Division 1942 to 1945 (Actually a Brigade sized unit)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

2 Mortar Batteries each                       1 120M, 1 Wagon

1 Recce Squadron                               3 SMG, 3 Horse

1 Tank Company                                  3 T34

3 Regiments    

HQ                                           1 HQ

            4 Squadrons each                    3 SMG, 3 Horse

            1 Mortar Battery                       2 81M, 2 Wagon

            1 Howitzer Battery                   1 76H, 1 Limber

            1 Anti Tank Platoon                 1 45ATG, 1 Limber 

                        1 Anti Aircraft Platoon             1 12.7AAG, 1 Wagon

Soviet Engineer Battalion 1940 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Engineer companies each                3 Engineer

Note                                                                                                     Can be motorized in trucks or mechanized in half-tracks.

Soviet Self Propelled Anti Tank Regiment 1943 to 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 BA64

4 Batteries each                                   1 SU76 or SU85 or SU100

            1 SMG Company each                         3 SMG, 1 ATR

Note                                                     SU76 may be used from March 1943

                                                            SU85 may be used from September 1943

                                                            SU100 may be used from December 1944

                                                            SU76 does not have SMG battalions attached.

Soviet Heavy Mechanized Artillery Regiment 1943 to 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 BA64

4 Batteries each                                   1 SU152 or ISU152 or ISU122

            1 SMG Company each                         3 SMG, 1 ATR

Note                                                                                                     ISU122 & 152 may be used from December 1944. Batteries may be used independently.

Soviet Motorized Anti Tank Regiment 1942 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

2 Battalions each                                 3 76H or 57ATG, 3 Light Trucks

            Note                                                     Battalions may be used independently.

Soviet Tank Corps or Infantry Division Artillery Regiment 1942 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 FAO

2 Light Battalions each                                    3 76H, 3 Medium Trucks (3 Limber)

1 Medium Battalion                                                     3 122H, 3 Medium Trucks (3 Limber)

Note                                                                                                     Trucks are compulsory for Tank Corps, and became common in infantry units as war progressed.

Soviet Rocket Launcher Regiment July 1941 to 1945

 HQ                                                      1 HQ    

2 Batteries each                                                           2 M13, 2 Medium Trucks (or 2 BM13)

Soviet Anti Aircraft Regiment 1940 to 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            2 Batteries each                                   2 37AAG or 85AAG 2 Medium Trucks

            2 Batteries each                                   2 AAMG, 2 Light Trucks

Soviet Heavy Mortar Regiment

HQ                                                       1 FAO

2 Battalions

3 Batteries each                       2 120M, 2 Limber

Soviet Medium Artillery Regiment

HQ                                           1 FAO

4 Batteries each                       1 122H, 1 Limber

Soviet Heavy Artillery Regiment

HQ                                           1 FAO

4 Batteries each                       1 152H, 1 Limber

Soviet Super Heavy Artillery Regiment

HQ                                           1 FAO

4 Batteries each                       1 203H, 1 Limber

Soviet Mountain Artillery Regiment

HQ                                           1 FAO

4 Batteries each                       1 76H, 1 Limber

Large Units:

Rifle Division (1940- 45) – 3 Infantry Regiments, 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Recce Battalion

Motorized Rifle Division (1940 – 42) – 3 Motorized Infantry Regiments, 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Recce Battalion (many divisions had an independent (T26) Tank Brigade attached but was a very reduced strength).

Tank Division (1940-42) – 1 Medium Tank Regiment, 1 Heavy Tank Regiment, 1 Motorized Rifle Regiment, 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion (Towed), 1 Recce Battalion

Artillery Division - Independent artillery divisions had very varied composition.  Light Brigades had 2 Regiments of 3 light battalions as above; these would be motorized.  Howitzer Brigades had 2 Regiments of 2 Medium Battalions, with 122mm Howitzers, and 1 battalion of 152mm Gun Howitzers. Cannon Brigades could have 122mm, 152mm or 203mm weapons in 3 battalions.  Rocket brigades could have 2 Regiments of 3 battalions.  Air Aircraft Brigades could have 2 or 3 Regiments.  Mortar brigades could have up to 4 battalions of 120mm mortars.

Tank Corps (1943-45) – 3 Tank Brigades, 1 Mechanized Brigade, 1 Heavy Tank Regiment, 1 Artillery Regiment, 2 Self-Propelled Gun Regiments, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Regiment (Towed), 1 Recce Battalion

Mechanized Corps (1943-45) – 1 Tank Brigade, 3 Mechanized Brigades, 1 Artillery Regiment, 2 Self-Propelled Gun Regiments, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Regiment (Towed), 1 Recce Battalion

Brigades – Engineer, Anti-Tank, Self-Propelled Gun, Artillery, and Anti-Aircraft have 3 to 4 regiments of 2 battalions each.