342nd Rifle Division

342nd Rifle Division (September 9, 1941 – September 23, 1943) 342nd Rifle Division (November 22, 1944 – March 4, 1955)
Maj. Gen. L.D. Chervonii, Hero of the Soviet Union
Active	1941–1955
Country	Soviet Union
Branch	Red Army
Type	Division
Role	Infantry
Engagements	Battle of Moscow Operation Kutuzov Battle of Smolensk (1943) Soviet invasion of Manchuria
Battle honours	Mtsensk
Commanders
Notable commanders	Col. A.I. Popov Maj. Gen. L.D. Chervonii

The 342nd Rifle Division began forming in September, 1941, as a standard Red Army rifle division, in the Saratov oblast. It arrived at the front southwest of Moscow in December, in time to take part in the winter counteroffensive. During most of 1942 and into 1943 the division served in primarily defensive roles in 61st Army along the northern face of the German-held salient around Oryol. Following the Soviet victory at Kursk the 342nd took part in the operation that eliminated that salient, and then in the further offensives that liberated Bryansk and pushed on towards Smolensk and the Dniepr River. During these tactical-level actions the division distinguished itself sufficiently to be re-designated as the 121st Guards Rifle Division, one of the last Guards divisions to be formed before the postwar period. In November, 1944, a new 342nd was formed in the Far East, and saw action against Japanese forces in northern Manchuria, assaulting across the Sungach river during the Soviet invasion of that region. Well after the war this formation was re-designated and became the 33rd Motor Rifle Division.

The division formed for the first time on September 9, 1941, in the Saratov area of Volga Military District. Its order of battle was as follows:

Lt. Col. A.I. Popov took command of the division on the day it was formed; on November 28 he was promoted to colonel, and he remained in command until November 9, 1942. After two months of forming up and training, in November the 342nd was assigned to the new 61st Army, which was also forming up in the Reserve of the Supreme High Command. In December the 61st moved north and west into Bryansk Front to take part in the winter counteroffensive. During its advance to the west, the division would reach positions along the Oka River, and it would remain fighting along the line of this river until the summer of 1943, mostly with 61st Army, which was assigned either on the southern flank of Western Front or the northern flank of Bryansk Front throughout this period.