44th Guards Rifle Division
| 5th Rifle Division | |
|---|---|
| Active |
I Formation: 1918–1942 II Formation: 1942–1946 |
| Country |
 Soviet Union
|
| Branch | Red Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Garrison/HQ | Vitebsk (1945–46) |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations |
 Order of Kutuzov 2nd class (2nd formation) |
| Battle honours |
Vitebsk (1st formation) |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Pyotr Mikhailitsyn |
I Formation: 1918–1942
Order of Lenin (2nd formation)
Order of the Red Banner (2nd formation)
Order of Suvorov 2nd class (2nd formation)
Vitebsk (1st formation)
On behalf of the Czechoslovak Proletariat (1st formation)
The 5th Rifle Division was an infantry division of the Soviet Union's Red Army, formed twice. The division was formed in 1918, initially as the 2nd Penza Infantry Division. After becoming the 5th Rifle Division a month later, it fought in the Counteroffensive of Eastern Front in spring 1919 and later operations in Siberia. In the spring of 1920, the division was relocated west and fought in the Polish–Soviet War, participating in the Battle of Warsaw. The division was awarded the Honorary Revolutionary Red Banner for its actions during the wars in 1929. In September 1939, it fought in the Soviet invasion of Poland and was then sent to Lithuania under the Soviet–Lithuanian Mutual Assistance Treaty. After Operation Barbarossa, the division fought in the Baltic Operation and the Leningrad Strategic Defensive. During the winter of 1941-1942, it participated in the Battle of Moscow, fighting in the Kalinin (Tver) area. During the summer of 1942, the division fought in the Rzhev-Vyazma Offensive and became the 44th Guards Rifle Division for its actions there on 5 October.
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