69th Rifle Division (Soviet Union)
| 69th Rifle Division | |
|---|---|
| Active |
|
| Country |
 Soviet Union
|
| Branch |
 Red Army
|
| Type | Division |
| Role | Infantry |
| Engagements |
Battle of Kursk Lower Dnieper Offensive Operation Bagration Lublin-Brest Offensive East Pomeranian Offensive Berlin Strategic Offensive |
| Decorations |
 Order of Kutuzov (2nd formation) |
| Battle honours | Sevsk (2nd formation) |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
A. K. Berestov, F. N. Smekhotvorov, A. G. Frolenkov, Mjr. Gen. M. A. Bogdanov Mjr. Gen. I. A. Kuzovkov, Hero of the Soviet Union Maj. Gen. I. I. Sankovski Mjr. Gen. F. A. Makarov |
Order of the Red Banner (2) (2nd formation)
Order of Suvorov (2nd formation)
The 69th Rifle Division was an infantry division of the Red Army and later the Soviet Army, formed twice.
It was first formed in 1936 from the 3rd Kolkhoz Rifle Division in the Soviet Far East, and in the spring of 1941 converted to the 69th Motorized Division. Sent west after the start of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, it was reorganized into the 107th Tank Division shortly after arriving at the front. The division fought in the Battle of Smolensk before being redesignated the 107th Motor Rifle Division in September. The 107th fought in the Battle of Moscow and became the 2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division in honor of its actions in the battle.
The 69th Rifle Division was reformed in December 1941, distinguishing itself in at least two battles. It was credited with the liberation of the town of Sevsk on 26 August 1943. On 15 October 1943 it made a successful assault crossing of the Dnepr River south of Gomel; 21 officers and men of the division were decorated as Heroes of the Soviet Union for this action. Postwar, the 69th was withdrawn to Vologda, where it remained for the rest of its existence. Between 1946 and 1953 it was reduced to the 25th Separate Rifle Brigade. It became the 69th Motor Rifle Division in 1957 and was reduced to a storage base in 1989.
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