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{{Short description|WW2 Soviet Red Army formation}}
{{Expand Russian}}
{{Expand Russian|topic=mil|date=December 2013}}
⚫
The '''181st Rifle Division''' was a division of the [[Red Army]], active from 1940 to at least 1945.
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 181st Rifle Division (181-я стрелковая дивизия)
| dates = August 1940-16 October 1941 (Disbanded, reorganized into [[List of infantry divisions of the Soviet Union 1917–1957|183rd Infantry Division]])
| country = {{flag|Soviet Union}}
| branch = [[Image:Red Army flag.svg|23px]] [[Red Army]]
| type = [[Infantry]]
| commander1 = [[Major-General#Russia|Major-General]] Jānis Liepiņš (1940-1941)
| commander1_label = First commander
| commander2 = [[Colonel (Eastern Europe)|Colonel]] Peter Vasiliyevich Borisov (03.06.1941 — 17.07.1941)
| commander2_label = Second commander
| commander3 = [[Colonel (Eastern Europe)|Colonel]] Aleksey Stepanovich Frolov (18.07.1941 — 29.09.1941)
| commander3_label = Third commander
}}
⚫
The '''181th Rifle Division''' was an infantry division of the Soviet [[Red Army]] during [[World War II]] that was active from 1940-1945.


==First formation==
It was formed in August-September 1940 , after the accession of [[Latvia]] to the [[USSR]], based on the [[Kurzeme Division|Kurzeme]] and [[Vidzeme Division|Vidzeme Division]]s of the [[Latvian Army]]. Thus the division had non-standard, foreign, models of equipment and weapons not usual for the Red Army. It became part of the [[24th Rifle Corps]]. The personnel of the Division remained in Latvian army uniforms, but with differences showing they were now part of the Red Army. It was stationed in [[Riga|Riga]].
It was formed in August–September 1940, after the forced annexation of [[Latvia]] to the [[USSR]], based on the [[Kurzeme Division|Kurzeme]] and [[Vidzeme Division]]s of the Latvian Army. The division wore the old uniforms of the Latvian Army with Soviet insignia and were also equipped with weaponry of the former army, which made them stand out from other units of the Red Army. It became part of the [[24th Rifle Corps]]. It was stationed in [[Riga]].


It was part of the 'operational army' during World War II from 22 June 1941 to 16 October 1941.
It was part of the 'operational army' during World War II from 22 June 1941 to 16 October 1941.


On June 22, 1941 was stationed at summer camps in the [[Gulbene]] area in an abbreviated format. Here until July 29, the division was expanded to full wartime strength.{{cn}}
On June 22, 1941, it was stationed at summer camps in the [[Gulbene]] area in an abbreviated format. Here until July 29, the division was expanded to full wartime strength.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}}


From the beginning of the war [[desertion]] of [[Latvian]]s began, and from June 29, 1941 , according to some sources began their [[demobilization]]. More precisely, Latvians were simply released from house to house , previously disarmed - all more than 2,000 people (mostly from old time required). The division was completed with personnel of the interior regions of the USSR.{{cn}} The main body (about 30 % of the total force) came the from central and southern areas of the current [[Pskov Oblast]]. However, it should be noted that the core personnel were Latvian. The combat training level of the Latvian Riflemen was quite high - many of them received awards and honors from the commanders in the war, including for their period of stay in the 181st Division.
From the beginning of the war [[desertion]] of [[Latvian people|Latvians]] began, and from June 29, 1941, according to some sources, they began their [[demobilization]]. More precisely, Latvians were simply released from house to house, previously disarmed - all more than 2,000 people (mostly from old time required). The division was completed with personnel of the interior regions of the USSR.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}} The main body (about 30% of the total force) came from the central and southern areas of the current [[Pskov Oblast]]. However, the core personnel were Latvian. The combat training level of the Latvian Riflemen was quite high - many of them received awards and honors from the commanders in the war, including for their period of stay in the 181st Division.


The division was wiped out at [[Staraya Russa]] in September 1941.
The division was wiped out at [[Staraya Russa]] in September 1941.


The division was formally disbanded after defeat during [[Operation Barbarossa]] on 16 October 1941.
The division was formally disbanded after defeats during [[Operation Barbarossa]] on 16 October 1941.


==Second formation==
⚫
It was recreated at [[Stalingrad]], wiped out at [[Kalach]] 8.42.<ref>Poirer and Connor</ref> Created again at Chelyabinsk from 10th NKVD Division 2.43, fought at Demyansk, Korosten, and in Poland and Germany. With [[6th Army]] of the [[1st Ukrainian Front]] in May 1945.
It was briefly recreated at [[Volgograd|Stalingrad]], wiped out at [[Kalach, Kalacheyevsky District, Voronezh Oblast|Kalach]] in August 1942.<ref>Poirer and Connor</ref>

==Third formation==
⚫
Created again at [[Chelyabinsk]] from the [[10th NKVD Rifle Division|10th Rifle Division NKVD]] in February 1943, fought at Demyansk, [[Korosten]], and in Poland and Germany. Later the division was assigned to the [[6th Army (Soviet Union)|6th Army]] of the [[1st Ukrainian Front]] in May 1945.

== Organization in 1941 ==
Organization of the division in 1941:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.niehorster.org/012_ussr/41_organ/div_rifle/rd_04.html|title=Soviet Rifle Division, Nos. 150 - 199, 22 June 1941|website=www.niehorster.org|access-date=2019-01-21}}</ref>

* Headquarters
* 186th Rifle Regiment
* 195th Rifle Regiment
* 243rd Rifle Regiment
* 639th Light Artillery Regiment
* 640th Howitzer Artillery Regiment
* 16th Anti-Tank Battalion
* 186th Anti-Aircraft Battalion
* 113th Reconnaissance Battalion
* 296th Engineer Battalion
* 169th Signal Battalion
* 202nd Medical Battalion
* 29th Supply Battalion
* 257th Chemical Defense Company


==Notes==
==Notes==
Line 20: Line 57:


==References==
==References==
*'''Robert G. Poirier and Albert Z. Conner''', ''The Red Army Order of Battle in the Great Patriotic War'', Novato: Presidio Press, 1985. ISBN 0-89141-237-9. Poirer and Conner primarily used the wartime files of the German [[Foreign Armies East]] ('FHO') intelligence section, of which substantial sections are now held by the [[U.S. National Archives]].
*'''Robert G. Poirier and Albert Z. Conner''', ''The Red Army Order of Battle in the Great Patriotic War'', Novato: Presidio Press, 1985. {{ISBN|0-89141-237-9}}. Poirer and Conner primarily used the wartime files of the German [[Foreign Armies East]] ('FHO') intelligence section, of which substantial sections are now held by the [[U.S. National Archives]].

{{Translation/Ref|ru|181-я стрелковая дивизия (1-го формирования)}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://samsv.narod.ru/Div/Sd/sd181/default.html Справочник на сайте клуба «Память» Воронежского госуниверситета]
* [http://samsv.narod.ru/Div/Sd/sd181/default.html Справочник на сайте клуба «Память» Воронежского госуниверситета]
⚫
* [http://www.soldat.ru/perechen Перечень № 5 стрелковых, горнострелковых, мотострелковых и моторизованных дивизий, входивших в состав действующей армии в годы Великой Отечественной войны]{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* Soldat.ru, [http://soldat.ru Справочники и форум на Солдат.ру]
⚫
* [http://www.soldat.ru/perechen Перечень № 5 стрелковых, горнострелковых, мотострелковых и моторизованных дивизий, входивших в состав действующей армии в годы Великой Отечественной войны]
* [[Central Archive of the Russian Ministry of Defence]] (TsAMO RF) 873, 3455.
* [[Central Archive of the Russian Ministry of Defence]] (TsAMO RF) 873, 3455.
* В.Терентьев — История 181-й стрелковой дивизии РККА. СПб; Нестор, 2006. 100 с.
* В.Терентьев — История 181-й стрелковой дивизии РККА. СПб; Нестор, 2006. 100 с.
* В.Терентьев — Девять дней 1941 года. СПб; Нестор, 2008. 84 с.
* В.Терентьев — Девять дней 1941 года. СПб; Нестор, 2008. 84 с.


[[Category:Infantry divisions of the Soviet Union in the Second World War|181]]
{{Soviet Union divisions}}
[[Category:Infantry divisions of the Soviet Union in World War II|181]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1940]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1940]]
[[Category:Military units and formations awarded the Order of the Red Banner]]
[[ru:181-я стрелковая дивизия (1-го формирования)]]

Latest revision as of 17:31, 18 October 2024

181st Rifle Division (181-я стрелковая дивизия)
ActiveAugust 1940-16 October 1941 (Disbanded, reorganized into 183rd Infantry Division)
Country Soviet Union
Branch Red Army
TypeInfantry
Commanders
First commanderMajor-General Jānis Liepiņš (1940-1941)
Second commanderColonel Peter Vasiliyevich Borisov (03.06.1941 — 17.07.1941)
Third commanderColonel Aleksey Stepanovich Frolov (18.07.1941 — 29.09.1941)

The 181th Rifle Division was an infantry division of the Soviet Red Army during World War II that was active from 1940-1945.

First formation

[edit]

It was formed in August–September 1940, after the forced annexation of Latvia to the USSR, based on the Kurzeme and Vidzeme Divisions of the Latvian Army. The division wore the old uniforms of the Latvian Army with Soviet insignia and were also equipped with weaponry of the former army, which made them stand out from other units of the Red Army. It became part of the 24th Rifle Corps. It was stationed in Riga.

It was part of the 'operational army' during World War II from 22 June 1941 to 16 October 1941.

On June 22, 1941, it was stationed at summer camps in the Gulbene area in an abbreviated format. Here until July 29, the division was expanded to full wartime strength.[citation needed]

From the beginning of the war desertion of Latvians began, and from June 29, 1941, according to some sources, they began their demobilization. More precisely, Latvians were simply released from house to house, previously disarmed - all more than 2,000 people (mostly from old time required). The division was completed with personnel of the interior regions of the USSR.[citation needed] The main body (about 30% of the total force) came from the central and southern areas of the current Pskov Oblast. However, the core personnel were Latvian. The combat training level of the Latvian Riflemen was quite high - many of them received awards and honors from the commanders in the war, including for their period of stay in the 181st Division.

The division was wiped out at Staraya Russa in September 1941.

The division was formally disbanded after defeats during Operation Barbarossa on 16 October 1941.

Second formation

[edit]

It was briefly recreated at Stalingrad, wiped out at Kalach in August 1942.[1]

Third formation

[edit]

Created again at Chelyabinsk from the 10th Rifle Division NKVD in February 1943, fought at Demyansk, Korosten, and in Poland and Germany. Later the division was assigned to the 6th Army of the 1st Ukrainian Front in May 1945.

Organization in 1941

[edit]

Organization of the division in 1941:[2]

  • Headquarters
  • 186th Rifle Regiment
  • 195th Rifle Regiment
  • 243rd Rifle Regiment
  • 639th Light Artillery Regiment
  • 640th Howitzer Artillery Regiment
  • 16th Anti-Tank Battalion
  • 186th Anti-Aircraft Battalion
  • 113th Reconnaissance Battalion
  • 296th Engineer Battalion
  • 169th Signal Battalion
  • 202nd Medical Battalion
  • 29th Supply Battalion
  • 257th Chemical Defense Company

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Poirer and Connor
  2. ^ "Soviet Rifle Division, Nos. 150 - 199, 22 June 1941". www.niehorster.org. Retrieved 2019-01-21.

References

[edit]
  • Robert G. Poirier and Albert Z. Conner, The Red Army Order of Battle in the Great Patriotic War, Novato: Presidio Press, 1985. ISBN 0-89141-237-9. Poirer and Conner primarily used the wartime files of the German Foreign Armies East ('FHO') intelligence section, of which substantial sections are now held by the U.S. National Archives.
[edit]
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