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{{Short description|Russian Ground Forces formation}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 1st Tank Army (1942 – April 1944)<br />1st Guards Tank Army (1944–1999, 2014–)
| unit_name = 1st Tank Army <br><small>(1942 – April 1944)</small><hr>1st Guards Tank Army <br><small>(1944–1999), (2014–present)</small>
| native_name = {{lang|ru|1-я гвардейская танковая Краснознамённая армия}}
| image = Great emblem of the 1st Guards Tank Army.svg
| image = Great emblem of the 1st Guards Tank Army.svg
| caption = Great emblem of the 1st Guards Tank Army
| caption = Great emblem of the 1st Guards Tank Army
| dates = 1942–1998, reinstated 2014
| dates = {{flag|Soviet Union}} (1942–1991)<br />{{flag|Russia}} (1991–1999, {{nowrap|2014–present)}}
| country = {{flag|Soviet Union}} (1942–1991)<br />{{flag|Russia}} (1991–1999, 2014–)
| branch = {{army|Soviet Union}} (1942–1991)<br>{{army|Russia}}
| branch = {{army|Russia}}
| type = Armoured
| type = Armoured
| role = Breakthrough and Exploitation in Deep Operations
| role = Breakthrough and Exploitation in Deep Operations
| size = 500–800 tanks
| garrison = Bakovka, [[Odintsovo]]
| command_structure = [[Western Military District]]
| size =
| command_structure = [[Western Military District]] (Until 2024)<br>[[Moscow Military District]] {{nowrap|(2024–present)}}
<!-- Commanders -->| nickname =
<!-- Commanders -->| nickname =
| patron =
| battles = {{tree list}}
* [[World War II]]
| motto =
** [[Battle of Stalingrad]]
| colors =
** [[Battle of Kursk]]
| march =
** [[Battle of Poznań (1945)]]
| mascot =
** [[Battle of Berlin]]
| battles = [[World War II]]<br />
* [[Russo-Ukrainian War]]
* [[Battle of Stalingrad|Stalingrad]]
* [[Battle of Kursk|Kursk]]
** [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
* [[Battle of Berlin|Berlin]]
** [[Northern Ukraine campaign]]
[[Russo-Ukrainian War]]
* [[2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis|2021–2022 crisis]]
* [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
** [[Northeastern Ukraine offensive]]
*** [[Battle of Sumy]]
*** [[Battle of Sumy]]
** [[Eastern Ukraine campaign]]
*** [[Battle of Kharkiv (2022)|Battle of Kharkiv]]
*** [[Battle of Kharkiv (2022)|Battle of Kharkiv]]
*** [[Battle of Izium]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://groundreport.in/who-was-russian-colonel-nikolay-ovcharenko-killed-in-ukraine/ | title=Who was Russian Colonel Nikolay Ovcharenko Killed in Ukraine? | date=23 March 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-24 | title=Institute for the Study of War }}</ref>
| anniversaries =
*** [[2022 Ukrainian Kharkiv counteroffensive|Kharkiv counter-offensive]]
| decorations = *[[Soviet Guards|Guards]]
*[[Order of the Red Banner]]
*** [[Battle of Kupiansk]]
*** [[Battle of Bakhmut]]
| battle_honours =
*** [[Luhansk Oblast campaign]]<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/dec/08/russia-ukraine-war-live-news-us-denounces-putins-loose-talk-on-nuclear-weapons-zelenskiy-reports-fierce-fighting-in-bakhmut?filterKeyEvents=false | title=Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv 'working with UN to demilitarise Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant' – as it happened | newspaper=The Guardian | date=8 December 2022 | last1=Chao-Fong | first1=Léonie | last2=Taylor | first2=Harry | last3=Lock | first3=Samantha }}</ref>
| commander1 = Lieutenant General [[Sergei Kisel]]
*** [[2024 Kharkiv offensive]]
*** [[2024 Kursk offensive]]
{{tree list/end}}
| decorations = {{plainlist|
*{{OrderRedBanner}}
}}
| battle_honours = {{GuardsUnitRussia}}
| commander1 =
| notable_commanders = [[Kirill Moskalenko]]<br />[[Mikhail Katukov]]
| notable_commanders = [[Kirill Moskalenko]]<br />[[Mikhail Katukov]]
<!-- Culture and history -->| Past_commanders =
<!-- Culture and history -->| Past_commanders =
| ceremonial_chief = <!-- Insignia -->
| ceremonial_chief = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol = {{Mil Map Symbol
| identification_symbol =
| identification_symbol_label =
| UNIT SHORT NAME = 1 гв
| PARENT SHORT NAME = ТА
| UNIT ICON = Military Symbol - Hostile Unit (Monochrome Light 1.5x1 Frame)- Armour (NATO APP-6).svg
| UNIT SIZE ICON = NATO Map Symbol - Unit Size - Army.svg
| ICON SIZE = 100
}}
| identification_symbol_label = [[NATO Joint Military Symbology|NATO Map Symbol]]
}}
}}
{{Military unit sidebar|title=Russian Armies|previous=n/a|next=[[2nd Guards Tank Army]]}}

[[File:Ветеран 1ГвКТА.jpg|thumb|150px|<div style="text-align: center;">The lapel badge given to veterans of the 1st Guards Tank Army</div>]]
[[File:Ветеран 1ГвКТА.jpg|thumb|150px|<div style="text-align: center;">The lapel badge given to veterans of the 1st Guards Tank Army</div>]]
The '''1st Guards Tank Red Banner Army''' ({{Langx|ru|1-я гвардейская танковая Краснознамённая армия|translit=1-ya gvardeyskaya tankovaya Krasnoznamonnaya armiya}}) is a tank [[Field army|army]] of the [[Russian Ground Forces]] ([[Military Unit Number]] 73621).<ref>{{cite web |title=RUSSIAN REGULAR GROUND FORCES ORDER OF BATTLE |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/October%2012%2C%202023%20Russian%20Orbat_Final.pdf |date=October 2023}}</ref>
The '''1st Guards Tank Army''' is a tank army of the [[Russian Ground Forces]].

The army traces its heritage back to the 1st Tank Army, formed twice in July 1942 and in January 1943 and converted into the 1st Guards Tank Army in January 1944. The army fought as part of the [[Red Army]] on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] during [[World War II]]. The army was commanded throughout most of the war by [[Mikhail Katukov]].

It fought on the defensive during [[Case Blue]], ultimately being partially destroyed and disbanded. After its reformation in 1943, it participated in the [[Battle of Kursk]], the [[Kamenets-Podolsky pocket|Proskurov-Chernovtsy Operation]], the [[Lvov–Sandomierz Offensive|Lvov-Sandomierz Operation]], the [[Vistula–Oder Offensive|Vistula-Oder Offensive]] and the [[Battle of Berlin]]. After the war, the army was stationed in East Germany as part of the [[Group of Soviet Forces in Germany]].

After the end of the [[Cold War]] and the resultant withdrawal of Soviet units in Germany, the army was relocated to [[Smolensk]], and disbanded in 1999. The army was reformed in 2014 as part of Russia's military expansion. This reformed army fought in the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], where it was claimed to have suffered heavy casualties following its eventual retreats from the [[Northern Ukraine campaign|north]] and later [[2022 Ukrainian Kharkiv counteroffensive|Kharkiv]].


== First formation ==
The army traces its heritage back to the 1st Tank Army, formed twice in July 1942 and in January 1943 and converted into the 1st Guards Tank Army in January 1944. The army fought as part of the [[Red Army]] on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] during [[World War II]]. The army was commanded throughout most of the war by [[Mikhail Katukov]].
The 1st Tank Army was first formed within the [[Stalingrad Front]] from the [[38th Army (Soviet Union)|38th Army]] in July 1942, under the command of Major General [[Kirill Moskalenko]]. The army was encircled and partially destroyed. It was disbanded as a result in August 1942, its headquarters becoming the [[Southeastern Front]] headquarters.<ref name="ColossusRebornComp">{{cite book |last1=Glantz |first1=David M. |title=Companion to Colossus Reborn: Key Document and Statistics |date=2005 |publisher=University press of Kansas |location=Lawrence |isbn=0-7006-1359-5 |page=65}}</ref>


== Second formation ==
It fought in the early defense during the [[Battle of Stalingrad]], and [[Operation Uranus]], and participated in the [[Battle of Kursk]], [[Kamenets-Podolsky pocket|Proskurov-Chernovtsy Operation]], [[Lvov–Sandomierz Offensive|Lvov-Sandomierz Operation]], [[Vistula–Oder Offensive|Vistula-Oder Offensive]] and the [[Battle of Berlin]]. After the war, the army was stationed in East Germany as part of the [[Group of Soviet Forces in Germany]].
[[File:Герой Советского Союза капитан Ф.А. Липаткин водружает красное знамя над освобожденным районом Берлина.jpg|thumb|Hero of the Soviet Union Captain Fyodor Akimovich Lipatkin, a company commander of the army's 11th Separate Guards Heavy Tank Regiment, raises the Red flag on the balcony of a house in Berlin, 26 April 1945]]
The 1st Tank Army was formed a second time on 30 January 1943 (order No.46021) from the headquarters of the [[29th Army (Soviet Union)|29th Army]], under the command of famous armoured troops commander Lieutenant General of Tank Troops [[Mikhail Katukov]], personally appointed by Stalin. The army was transferred to the [[North-Western Front]]. The [[3rd Mechanised Corps (Soviet Union)|3rd Mechanised Corps]] (later to become 8th Guards Mechanised Corps) and [[6th Tank Corps]] (later to become 11th Guards Tank Corps) joined it on formation, and served with the army throughout the war.<ref>Bonn, 2005, p.351, 354</ref> It was quickly transferred to the [[Voronezh Front]] for the defense of the [[Kursk]] salient's southern shoulder, adding the newly formed 31st Tank Corps to its subordinate commands.


Its order of battle prior to [[Operation Citadel]] was as follows:
After the end of the [[Cold War]] and the resultant withdrawal of Soviet units in Germany, the army was relocated to [[Smolensk]], and disbanded in 1999. The army was reformed in 2014 as part of a Russian military expansion.


'''1st Tank Army'''<ref>{{cite book |last1=Glantz |first1=David M. |title=Companion to Colossus Reborn: Key Document and Statistics |date=2005 |publisher=University press of Kansas |location=Lawrence |isbn=0-7006-1359-5 |page=247}}</ref>
== First Formation ==
* '''[[3rd Mechanized Corps (Soviet Union)|3rd Mechanized Corps]]''' (Major General of Tank Forces [[Semyon Krivoshein]])<ref>{{cite book |last1=Glantz |first1=David M. |title=Companion to Colossus Reborn: Key Document and Statistics |date=2005 |publisher=University press of Kansas |location=Lawrence |isbn=0-7006-1359-5 |page=93}}</ref>
The 1st Tank Army was first formed within the [[Stalingrad Front]] from the [[38th Army (Soviet Union)|38th Army]] in July 1942, under the command of Major General [[Kirill Moskalenko]]. The army was encircled and partially destroyed. It was disbanded as a result in August 1942, its headquarters becoming the [[Southeastern Front]] headquarters.
** 1st Mechanized Brigade
** 3rd Mechanized Brigade
** 10th Mechanized Brigade
** 49th Tank Brigade
** 58th Motorcycle Battalion,
** 35th Tank Destroyer Regiment
** 265th Mortar Regiment
** 405th Guards Mortar Battalion*
* '''[[11th Guards Berlin-Carpathian Mechanized Brigade|6th Tank Corps]]''' (Major General of Tank Forces [[Andrei Getman]])<ref>{{cite book |last1=Glantz |first1=David M. |title=Companion to Colossus Reborn: Key Document and Statistics |date=2005 |publisher=University press of Kansas |location=Lawrence |isbn=0-7006-1359-5 |page=85}}</ref>
** 22nd Tank Brigade
** 112nd Tank Brigade
** 200th Tank Brigade
** 6th Motor Rifle Brigade
** 85th Motorcycle Battalion
** 1461st Self-Propelled Gun Regiment
** 538th Tank Destroyer Regiment
** 270th Mortar Regiment
*'''31st Tank Corps''' (Major General of Tank Forces D. Kh. Chernienko)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Glantz |first1=David M. |title=Companion to Colossus Reborn: Key Document and Statistics |date=2005 |publisher=University press of Kansas |location=Lawrence |isbn=0-7006-1359-5 |page=90}}</ref>
** 100th Tank Brigade
** 237th Tank Brigade
** 242nd Tank Brigade
* '''71st Engineer Battalion'''
* '''267th Engineer Battalion'''
* '''316th Guards Mortar Regiment*'''
* '''8th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division'''
** 797th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment
** 848th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment
** 978th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment
** 1063rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment


<small>* Guards Mortar Regiment (or Battalion) ({{Langx|ru|гвардейский минометный полк (дивизион)}}) was the overt designation used for [[Katyusha rocket launcher]] units.</small>
== Second Formation ==
The 1st Tank Army was formed a second time on 30 January 1943 (order No.46021) from the headquarters of the [[29th Army (Soviet Union)|29th Army]], under the command of famous armoured troops commander Lieutenant General of Tank Troops [[Mikhail Katukov]], personally appointed by Stalin. The army was transferred to the [[North-Western Front]]. The [[3rd Mechanised Corps (Soviet Union)|3rd Mechanised Corps]] (later to become 8th Guards Mechanised Corps) and [[6th Tank Corps]] (later to become 11th Guards Tank Corps) joined it on formation, and served with the army throughout the war.<ref>Bonn, 2005, p.351, 354</ref>


== First Guards Tank Army ==
It was quickly transferred to [[Voronezh Front]] for the defense of the [[Kursk]] salient's southern shoulder. It was awarded a [[Russian Guards|Guards]] title and became the '''1st Guards Tank Army''' in April 1944, and Katukov was promoted to Colonel General.
[[File:Танк ИС-2 гвардии капитана Ф.А. Липаткина поддерживает пехоту в бою на берлинской улице.jpg|thumb|Lipatkin's IS-2 tank supporting infantry in Berlin, 27 April]]
After Kursk, 1st Tank Army participated in the [[Kamenets-Podolsky pocket|Proskurov-Chernovtsy Operation]], the [[Lvov-Sandomierz Operation]], the [[Vistula-Oder Offensive]], and the [[Battle of Berlin]]. It was awarded a [[Guards unit (Soviet Union)|Guards]] title and became the '''1st Guards Tank Army''' in April 1944, and Katukov was promoted to Colonel General.<ref name="ColossusRebornComp" />


On 1 January 1945, the Army's principal combat formations were:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tankfront.ru/ussr/ta/gvta1.html |title=1-я гвардейская Краснознаменная танковая армия |access-date=2018-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025162453/http://tankfront.ru/ussr/ta/gvta1.html |archive-date=2009-10-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On 1 January 1945, the Army's principal combat formations were:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tankfront.ru/ussr/ta/gvta1.html |title=1-я гвардейская Краснознаменная танковая армия |access-date=2018-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025162453/http://tankfront.ru/ussr/ta/gvta1.html |archive-date=2009-10-25 |url-status=live}}</ref>


* '''[[8th Guards Mechanized Corps]]''' (Major General [[Ivan Dremov]]) (3 January 1944 – 9 May 1945)
* '''[[8th Guards Mechanized Corps]]''' (Major General [[Ivan Dremov]]) (3 January 1944 – 9 May 1945)
Line 98: Line 141:
** 12th Guards Motorcycle Regiment
** 12th Guards Motorcycle Regiment


<small>* Guards Mortar Regiment (or Battalion) ({{Lang-ru|гвардейский минометный полк (дивизион)}}) was the overt designation used for [[Katyusha rocket launcher]] units.</small>
<small>* Guards Mortar Regiment (or Battalion) ({{Langx|ru|гвардейский минометный полк (дивизион)}}) was the overt designation used for [[Katyusha rocket launcher]] units.</small>


== Cold War ==
It participated in the [[Battle of Kursk]], the [[Kamenets-Podolsky pocket|Proskurov-Chernovtsy Operation]], [[Lvov-Sandomierz Operation]], the [[Vistula-Oder Offensive]], and the [[Battle of Berlin]].
The 1st Guards Tank Army was awarded the [[Order of the Red Banner]] postwar. It became part of the Soviet occupation force in Germany, known as [[Group of Soviet Forces in Germany]], with its headquarters in [[Dresden]]. In 1968, it, along with the 11th Guards Tank and [[3rd Mechanised Corps (Soviet Union)|20th Guards Motor Rifle Divisions]], took part in the [[Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia]], after which the units returned to their garrisons.<ref>{{Cite report|title=Central Group of Forces [Czechoslovakia] (II Formation)|last=Crofoot|first=Craig R.<!--from PDF source-->|version=3.0.0|date=17 February 2007|publisher=Micro Armor Mayhem|url=http://microarmormayhem.com/Central_Group_of_Forces.pdf}}</ref>


In the late 1980s the Army included the 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division, [[9th Tank Corps (Soviet Union)|9th Tank Division]], and [[11th Guards Tank Division]]. The headquarters was withdrawn to Smolensk, in the [[Moscow Military District]] in the early 1990s, and lost the 'Tank' from its title in 1995. In its last period within the Russian Army it comprised the [[4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division|4th Guards 'Kantemir' Tank Division]] and the [[144th Guards Motor Rifle Division|144th Motor Rifle Division]] (which had been withdrawn from [[Tallinn]] in [[Estonia]]).
The 1st Guards Tank Army was awarded the [[Order of the Red Banner]] postwar. It became part of the Soviet occupation force in Germany, known as [[Group of Soviet Forces in Germany]], with its headquarters in [[Dresden]]. In 1968, it, along with the 11th Guards Tank and [[3rd Mechanised Corps (Soviet Union)|20th Guards Motor Rifle Divisions]], took part in the [[Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia]], and then immediately returned to their respective garrisons.<ref>Craig Crofoot, manuscript available at Microarmormayhem.com, 2007</ref>


In July 1992 the 336th Independent Helicopter Regiment returned from Germany to [[Oreshkovo airfield]] and was placed under the Moscow Military District. The regiment then came under 1st Guards Tank Army from 31 December 1992.<ref>{{cite web | title=336th independent Helicopter Regiment | website=The Luftwaffe, 1933-45 | url=https://www.ww2.dk/new/air%20force/regiment/ovp/336ovp.htm | access-date=11 February 2024}}</ref>
In the late 1980s the Army included the 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division, [[9th Tank Corps (Soviet Union)|9th Tank Division]], and [[11th Guards Tank Division]]. The headquarters was withdrawn to Smolensk, in the [[Moscow Military District]] in the early 1990s, and lost the 'Tank' from its title in 1995. In its last period within the Russian Army it comprised the [[4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division|4th Guards 'Kantemir' Tank Division]] and the [[144th Guards Motor Rifle Division|144th Motor Rifle Division]] (which had been withdrawn from [[Tallinn]] in [[Estonia]]). It was disbanded in 1998.


1st Guards Tank Army was disbanded in 1998.
=== 1988 Structure ===

=== 1988 structure ===
The army's composition in 1988 was (with main equipment), with honorific titles in italics:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ww2.dk/new/army/armies/1gvta.htm|title=1st Guards Tank Army|website=www.ww2.dk|access-date=2020-03-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www8.brinkster.com/vad777/sssr-89-91/districts/zgv.htm|title=Western Military District History|date=2011-09-28|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928131544/http://www8.brinkster.com/vad777/sssr-89-91/districts/zgv.htm|archive-date=2011-09-28|access-date=2020-03-30}}</ref>
The army's composition in 1988 was (with main equipment), with honorific titles in italics:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ww2.dk/new/army/armies/1gvta.htm|title=1st Guards Tank Army|website=www.ww2.dk|access-date=2020-03-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www8.brinkster.com/vad777/sssr-89-91/districts/zgv.htm|title=Western Military District History|date=2011-09-28|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928131544/http://www8.brinkster.com/vad777/sssr-89-91/districts/zgv.htm|archive-date=2011-09-28|access-date=2020-03-30}}</ref>


Line 118: Line 164:
* 6th Separate Airborne Battalion, [[Dresden]]
* 6th Separate Airborne Battalion, [[Dresden]]
* 308th Artillery Brigade, [[Zeithain]] ([[2S5 Giatsint-S|2c5 Hyacinth]])
* 308th Artillery Brigade, [[Zeithain]] ([[2S5 Giatsint-S|2c5 Hyacinth]])
* 181st Guards ''Novozybkovskaya Red Banner Orders of Suvorov and Alexander Nevsky'' Missile Brigade, Kochtedt
* 181st Guards ''Novozybkovskaya Red Banner Orders of Suvorov and Alexander Nevsky'' Missile Brigade, Kochstedt
* 432nd Missile Brigade, [[Wurzen]]
* 432nd Missile Brigade, [[Wurzen]]
* 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, [[Altenburg]]
* [[53rd Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade]], [[Altenburg]]
* 443rd Separate Engineer and Combat Engineering Battalion, [[Dresden]]
* 443rd Separate Engineer and Combat Engineering Battalion, [[Dresden]]
* 68th Pontoon Bridge Regiment, [[Dresden]]
* 68th Pontoon Bridge Regiment, [[Dresden]]
Line 135: Line 181:
== Reactivation ==
== Reactivation ==


After a 15-year break, the Army was reconstituted in November 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vz.ru/society/2015/6/1/748541.print.html|title= ВЗГЛЯД / Россия закрывает "черную дыру" на границе с Украиной|work=vz.ru}}</ref> seemingly on 13 November 2014.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
After a 15-year hiatus, the Army was reconstituted in November 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vz.ru/society/2015/6/1/748541.print.html |title= ВЗГЛЯД / Россия закрывает "черную дыру" на границе с Украиной|work=vz.ru}}</ref> probably on 13 November 2014.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}


The army was formed as the main ground forces manoeuvre and reserve operational formation of the [[Western Military District]], in addition to the 6th Combined Arms Army (headquartered in [[Saint Petersburg]]) and the 20th Guards Combined Arms Army (headquartered in [[Voronezh]]). It is considered the elite of the [[Russian Ground Forces]]. The army carries on the traditions of the chronologically first army of the Soviet Union to reach ''<nowiki/>'Guards''' status.
The army was formed as the main ground forces manoeuvre and reserve operational formation of the [[Western Military District]], in addition to the [[6th Combined Arms Army]] (headquartered in [[Saint Petersburg]]) and the [[20th Guards Combined Arms Army]] (headquartered in [[Voronezh]]). It is considered an elite formation of the [[Russian Ground Forces]]. The army carries on the traditions of the chronologically first army of the Soviet Union to reach ''<nowiki/>'Guards''' status.


It has the 2nd Motor Rifle and the 4th Tank guards divisions, which are considered the elite formations of their respective combat arms. The most decorated divisions of the Soviet Army, they were garrisoned the closest to [[Moscow]]. Due to their proximity to the capital, extra scrutiny was applied to personnel of these formations, making these posting especially prestigious.
It commands the [[2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division|2nd Guards Motor Rifle]] and the [[47th Tank Division (Russia)|4th Tank]] Divisions, which are considered the elite formations of their respective combat arms. The most decorated divisions of the Soviet Army, they were garrisoned the closest to [[Moscow]] for the city's defense.<ref name=cna>{{cite web |title=Russian Forces in the Western Military District |url=https://www.cna.org/archive/CNA_Files/pdf/russian-forces-in-the-western-military-district.pdf |pages=6, 10 |publisher=[[CNA (nonprofit)|Center for Naval Analyses (CNA)]] |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221015235329/https://www.cna.org/archive/CNA_Files/pdf/russian-forces-in-the-western-military-district.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2022 |date=June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Due to their proximity to the capital, extra scrutiny was applied to personnel of these formations, making these postings especially prestigious. These units received the latest hardware and were thus known as the 'household' divisions of the Soviet Army. Their loyalty to the government was demonstrated by their involvement in the [[1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt]]. The divisions retained their elite status within the Russian Army. The army also included the [[27th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade]]. While the 4th Guards Tank Division uses T-80 tanks, the rest of the Army uses [[T-72]]B and [[T-90]] tanks, and [[Kurganets-25]] fighting vehicles.<ref name=cna/>


{{As of|2017}} the Army was composed of:<ref name="russiadefence">{{cite web|author=Benya|title=Russian Army: Military districts, units (Locations, equipment and re-armaments)|url=http://www.russiadefence.net/t5271-russian-army-military-districts-units-locations-equipment-and-re-armaments |website=Russia Defence Forum|date=12 February 2017|orig-date=First posted 17 July 2016}}</ref>
These units received the latest hardware and were thus known as the 'household' divisions of the Soviet Army. Their loyalty to the government was demonstrated by their involvement in the [[1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt]]. The divisions retained their elite status within the Russian Army.

Today the Army is composed of:<ref name="russiadefence">{{cite web|last1=Defence|first1=Russia|title=Russian Army: Military districts, units (Locations, equipment and re-armaments)|url=http://www.russiadefence.net/t5271-russian-army-military-districts-units-locations-equipment-and-re-armaments|website=Russia Defence Forum|access-date=20 May 2017}}</ref>


* Army Headquarters ([[Odintsovo]], [[Moscow Oblast]])
* Army Headquarters ([[Odintsovo]], [[Moscow Oblast]])
* 60th Command Brigade (Selyatino village near [[Odintsovo]], [[Moscow Oblast]])
* 60th Command Brigade (Selyatino village near [[Odintsovo]], [[Moscow Oblast]])
* [[2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division|2nd Guards Motor Rifle '''''<nowiki/>'Tamanskaya'''''' Division]] ([[Kalininets]], [[Moscow Oblast]])
* [[2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division|2nd Guards Motor Rifle '''''<nowiki/>'Tamanskaya'''''' Division]] ([[Kalininets]], [[Moscow Oblast]]) (MUN 23626)<ref>{{Cite web |title=2-я гвардейская Таманская мотострелковая дивизия (в/ч 23626) |url=https://armius.ru/suhoputnie-voyska/motostrelkovie/vch23626 |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=Войсковые Части России |language=ru}}</ref>
* [[4th Guards Tank Division|4th Guards Tank '''''<nowiki/>'Kantemirovskaya'''''' Division]] ([[Naro-Fominsk]], [[Moscow Oblast]])
* [[4th Guards Tank Division|4th Guards Tank '''''<nowiki/>'Kantemirovskaya'''''' Division]] ([[Naro-Fominsk]], [[Moscow Oblast]]) ([[T-80]])<ref name=cna/> (MUN 19612)<ref>{{Cite web |title=4-я гвардейская Кантемировская танковая дивизия (в/ч 19612) |url=https://armius.ru/suhoputnie-voyska/tankovie/vch19612 |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=Войсковые Части России |language=ru}}</ref>
* [[47th Tank Division (Russia)|47th Tank '''''<nowiki/>'Chenstokhovskaya'''''' Division]] ([[Mulino (settlement), Nizhny Novgorod Oblast|Mulino, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast]], established 2022)
* [[47th Guards Tank Division]] (reestablished 2022)
* [[6th Tank Brigade (Russia)|6th Tank '''''<nowiki/>'Częstochowa'''''' Brigade]] ([[Mulino (settlement), Nizhny Novgorod Oblast|Mulino, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast]]) (disbanded in 2022 and integrated into the 47th Guards Tank Division)
* [[27th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade|27th Guards Motor Rifle '''''<nowiki/>'Sevastopol'''''' Brigade]] ([[Novomoskovsky Administrative Okrug|Mosrentgen, Moscow City]])
* [[27th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade|27th Guards Motor Rifle '''''<nowiki/>'Sevastopol'''''' Brigade]] ([[Novomoskovsky Administrative Okrug|Mosrentgen, Moscow City]])
* [[112th Guards Rocket Brigade|112th Guards Missile '''''<nowiki/>'Novorossiysk'''''' Brigade]] ([[Shuya, Ivanovo Oblast]]) ([[9K720 Iskander]])
* [[112th Guards Rocket Brigade|112th Guards Missile '''''<nowiki/>'Novorossiysk'''''' Brigade]] ([[Shuya, Ivanovo Oblast]]) ([[9K720 Iskander]])
Line 156: Line 199:
* [[49th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade]] ([[Smolensky District, Smolensk Oblast|Krasnyi Bor, Smolensk Oblast]]) ([[Buk-M2]])
* [[49th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade]] ([[Smolensky District, Smolensk Oblast|Krasnyi Bor, Smolensk Oblast]]) ([[Buk-M2]])
* 96th [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|ISTAR]] Brigade ([[Sormovsky City District|Sormovo, Nizhny Novgorod City]])
* 96th [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|ISTAR]] Brigade ([[Sormovsky City District|Sormovo, Nizhny Novgorod City]])
* 20th [[Weapon of mass destruction|NBC Defence]] Regiment ([[Volodarsky District, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast|Tsentralny, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast]])
* 20th [[Weapon of mass destruction|NBC Defence]] Regiment ([[Volodarsky District, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast|Tsentralny, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast]]) (MUN 12102)
* 69th Logistics Brigade ([[Dzerzhinsk, Russia|Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast]])
* 69th Logistics Brigade ([[Dzerzhinsk, Russia|Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast]])


== Structure ==
== Russo-Ukrainian War, 2021–2022 ==
=== Units identified in 2023 in 1GTA ===
* [[2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division]] (в/ч 23626)<ref name="und10">{{cite web |title=RUSSIAN REGULAR GROUND FORCES ORDER OF BATTLE |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/October%2012%2C%202023%20Russian%20Orbat_Final.pdf |date=October 2023}}</ref>
** [[1st Guards Motor Rifle Regiment]] (в/ч 31135)
** [[15th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment]] (в/ч 31134)
** [[1st Guards Tank Regiment]] (в/ч 58198)
** 136th Reconnaissance Battalion (в/ч 51387)
** 147th Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment (в/ч 73966)
** 1174th Anti-Tank Battalion (в/ч 51381)
** 1117th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment (в/ч 51382)
* [[4th Guards Tank Division]] (в/ч 19612)<ref name="und10"/>
** 12th Guards Tank Regiment (в/ч 31985)
** [[13th Guards Tank Regiment]] (в/ч 32010)
** [[423rd Guards Yampolsky Motor Rifle Regiment|
423rd Motor Rifle Regiment]] (в/ч 91701)
** 137th Reconnaissance Battalion (в/ч 54919)
** 275th Self Propelled Artillery Regiment (в/ч 73941)
** [[49th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade]] (в/ч 21555)
** 538th Guards Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment (в/ч 51383)
* [[47th Tank Division (Russia)|47th Tank Division]] (в/ч 54096)<ref name="und10"/>
** [[26th Tank Regiment]]
** 153rd Tank Regiment<ref>{{cite web |title=Conflict Intelligence Team Sitrep for Oct. 13-16, 2023 (as of 8:30 a.m.)|url=https://notes.citeam.org/dispatch-oct-13-16-2023 |date=17 October 2023}}</ref>
** 245th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment<ref>{{cite web |last1=Крецул |first1=Роман |title=Минобороны вновь сформирует 245-й гвардейский мотострелковый полк |url=https://iz.ru/1504175/2023-04-26/minoborony-vnov-sformiruet-245-i-gvardeiskii-motostrelkovyi-polk |website=Известия |accessdate=10 December 2023 |language=ru |date=26 April 2023}}</ref>
** [[272nd Motor Rifle Regiment]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Замполит спрятался от войны в Беларуси и готовит чмобиков к верной смерти в Украине|url=https://www.oprichniki.org/listing/zampolyt-spriatalsia-ot-voyn-v-belarusy-y-hotovyt-chmobykov-k-vernoy-smerty-v-ukrayne/|website=Опричники|date=14 June 2023 |accessdate=2023-07-23|language=ru}}</ref>
** 7th Reconnaissance Battalion
* [[27th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade|27th Motorized Rifle Brigade]] (в/ч 61899)<ref name="und10"/>
* [[96th Reconnaissance Brigade (Russia)|96th Reconnaissance Brigade]] (в/ч 52634)<ref name="und10"/>
* 112th Missile Brigade (в/ч 03333)<ref name="und10"/>
* 288th Artillery Brigade (в/ч 30683)<ref name="und10"/>


== Russo-Ukrainian War ==
In the context of the [[2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis]], elements of the 1st Guards Tank Army were reported to have forward deployed to the Pogonovo training ground south of [[Voronezh]]. Main Battle Tanks, self-propelled and towed artillery and long-range multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) reportedly drawn from the 4th Guards Tank Division and the 2nd Motorised Rifle Division, were reported to have been positioned in the vicinity of Voronezh.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russia builds up forces on Ukrainian border |url=https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000017d-a0bd-dca7-a1fd-b1bd6cb10000 |date=9 December 2021|website=Politico |access-date=4 January 2022}}</ref>


During the [[2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis]], elements of the 1st Guards Tank Army were reported to have forward deployed to the Pogonovo training ground south of [[Voronezh]]. [[Main battle tank]]s, self-propelled and towed artillery, and long-range multiple rocket launchers (MRLs), reportedly drawn from the 4th Guards Tank Division and the 2nd Motorised Rifle Division, were reported to have been positioned in the vicinity of Voronezh.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russia builds up forces on Ukrainian border |url=https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000017d-a0bd-dca7-a1fd-b1bd6cb10000 |date=9 December 2021|website=Politico |access-date=4 January 2022}}</ref> A few months before the invasion, the [[47th Guards Tank Division]] was formed from the 6th Separate Guards Tank Brigade.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Baklanova |first=Tatyana |date=10 December 2021 |title=Военные тоже учатся |language=ru |work=Znamya |url=https://moyaokruga.ru/gazetaznamia/Articles.aspx?articleId=503475 |access-date=17 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=bmpd |url=https://t.me/bmpd_cast/10512 |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Telegram}}</ref>
After the invasion began in February 2022, the Army took part in the [[Northeastern Ukraine offensive]] of the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], with the 2nd Guards MRD taking part in the failed [[Siege of Chernihiv]].

Members of the 1st Guards Tank Army's [[2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division]] were sentenced ''[[trial in absentia|in absentia]]'' to imprisonment by Ukrainian courts for alleged war crimes including the shelling of the city hospital of [[Trostianets]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/241469-zaocno-povidomili-pro-pidozru-prokuratura-pidozrue-rosijskih-vijskovih-v-obstrili-likarni-trostanca/|access-date=10 June 2024|website=[[Suspilne]]|lang=uk|date=20 May 2022|first=Юлія|last=Марковська|title=Заочно повідомили про підозру. Прокуратура підозрює російських військових в обстрілі лікарні Тростянця}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=[[Suspilne]]|lang=uk|title=11 років позбавлення волі — у Тростянці винесли вирок двом військовим РФ, які обстріляли з танка місцеву лікарню|first1=Діана|last1=Крахматова|first2=Андрій|last2=Крамченков|first3=Юлія|last3=Марковська|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/470105-11-rokiv-pozbavlenna-voli-u-trostanci-vinesli-virok-dvom-vijskovim-rf-aki-obstrilali-z-tanka-miscevu-likarnu/|access-date=10 June 2024|date=9 May 2023}}</ref> and ordering the killing of a civilian in [[Boromlia]], both in [[Sumy Oblast]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/760991-pid-cas-okupacii-nakazav-vbiti-civilnogo-na-sumsini-do-10-rokiv-pozbavlenna-voli-zaocno-zasudili-vijskovogo-rf/|title=Під час окупації наказав вбити цивільного: на Сумщині до 10 років позбавлення волі заочно засудили військового РФ|first=Вікторія|last=Грамм|access-date=10 June 2024|date=4 June 2024|lang=uk|website=[[Suspilne]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sumy.gp.gov.ua/ua/news.html?_m=publications&_t=rec&id=362111|access-date=10 June 2024|date=4 June 2024|lang=uk|website=Сумська обласна прокуратура|title=Під час окупації Сумщини наказав стріляти в цивільного, який відмовився закопати в ямі тіло знайомої – до 10 років позбавлення волі заочно війскового РФ}}</ref> Units of the army's [[4th Guards Tank Division]], including the 12th and [[13th Guards Tank Regiment]]s, were also reported to have been among the Russian forces which occupied Trostianets.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.unian.ua/war/na-sumshchini-ukrajinec-ponad-rik-zberigav-na-podvir-ji-trofeyniy-tank-rf-foto-12345555.html |title=На Сумщині українець понад рік зберігав на подвір'ї трофейний танк РФ (фото) |date=2023-07-30 |publisher=УНІАН |lang=uk}}</ref><ref name=SuspilneTrostianets>{{cite web|lang=uk|access-date=2024-05-01|date=2022-03-29|website=[[Suspilne]]|title=П'ятий тиждень повномасштабної війни Росії проти України: що відбувається на Сумщині. Онлайн|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/220952-patij-tizden-povnomasstabnoi-vijni-rosii-proti-ukraini-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-onlajn/}}</ref> By the beginning of April 2022, elements of the 1st Guards Tank Army had been redeployed from Sumy Oblast to [[Izium]] in the [[Kharkiv Oblast]].<ref>[https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-1 RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, APRIL 1]</ref>

Ukraine reported in May 2022 that the Ukrainian [[Main Directorate of Intelligence (Ukraine)|Main Intelligence Directorate]] had obtained documents showing that after 3 weeks of fighting the 1st Guards Tank Army had sustained 409 [[Casualty (person)|casualties]] (61 KIA, 209 WIA, 44 missing, 96 surrendered), and 308 units of military equipment had been seized.<ref>{{cite news |title=Intelligence confirms large-scale losses of Russia's 1st Tank Army in Ukraine |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3484486-intelligence-confirms-largescale-losses-of-russias-1st-tank-army-in-ukraine.html |website=Ukrinform |date=16 May 2022}}</ref>

The United Kingdom [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] reported on 19 May 2022 that army commander General-Lieutenant [[Sergey Kisel]] had been suspended for his failure to capture [[Kharkiv]].{{sfn|Nicholson|2022}} Kisel was transferred to serve as chief of staff of the Russian troops in Syria.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-27 |title=Генерала Сергея Киселя допросили по делу о незаконной свалке в Сормово |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/5955014 |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Коммерсантъ |language=ru}}</ref> On 13 September 2022, UK [[Defence Intelligence]] identified 1st Guards Tank Army as the primary force that retreated from [[Kharkiv Oblast]] during the [[2022 Ukrainian Kharkiv counteroffensive|Ukrainian Kharkiv counteroffensive]]. Having suffered "heavy casualties", the Ministry claimed that the army as "severely degraded" and its ability to counter NATO "severely weakened."<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1569550906202415108|user=DefenceHQ|title=(4/4) With 1 GTA and other WEMD formations severely degraded, Russia's conventional force designed to counter NATO is severely weakened. It will likely take years for Russia to rebuild this capability.|author=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|U.K. Ministry of Defence]]|date=September 13, 2022|access-date=September 13, 2022}}</ref> By December, the UK MoD reported that the Army had been replenished with recruits, and was active on the [[Luhansk Oblast campaign|Luhansk Oblast front]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv 'working with UN to demilitarise Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant' – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/dec/08/russia-ukraine-war-live-news-us-denounces-putins-loose-talk-on-nuclear-weapons-zelenskiy-reports-fierce-fighting-in-bakhmut?filterKeyEvents=false |website=[[the Guardian]] |language=en |date=8 December 2022}}</ref>


== Commanders of the Army ==
== Commanders of the Army ==
Line 184: Line 261:
# Tchernitsov, Anatoli Kupyanovich – Guard LtGen, 1986–1990
# Tchernitsov, Anatoli Kupyanovich – Guard LtGen, 1986–1990
# Kolchkin, Gennadi Andreevich – Guard LtGen, 1990–1992
# Kolchkin, Gennadi Andreevich – Guard LtGen, 1990–1992
# Shevtsov, Leonti Pavlovich – Guard LtGen, 1992–1993
# [[Leonty Shevtsov|Shevtsov, Leonti Pavlovich]] – Guard LtGen, 1992–1993
# Sosyedov, Vasili Petrovich – Guard LtGen, 1993–1995
# Sosyedov, Vasili Petrovich – Guard LtGen, 1993–1995
# Roshchin, Viktor Mikhailovich – Guard LtGen, 1995–1999
# Roshchin, Viktor Mikhailovich – Guard LtGen, 1995–1999
# Did not exist (1999–2014)
# Did not exist (1999–2014)
# [[Aleksandr Chaiko]] – Guard LtGen, 2014–2018
# [[Aleksandr Chaiko]] – Guard LtGen, 2014–2017
# Kisel, Sergei Aleksandrovich - Guard LtGen, 2018–present
# [[Alexei Avdeyev]] – Guard LtGen, 2017–2018
# [[Sergey Kisel]] - Guard LtGen, 2018–2022<ref>{{cite web | last=Myroniuk | first=Anna | title=First Russian soldier standing trial for war crime in Ukraine asks for forgiveness, faces life imprisonment | website=The Kyiv Independent | date=19 May 2022 | url=https://kyivindependent.com/national/first-russian-soldier-standing-trial-for-war-crime-in-ukraine-asks-for-forgiveness-faces-life-imprisonment}}</ref>
# [[Nikolai Tereshchenko]] – Guard LtGen, 2022–2024
# [[Vitaly Podlesny]] – Guard LtGen, 2024–present
{{colend}}
{{colend}}


Line 196: Line 276:
* Bonn, K.E. 'Slaughterhouse – The Handbook of the Eastern Front', Aberjona Press, 2005
* Bonn, K.E. 'Slaughterhouse – The Handbook of the Eastern Front', Aberjona Press, 2005
* Duncan, Andrew 'Russian Forces in Decline – Part 3', Jane's Intelligence Review, November 1996.
* Duncan, Andrew 'Russian Forces in Decline – Part 3', Jane's Intelligence Review, November 1996.
* '''V.I. Feskov, Golikov V.I., K.A. Kalashnikov, and S.A. Slugin''', ''The Armed Forces of the USSR after World War II, from the Red Army to the Soviet (Part 1: Land Forces).'' (В.И. Слугин С.А. Вооруженные силы СССР после Второй Мировой войны: от Красной Армии к Советской (часть 1: Сухопутные войска)) Tomsk, 2013.
* '''V.I. Feskov, Golikov V.I., K.A. Kalashnikov, and S.A. Slugin''', ''The Armed Forces of the USSR after World War II, from the Red Army to the Soviet (Part 1: Land Forces).'' (В.И. Слугин С.А. Вооруженные силы СССР после Второй Мировой войны: от Красной Армии к Советской (часть 1: Сухопутные войска)) [[Tomsk]], 2013.
* Glantz, David M. 'Companion to Colossus Reborn' University Press of Kansas, 2005.
* [[David Glantz|Glantz, David M.]] 'Companion to Colossus Reborn' University Press of Kansas, 2005.
* {{cite web|last=Nicholson |first=Kate |title=Russia Is Firing Its Senior Commanders. What Does That Mean For The Ukraine War? |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/russia-vladimir-putin-firing-senior-army-commanders_uk_6285faffe4b07828fd8b8d28 |publisher=Huffington Post |date=2022-05-19}}

{{Armies of the Soviet Army}}
{{Armies of the Soviet Army}}
{{Armies of the Russian Armed Forces}}
{{Armies of the Russian Armed Forces}}
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[[Category:Tank armies of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Tank armies of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1942]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1942]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1998]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 2014]]
[[Category:Military units and formations awarded the Order of the Red Banner]]
[[Category:Military units and formations awarded the Order of the Red Banner]]
[[Category:Guards Armies]]
[[Category:Guards Armies]]
[[Category:Armies of the Russian Federation]]

Latest revision as of 23:16, 8 December 2024

1st Tank Army
(1942 – April 1944)
1st Guards Tank Army
(1944–1999), (2014–present)
1-я гвардейская танковая Краснознамённая армия
Great emblem of the 1st Guards Tank Army
Active Soviet Union (1942–1991)
 Russia (1991–1999, 2014–present)
Branch Soviet Army (1942–1991)
 Russian Ground Forces
TypeArmoured
RoleBreakthrough and Exploitation in Deep Operations
Part ofWestern Military District (Until 2024)
Moscow Military District (2024–present)
Garrison/HQBakovka, Odintsovo
Engagements
Decorations
Battle honoursGuards unit Guards
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Kirill Moskalenko
Mikhail Katukov
Russian Armies
Previous Next
n/a 2nd Guards Tank Army
The lapel badge given to veterans of the 1st Guards Tank Army

The 1st Guards Tank Red Banner Army (Russian: 1-я гвардейская танковая Краснознамённая армия, romanized: 1-ya gvardeyskaya tankovaya Krasnoznamonnaya armiya) is a tank army of the Russian Ground Forces (Military Unit Number 73621).[4]

The army traces its heritage back to the 1st Tank Army, formed twice in July 1942 and in January 1943 and converted into the 1st Guards Tank Army in January 1944. The army fought as part of the Red Army on the Eastern Front during World War II. The army was commanded throughout most of the war by Mikhail Katukov.

It fought on the defensive during Case Blue, ultimately being partially destroyed and disbanded. After its reformation in 1943, it participated in the Battle of Kursk, the Proskurov-Chernovtsy Operation, the Lvov-Sandomierz Operation, the Vistula-Oder Offensive and the Battle of Berlin. After the war, the army was stationed in East Germany as part of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany.

After the end of the Cold War and the resultant withdrawal of Soviet units in Germany, the army was relocated to Smolensk, and disbanded in 1999. The army was reformed in 2014 as part of Russia's military expansion. This reformed army fought in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, where it was claimed to have suffered heavy casualties following its eventual retreats from the north and later Kharkiv.

First formation

[edit]

The 1st Tank Army was first formed within the Stalingrad Front from the 38th Army in July 1942, under the command of Major General Kirill Moskalenko. The army was encircled and partially destroyed. It was disbanded as a result in August 1942, its headquarters becoming the Southeastern Front headquarters.[5]

Second formation

[edit]
Hero of the Soviet Union Captain Fyodor Akimovich Lipatkin, a company commander of the army's 11th Separate Guards Heavy Tank Regiment, raises the Red flag on the balcony of a house in Berlin, 26 April 1945

The 1st Tank Army was formed a second time on 30 January 1943 (order No.46021) from the headquarters of the 29th Army, under the command of famous armoured troops commander Lieutenant General of Tank Troops Mikhail Katukov, personally appointed by Stalin. The army was transferred to the North-Western Front. The 3rd Mechanised Corps (later to become 8th Guards Mechanised Corps) and 6th Tank Corps (later to become 11th Guards Tank Corps) joined it on formation, and served with the army throughout the war.[6] It was quickly transferred to the Voronezh Front for the defense of the Kursk salient's southern shoulder, adding the newly formed 31st Tank Corps to its subordinate commands.

Its order of battle prior to Operation Citadel was as follows:

1st Tank Army[7]

  • 3rd Mechanized Corps (Major General of Tank Forces Semyon Krivoshein)[8]
    • 1st Mechanized Brigade
    • 3rd Mechanized Brigade
    • 10th Mechanized Brigade
    • 49th Tank Brigade
    • 58th Motorcycle Battalion,
    • 35th Tank Destroyer Regiment
    • 265th Mortar Regiment
    • 405th Guards Mortar Battalion*
  • 6th Tank Corps (Major General of Tank Forces Andrei Getman)[9]
    • 22nd Tank Brigade
    • 112nd Tank Brigade
    • 200th Tank Brigade
    • 6th Motor Rifle Brigade
    • 85th Motorcycle Battalion
    • 1461st Self-Propelled Gun Regiment
    • 538th Tank Destroyer Regiment
    • 270th Mortar Regiment
  • 31st Tank Corps (Major General of Tank Forces D. Kh. Chernienko)[10]
    • 100th Tank Brigade
    • 237th Tank Brigade
    • 242nd Tank Brigade
  • 71st Engineer Battalion
  • 267th Engineer Battalion
  • 316th Guards Mortar Regiment*
  • 8th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division
    • 797th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment
    • 848th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment
    • 978th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment
    • 1063rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment

* Guards Mortar Regiment (or Battalion) (Russian: гвардейский минометный полк (дивизион)) was the overt designation used for Katyusha rocket launcher units.

First Guards Tank Army

[edit]
Lipatkin's IS-2 tank supporting infantry in Berlin, 27 April

After Kursk, 1st Tank Army participated in the Proskurov-Chernovtsy Operation, the Lvov-Sandomierz Operation, the Vistula-Oder Offensive, and the Battle of Berlin. It was awarded a Guards title and became the 1st Guards Tank Army in April 1944, and Katukov was promoted to Colonel General.[5]

On 1 January 1945, the Army's principal combat formations were:[11]

* Guards Mortar Regiment (or Battalion) (Russian: гвардейский минометный полк (дивизион)) was the overt designation used for Katyusha rocket launcher units.

Cold War

[edit]

The 1st Guards Tank Army was awarded the Order of the Red Banner postwar. It became part of the Soviet occupation force in Germany, known as Group of Soviet Forces in Germany, with its headquarters in Dresden. In 1968, it, along with the 11th Guards Tank and 20th Guards Motor Rifle Divisions, took part in the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, after which the units returned to their garrisons.[12]

In the late 1980s the Army included the 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division, 9th Tank Division, and 11th Guards Tank Division. The headquarters was withdrawn to Smolensk, in the Moscow Military District in the early 1990s, and lost the 'Tank' from its title in 1995. In its last period within the Russian Army it comprised the 4th Guards 'Kantemir' Tank Division and the 144th Motor Rifle Division (which had been withdrawn from Tallinn in Estonia).

In July 1992 the 336th Independent Helicopter Regiment returned from Germany to Oreshkovo airfield and was placed under the Moscow Military District. The regiment then came under 1st Guards Tank Army from 31 December 1992.[13]

1st Guards Tank Army was disbanded in 1998.

1988 structure

[edit]

The army's composition in 1988 was (with main equipment), with honorific titles in italics:[14][15]

Reactivation

[edit]

After a 15-year hiatus, the Army was reconstituted in November 2014,[16] probably on 13 November 2014.[citation needed]

The army was formed as the main ground forces manoeuvre and reserve operational formation of the Western Military District, in addition to the 6th Combined Arms Army (headquartered in Saint Petersburg) and the 20th Guards Combined Arms Army (headquartered in Voronezh). It is considered an elite formation of the Russian Ground Forces. The army carries on the traditions of the chronologically first army of the Soviet Union to reach 'Guards' status.

It commands the 2nd Guards Motor Rifle and the 4th Tank Divisions, which are considered the elite formations of their respective combat arms. The most decorated divisions of the Soviet Army, they were garrisoned the closest to Moscow for the city's defense.[17] Due to their proximity to the capital, extra scrutiny was applied to personnel of these formations, making these postings especially prestigious. These units received the latest hardware and were thus known as the 'household' divisions of the Soviet Army. Their loyalty to the government was demonstrated by their involvement in the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt. The divisions retained their elite status within the Russian Army. The army also included the 27th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade. While the 4th Guards Tank Division uses T-80 tanks, the rest of the Army uses T-72B and T-90 tanks, and Kurganets-25 fighting vehicles.[17]

As of 2017 the Army was composed of:[18]

Structure

[edit]

Units identified in 2023 in 1GTA

[edit]

Russo-Ukrainian War

[edit]

During the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis, elements of the 1st Guards Tank Army were reported to have forward deployed to the Pogonovo training ground south of Voronezh. Main battle tanks, self-propelled and towed artillery, and long-range multiple rocket launchers (MRLs), reportedly drawn from the 4th Guards Tank Division and the 2nd Motorised Rifle Division, were reported to have been positioned in the vicinity of Voronezh.[25] A few months before the invasion, the 47th Guards Tank Division was formed from the 6th Separate Guards Tank Brigade.[26][27]

Members of the 1st Guards Tank Army's 2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division were sentenced in absentia to imprisonment by Ukrainian courts for alleged war crimes including the shelling of the city hospital of Trostianets[28][29] and ordering the killing of a civilian in Boromlia, both in Sumy Oblast.[30][31] Units of the army's 4th Guards Tank Division, including the 12th and 13th Guards Tank Regiments, were also reported to have been among the Russian forces which occupied Trostianets.[32][33] By the beginning of April 2022, elements of the 1st Guards Tank Army had been redeployed from Sumy Oblast to Izium in the Kharkiv Oblast.[34]

Ukraine reported in May 2022 that the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate had obtained documents showing that after 3 weeks of fighting the 1st Guards Tank Army had sustained 409 casualties (61 KIA, 209 WIA, 44 missing, 96 surrendered), and 308 units of military equipment had been seized.[35]

The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence reported on 19 May 2022 that army commander General-Lieutenant Sergey Kisel had been suspended for his failure to capture Kharkiv.[36] Kisel was transferred to serve as chief of staff of the Russian troops in Syria.[37] On 13 September 2022, UK Defence Intelligence identified 1st Guards Tank Army as the primary force that retreated from Kharkiv Oblast during the Ukrainian Kharkiv counteroffensive. Having suffered "heavy casualties", the Ministry claimed that the army as "severely degraded" and its ability to counter NATO "severely weakened."[38] By December, the UK MoD reported that the Army had been replenished with recruits, and was active on the Luhansk Oblast front.[39]

Commanders of the Army

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  1. Katukov, Mikhail Yefimovich – Guard[40] ColGen, 1943–1947
  2. Belov, Yeftikhin Emelyanovich – Guard LtGen, 1947–1951
  3. Govorunenkov, Pyotr Dmitrievich – Guard GenLt, 1951–1953
  4. Yakubovsky, Ivan Ignatyevitch – Guard GenLt, 1953–1957
  5. Tolubko, Vladimir Fyodorovich – Guard MajGen, 1957–1958
  6. Ukhov, Vladimir Dmitrievich – Guard MajGen, 1958–1961
  7. Ivanovski, Yevgeny Filippovich – Guard MajGen, 1961–1964
  8. Kotsasnov, Konstantin Grigoryevich – Guard GenLt, 1964–1968
  9. Gerasimov, Ivan Aleksandrovich – Guard GenLt, 1968–1971
  10. Lushev, Pyotr Georgievich – Guard GenLt, 1971–1973
  11. Snetkov, Boris Vasilievich – Guard LtGen, 1973–1975
  12. Popov, Nikolai Ivanovich – Guard LtGen, 1975–1979
  13. Sovotskin, Roman Mikhailovich – Guard LtGen, 1979–1981
  14. Osipov, Vladimir Vasilyevich – Guard LtGen, 1981–1983
  15. Shein, Boris Pertovich – Guard LtGen, 1983–1986
  16. Tchernitsov, Anatoli Kupyanovich – Guard LtGen, 1986–1990
  17. Kolchkin, Gennadi Andreevich – Guard LtGen, 1990–1992
  18. Shevtsov, Leonti Pavlovich – Guard LtGen, 1992–1993
  19. Sosyedov, Vasili Petrovich – Guard LtGen, 1993–1995
  20. Roshchin, Viktor Mikhailovich – Guard LtGen, 1995–1999
  21. Did not exist (1999–2014)
  22. Aleksandr Chaiko – Guard LtGen, 2014–2017
  23. Alexei Avdeyev – Guard LtGen, 2017–2018
  24. Sergey Kisel - Guard LtGen, 2018–2022[41]
  25. Nikolai Tereshchenko – Guard LtGen, 2022–2024
  26. Vitaly Podlesny – Guard LtGen, 2024–present

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Who was Russian Colonel Nikolay Ovcharenko Killed in Ukraine?". 23 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Institute for the Study of War".
  3. ^ Chao-Fong, Léonie; Taylor, Harry; Lock, Samantha (8 December 2022). "Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv 'working with UN to demilitarise Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant' – as it happened". The Guardian.
  4. ^ "RUSSIAN REGULAR GROUND FORCES ORDER OF BATTLE" (PDF). October 2023.
  5. ^ a b Glantz, David M. (2005). Companion to Colossus Reborn: Key Document and Statistics. Lawrence: University press of Kansas. p. 65. ISBN 0-7006-1359-5.
  6. ^ Bonn, 2005, p.351, 354
  7. ^ Glantz, David M. (2005). Companion to Colossus Reborn: Key Document and Statistics. Lawrence: University press of Kansas. p. 247. ISBN 0-7006-1359-5.
  8. ^ Glantz, David M. (2005). Companion to Colossus Reborn: Key Document and Statistics. Lawrence: University press of Kansas. p. 93. ISBN 0-7006-1359-5.
  9. ^ Glantz, David M. (2005). Companion to Colossus Reborn: Key Document and Statistics. Lawrence: University press of Kansas. p. 85. ISBN 0-7006-1359-5.
  10. ^ Glantz, David M. (2005). Companion to Colossus Reborn: Key Document and Statistics. Lawrence: University press of Kansas. p. 90. ISBN 0-7006-1359-5.
  11. ^ "1-я гвардейская Краснознаменная танковая армия". Archived from the original on 2009-10-25. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  12. ^ Crofoot, Craig R. (17 February 2007). Central Group of Forces [Czechoslovakia] (II Formation) (PDF) (Report). 3.0.0. Micro Armor Mayhem.
  13. ^ "336th independent Helicopter Regiment". The Luftwaffe, 1933-45. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  14. ^ "1st Guards Tank Army". www.ww2.dk. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  15. ^ "Western Military District History". 2011-09-28. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  16. ^ "ВЗГЛЯД / Россия закрывает "черную дыру" на границе с Украиной". vz.ru.
  17. ^ a b c "Russian Forces in the Western Military District" (PDF). Center for Naval Analyses (CNA). June 2021. pp. 6, 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 October 2022.
  18. ^ Benya (12 February 2017) [First posted 17 July 2016]. "Russian Army: Military districts, units (Locations, equipment and re-armaments)". Russia Defence Forum.
  19. ^ "2-я гвардейская Таманская мотострелковая дивизия (в/ч 23626)". Войсковые Части России (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  20. ^ "4-я гвардейская Кантемировская танковая дивизия (в/ч 19612)". Войсковые Части России (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g "RUSSIAN REGULAR GROUND FORCES ORDER OF BATTLE" (PDF). October 2023.
  22. ^ "Conflict Intelligence Team Sitrep for Oct. 13-16, 2023 (as of 8:30 a.m.)". 17 October 2023.
  23. ^ Крецул, Роман (26 April 2023). "Минобороны вновь сформирует 245-й гвардейский мотострелковый полк". Известия (in Russian). Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  24. ^ "Замполит спрятался от войны в Беларуси и готовит чмобиков к верной смерти в Украине". Опричники (in Russian). 14 June 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  25. ^ "Russia builds up forces on Ukrainian border". Politico. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  26. ^ Baklanova, Tatyana (10 December 2021). "Военные тоже учатся". Znamya (in Russian). Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  27. ^ "bmpd". Telegram. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
  28. ^ Марковська, Юлія (20 May 2022). "Заочно повідомили про підозру. Прокуратура підозрює російських військових в обстрілі лікарні Тростянця". Suspilne (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  29. ^ Крахматова, Діана; Крамченков, Андрій; Марковська, Юлія (9 May 2023). "11 років позбавлення волі — у Тростянці винесли вирок двом військовим РФ, які обстріляли з танка місцеву лікарню". Suspilne (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  30. ^ Грамм, Вікторія (4 June 2024). "Під час окупації наказав вбити цивільного: на Сумщині до 10 років позбавлення волі заочно засудили військового РФ". Suspilne (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  31. ^ "Під час окупації Сумщини наказав стріляти в цивільного, який відмовився закопати в ямі тіло знайомої – до 10 років позбавлення волі заочно війскового РФ". Сумська обласна прокуратура (in Ukrainian). 4 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  32. ^ "На Сумщині українець понад рік зберігав на подвір'ї трофейний танк РФ (фото)" (in Ukrainian). УНІАН. 2023-07-30.
  33. ^ "П'ятий тиждень повномасштабної війни Росії проти України: що відбувається на Сумщині. Онлайн". Suspilne (in Ukrainian). 2022-03-29. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  34. ^ RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, APRIL 1
  35. ^ "Intelligence confirms large-scale losses of Russia's 1st Tank Army in Ukraine". Ukrinform. 16 May 2022.
  36. ^ Nicholson 2022.
  37. ^ "Генерала Сергея Киселя допросили по делу о незаконной свалке в Сормово". Коммерсантъ (in Russian). 2023-04-27. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  38. ^ U.K. Ministry of Defence [@DefenceHQ] (September 13, 2022). "(4/4) With 1 GTA and other WEMD formations severely degraded, Russia's conventional force designed to counter NATO is severely weakened. It will likely take years for Russia to rebuild this capability" (Tweet). Retrieved September 13, 2022 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ "Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv 'working with UN to demilitarise Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant' – as it happened". the Guardian. 8 December 2022.
  40. ^ Military personnel of the Soviet Armed Forces, assigned to service in a guards units or formations, added to the particular rank designation the wording Guard …, e.g. Guard Lieutenant General. This tradition is continued in the Russian Federation.
  41. ^ Myroniuk, Anna (19 May 2022). "First Russian soldier standing trial for war crime in Ukraine asks for forgiveness, faces life imprisonment". The Kyiv Independent.
  • Bonn, K.E. 'Slaughterhouse – The Handbook of the Eastern Front', Aberjona Press, 2005
  • Duncan, Andrew 'Russian Forces in Decline – Part 3', Jane's Intelligence Review, November 1996.
  • V.I. Feskov, Golikov V.I., K.A. Kalashnikov, and S.A. Slugin, The Armed Forces of the USSR after World War II, from the Red Army to the Soviet (Part 1: Land Forces). (В.И. Слугин С.А. Вооруженные силы СССР после Второй Мировой войны: от Красной Армии к Советской (часть 1: Сухопутные войска)) Tomsk, 2013.
  • Glantz, David M. 'Companion to Colossus Reborn' University Press of Kansas, 2005.
  • Nicholson, Kate (2022-05-19). "Russia Is Firing Its Senior Commanders. What Does That Mean For The Ukraine War?". Huffington Post.
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