342nd Rifle Division

rdf:langString 342nd Rifle Division

rdf:langString 342nd Rifle Division (November 22, 1944 – March 4, 1955)

rdf:langString 342nd Rifle Division (September 9, 1941 – September 23, 1943)

rdf:langString Mtsensk

rdf:langString Col. Aleksandr Ippolitovich Popov

rdf:langString Col. Georgii Lukyanovich Sirikh

rdf:langString Col. Grigorii Ivanovich Kanachadze

rdf:langString Maj. Gen. Anatolii Olegovich Muratov

rdf:langString Maj. Gen. Logvin Danilovich Chervonii

rdf:langString Infantry

rdf:langString Division

rdf:langString 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 during the Soviet invasion of that region. Well after the war this formation was re-designated and became the 33rd Motor Rifle Division.