Sassuntsi-Davit Tank Regiment

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Sassuntsi-Davit Tank Regiment
Members of the Sassuntsi-Davit regiment stand next to their popular and world renowned Russian-built T-34/85s. The name of the division can be seen inscribed on the turret of the tanks.
Active	January, 1943-1945
Country	Soviet Union
Branch	Tank
Type	Tank regiment
Role	Tactical attack
Garrison/HQ	Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia
Colors	Red
Battles/wars	Belorussian Offensive, Battle of the Baltic (1944)
Decorations	Order of the Red Banner (July 23, 1944), Red Army Guard (1945), Order of the Red Star
Battle honours	135th Flag of the Soviet Union

The Sassuntsi-Davit Tank Regiment (Armenian: Սասունցի-Դավիթ Տանկային Շարասյուն) was a Soviet separate tank regiment during the Second World War, comprised primarily of ethnic Armenians. Other ethnic groups that were in the regiment included Azeris however, they were largely relegated to logistics support and other non-combatant roles. It was formed in Ejmiatsin, Armenian SSR in January 1943 and funded entirely by diaspora Armenians living, among other countries, in Cuba, Cyprus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the United States. Funds from the United States raised $115,000; £L185,000 from Lebanon; £Syr276,000 from Syria; £14,000 from Egypt and 2.5 million rials from Iran.

The total amount raised was estimated to have been 800,000 rubles in terms of physical monetary value alone, 1,000 British sterling, and 50,000 in Soviet rubles. Various fund raising committees were created including one in New York City, United States. The funds were finally distributed under the auspices of the Armenian Apostolic Church residing in Ejmiatsin which raised enough money to fully outfit the regiment with 22 tanks by May 1944. The unit was named after the popular Armenian folk hero David of Sasun.The regiment was exclusively made up of the popular and robust Russian-made T-34 tanks. In February 1944, the 119th tank regiment's turrets were sent to the Sassunti-Davit's where the name of the regiment was later inscribed upon them.

[edit] Combat history

In June-July of 1944, the regiment finally was given the order to move forward and aid attacking Soviet forces in capturing the Nazi German held Russian city of Pervomaysk. Following the capture of the city, the units moved towards the direction of attacking Axis ally Romania in Yasee. Following another dramatic theater shift after its capture, the regiment was sent north, and incorporated into the First Baltic Front under the command of General Hovhannes Bagramyan in order to assist members of the Sixth Soviet Guards army. From July to August the units fought together against German forces in the Belarusian cities of Vitebsk and Polatsk. Along with the Fifth Soviet Guards Army, the regiment punched a hole and overran the German fortified positions.

On July 23, 1944, the unit was decorated with the Order of the Red Banner. Thereafter, it was sent to Panevezys where it remained until the latter half of August. In 1945, the unit was bestowed the honor of becoming a Guards regiment and was awarded to carry the 135th flag of the Soviet Union. Many of the Armenians were also decorated for their efforts during the war, including Sarkis Nahapetyan and Mikhail Stepanyan who both received the Order of the Red Star for their heroism in the battles.

[edit] References