1st Rifle Division (Soviet Union)

The Soviet 1st Rifle Division was an infantry division of the Soviet Union's Red Army, first established in 1918, and finally disbanded in the mid 1950s. Over the course of thirty years it was reformed four or possibly five times.

First and Second Formations of the division became the basis for the 1st Guards Rifle Division.

It was reformed for the third time on 13 March 1942 at Kuibyshev (though a second source, probably Poirer and Connor, says June 1942 was also a possibility). After completion of training the Division was transferred to the 5th Reserve Army. Assigned to 63rd Army from August to November 1942, and fought at Stalingrad. It became the 58th Guards Rifle Division on 31 December 1942.

The Division was reformed for the fourth time in December 1943 or January 1944 at Nevel in the rear areas of 6th Guards Army. A training brigade and 100th Separate Rifle Brigade provided the basis for the new formation. It was transferred to 70th Army, 2nd Belorussian Front, and with that Army took Brest, Belarus, winning the title 'Brest'. It later advanced into Poland, fighting at Gdynia. It became part of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany briefly, but with the rest of 70th Army and 114th Rifle Corps moved to the South Urals region and was disbanded by November 1945.

The Division may have been reformed 1953-55 in the South Urals Military District.

The 1st Rifle Division should not be confused with the 1st Guards Rifle Division (the former 100th Rifle Division) that ended the war in East Prussia and served during the Cold War with 11th Guards Army. 1st Guards Motor Rifle Division, as it became after conversion in 1957, finally disbanded in 2002.

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