| 76th "K. E. Voroshilov" Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | September 5, 1922–1942 |
| Country | Soviet Union |
| Branch | Infantry |
| Type | Rifle Division |
| Role | Tactical attack and defense combat operations |
| Garrison/HQ | Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia |
| Colors | Red |
| Engagements | First Battle of Kharkov, Battle of Stalingrad, Operation Uranus, Battle of Kursk, Belorussian Offensive, Battle of the Baltic (1944) |
| Decorations | Order of the Red Banner (1937), Red Army Guard (November 23, 1942), Order of Lenin (June 19, 1943) |
| Battle honours | K. Y. Voroshilov, Vitebsk, 51st Guards Rifle Division |
The Soviet 76th "K. E. Voroshilov" Division (Armenian: 76-րդ Կ. Է. Վորոշիլով դիվիզիա) known also as the 76th Armenian Mountain Division, was a Soviet infantry fighting unit of the Red Army that fought on the Eastern Front during the Second World War. The 76th was made up primarily of Armenians from the newly established Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia but also included recruits from several different nationalities. The division was officially created on September 5, 1922 at the near end of the Russian military conquests of the southern Caucasus republics, which had Sovietized the democratic republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia two years earlier.
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The 76th was initially formed as a brigade sized unit and led by several non-Armenian commanders including Major Generals S. V. Chernikov, E. F. Pryakhin, K. E. Goryunov, N. E. Kaladzen, N. T. Tavarkeeladzen (the latter two ethnic Georgians), Colonel G. G. Voronin, and subordinate commanders A. P. Melik-Shahnazaryan, H. T. Atoyan (the last two being Armenians). It published several military newspapers and newsletters, including The Red Soldier and The Red Fighting Man in the Armenian language and the Voroshilovets (in Russian: Ворошиловец) in Russian named after Soviet Central Committee member and later Marshal of the Soviet Union, Kliment Voroshilov.
In 1935, the division was officially named after Voroshilov and two years later was decorated with the Order of the Red Banner. In 1938, the division was brought up to full size and stationed in the Armenian SSR. Attempts by the Soviet High Command to change the number, alter the division's military traditions, and even the decorations it had been bestowed upon were met with protestations by the commanders who successfully argued in favor of retaining them.
In the summer of 1941, Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union and drove spearheads into the large landmass of Russia and Ukraine on three fronts. The southernmost sought to invade the Caucasus in hopes of capturing vital petroleum fields and reserves in Baku, Azerbaijan. By autumn, the German Wehrmacht had pushed far into the regions and was nearing the outlet of the northern Caucasus. Bordering Armenia and Azerbaijan was the country of Iran, led by Reza Shah Pahlavi. The western Allied Powers, including the United States and Great Britain, expressed fear that if German forces were successful in capturing Baku, Iran, which was harboring pro-Axis sympathies would thereafter join them. A decision was made and agreed to by the Allies to invade the country and thus, prevent Iran from becoming another Axis ally. The 76th Division, as part of the 47th Army of the Transcaucasian Front was one of the units ordered to invade Iran and did so in August, crossing the Araks River and entering through the border town of Julfa, Nakhichevan and finally establishing control in the northern Iranian city of Tabriz.
Iran largely relented to British and Soviet forces, freeing the division to be sent back northwards to Ukraine in September as part of the 38th Army. It took part in major fighting in Poltava, Kharkiv and Vovchansk during the First Battle of Kharkov. In February 1942, the division advanced westward and was reassigned and integrated into the 21st Red Army. In May 1942, the Voroshilov division took part in the attack and recapturing of the Ukrainian city of Belgorod.
With the capture of several other cities, it moved up north and crossed the Donets river, confronting the entrenched German Army Group South. Despite suffering heavy casualties, the division was able to cross the riverbank, and in effect retake the towns of Grasovka, Nekhotevka, Shameeno and Arkhangelskoye. In June 1942, it took part with the 21st Army to halt two splintering counter-offensives in Surkovo, Yam and Pesyanoye. In July 1942, the division was sent to Stalingrad. After taking part in fighting there until October, it was ordered to sever Army Group South's supply lines in Russia, near the Don River. It decimated the German force holding and protecting Kletskaya, a key industrial city with numerous metal works factories. For its successful action, the division was promoted to Guards (Советская Гвардия) status on November 23, 1942 and became known as the 51st Guards Rifle Division.
The division's final titles were 76th Kirovograd Bratislava Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Infantry Division.[1][2]