| Sassuntsi-Davit Tank Regiment | |
|---|---|
Members of the Sassuntsi-Davit regiment stand next to their popular and world renowned Soviet-built T-34/85s. The name of the division can be seen inscribed on the turret of the tanks in Armenian. |
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| Active | January, 1943–1945 |
| Country | Soviet Union |
| Allegiance | Soviet Union |
| Branch | Tank |
| Type | Tank regiment |
| Role | Tactical attack |
| Size | ca. 5-7,000 men |
| Garrison/HQ | Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia |
| Engagements | 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 |
The 119th Separate Tank Regiment, popularly known as the Sassuntsi-Davit Tank Regiment (Armenian: «Սասունցի Դավիթ» տանկային շարասյուն; Танковая колонна «Давид Сасунский») was a Soviet separate tank regiment during the Second World War, consisting primarily of ethnic Armenians. The unit was named after hero of the Armenian national epic David of Sasun.
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The division was formed in Ejmiatsin, Armenian SSR in January 1943 and was funded entirely by diaspora Armenians living, among other countries, in Cuba, Cyprus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the United States.[1] Under the overall leadership of the Archbishop Gevorg VI Chorekjian, funds from the United States raised US$115,000; C$37,000 from Canada; £L185,000 from Lebanon; £Syr276,000 from Syria; £E14,000 from Egypt and 2.5 million rials from Iran.[2] The Armenian Apostolic Church itself donated gifts in the area totaling around 800,000 rubles, 1,000 British sterling, and 50,000 in Soviet rubles. Various fund raising committees were created including the first, on March 7, 1943 in New York City.
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 21 tanks by February 1944. The regiment was exclusively made up of the newer generation Russian T-34-85 tanks equipped with the new D-5T 85mm cannons. In February 1944, the 119th Tank Regiment's turrets were inscribed with "Սասունցի Դավիթ" (Sassuntsi Davit) upon them in Armenian script.[1]
On March 20, 1944, the 119th tank Sassuntsi-Davit Regiment was attached to the Second Ukrainian Front, equipped with T-34/76 (1943) tanks, and sent to Dniester.[3] From March to May 1944, the regiment was given the order to move forward to aid Soviet forces, taking part in the offensives and military operations directed toward Pervomaysk and Iaşi (Romania).
The regiment was then sent north, and incorporated into the First Baltic Front under the command of General Hovhannes Bagramyan as the 119th Separate Tank Regiment re-equipped with an additional 22 T-34/85s, and attached to the Soviet 6th Guards Tank Army.[1] From July to August the unit fought against German forces in Operation Bagration for liberation of Vitebsk and Polatsk. Along with the Soviet 5th Guards Tank Army, the regiment broke through 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 Panevėžys where it remained until the latter half of August. In 1945, the unit was bestowed the honor of becoming a Guards regiment and was re-flagged as the 135th Guards tank regiment.[1]
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. A similar effort to fund another Armenian tank unit, to be named after General Bagramyan, was proposed in Tehran, Iran however the war ended before this could be achieved.[4]