Soviet Guards: Stalin's Chosen?

[vostok]

What is it with Soviet Guards Armies, Corps, Divisions and other units in World War 2? Were the elite units? Was the title earned or just given? What about Guards Air units? Or the Katyusha units. Well, time to find out. First, although by the end of 1941 only 10 rifle divisions had earned the title , by the end of the war there were more than 100 Guards Rifle Divisions alone. But the Guards title was not limited to the infantry, there were also Guards Tank Divisions.

 

[PanzerKiel]

What is it with Soviet Guards Armies, Corps, Divisions and other units in World War 2? Were the elite units? Was the title earned or just given? What about Guards Air units? Or the Katyusha units. Well, time to find out. First, although by the end of 1941 only 10 rifle divisions had earned the title , by the end of the war there were more than 100 Guards Rifle Divisions alone. But the Guards title was not limited to the infantry, there were also Guards Tank Divisions.

The Guards units were awarded to units and formations that distinguished themselves during the Second World War by the order of People's Commissar for Defence of USSR Order No.303 on the 18 September 1941, and were considered to have elite status. However, the Guards badge was not introduced until 21 May 1943.

In late 1941, STAVKA began awarding the honorific title 'Guards' to regiments, divisions, and corps that had distinguished themselves in combat. Units earning this title had often suffered up to 30 percent or more casualties after successfully performing desperate missions.

It was not only a prestigious designation, as units so honored were thereafter better equipped and given preference in personnel, supplies, equipment and material.