10th Tank Corps (Soviet Union)
Encyclopedia
The 34th Tank Division was a formation of the Red Army
and Soviet Ground Forces that was formed twice.
in June 1941. The formation began to be formed on June 4, 1940. The commander of 8th Mechanized Corps was General Lieutenant Dmitry Ryabyshev
.
Ryabyshev's memoirs said:
"The new corps was made up from elements of the 4th Cavalry Corps, 7th Rifle Division
, 14th Heavy Tank Brigade and 23rd Light Tank Brigade. By June 1941, the corps comprised about 30,000 troops, 932 tanks (establishment strength was supposed to be 1031). However, heavy and medium tanks KV
and T-34
received only 169. The remaining 763 machines were obsolete models averaging barely 500 kilometers between maintenance checks, and 197 of them were in need of a full factory overhaul. Artillery also had enough. Of the 141 guns were 53 caliber 37 and 45 millimeters. Means of anti-aircraft defense represented by four 37 mm anti-aircraft guns and 24 machine guns. All the artillery was transported low-speed tractors."
On June 22, 1941, the corps comprised 12th Tank Division, 34th Tank Division, 7th Mechanized Division, 2nd Motorcycle Regiment, an artillery Regiment, an engineer battalion, and a signal battalion. It was located at Stry in the Kiev Military District
.
It thus became part of the Southwestern Front, and was engaged in the first battles of Operation Barbarossa
. The 34th Tank Division itself comprised the 67th and 68th Tank Regiments and the 34th Motor Rifle Regiment.
During the 500-kilometre road march from its initial positions in the Drogobychskaja sector in the Ukraine to the Brody area, the corps lost about half its older tanks to mechanical breakdown and enemy air attack. It then became embroiled in the Battle of Brody (1941)
. On 25 June 1941, 12th and 34th Tank Divisions were clearing the hills south of Brody
before the whole corps opened its attack later that day. "...Its 34th Tank Division and elements of the 12th Tank Division advanced northwards, cutting the main road between Dubno and Brody. This forced the 16th Panzer Division to wheel round and attack the 34th Tank Division in the area of Kozin, in order to clear the road." (Easternfront.co.uk)
On June 26, attack plans that had been under preparation for some time were upstaged by direct orders from representatives of Southwestern Front HQ, who demanded that the corps attack immediately. Thus much of the unengaged remnants of 34th Tank Division were formed into a about 9,000-strong strong strike group led by Brigade Commissioner Popel of corps headquarters, whose attack saw some initial success. Later however the strike group was encircled and destroyed.
In July 1941 the corps command was redesignated Headquarters 38th Army
, and thus the corps was disestablished.
On disbandment, elements of 34th Tank Division were reorganised on 15 August 1941 at Vladimir
as 16th Tank Brigade.
From 1941 to 1945 the brigade was a component of the following Red Army armies and fronts:
In early February 1945 the brigade was encamped in the area of Bobruisk, Mahilyow Oblast. It received T-34/85 tanks from factories at Nizhny Tagil and Gorki on 1-3 February 1945, and received Polish personnel supplementation. On 5 February 1945 the brigade was bodily transferred from the Red Army to the Polish Armed Forces in the East
. See :pl:16 Dnowsko-Łużycka Brygada Pancerna.
of the Red Army
during World War II.
The 10th Tank Corps was part of Steppe Front
for the Battle of Kursk
. 10th Tank Corps was subsequently assigned to the 5th Guards Tank Army, but by April 1945 during the Battle of Berlin
, the 10th Tank Corps was part of the Reserves of the Supreme High Command (RVGK). It comprised the 178th, 183rd, and 186th Tank Brigades, and the 11th Motor Rifle Brigade.
It should not be confused with the 30th Tank Corps, which became the 10th Guards Tanks Corps, and later the 10th Guards Uralsko-Lvovskaya Tank Division
.
After the war ended it became 10th Tank Division, and then in 1957 34th Tank Division. 34th Tank Division was in the Belorussian Military District
for many years, part of 7th Tank Army. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union the division became part of the Armed Forces of Belarus
.
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
and Soviet Ground Forces that was formed twice.
First formation
The first formation was with 8th Mechanized CorpsMechanized Corps (Soviet)
A mechanised corps was a Soviet armoured formation used prior to the beginning of World War II.- Pre-war development of Soviet mechanised forces :...
in June 1941. The formation began to be formed on June 4, 1940. The commander of 8th Mechanized Corps was General Lieutenant Dmitry Ryabyshev
Dmitry Ryabyshev
Dmitry Ivanovich Ryabyshev , was a Soviet military commander, commander of 8th mechanized corps .- Before World War II :Ryabyshev was born in Kolotovka, , Russian Empire. Following the Russian Revolution of 1917 he was a commander of the 42nd Brigade, 14th Division of the 1st Cavalry Army during...
.
Ryabyshev's memoirs said:
"The new corps was made up from elements of the 4th Cavalry Corps, 7th Rifle Division
7th Rifle Division (Soviet Union)
The 7th Rifle Division was a infantry division of the Soviet Union's Red Army, formed five separate times from 1918 to 1955. The division was first formed in September 1918 at Vladimir in the Moscow Military District....
, 14th Heavy Tank Brigade and 23rd Light Tank Brigade. By June 1941, the corps comprised about 30,000 troops, 932 tanks (establishment strength was supposed to be 1031). However, heavy and medium tanks KV
Kliment Voroshilov tank
The Kliment Voroshilov tanks were a series of Soviet heavy tanks, named after the Soviet defense commissar and politician Kliment Voroshilov. The KV series were known for their extremely heavy armour protection during the early war, especially during the first year of the invasion of the Soviet...
and T-34
T-34
The T-34 was a Soviet medium tank produced from 1940 to 1958. Although its armour and armament were surpassed by later tanks of the era, it has been often credited as the most effective, efficient and influential design of World War II...
received only 169. The remaining 763 machines were obsolete models averaging barely 500 kilometers between maintenance checks, and 197 of them were in need of a full factory overhaul. Artillery also had enough. Of the 141 guns were 53 caliber 37 and 45 millimeters. Means of anti-aircraft defense represented by four 37 mm anti-aircraft guns and 24 machine guns. All the artillery was transported low-speed tractors."
On June 22, 1941, the corps comprised 12th Tank Division, 34th Tank Division, 7th Mechanized Division, 2nd Motorcycle Regiment, an artillery Regiment, an engineer battalion, and a signal battalion. It was located at Stry in the Kiev Military District
Kiev Military District
The Kiev Military District was a Russian unit of military-administrative division of the Imperial Russian Army and subsequently of the Ukrainian Army, RKKA, and Soviet Armed Forces...
.
It thus became part of the Southwestern Front, and was engaged in the first battles of Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II that began on 22 June 1941. Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR along a front., the largest invasion in the history of warfare...
. The 34th Tank Division itself comprised the 67th and 68th Tank Regiments and the 34th Motor Rifle Regiment.
During the 500-kilometre road march from its initial positions in the Drogobychskaja sector in the Ukraine to the Brody area, the corps lost about half its older tanks to mechanical breakdown and enemy air attack. It then became embroiled in the Battle of Brody (1941)
Battle of Brody (1941)
The Battle of Brody was a tank battle fought between the Panzer Group 1's IIIrd, XLVIII Army Corps and five Soviet Mechanized Corps of the Soviet 5th Army and 6th Army in the triangle formed by the towns Dubno, Lutsk and Brody in Ukraine between 23...
. On 25 June 1941, 12th and 34th Tank Divisions were clearing the hills south of Brody
Brody
Brody is a city in the Lviv Oblast of western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Brody Raion , and is located in the valley of the upper Styr River, approximately 90 kilometres northeast of the oblast capital, Lviv...
before the whole corps opened its attack later that day. "...Its 34th Tank Division and elements of the 12th Tank Division advanced northwards, cutting the main road between Dubno and Brody. This forced the 16th Panzer Division to wheel round and attack the 34th Tank Division in the area of Kozin, in order to clear the road." (Easternfront.co.uk)
On June 26, attack plans that had been under preparation for some time were upstaged by direct orders from representatives of Southwestern Front HQ, who demanded that the corps attack immediately. Thus much of the unengaged remnants of 34th Tank Division were formed into a about 9,000-strong strong strike group led by Brigade Commissioner Popel of corps headquarters, whose attack saw some initial success. Later however the strike group was encircled and destroyed.
In July 1941 the corps command was redesignated Headquarters 38th Army
38th Army (Soviet Union)
The 38th Red Banner Army of was a field army of the Soviet Union that existed between 1941 and 1991.The army headquarters was formed in July 1941 by redesignation of the staff of 8th Mechanised Corps.On 1 May 1945, the army was part of 4th Ukrainian Front...
, and thus the corps was disestablished.
On disbandment, elements of 34th Tank Division were reorganised on 15 August 1941 at Vladimir
Vladimir
Vladimir is a city and the administrative center of Vladimir Oblast, Russia, located on the Klyazma River, to the east of Moscow along the M7 motorway. Population:...
as 16th Tank Brigade.
From 1941 to 1945 the brigade was a component of the following Red Army armies and fronts:
- 1 October 1941, composed of 54th Army, Volkhov FrontVolkhov FrontThe Front was reformed on the 9 June 1942 from the Volkhov Operational Group of the Leningrad Front and served until 15 February 1944, participating in the relief of the Siege of Leningrad and taking part in other operations including:-Campaigns:...
, - 1 January 1942, composed of 54th Army, Volkhov FrontVolkhov FrontThe Front was reformed on the 9 June 1942 from the Volkhov Operational Group of the Leningrad Front and served until 15 February 1944, participating in the relief of the Siege of Leningrad and taking part in other operations including:-Campaigns:...
, - 1 April 1942, composed of 54th Army, Volkhov FrontVolkhov FrontThe Front was reformed on the 9 June 1942 from the Volkhov Operational Group of the Leningrad Front and served until 15 February 1944, participating in the relief of the Siege of Leningrad and taking part in other operations including:-Campaigns:...
, - 1 July 1942, composed of 54th Army, Volkhov FrontVolkhov FrontThe Front was reformed on the 9 June 1942 from the Volkhov Operational Group of the Leningrad Front and served until 15 February 1944, participating in the relief of the Siege of Leningrad and taking part in other operations including:-Campaigns:...
, - 1 October 1942 in the composition of the 8th Army8th Army (Soviet Union)The 8th Army was a field army of the Soviet Red Army during the Second World War.The 8th Army was formed in October 1939 from the Novgorod Army Operational Group of the Leningrad Military District with the task of providing security of the Northwestern borders of the USSR. The 8th Army was a field...
, Volkhov FrontVolkhov FrontThe Front was reformed on the 9 June 1942 from the Volkhov Operational Group of the Leningrad Front and served until 15 February 1944, participating in the relief of the Siege of Leningrad and taking part in other operations including:-Campaigns:...
, - 1 January 1943 in the 2nd Shock Army2nd Shock ArmyThe 2nd Shock Army was a field army of the Soviet Union during the Second World War. This type of formation was created in accordance with prewar doctrine that called for Shock Armies to overcome difficult defensive dispositions in order to create a tactical penetration of sufficient breadth and...
, Volkhov FrontVolkhov FrontThe Front was reformed on the 9 June 1942 from the Volkhov Operational Group of the Leningrad Front and served until 15 February 1944, participating in the relief of the Siege of Leningrad and taking part in other operations including:-Campaigns:...
, - 1 April 1943 directly subordinated, commander of the Volkhov FrontVolkhov FrontThe Front was reformed on the 9 June 1942 from the Volkhov Operational Group of the Leningrad Front and served until 15 February 1944, participating in the relief of the Siege of Leningrad and taking part in other operations including:-Campaigns:...
, - 1 July 1943, in direct subordination to the commander of the Volkhov FrontVolkhov FrontThe Front was reformed on the 9 June 1942 from the Volkhov Operational Group of the Leningrad Front and served until 15 February 1944, participating in the relief of the Siege of Leningrad and taking part in other operations including:-Campaigns:...
, - 1 October 1943, composed of 59 Army, Volkhov FrontVolkhov FrontThe Front was reformed on the 9 June 1942 from the Volkhov Operational Group of the Leningrad Front and served until 15 February 1944, participating in the relief of the Siege of Leningrad and taking part in other operations including:-Campaigns:...
, - 1 January 1944, composed of 59 Army, Volkhov FrontVolkhov FrontThe Front was reformed on the 9 June 1942 from the Volkhov Operational Group of the Leningrad Front and served until 15 February 1944, participating in the relief of the Siege of Leningrad and taking part in other operations including:-Campaigns:...
, - 1 April 1944 in direct subordination to the commander of the Leningrad FrontLeningrad FrontThe Leningrad Front was first formed on August 27, 1941, by dividing the Northern Front into the Leningrad Front and Karelian Front, during the German approach on Leningrad .-History:...
, - 1 July 1944, in direct subordination to the commander of the Baltic Front,
- 1 October 1944, part of 67th Army, 3rd Baltic Front3rd Baltic FrontThe 3rd Baltic Front was a front of the Red Army during the Second World War. It was set up on 21 April 1944 and disbanded on 16 October that year after taking part in the occupation of the Baltic states by the USSR in summer and autumn 1944....
, - 1 January 1945 part of the Belarusian-Lithuanian Military DistrictBelorussian Military DistrictThe Byelorussian Military District was a military district of the Soviet Armed Forces. Originally in the times of Russian Civil War it formed as the Western Front, and in April 1924 it was renamed to the Western Military District. In October 1926 it was redesignated the Belorussian Military...
, - 1 April 1945, directly subordinated, commander of 1st Ukrainian Front1st Ukrainian FrontThe 1st Ukrainian Front was a front—a force the size of a Western Army group—of the Soviet Union's Red Army during the Second World War.-Wartime:...
.
In early February 1945 the brigade was encamped in the area of Bobruisk, Mahilyow Oblast. It received T-34/85 tanks from factories at Nizhny Tagil and Gorki on 1-3 February 1945, and received Polish personnel supplementation. On 5 February 1945 the brigade was bodily transferred from the Red Army to the Polish Armed Forces in the East
Polish Armed Forces in the East
Polish Armed Forces in the East refers to military units composed of Poles created in the Soviet Union at the time when the territory of Poland was occupied by both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in the Second World War....
. See :pl:16 Dnowsko-Łużycka Brygada Pancerna.
Second formation
The second formation ('Днепровская ордена Суворова') was a division of the Soviet Ground Forces from 1957 to the early 1990s. It descended from the 10th Tank Corps, a Soviet tank corpsTank Corps (Soviet)
-Pre-War Development of Soviet Mechanised Forces:In Soviet Russia, the so called armored forces preceded the Tank Corps. They consisted of the motorised armored units made of armored vehicles and armored trains...
of the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
during World War II.
The 10th Tank Corps was part of Steppe Front
Steppe Front
The Steppe Front and later the 2nd Ukrainian Front was a Front , effectively an Army group sized formation, of the Soviet Army during the Second World War...
for the Battle of Kursk
Battle of Kursk
The Battle of Kursk took place when German and Soviet forces confronted each other on the Eastern Front during World War II in the vicinity of the city of Kursk, in the Soviet Union in July and August 1943. It remains both the largest series of armored clashes, including the Battle of Prokhorovka,...
. 10th Tank Corps was subsequently assigned to the 5th Guards Tank Army, but by April 1945 during the Battle of Berlin
Battle of Berlin
The Battle of Berlin, designated the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation by the Soviet Union, was the final major offensive of the European Theatre of World War II....
, the 10th Tank Corps was part of the Reserves of the Supreme High Command (RVGK). It comprised the 178th, 183rd, and 186th Tank Brigades, and the 11th Motor Rifle Brigade.
It should not be confused with the 30th Tank Corps, which became the 10th Guards Tanks Corps, and later the 10th Guards Uralsko-Lvovskaya Tank Division
10th Guards Uralsko-Lvovskaya Tank Division
The 10th Guards Uralsko-Lvovskaya Volunteer Tank Division, also known at the Ural-Lvov Tank Division, is a tank division of the Russian Ground Forces and part of the Moscow Military District's 20th Army, under the command of Lt. General Andrey Tretyak. The division traces its heritage back to 1943,...
.
After the war ended it became 10th Tank Division, and then in 1957 34th Tank Division. 34th Tank Division was in the Belorussian Military District
Belorussian Military District
The Byelorussian Military District was a military district of the Soviet Armed Forces. Originally in the times of Russian Civil War it formed as the Western Front, and in April 1924 it was renamed to the Western Military District. In October 1926 it was redesignated the Belorussian Military...
for many years, part of 7th Tank Army. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union the division became part of the Armed Forces of Belarus
Armed Forces of Belarus
The Armed Forces of Belarus consist of the Army and the Air and Air Defense Forces, all under the command of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus...
.
External links
- Mechcorps.ru, 8th Mech Corps