History
The 66th Guards Rifle Division was a formation of the Soviet Red Army during WW2, It exists nowadays as the 22nd Mechanized Brigade "Mykolaiv" a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.
By Order of the People's Commissariat of Defense of the USSR № 034 from January 21, 1943, the 293rd Rifle Division was reorganized into the 66th Guards Rifle Division. Major General Akim Yakshin became Division's new commander after Pavel Lagutin was promoted to Executive officer of the 21st Army. On February 7, 1943, most of the Divisions units were renamed.}
During Battle of Kursk and Lower Dnepr strategic offensive operation the 66th was with 33rd Guards Rifle Corps 5th Guards Army, later she was again assigned to 32nd Guards Corps. On September 23, 1943, the 66th was awarded with the honorable name "Poltava" by Supreme Command. Would later be assigned to the 75th Rifle Corps taking part in Korsun-Shevchenkovsky Offensive Operation. During Lvov-Sandomierz Offensive 66th was with 95th Rifle Corps 18th Army 1st Ukrainian Front. During the East Carpathian Strategic Offensive Operation (the Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive) the division was assigned to 18th Guards Rifle Corps 18th Army 4th Ukrainian Front. From September 16, 1944, Division also took part in Carpathian-Uzhgorod Offensive.
On November 14, 1944, 66th with 18th Guards Rifle Corps was assigned to 2nd Ukrainian Front where she took part in Battle of Budapest. On January 23, 1943 66th was with 104th Rifle Corps 4th Guards Army 3rd Ukrainian Front and took part in Balaton Defensive Operation. On April 5, 1945, the Division was awarded Order of the Red Banner by Supreme Soviet of the USSR. From April 15, 1945 66th was with 21st Guards Rifle Corps 4th Guards Army and took part in Vienna Offensive. Division finished combat operations in Austria on May 8, 1945
By Order of the People's Commissariat of Defense of the USSR № 034 from January 21, 1943, the 293rd Rifle Division was reorganized into the 66th Guards Rifle Division. Major General Akim Yakshin became Division's new commander after Pavel Lagutin was promoted to Executive officer of the 21st Army. On February 7, 1943, most of the Divisions units were renamed.}
During Battle of Kursk and Lower Dnepr strategic offensive operation the 66th was with 33rd Guards Rifle Corps 5th Guards Army, later she was again assigned to 32nd Guards Corps. On September 23, 1943, the 66th was awarded with the honorable name "Poltava" by Supreme Command. Would later be assigned to the 75th Rifle Corps taking part in Korsun-Shevchenkovsky Offensive Operation. During Lvov-Sandomierz Offensive 66th was with 95th Rifle Corps 18th Army 1st Ukrainian Front. During the East Carpathian Strategic Offensive Operation (the Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive) the division was assigned to 18th Guards Rifle Corps 18th Army 4th Ukrainian Front. From September 16, 1944, Division also took part in Carpathian-Uzhgorod Offensive.
On November 14, 1944, 66th with 18th Guards Rifle Corps was assigned to 2nd Ukrainian Front where she took part in Battle of Budapest. On January 23, 1943 66th was with 104th Rifle Corps 4th Guards Army 3rd Ukrainian Front and took part in Balaton Defensive Operation. On April 5, 1945, the Division was awarded Order of the Red Banner by Supreme Soviet of the USSR. From April 15, 1945 66th was with 21st Guards Rifle Corps 4th Guards Army and took part in Vienna Offensive. Division finished combat operations in Austria on May 8, 1945
Featured Missions
| Campaign | Mission |
|---|---|
| Siege of Budapest | The Suburbs Run Red |