313th Rifle Division
The 313th Rifle Division was a Soviet Red Army formation that fought on the Karelian, Polish, and German fronts during the Second World War.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The 313th Rifle Division was a Red Army infantry formation created during the Soviet Union's emergency military expansion following the German invasion of June 1941. It began forming on 15 July 1941 in the Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in the Urals Military District. Its initial structure included the 1068th, 1070th, and 1072nd Rifle Regiments, supported by the 856th Artillery Regiment and divisional support units. Major General Anton Aleksandrovich Pavlovich was appointed its first commander on the day formation began. After a period of organization and training, the division was placed under the Reserve of the Supreme High Command and moved west in early September 1941. It arrived in the Petrozavodsk area near Lake Onega between 5 and 9 September and was assigned to the 7th Army. In October it transferred to the Karelian Front and served in the Medvezhegorskaya Operational Group, a command that became the second formation of the 32nd Army in March 1942. For most of the next three years the division operated on the relatively static northern front against Finnish forces in East Karelia, south of the Arctic Circle. This assignment involved sustained defensive warfare, local actions, patrols, and preparation for a larger Soviet offensive rather than the continuous large-scale movement seen on the central and southern fronts. The formation experienced several command changes during its early service. Pavlovich handed over command in October 1941 to Colonel Aleksandr Pavlovich Petrov, who was replaced approximately one month later by Colonel Grigorii Vasilevich Golovanov. Golovanov remained in command until February 1944. The division received the Order of the Red Banner on 19 July 1943 in recognition of what Soviet authorities described as effective fulfillment of command tasks and courage in combat. Its most significant wartime achievement came during the 1944 Svir–Petrozavodsk Offensive. The operation began after Soviet advances on the Karelian Isthmus forced Finland to reconsider its position in East Karelia. Beginning on 20 June, the 313th advanced southward along the western shore of Lake Onega. Its troops reached and helped liberate Petrozavodsk on 29 June 1944, earning the honorary designation “Petrozavodsk.” The division then continued north and west, helping drive Finnish forces toward the U-Line around the Uksu River, Lake Loimola, and Lake Tolva. By July it had reached the designated operational line, contributing to the Soviet campaign that ultimately compelled Finland to withdraw from the war. After the Karelian operation ended, the division was transferred in November 1944 to the 19th Army in the Reserve of the Supreme High Command. It returned to active operations in January 1945 as part of the 132nd Rifle Corps under the 2nd Belorussian Front. During the second phase of the Vistula–Oder Offensive in February, it was temporarily attached to the 3rd Guards Tank Corps as an exploitation force intended to support the drive toward the Baltic coast north of Köslin and cut off German forces in eastern Pomerania. The tank formation advanced rapidly, but the rifle divisions, including the 313th, struggled to keep pace amid communications and coordination problems. The division continued fighting in Pomerania and was recognized on 5 April 1945 with a second Order of the Red Banner for operations connected with the capture of several towns, including Człuchów, Czarne, and Biały Bór. In April it participated in the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation and ended the war north of Berlin. At the close of hostilities it carried the full official designation 313th Rifle, Petrozavodsk, Twice Order of the Red Banner, Order of Suvorov and Order of Kutuzov Division. The formation was disbanded in place during the summer of 1945 while serving with the Northern Group of Forces.
History
The 313th Rifle Division was established on 15 July 1941 in the Udmurt ASSR, then part of the Urals Military District. Its formation followed the German invasion of the Soviet Union and the Red Army's rapid expansion of field formations. The division's principal combat elements were the 1068th, 1070th, and 1072nd Rifle Regiments, with the 856th Artillery Regiment providing divisional fire support. Major General Anton Aleksandrovich Pavlovich was appointed commander at formation. In August 1941 the division was assigned to the Reserve of the Supreme High Command. It moved toward the northern front in September, arriving in the Petrozavodsk region near Lake Onega between 5 and 9 September and joining the 7th Army. In October it became part of the Karelian Front's Medvezhegorskaya Operational Group. That organization was redesignated as the second formation of the 32nd Army in March 1942. The division then spent most of the war in East Karelia, facing Finnish forces across a comparatively static sector south of the Arctic Circle. Pavlovich relinquished command in October 1941, after which Colonel Aleksandr Pavlovich Petrov briefly led the formation. Colonel Grigorii Vasilevich Golovanov assumed command about a month later and remained in that position until February 1944. The division was awarded the Order of the Red Banner on 19 July 1943. Its long period on the Karelian Front was followed by a major operational role in the Soviet offensive of summer 1944. The Svir–Petrozavodsk Offensive began in the context of Soviet successes on the Karelian Isthmus and the Finnish decision to abandon much of East Karelia in order to reinforce its principal defensive front. On 20 June 1944 the Karelian Front began its advance. The 313th was tasked with clearing the railway route south along the western shore of Lake Onega and linking up with the 7th Army. It reached Petrozavodsk on 29 June, participating in the city's liberation. The division was subsequently granted “Petrozavodsk” as an honorary title. It continued operations toward the Uksu River and the line formed by Lake Loimola and Lake Tolva, reaching the U-Line by 10 July. In November 1944 the division moved to the Reserve of the Supreme High Command under the 19th Army. It returned to combat in January 1945 as part of the 132nd Rifle Corps, 19th Army, under the 2nd Belorussian Front. During the second phase of the Vistula–Oder Offensive in February, it was attached to the 3rd Guards Tank Corps to support a rapid advance toward the Baltic coast north of Köslin. The tank units moved far ahead, while the rifle formations, including the 313th, fell behind. Communications difficulties within the army contributed to a temporary pause and reorganization. Colonel Vasilii Andryanovich Asafev became the division's final wartime commander on 5 March 1945, replacing Colonel Nikifor Fomich Tsygankov. In April the division was decorated with a second Order of the Red Banner for its Pomeranian operations, including the capture of Człuchów, Czarne, Biały Bór, and other settlements. It then took part in the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation and ended the war north of Berlin. Its final official title commemorated Petrozavodsk, two awards of the Order of the Red Banner, and the Orders of Suvorov and Kutuzov. The division was dissolved during the summer of 1945 while serving with the Northern Group of Forces.
- 1945
Pomeranian operations
[1]The division fought in eastern Pomerania and received a second Order of the Red Banner on 5 April.
- 1945
Participation in the Berlin offensive
[1]The formation participated in the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation and ended the war north of Berlin.
- 1945
Disbandment
[1]The division was disbanded in place during the summer with the Northern Group of Forces.
- 1944
Liberation of Petrozavodsk
[1]The division reached Petrozavodsk on 29 June during the Svir–Petrozavodsk Offensive and gained the honorary title Petrozavodsk.
- 1943
First Order of the Red Banner
[1]The division received its first Red Banner award on 19 July.
- 1941
Formation in the Udmurt ASSR
[1]The 313th Rifle Division began forming on 15 July in the Urals Military District.
- 1941
Deployment to the Karelian Front
[1]After arriving near Petrozavodsk in September, the division joined the 7th Army and later the Karelian Front.
Products and positioning
A wartime Soviet rifle division organized for combined-arms infantry operations, defensive warfare, and offensive operations on the northern and central European fronts.
Marketing campaigns
- 1945Vistula–Oder Offensive and East Pomeranian operations
Eastern Pomerania · Baltic coast
Serving with the 19th Army and 132nd Rifle Corps, the division supported the 2nd Belorussian Front's advance in Pomerania and was temporarily associated with the 3rd Guards Tank Corps.
Outcome. The division helped capture multiple Pomeranian towns and received a second Order of the Red Banner.
- 1945Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation
Northern Germany · Berlin region
In April the division advanced into Germany as part of the Soviet offensive against Berlin.
Outcome. It ended the war north of Berlin.
- 1944Svir–Petrozavodsk Offensive
East Karelia · Petrozavodsk
The division advanced along the western shore of Lake Onega, helped liberate Petrozavodsk on 29 June, and continued toward the Finnish U-Line.
Outcome. The operation drove Finnish forces back from East Karelia and earned the division the honorary title Petrozavodsk.
Brand decisions
1945
Attachment to the 3rd Guards Tank CorpsStrategyBackground
During the second phase of the Vistula–Oder Offensive, the 19th Army sought to exploit a breakthrough toward the Baltic coast and isolate German forces in eastern Pomerania.
Action taken
The rifle division was attached to the 3rd Guards Tank Corps as an exploitation force.
Aftermath
The tanks advanced considerably faster than the infantry, creating coordination and communications problems and contributing to a temporary operational pause.
1944
Advance along the western shore of Lake OnegaStrategyBackground
The Karelian Front assigned the division to clear the railway southward and establish contact with the 7th Army during the Svir–Petrozavodsk Offensive.
Action taken
The division advanced toward Petrozavodsk, reached the city on 29 June, and continued toward the U-Line.
Aftermath
Its role in the operation led to the honorary designation Petrozavodsk.
Sources1 sources
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