70th Guards Rifle Division
An elite Red Army infantry formation created in 1943 from the 138th Rifle Division after its defense of Stalingrad.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The 70th Guards Rifle Division was a Soviet military formation that served as an elite infantry division during the Second World War and later continued in the Soviet Army in motor-rifle form. It was established on 7 February 1943 from the first formation of the 138th Rifle Division. The conversion recognized the 138th Division’s determined defense during the Battle of Stalingrad, especially its fighting around the Barrikady Ordnance Factory against German forces. The new Guards division inherited the 138th’s Order of the Red Banner and retained much of its institutional lineage, while its constituent regiments and support units were redesignated as Guards formations. After its creation, the division was moved into the reserve system for rebuilding and training. In the spring of 1943 it was assigned to the Central Front and became part of the 17th Guards Rifle Corps alongside the 6th and 75th Guards Rifle Divisions. It received its Guards banner on 21 April and entered the campaign around the Kursk salient as part of the 13th Army. During the German Operation Citadel offensive in July, the division defended positions around Olkhovatka and Hill 274 on the northern shoulder of the salient. Reinforced by tanks, self-propelled guns, antitank artillery, mortars and other artillery assets, it helped prevent German forces of the 9th Army from breaking through the sector. The fighting was severe, and the division’s artillerymen played a prominent role in stopping German armored attacks. The division subsequently participated in the Soviet counteroffensive known as Operation Kutuzov. It advanced out of the Kursk area and was associated with the liberation of Glukhov, after which the place name became part of its honorific designation. It also received a second Order of the Red Banner in September 1943. During the advance through northern and western Ukraine, the formation crossed the Seym, Desna and Dnieper rivers and established bridgeheads north of Kyiv. These operations led to further awards for the division and recognition for its commander, Ivan Andreevich Gusev. In the autumn of 1943 the 70th Guards fought in the campaigns around the Dnieper and Kyiv. It operated under changing army and corps assignments, including periods with the 13th, 60th and 38th Armies. The division helped secure positions west of the Dnieper and took part in the fighting connected with the liberation of Kyiv on 6 November. The subsequent advance into western Ukraine brought additional combat around the Teteriv and other river lines, followed by defensive fighting against German armored counterattacks near the end of 1943. The division continued advancing through Ukraine in 1944 and received further battle honors and decorations, particularly in connection with the liberation of Lviv. In November 1944 it and its army were transferred to the 4th Ukrainian Front. The formation then fought through the Carpathian Mountains and took part in the final Soviet operations that advanced toward Prague in May 1945. By the end of the war, the 70th Guards was among the most decorated Soviet rifle divisions. After the war, the formation remained in Soviet service and was reorganized as a motor-rifle division. It took part in the Soviet intervention in Hungary in 1956. The division ultimately survived in various postwar organizational forms until it was disbanded in 1991. As a military formation rather than a commercial brand, it had no consumer products, commercial ownership structure, public listing or conventional market presence.
History
The 70th Guards Rifle Division originated in the wartime reorganization of the 138th Rifle Division. The 138th had gained distinction during the defense of Stalingrad, where it resisted the German 6th Army in and around the Barrikady Ordnance Factory. On 7 February 1943, its first formation was redesignated as the 70th Guards Rifle Division. This transformation placed the unit within the elite Guards system created by the Red Army to recognize exceptional battlefield performance. The new division inherited the 138th’s Order of the Red Banner, awarded for earlier service in the Winter War with Finland. Its infantry regiments and supporting arms were redesignated as Guards units, including the 203rd, 205th and 207th Guards Rifle Regiments and the 137th Guards Artillery Regiment. Other elements included antitank, reconnaissance, sapper, signals, medical, transport, chemical-defense and supply units. Ivan Ilich Lyudnikov, who had commanded the predecessor formation, initially remained in command. Following its formation, the division was moved into the Reserve of the Supreme High Command for rebuilding. In March 1943 it was assigned to the Central Front in the Kursk area and later joined the 17th Guards Rifle Corps. It received its Guards banner on 21 April. By early June, the corps had been placed in the 13th Army, which held the northern side of the Kursk salient. When the German Operation Citadel offensive began on 5 July 1943, the division defended the Olkhovatka sector. The German 9th Army committed substantial armored and infantry forces against the northern flank. On 8 July, elements of the 47th Panzer Corps attacked toward several objectives, including Olkhovatka and the nearby Hill 274. The 70th Guards was reinforced with tanks, self-propelled guns, antitank weapons, mortars and additional artillery. Its defensive position and concentrated firepower helped stop repeated German attacks. The division was awarded the Order of Lenin on 21 July, and several members of its artillery regiment received the title Hero of the Soviet Union. After the German offensive failed, the division joined the Soviet counteroffensive. It participated in the advance that liberated Glukhov on 30 August, receiving the town’s name as an honorific. A second Order of the Red Banner followed on 9 September. The formation then moved west with the Soviet advance, crossing the Seym, Desna and Dnieper rivers. It established bridgeheads in the Chernobyl area north of Kyiv and captured prisoners during the fighting. Its commander, Ivan Gusev, was recognized as a Hero of the Soviet Union on 16 October. The division took part in the autumn operations against German forces west of the Dnieper and in the battles associated with the liberation of Kyiv. Army and corps assignments changed as Soviet commanders shifted formations between axes of advance. During the Kyiv fighting, the 70th Guards helped improve positions and later participated in operations toward the Teteriv and western Ukraine. The advance was repeatedly affected by ammunition shortages, delayed artillery, German counterattacks and the need to consolidate newly occupied ground. In 1944 the division continued combat operations in Ukraine. Its regiments received additional honors, especially during the liberation of Lviv. In November it was transferred with its army to the 4th Ukrainian Front. The division then fought through the Carpathian region, where terrain, weather and fortified positions complicated the Soviet advance. In the final months of the war it participated in the drive toward Prague, reaching the end of the European campaign in May 1945. The 70th Guards was retained after the war and eventually converted into a motor-rifle division within the Soviet Army. It participated in the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956. The formation remained in existence through the later Soviet period but was finally disbanded in 1991. Its historical significance rests on its lineage from the 138th Rifle Division, its defensive role at Kursk, its operations across Ukraine and the Carpathians, and the extensive decorations earned during the war.
- 1991
Disbandment
[1]The formation was finally disbanded in 1991.
- 1956
Participation in the Hungarian intervention
[1]In its postwar motor-rifle configuration, the division took part in the Soviet invasion of Hungary.
- 1945
Advance toward Prague
[1]The division took part in the final Soviet advance through the Carpathian region and toward Prague in May.
- 1944
Operations in western Ukraine
[1]The division continued the Soviet advance through Ukraine and received further honors connected with the liberation of Lviv.
- 1944
Transfer to the 4th Ukrainian Front
[1]In November, the division and its army were reassigned to the 4th Ukrainian Front for operations in the Carpathians.
- 1943
Formation as a Guards division
[1]On 7 February, the first formation of the 138th Rifle Division was redesignated as the 70th Guards Rifle Division in recognition of its Stalingrad service.
- 1943
Assignment to the Central Front and Kursk defenses
[1]The division joined the 17th Guards Rifle Corps and entered the fighting on the northern shoulder of the Kursk salient with the 13th Army.
- 1943
Defense of Olkhovatka during Operation Citadel
[1]The division helped halt German armored and infantry attacks around Olkhovatka and Hill 274 in July.
- 1943
Liberation of Glukhov
[1]The division participated in the liberation of Glukhov and received the town’s name as an honorific.
- 1943
Second Order of the Red Banner
[1]The division received a second Order of the Red Banner on 9 September after its summer operations.
Products and positioning
A Guards military formation recognized for combat distinction, durability in defensive operations, and participation in major Soviet offensives from Kursk through Prague.
Marketing campaigns
- 1956Soviet intervention in Hungary
Hungary
The postwar motor-rifle division participated in the Soviet military intervention in Hungary.
Outcome. The division remained in Soviet service after the operation.
- 1944Carpathian and western Ukrainian operations
Ukraine and Carpathian region · Eastern Front
After taking part in the liberation of Lviv, the division fought through the Carpathian Mountains under the 4th Ukrainian Front.
Outcome. The formation continued toward the final Central European operations and the advance on Prague.
- 1943Battle of Kursk
Soviet Union · Eastern Front
The division defended the Olkhovatka area on the northern flank of the Kursk salient and helped stop attacks by the German 9th Army.
Outcome. The German offensive failed to break through the sector, and the Red Army moved to the counteroffensive.
- 1943Operation Kutuzov
Soviet Union · Eastern Front
Following the defensive phase at Kursk, the division advanced out of the salient and participated in the liberation of Glukhov and surrounding areas.
Outcome. The division received a territorial honorific and a second Order of the Red Banner.
- 1943Battle of the Dnieper
Ukraine · Eastern Front
The formation crossed the Seym, Desna and Dnieper rivers and established bridgeheads north of Kyiv.
Outcome. The division helped secure Soviet positions west of the Dnieper for the continuing advance.
- 1943Battle for Kyiv
Ukraine · Eastern Front
The division participated in the autumn offensive and subsequent fighting around the Teteriv and approaches to Kyiv.
Outcome. Kyiv was liberated on 6 November 1943, followed by further Soviet advances into western Ukraine.
Sources1 sources
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