| 21st Guards Rifle Division (March 17, 1942–1946) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1942–1946 |
| Country |  Soviet Union |
| Branch | .svg){kind=small} Red Army |
| Type | Division |
| Role | Infantry |
| Engagements | Battles of Rzhev Operation Seydlitz Battle for Velikiye Luki Battle of Nevel (1943) Baltic Offensive Courland Pocket |
| Battle honours | Nevel |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Maj. Gen. Denis Vasilevich Mikhailov Maj. Gen. Ivan Ivanovich Artamonov Col. Aleksandr Varfolomeevich Shunkov |
The 21st Guards Rifle Division was an elite infantry division of the Red Army during World War II. It was formed from the 361st Rifle Division on March 17, 1942, in recognition of that division's successes in the attempt to encircle the German 9th Army in the Rzhev area during the Soviet winter counteroffensive of 1941–42. After being partially encircled itself in the spring of 1942, the division was withdrawn for rebuilding, and then played a major role in the Battle of Velikiye Luki in 1942–43. It distinguished itself in the battle for Nevel in October, 1943, for which it was awarded a battle honor. The division went on to complete a combat path through northwestern Russia and into the Baltic States, ending its war containing the German forces trapped in the Courland Peninsula.