| 238th Rifle Division (March 14, 1941 - May 24, 1942) 238th Rifle Division (June 15, 1942 - July 1945) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1941–1945 |
| Country |  Soviet Union |
| Branch | .svg){kind=small} Red Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Engagements | Operation Typhoon Battle of Moscow Kaluga Offensive operation Battles of Rzhev Operation Mars Operation Kutuzov Novyi Bykhov-Propoisk Offensive Bykhov-Chavusy Offensive Operation Bagration Mogilev offensive Osovets offensive Vistula–Oder offensive East Pomeranian offensive Danzig Offensive Operation Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation |
| Decorations |  Order of the Red Banner (1st & 2nd Formations) Order of Suvorov (2nd Formation) Order of Kutuzov (2nd Formation) |
| Battle honours | Karachev (2nd Formation) |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Maj. Gen. Gennady Korotkov Col. Gavriil Antonovich Kutalev Col. Tikhon Fyodorovich Egoshin Maj. Gen. Ivan Danilovich Krasnoshtanov |
The 238th Rifle Division was an infantry division of the Red Army, originally formed in the months just before the start of the German invasion, based on the shtat (table of organization and equipment) of September 13, 1939. It was the highest-numbered rifle division to be formed prior to the war. After forming in Kazakhstan it did not begin moving west until later September and arrived in 49th Army southwest of Moscow just after the first phase of Operation Typhoon. During October and November it took part in the defense of Tula before going over to the counteroffensive in early December. The division assisted in the liberation of Aleksin before pushing on toward Kaluga. After the latter place was taken on December 30 it was committed to the attempted encirclement of a large portion of Army Group Center by Western and Kalinin Fronts, and while this ultimately failed the 238th distinguished itself sufficiently to be awarded the Order of the Red Banner and to be redesignated as the 30th Guards Rifle Division in May 1942.
A new 238th was formed in the Moscow Military District on June 15, 1942. After a period for training and a couple of preliminary assignments in Kalinin Front it was moved to 22nd Army before the start of the Second Rzhev–Sychyovka offensive operation (Operation Mars). This Army was to conduct a supporting attack up the valley of the Luchesa River and while it gained some ground this was at significant cost and proved to be of no value after the main attacks failed. After a period in the Reserve of the Supreme High Command for rebuilding the 238th returned to the fighting front in time to take part in Operation Kutuzov, during which it was awarded a battle honor. Following this victory it advanced through western Russian into Belarus as part of 50th Army, gradually gaining ground toward the Dniepr River through the winter of 1943/44. During the Soviet summer offensive in June it crossed this river and assisted in the liberation of Mogilev and other places and was awarded the Order of the Red Banner, along with all three of its rifle regiments. During the pursuit into Poland the division was transferred to the same 49th Army the 1st formation had fought under, winning further distinctions in the process. As part of 2nd Belorussian Front it drove into Poland and Pomerania, assisting in the liberation of Gdańsk before moving west to play a secondary role in the final campaign in Germany. Along with many successful rifle divisions it was surplus to peacetime requirements and was disbanded in July 1945.