342nd Rifle Division

342nd Rifle Division
Active1941–1943
1944-1955
Country Soviet Union
Branch Red Army
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
EngagementsBattle of Moscow
Operation Kutuzov
Battle of Smolensk (1943)
Soviet invasion of Manchuria
Proposed Soviet invasion of Hokkaido
Battle honoursMtsensk
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Col. Aleksandr Ippolitovich Popov
Col. Grigorii Ivanovich Kanachadze
Maj. Gen. Logvin Danilovich Chervonii
Col. Georgii Lukyanovich Sirikh
Maj. Gen. Anatolii Olegovich Muratov

The 342nd Rifle Division began forming in September 1941, as a standard Red Army rifle division, in the Saratov oblast. It arrived at the front southwest of Moscow in December, in time to take part in the winter counteroffensive. During most of 1942 and into 1943 the division served in primarily defensive roles in 61st Army along the northern face of the German-held salient around Oryol. Following the Soviet victory at Kursk the 342nd took part in the operation that eliminated that salient, and then in the further offensives that liberated Bryansk and pushed on towards Smolensk and the Dniepr River. During these tactical-level actions the division distinguished itself sufficiently to be re-designated as the 121st Guards Rifle Division, one of the last Guards divisions to be formed before the postwar period. In November 1944, a new 342nd was formed in the Far East, and saw action against Japanese forces in northern Manchuria, assaulting across the Sungach river during the Soviet invasion of that region. Well after the war this formation was re-designated and became the 33rd Motor Rifle Division.