36th Cavalry Division (Soviet Union)

The 36th Cavalry Division was formed prior to 1939 and was assigned to the Belorussian Military District at the onset of Operation Barbarossa.[1]

36th Cavalry Division
Active? – 6 July 1941
CountrySoviet Union
BranchCavalry
RoleBreakthrough and Exploitation in Deep Operations
SizeDivision

Wartime Service

Soviet invasion of Poland

Assigned to the 11th Army's 3rd Cavalry Corps for the invasion of Poland.[2]

1941

The division was located on the border of German-occupied Poland at the end of the invasion. This placed it in a position to be attacked by the Germans during the opening hours of the next phase. On 22 June the division was ordered to form part of an Operations Group with the 6th Mechanized Corps to counterattack against the German forces. It was attacked on 23 June by the Luftwaffe causing severe casualties among the troops and horses. The division was effectively destroyed within 48 hours of the invasion and was officially disbanded on 6 July 1941.[1]

Subordinate Units
  • 24th Cavalry Regiment
  • 42nd Cavalry Regiment
  • 102nd Cavalry Regiment
  • 8th Tank Regiment (54 tanks and 3 armored cars)

[1]

See also
  • Cavalry Divisions of the Soviet Union 1917–1945

References
  1. Sharp, Charles (1995). "Red Sabers" Soviet Cavalry Corps, Divisions, and Brigades 1941 to 1945. George F. Nafziger.
  2. Soviet order of battle for invasion of Poland in 1939

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