Among the names of many of the Red Army during World War II stands out, marked with the geographical name of the area where their soldiers distinguished themselves by outstanding feats of arms.This had to be earned.
In connection with the events of the last decade in the North Caucasus Journalists often use the name "Taman Panzer Division".This is not entirely correct, because the motorized infantry division, however, in its composition has a tank regiment.There rocket and self-propelled artillery, but this division does not become either missile or artillery.
Today, however, few people know that during the war there was another military unit with a very similar name.
One of the elite units of the Russian (formerly Soviet) army soon returned covered with glory of his terrible name.On the proposal of the President of the Russian Federation, will revive the 2nd Guards Taman Division, whose status in the process of military reform has been downgraded to brigadier.This unit should not be confused with the 89th Armenian division, differing around the same time and fought there, in the Kuban region in the North Caucasus.About her and will further the story.
in the Red Army of the prewar period, some combat units were formed along ethnic lines, in particular, as part of the Soviet armed forces were six Armenian divisions.Their specificity was a good level of preparation for combat operations in the highlands.The military doctrine of the late 30s assumed decisive offensive actions, and for their successful implementation was required to overcome the mountains and to seize oil fields in Romania.Nationality most of the personnel are not made public, but the future of the Taman Division was the informal name of the 89 th Armenian rifle.
-label use mountain skills failed, had to fight on its own territory, and the losses were considerable.Since 1943, the 89th division commander was appointed Nver Gevorkovich Saforyan.His name is linked to a heroic page chronicle of the battle, which has become a legend.
August 1943.GHQ voiced task to crack the German defenses on the mountain of debt.This height has become the key to mastering the Taman Peninsula.The regiment, commanded by Lt. Col. Yervand Karapetyan, fearlessly went on the attack.Sergeant Avetisyan repeated the feat of Alexander Matrosov, he closed the body recess.In those hot days and ordinary Karakhanyan Arakelyan, showing heroism awarded the Gold Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union.The result of these bloody battles was the liberation of Taman.In honor of the division of the peninsula in October of the same year it got its ominous name.
Then there were difficult mile of the war, the liberation of Kerch, Crimea.For heroism shown by the two regiments awarded the title of Sevastopol.One of the first 89th Taman Division went to the Soviet border, went to Poland, and then rushed into the lair of the enemy, Germany.Here, in the smoking ruins of the Reichstag, its soldiers celebrate the victory, dancing kochari (Armenian folk dance).
Of course, during the war, the ethnic composition of the change.Armenian Taman Division suffered losses, get a refill once again went into battle.
In the postwar years, the national divisions of the Soviet army was abolished.In 1956, the 89th Taman Division was disbanded.
