Irregular Units of RKKA

January 05, 2004

Moscow

    25 Peoples Militia Divisions (PMDs) had to be formed in Moscow according to the Decision of the State Defense Committee (GKO) #10 (July 04'41) and Moscow Military District Commander's Order #00127 (July 04'41). 13 divisions stopped formation since July 10'41. Their command staff had been transferred to other units.

* - Existed simultaneously with the 160th Rifle Division (1st formation)/Bryansk Front

    Since October 14'41 the Moscow Committee of the Communist Party initiated formation of the 1st and 2nd Moscow Rifle Divisions. Actually they were PMDs. On November 07'41 the 1st Moscow Rifle Division was disbanded and its troops were used for reinforcement of the 2nd Moscow Rifle Division. The latter on Jan., 20'42 was renamed into the 129th Rifle Division (2nd formation)

    On Oct. 28'41 the Destroyer and Communist Battalions/North-Western sector of the Moscow Defense Zone formed the Moscow Worker's Rifle Division. Later in November 14'41 it was renamed into the 3rd Communist Division and in Jan. 20'42 into the 130th Rifle Division (2nd formation)

    On Oct. 28'41 the 1st and 2nd Moscow Worker's Brigades were formed using the troops of Destroyer Battalions. Later on Nov., 14'41 they were renamed into the 4th and 5th Moscow Rifle Divisions respectively. And in Jan. 20'42 they were again renamed into the 155th and 158th Rifle Divisions (2nd formation both).

Conclusion: Existed 16 Moscow PMDs. 14 divisions were disbanded due to organizational reasons before finishing their formation.

Leningrad Peoples Militia Divisions

Guards Peoples Militia Divisions

Reserve Peoples Militia Divisions

Conclusion:

   16 PMDs (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th(1), 6th(1), 6th(2), 7th, Vasilyeostrovskaya, Vyborgskaya, Krasnogvardayskaya, Leninskaya, Petrogradskaya, Primorskaya, Smolninskaya, Oktiabrskaya) were formed in Moscow. The other ones actually were renamed units. From named PMDs 7 were reorganised into regular rifle divisions (No. 13, 44, 56, 80, 85, 86, 189). 7 PMDs were disbanded, 9 - reorganised or renamed into other PMDs. The fact that the residuals of the 3rd and 2nd Gds. PMD were used for reinforcement of the 67th (2nd formation) and 70th(1st formation) Rifle Divisions doesn't permit us to name the latter peoples militia divisions.

Others

Ivanovo:

The number to the 332nd Rifle Division was assigned by the Decision of the State Defense Committee (GKO) #459 (Aug. 09'41) having being formed earlier in July 1941.

Ivanovo's Volunteers Regiment named after D.A. Furmanov. In winter 1941/42 it actually became the 15th Rifle Regiment/49th (2) Rifle Division

Stalingrad:

"Special Cossack Cavalry Peoples Militia Division"- started formation by the Decision of Stalingrad Region's Communist Party Committee from July 08'41. Then was renamed into the 1st Don Novo-Annenskaya Cossack Division. In Jan. 21'42 was renamed into 15th Don Cossack Cavalry Division. Later was reorganized into 11th Guards Cavalry Division

According to I. Ivlev's data, probably the Stalingrad PMD could exist. It could be 333rd (1), 335th (1) or 349th Rifle Division one of which could had started formation in July 1941.

According to A.Kiyan's data Stalingrad Peoples Militia Corps included Stalingrad PMD, Astrakhansky PMD, united Don Cossack Cavalry Division (15th Cavalry Division in the future), Dubovsky and Kamyshinsky Regiments. Existed from July 1941 until end of summer 1942. The majority of Astrakhansky's PMD's staff was used for reinforcement of the 28th Army. In Dec. 21'42 reduced to Astrakhansky Peoples Militia Regiment.

According to E. Drig's data Stalingrad PMD's commander - A.M. Polyakov, Commissar - A.A. Vdovin

• Voroshilovsky Rifle Regiment - N.I. Zavodchikov
• Yermansky Rifle Regiment - F.I. Dedikov
• KrasnoOktiabrsky Rifle Regiment - I.D. Nesvetailo
• Artillery Battalion
• Mortar Battalion
• Tank Battalion (Since November 1941, in February 1942 was expanded into Tank Brigade been included in Stalingrad Peoples Militia Corps)

Astrakhan:

The 248th Rifle Division can't be called PMD as it had been formed on Sept. 06'42 using the troops of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Military Schools, but not based on the troops of Astrakhan People Militia Regiment

Krasnodar:

The 1st, 2nd, 3rd Kuban Cossack Divisions started formation in Sept.-Oct. 1941. Were renamed into 10th, 12th, 13th Kuban Cossack Cavalry Divisions on Jan. 21'42. The 10th Cavalry Division was disbanded in Mar. 1942. Its residuals were used as reinforcement for the 12th and 13th Cavalry Divisions. The latter were reorganised into 9th and 10th Guards Cavalry Divisions respectively.

Kursk:

Peoples militia regiments only were formed. They took part in the combats in Kursk vicinity and inside the town.

Rostov-on-Don:

Rostov Cavalry People Militia Division started formation since Sept. 1941. In Dec. 12'41 was renamed into "Don Volunteer Cossack Cavalry Division". Renamed into the 116th Cavalry Division on Jan. 21'42. Later was reorganised into the 12th Guards Cavalry Division

Novosibirsk:

The 1st Stalinsky Siberian Volunteer Rifle Division. Was formed in summer 1942. 80% of staff was from former prisoners. On August 24'42 renamed into 150th Rifle Division (2nd formation). Later was reorganized into the 22nd Gds. Rifle Division (2nd formation).

Initially included:

• 74th Stalinsky Altai Siberian Volunteer Rifle Brigade.
• 75th Stalinsky Omsk Siberian Volunteer Rifle Brigade.
• 78th Stalinsky Krasnoyarsk Siberian Volunteer Rifle Brigade.
• 91st Stalinsky Novosibirsk Siberian Volunteer Rifle Brigade.

Murmansk:

The 1st Polar Rifle Division (2 Rifle Regiments+Artillery Regiment). Was formed on Sep. 12'41. One regiment was called Communist and another was formed from amnestied prisoners who had been convicted for a small stretches. In October 1941 the 290th Rifle Regiment formed from man-of-war's men was joint to it. In Sept. 19'41 renamed into 186th Rifle Division. In June 26'43 again renamed into 205th Rifle Division (2nd formation). At a somewhat stretch initially could be called PMD.

Tchkalov:

PMD formed from volunteers of Tchkalov town. Still existed on Dec. 25'41. No other data.

Yaroslavl:

The 234th Yaroslavl Communist Rifle Division (2nd formation) can be called PMD.

Saratov:

Saratov PMD existed in July-Oct'43. Was used as a base for reinforcements.

Voronezh:

Voronezh PMD consisted of 11 rifle regiments. The decision of Voronezh Regional Communist Party Committee on forming such a division appeared in July 05'41 (or July 12'41). One rifle regiment from this division was formed from the best communists of the town. It was called "Communist Volunteer's Rifle Regiment". Its manpower was ~3,000. Commander - Colonel M.E. Vaytshekhovsky. After a month of training at night July 16-17'41 the regiment was sent to frontline included into the 1st Guards Rifle Division. This division had four rifle regiment until reorganizing into mechanised corps.

So the whole division didn't take part in combats. But its staff was used as reinforcement for forming regular rifle divisions and regiments. E.g. the 61st "Bogunsky" Rifle Regiment/45th Rifle Division was equipped with the workers of the plant named after Dzerzhinsky, also three totally equipped rifle regiments were sent into the 100th and 327th Rifle Divisions

Later this PMD was reduced down to peoples militia regiment.

Ukraine:

Donbass Coalminer's Rifle Divisions - 383rd, 393rd, 395th, 411th Rifle Divisions. Numbers assigned according to Decision of the State Defense Committee (GKO) #459 (Aug. 09'41) . Actually started formation in July in the towns of Stalino (Donetsk), Slavyansk, Voroshilovgrad (Lugansk), Kharkov respectively.

Kremenchugsky and Kirovogradsky PMDs. No exact data. May be used in understaffed state or by parts.

According to A.Kiyan's data Dnepropetrovsk and Kharkov Peoples Militia Corps were formed.

Dnepropetrovsky Corps was disbanded and its troops were used as reinforcement for the 37th Army.

The Kharkov Corps was reduced to regiment. Kremenchug PMD took part in combats in Kremenchug vicinity as a division.

Crimea:

1st Crimea Rifle Division Formed on Aug. 17'41 from volunteers, conscripts, communists and convalescents in Feodosia.

Renamed into the 320th Rifle Division (1st formation) on Sept. 19'41

2nd Crimea Rifle Division Formed on Aug. 17'41 from volunteers, conscripts, communists and convalescents in Yevpatoria. Renamed into 321st Rifle Division (1st formation) on Sept. 19'41

3rd Crimea Motorized Rifle Division. Formed on Aug. 17'41 from volunteers, conscripts, communists and convalescents. Used for formation of the 3rd Crimea Division on Aug. 28'41

3rd Crimea Rifle Division was formed in Simferopol on Aug. 27'41 based on the troops of the 3rd Crimea Motorized Rifle Division Later renamed into the 172nd Rifle Division (2nd formation)

4th Crimea Frontier Guards Division. Formed on Aug. 17'41 using troops of the Black Sea Frontier Guards Military District, Destroyer Battalions, staff of the 26th Frontier Guards Detachment (received from Odessa in Oct. '41). May be called PMD at a stretch. Renamed in the 184th Rifle Division.

The role of the Communist Party in formation of those divisions as a peoples militia ones is not clear. From the other side there exist the Order of the 51st Army Commander #001 from Aug. 08'41 mentioning the formation of these divisions while forming of the 51st Army.

Sevastopol:

Commander: Colonel Shapovalov

Commissar: Battalion Commissar V.I. Kulibaba

The Head of Political Department: P. Ya. Sarin

1st Regiment: Major Makovich

2nd Regiment: Captain Sokolov

3rd Regiment: Captain Kirsanov

4th Regiment: Major Timoshenko

5th Regiment: Major Smetanin

Odessa:

The 421st Rifle Division (1st formation) can't be called PMD as it was formed according to the Order of Odessa Defense District's Commander on Sept. 1'41 based on the troops of the Eastern Operational Group of Odessa Defense District: 54th Rifle Regiment/25th Rifle Division (1), 1st and 2nd Marine Rifle Regiments, 134th Howitzer Artillery Regiment, 150th Separate Signals Battalion. It was reinforced by Odessa inhabitants, but not formed from them.

Sumy:

Almost no mentioning.

Total Ukraine:

Evidently formed - 8 PMDs (172nd, 184th, 320th, 321st, 383rd, 393rd, 394th, 411th Rifle Divisions.), probably - 2 (Kremenchug, Kirovograd), not PMDs - 1 (421st), unknown - 1 (Sumy).

Byelorussia:

Vitebsk PMD mentioned starting formation. 10,000 militiamen from Mogilev took part in fights.

NOTE: Not all PMDs took part in combats as a separate units. There are much cases of their usage by parts as reinforcements of regular formations.

Abbreviations

PMD - Peoples Militia Division

(1) - 1st formation

Gds. - Guards.

Sources

Materials provided by:

• I.I. Ivlev
• A. Kiyan
• S. Samodurov
• O. Nelzin
• E. Drig

Sites:

• www.soldat.ru
• www.rkka.ru
• www.samsv.narod.ru