The 153rd Rifle Division of the Red Army
The 153rd Rifle Division (Russian: 153-я стрелковая дивизия) was an infantry division of the Red Army active during World War II from March to December 1942. Notably, for its performance in the Battle of Stalingrad, it was later reformed as the 57th Guards Rifle Division.
History
Colonel Nikolay Aleksandrovich Nikitin took command of the division in February 1942. The division began its formation at Chapayevsk within the Volga Military District starting on March 4, following an order issued on February 1. On July 12, the division reached the Stalingrad Front, joining the 63rd Army, and established defensive positions along the left bank of the Don River.
On October 10, Colonel Andrey Pavlovich Karnov replaced Nikitin as commander. The division initially operated as part of the Don Front, but switched to the Southwestern Front on October 29, maintaining its defensive stance until mid-December. Starting December 16, during Operation Little Saturn, the division transitioned to offensive operations, successfully dismantling three Italian divisions and liberating 38 settlements in the process.
The Offensive Operations
The 153rd Division served as the easternmost unit of the 1st Guards Army, with its area of operations extending to the junction with the 3rd Guards Army. The division was directly under the control of the army headquarters, facing Italian forces from the Torino, Pasubio, and Celere Cavalry Divisions.
On December 16, the operation commenced with artillery preparations beginning at 07:45. The 2nd and 3rd Rifle Battalions of the 563rd Rifle Regiment successfully crossed the Don River, catching the Italian troops off guard with a bayonet charge. The war diary of the 153rd noted that Italian forces fled in panic from the frontline. The division engaged in a series of successful advances, capturing numerous prisoners and taking significant strategic positions throughout the day.
Despite initial successes, challenges arose on the following days. The division faced increased Italian resistance and struggled to maintain momentum in the capture of key locations like the second section of Boguchar sovkhoz and Sukhoy Donets.
Subsequent Developments
By December 19, fierce fighting continued, with the 563rd Regiment capturing significant territories, including Sukhoy Donets and advancing on Kulinkin. The operation led to the successful capture of Meshkov and Kalmykov as they outmaneuvered the remaining Italian forces.
On December 21, remnants of the Italian troops attempted to retreat, but the division was tasked with encircling and neutralizing these groups, which they accomplished. However, logistical issues, particularly concerning fuel and ammunition, hindered their effectiveness in subsequent operations.
By the end of December, the division concluded its operations holding defensive positions northeast of Chertkovo. For their exceptional bravery and steadfastness during the offensive, the 153rd was designated as the elite 57th Guards Rifle Division on December 31.
References
- Bobruk, Sergey (30 September 1942). “Журнал боевых действий 153 сд” [Combat Journal of the 153rd Rifle Division]. Pamyat Naroda (in Russian). Central Archives of the Russian Ministry of Defence.
- Glantz, David M. (1991). From the Don to the Dnepr: Soviet Offensive Operations, December 1942 – August 1943. New York: Routledge.
- Smakotin, Mikhail (1962). От Дона до Берлина [From the Don to Berlin] (in Russian). Moscow: Voenizdat.
- Soviet General Staff (2016). Harrison, Richard W. (ed.). Rollback: The Red Army’s Winter Offensive along the Southwestern Strategic Direction, 1942–43. Solihull, UK: Helion.
- Tsapayev, D.A.; et al. (2015). Великая Отечественная: Комдивы. Военный биографический словарь [The Great Patriotic War: Division Commanders. Military Biographical Dictionary] (in Russian). Vol. 4. Moscow: Kuchkovo Pole.