Kantemirovskaya division - a glorious and terrible name

Kantemirovskaya division, despite some shortcomings of its command concerning interethnic relations, remains a military unit of the Russian Army, which can be safely called elite.

The very word "division" in the title was, apparently, a military cunning. In fact, in 1942 a whole tank corps under number 17 was formed. Needless to say, its standard equipment far exceeds the divisional one.

As of 1943, the number of tanks in the Wehrmacht division was 200, but the realities showed much less equipment, about a third, which was caused by constant combat losses and technical malfunctions.

The seventeenth tank corps, on the basis of which the Kantemirov division was formed, had 180 tanks, with their absolute superiority over the German. The number of T-34s ranged from 55 to 70, and there were also heavy KVs and light T-60s, superior to the German tanks that formed the basis of the Wehrmacht Technical Park. But the situation on the military stage was dramatic, despite the technical superiority of Soviet tank forces. Domination in the air at that time was kept by the German fascist troops, which greatly hampered the successful work of our armored forces.

His formidable name, as well as the title of Guards, the corps received in honor of a small settlement, with heavy battles released by him, then the number for the 4th also changed.

Ahead were heavy fights, and the glorious tradition of giving honorary names in honor of towns and villages, released by the corps, continued at the battalion level. Stalingrad, Western Ukraine, Krakow, Dresden, Elbe and, finally, Prague - here is a brief military route that the Kantemirovskaya Tank Division passed .

Thirty-two division warriors were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, 5 became full knights of the Order of Glory, and more than 20,000 people were awarded.

A separate parade in 1946 was dedicated to Soviet tankmen, and tanks of Kantemirov passed through Red Square. It was September 8, and since then another glorious tradition has arisen - to celebrate the day of the tankmen on this day.

In the postwar period, the Kantemirovskaya division was repeatedly reformed. To her name was added the name Yu.V. Andropov. Weapons changed, additional units were introduced into the combat composition, responsible for air defense (from the experience of the Great Patriotic War). Self-propelled guns were added, including long-range howitzers "Acacia", capable of hitting targets with a high accuracy at distances of up to 24.5 kilometers, and the MTA. Did not remain without attention and motorized infantry, without the support of which tanks in modern war can not do.

As for the mobile air defense complex "Tor", there are practically no equal. The data on the number of these all-weather stations, possessed by the Kantemirovskaya division, are modestly silent. The photo only shows their presence in its combat composition. The armament also includes unmanned reconnaissance vehicles.

In modern, unfortunately, not always peaceful conditions, the division demonstrated its fighting ability and ability to defend the interests of Russia and its territorial integrity.

During the military reform in 2009, the Kantemirovskaya division was renamed. Now this is the 4th Separate Tank Brigade. However, there is a hope that a glorious and terrible name will be returned to her. From such it is impossible to refuse.