202nd Rifle Division (Soviet Union)

The 202nd Rifle Division was an infantry division of the Red Army, originally formed as a motorized division as part of the prewar buildup of forces, and from September 1941 serving as a regular rifle division. As with most pre-war motorized divisions it lacked most of its authorized motor vehicles and shortly after the German invasion had most of its tanks reassigned. Despite this it fought well in actions near Soltsy and Staraya Russa in July and August, gaining time for the defenders of Leningrad at significant cost to itself.

In September the 202nd was reorganized as a regular rifle division and served as such for the duration of the war. Beginning in January 1942 it took part in the fighting that temporarily encircled the German II Army Corps at Demyansk. It spent the next 12 months in the dismal battles around this salient, gaining only minor successes. After the German evacuation the division was moved to the central part of the front and took part in the battle of Kursk and the subsequent Operation Kutuzov. After some time in reserve for rebuilding it joined the fighting west of Kiev in November and December and later took part in the battle of the Korsun Pocket, winning a battle honor. In the spring of 1944, it advanced through much of western Ukraine and entered Romanian territory in late March, for which it was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. In the battles northwest of Iași in April and May the 202nd suffered heavy casualties but was again rebuilt to take part in the August offensive that knocked Romania out of the Axis. As part of 27th Army of 2nd Ukrainian Front it advanced through Transylvania in the autumn, during which its regiments won several honorifics and decorations. It further distinguished itself in the fighting in eastern Hungary during the winter of 1944/45 and ended the war in western Austria as part of 3rd Ukrainian Front. This highly distinguished division was disbanded later in 1945.