NQM Soviet Cavalry Div

Soviet Cavalry Division

Corps scale orbat in Red

Divisional HQ & Signal Squadron:

Comd in Gaz Jeep, foot or horse (C3), Signals Staff Car (C3)

Divisional Tank Squadron:

0-1 Light Tank T-37/40 or Armoured Car (A/C) (R1)

Cavalry Regimental HQ x 3:

Comd + MMG Tachanka (CS2)

3 x Comd/MMG Tachanka stand (C3)

Cavalry Squadron x up to 15:

Comd + 2-4 Rifles (0-2 may be SMG) (C3) or (C2 + F2) or (C2 + F3)

4-6 x Cavalry stand (F3)

Horse Artillery Battalion:

Comd (C1), 0-1 FOO (O1), 76mm Div gun (S3) + limber (L3)

Comd/limber (L3), 76mm Div gun (S3)

Artillery Ammunition Column:

1-2 trucks or limbers (@L3) – [may be fielded at corps level]

1-2 trucks or limbers (L3) [may be fielded at corps level]

Artillery Regiment:

Comd (C1), 0-1 FOO (O1), 122mm gun (S3), limber (L3)

Comd/limber (L3), 122mm gun (S3),

Anti-Tank Battery:

45mm Gun (S1), Limber (L1), Anti-tank Rifle (ATR) (S1)

45mm Gun + Limber (S3)

Pioneer Battalion:

2 Pioneers (E1), Wagon (L1) + 0-1 Bridging Trailer (L1)

2 Pioneers + Wagon (E3)

Note that the Soviet cavalry division would have no FOOs, early in the war, so can only pre-plan indirect artillery fire, or use direct artillery fire. As the war progressed FOOs were introduced in greater quantity.

In 1939 the establishment of the Division was 4 regiments each of 5 squadrons, (Total 20), and a mechanised regiment of a tank battalion and two motor rifle battalions. Supporting arms comprised a horse artillery regiment, anti-tank battery, anti-aircraft squadron and pioneer squadron. Out of a possible (75) cavalry sabre bases, My division currently has (42)**.The cavalry briefly benefited from the need to absorb mechanised troops after the destruction of mechanised corps as an effective fighting force in the early stage of the war. Later it lost these forces as the mechanised forces were rebuilt:

1 Gaz Jeep, 1 Signals Staff Car, 0-1 Light Tanks (T-37/40), 5(10) Cavalry Command bases (3 Bde, 2 Arty)*, 3(3-6) SMG or NKVD bases, 4 45mm or 76mm Regimental Guns + 5-7 limbers, 45-75(90-150) Cavalry Rifle bases**, 3 MMGs (Tachanka), 0-3 FOO bases, 1 76mm Div gun, 0-1 122mm Howitzer, 1 Anti-tank Rifle, 1(2) Pioneer bases, 1-2 Wagons + 0-1 Bridging Trailer. Normally fielded at corps or front level – 1-2 trucks.