NKVD Rifle Divisions

[56ajax]

In 1941, the NKVD 'formed' 3 Rifle Divisions (not Motorised) from existing NKVD security units. It would appear that they would have a maximum strength of about 7000 men.

1st NKVD Rifle Division started forming in late August and was sent to the defence of the Neva river in September where it was smashed. It was renamed the 46th Rifle Division in August 1942.

4th NKVD Rifle Division also known as The 4th Crimea Rifle Division, the Border Guards Division and 4th Crimea Militia was raised on the 23rd August at Balaklava. It was formed from the 23rd, 24th and 25th Border Guards Regiments. On the 8th October it was redesignated the 184th RD, which had been destroyed early in the campaign.

The 20th NKVD Rifle Division started forming in September from existing regiments and was assigned to the Neva operations group in October. It was redesignated the 92nd Rifle Division sometime after June 1942.

Consideration should be given to including the 1st and 20th NKVD RDs in the game. The 4th existed in it's own right for such a short period hardly seems worth the effort (and I am not convinced that it saw combat as the 4th).

(Note : In 1941 the NKVD assisted in the formation of many regular Russian RD's by providing an initial cadre of 1,500 men. These divisions were administered by the Red Army, not the NKVD).