Russian-Guards vs. Russian Units

[Arkan]

There was two kind of guards rifle division. Some of them earned the guard status by fighting. But some others were already created as guards divisions. This happened is many major battles.

Caucasus : russian used as reinforcements X and XI Guards Rifle Corps (both composed of only guards divisions)

Stalingrad : 32,33, 34, 35 and 36 GRD then 1 Guards Rifle Army (with 37,38,39,40 and 41th GRD)

Kursk : XVIII GRCorps then 4th Guards Rifle Army then 5th Guards Rifle Army

Budapest-Balaton : 9 Guards Rifle Army.


All this guards rifle divisions and armies never fought before, they were already created as guards units because they were formed of paratroopers. At the begining of the war russians had 5 airborne corps (I, II, III, IV and V) but some other corps were just starting to be created. Then thoose unfinished corps (VI, VII, VIII, IX and X) were transformed into guards rifle divisions