The 20th Rifle Division was an infantry division of the Soviet Red Army, formed three times. The first formation of the division lasted from 1919 to 1921 and fought during the Russian Civil War before its downsizing into a brigade. The brigade became the 3rd Rifle Division, the Caucasian Mountain Rifle Division, and the 20th Mountain Rifle Division during the interwar years. In 1944 the 20th became the 20th Rifle Division again. It was disbanded after the end of the war. The division briefly reformed between 1955 and 1957 from the 188th Rifle Division and was converted into a motor rifle division.
First Formation
The division was first formed as the Penza Infantry Division, which was formed by Order No. 9 of the 1st Army of the Eastern Front on 6 July 1918. Until September 15, 1918, was known as the 1st Infantry Division Penza. By order of the Field Staff of the RVSR 1477 N / A on March 16, 1919, it was named the 20th Rifle Division. By a separate order of the troops of the Caucasian Army 789 N / s from October 13, 1921, the division was disbanded and turned into the headquarters staff of the 6th separate Caucasian Rifle Brigade, in turn renamed November 29, 1921, as the 3rd separate Caucasian Rifle Brigade, and June 26, 1922 - as the 3rd Rifle Division. By Transcaucasian Military District Order No. 261/93 of 1 October 1931 the division was renamed the Caucasian Mountain Rifle Division, and May 21, 1936 - the 20th Caucasus Mountain Rifle Division. It was awarded an Honorary Revolutionary Red Banner of the Central Executive Committee, Order of the Red Banner. Was part of the 1st Army of the Eastern Front, 10th Army, under the operational control of the 1st Cavalry Army, 11th Army , in the Transcaucasian Military District.
Second Formation
Formed during World War II on 21 April 1944 from the 20th Mountain Rifle Division. Fought at Krasnodar, Novorossiysk, Crimea, and near Berlin. With 28th Army of the 1st Ukrainian FrontMay 1945. The division inherited the 20th Mountain Rifle Division's Order of the Red Banner, was awarded another Order of the Red Banner during the war, and received the honorific "Baranovichi". It was also awarded the Order of Suvorov2nd class. Thus its final title was the 20th Baranovichi twice Red Banner Order of Suvorov Rifle Division. After the end of the war the division transferred to Lida with the 28th Army. It was disbanded before 1 July 1946.
