Soviet 61st Tank Brigade

[Steege]

Hi I would like to know the structure( Army, Corps, etc. and history of the Soviet 61st tank brigade during WWII ? Thanks

[Dann Falk]

61 TB was formed in Leningrad July 1942
547 Tank Battalion
548 T Battalion
61 Motorized Rifle Battalion

Served briefly with the 55 Army then withdrawn into Leningrad Front reserve. Then it was equipped as a light TB with 55 T-60 tanks, to be able to drive over the ice on the Neva River. In Jan 1943 served as close support for the 67 Army attacking over the Neva River. In honor of its accomplishments, in Feb 1943 the 61 TB became the 30 Guards TB.

This info was from Soviet Order of Battle Vol 2 By Charles C Sharp, page 60

Hope this helps

Dann

[Steege]

Thanks, Where did the 30th guards TB go from 1943 ?

[Art]

Remained with the Leningrad Front. Took part in the Leningrad-Novgorod operation (January 1944), battles at Narva (Ferbuary-April), offensive in the Karelian Isthmus (June-July) and Estonia (September). In December 1944 the unit was reorganized as 30 Guards Heavy Tank Brigade, consisting of 93, 94 and 95 Guards Heavy Tank Regiments (each with 21 IS-2 tanks). As a part of the 2 Belorussian Front the brigade participated in operation in Prussia and Pomerania in January-April 1945. This page in Russian can be helpful:
http://tankfront.ru/ussr/tbr/gvtbr30.html
See also a related topic here:
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 9&t=103005

[Steege]

Thanks Art for the info.