The history of the first guards units in the Russian army dates back to the existence of the imperial system. It is reliably known that the first such units were two and the Preobrazhensky, which were founded during the reign of Peter I. Even then, these regiments showed considerable endurance and heroism in battle. Such divisions existed up to the coming to power in Russia of Bolshevism. Then an active struggle was waged against the remnants of the tsarist regime, and the guards units were disbanded, and the very concept was forgotten. However, during the Great Patriotic War, the question of encouraging distinguished soldiers arose sharply, since many soldiers or entire units fought bravely even against the superior forces of the enemy. It was during this difficult time that the sign "Guard of the USSR" was established.

Institution in the guards rank

In 1941, the Red Army suffered a series of defeats from the Wehrmacht and retreated. The decision to revive the former tradition of the Soviet government arose during one of the most difficult defensive battles - the Battle of Smolensk. Four divisions especially distinguished themselves in this battle: 100th, 127th, 153rd and 161st. And already in September 1941, by order of the Supreme High Command, they were renamed into the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Guards Divisions with the assignment of the appropriate rank. At the same time, all personnel were awarded the "Guard" badge, as well as special salaries: for privates - double, for officers - one and a half. Later, this sign also began to adorn the banners of distinguished units (since 1943).

During the war years, many units were awarded the rank of guards who showed courage and heroism in battles against the invaders. But the story of the elite formations in the Red Army does not end there. Guards were awarded during other armed conflicts. They continued until the collapse of the USSR. The badge "Guard" was awarded to any recruit who ended up in the unit, but only after he passed the baptism of fire, and in such as the aviation or navy, these requirements were even more stringent. Moreover, in this regard, there was no difference between officers and ordinary soldiers.

Breastplate "Guard": description

In total, there are several varieties of this award: during the Second World War, post-war, as well as modern signs. Each of them has its own differences, since over time the design has changed and Yes, and they were produced at different factories. Below will be described a sample of 1942 release.

So, this honorary award is a sign made in the form of a laurel wreath covered with gold enamel. The upper part is closed with a fluttering color on which "Guard" is written in gold letters. The entire space inside the wreath is covered with white enamel. In the center stands the Soviet army in red with gold edging. The left rays of the star are crossed by the staff of the banner, which is intertwined with a ribbon. From it there are two cords that hang down on the left branch of the wreath. At the bottom there is a cartouche on which the inscription "USSR" is engraved.

When assigning any part of the guards rank, the emblem depicting the award was also applied to military equipment - tanks or aircraft.

The dimensions of the badge are 46 x 34 mm. It was made of tombak - an alloy of brass, copper and zinc. Its properties did not allow the award to rust. For attachment to clothing, a special pin and nut were attached. The award was worn on the right side of the garment at chest level.

The project was developed by S. I. Dmitriev. One of the variants of the execution was an almost similar sign, but the profile of Lenin was placed on the banner. However, Stalin did not like the idea, and he ordered to replace the profile with the inscription "Guard". This is how the award received its final form.

Privileges and features

For those who had the USSR Guard badge, special privileges were entrusted. The award was retained for the person who received it, even if he left the guard service. The same applied to the transfer of a soldier to another unit. The award was also worn in the post-war period. In 1951, the government of the USSR issued a law deciding to temporarily stop handing over the "Guard" badge, doing this only in exceptional cases. This procedure was observed until 1961, when the Minister of Defense R. Ya. Malinovsky approved an order according to which the right to wear the badge came into force when serving in a guards unit. It did not apply to participants in the Second World War.

We should also mention the presentation. It was carried out solemnly, with a general formation of the entire unit, with banners unfurled. In addition to the award itself, the fighter was also presented with a document containing the relevant information about the award and confirming it. But over time, the delivery itself turned into a routine and lost its "ritual" meaning.

Modernity

Now, when the glory of past events is fading, it can be purchased from various private merchants. Since one of the most popular awards is just the "Guard" badge, its price is usually low. It depends on several things: the time and method of production, the history of the award, and who is selling it. The cost starts at an average of 2,000 rubles.

Outcome

The sign "Guard" testified to the heroism, military training and valor of the person wearing it. During the existence of the USSR, units awarded the rank of guards were considered elite, and the soldiers who served in such units were treated with great respect.

Guard(ital. guardia guards, guards) - the elite privileged part of the troops.

Guard is traditionally called the elite, privileged, best trained and equipped part of the troops. It was the core of the army, armed detachments that were directly under the monarch, often performing the functions of his personal guard.

The first mention of Russian guards units is given in the historical annals of the Russian army in connection with the military campaigns of Peter's troops near Azov and Narva.

Base

The Guard was established at the beginning of the reign of Peter the Great from the Preobrazhensky and Semyonovsky regiments.

In the archives of the Semyonovsky regiment there is information that it was already in 1698 called the Semyonovsky Life Guard. In 1700, during the Narva confusion, two guards regiments held back the onslaught of the Swedes for three hours, for which the chief officers of these regiments were awarded the insignia (the oldest in Russia, still preserved) with the inscription: "1700, November 19".

Under Peter I

During the reign of Peter I, the guard was replenished mainly by nobles; only after significant losses in battles did they begin to allow transfers from the army and the reception of recruits in it.

Every nobleman who entered the military service, before becoming an army officer, had to enter a private in one of the guards regiments and serve in this rank until the sovereign approves his election as an officer, on which the production in ranks was based at that time.

Until 1722, the guard did not have any advantages in ranks, but on January 22 of this year, a table of ranks was approved, according to which the officers of the guards regiments received the seniority of two ranks against the army.

To train officers for army cavalry regiments, the Kronshlots dragoon regiment was formed in 1721, which was commanded to consist of noblemen alone and be called a life regiment. This regiment, although it served as the basis for the Life Guards cavalry, but under Peter the Great did not have the rights and advantages that the guard regiments enjoyed.

Under Catherine I

Under Catherine I, a cavalry guard was established, and, in addition, the life guard battalion, located in Moscow and made up of officers of the guard regiments incapable of service, was added to the guard.

Under Anna Ioannovna

Under Anna Ioannovna, the life regiment was renamed the Life Guards Cavalry Regiment, and the Guards Infantry Regiment was formed, named Izmailovsky.

A special guards detachment took part in the campaign against the Turks in 1737-39.

Under Elizabeth

Empress Elizaveta Petrovna herself accepted the rank of colonel of all guards regiments, and expelled the grenadier company of the Transfiguration, which had facilitated her accession to the throne, from the regiment and named it the Life Campaign.

Under Peter III

Under Peter III, the Life Campaign was abolished.

Under Catherine II

Under Catherine II, the Moscow Life Guards Battalion was disbanded, in place of which an invalid team was established in Murom, called the Murom Life Guards (1764).

The Guard took an active part in the Swedish war.

Under Paul I

Emperor Paul I strengthened the guards regiments, including in their composition units of the troops that were with him in Gatchina (Gatchina troops) before his accession to the throne; The Life Guards Artillery Battalion, the Life Guard Jaeger Battalion and regiments were also formed: Life Guards Hussars (1796) and Life Guards Cossacks (1798), and the Garrison Battalion was made up of the Guards lower ranks incapable of field service.

Under Alexander I

Under Emperor Alexander I, the Life Guards Jaeger Regiment was formed from the Life Guards Jaeger Battalion; in 1806, a battalion of the imperial militia was formed from the appanage peasants of the estates closest to St. Petersburg, which received the rights of the guard for the distinction in the war of 1808; in 1811, the Finnish Life Guards regiment was formed from it. In the same year, the 1st battalion was separated from the Preobrazhensky regiment to form the Life Guards Lithuanian Regiment, renamed in 1817 into the Moscow Life Guards, in the same 1817 the Lithuanian Life Guards and Volyn Life Guards regiments were formed in Warsaw.

In 1810, the Guards crew was established, and in 1812 - the Sapper Life Guards Battalion.

Separate Guards Corps (1812-1864) - On April 3, 1812, the Guards Corps was formed, in December 1829 it was renamed the Separate Guards Corps. From February 3, 1844 to 1856, the Grenadier Corps was also subordinate to the commander of the Separate Guards Corps, the Corps Headquarters was reorganized into the Headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief of the Guards and Grenadier Corps, from 1849 - the Headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief of the Guards and Grenadier Corps. In 1856, the Headquarters of the Separate Guards Corps was restored. At the headquarters of the corps there were commissions: "Guards barracks" in 1820-1836 and "For the repair of cavalry" (1843-1860). The corps was abolished in August 1864 with the introduction of the provision on the military district administration (Milyutin's reform). The headquarters of the corps was transformed into the Headquarters of the Guard Forces and the St. Petersburg Military District.

In 1813, the Life-Grenadier and Pavlovsky regiments were attached to the Guards for their distinction, and their officers were given the advantage of one rank over the army; these shelves formed a new one, or young guard, in contrast to which the former regiments were called the old guard.

In 1809, the Life Guards Dragoon Regiment and the Life Guards Ulansky Regiment were formed, and in 1814 - the Life Guards Horse Regiment.

In Warsaw, the Life Guards Podolsk Cuirassier Regiment and the Life Guards Ulansky Regiment of His Highness the Tsarevich were formed in 1817, and in 1824 (as a young guard) - the Life Guards Grodno Hussars. In addition, the Guards Gendarme half-squadron (1815), the Guards Horse Pioneer Squadron (1819) and the Life Guards Invalid Brigade (1824) were formed.

For the differences rendered in the war with the French, (1813) His Majesty's Life Guards Cuirassier Regiment was added to the Young Guard. In 1805, the Life Guards Horse Artillery was formed, in 1811 - the Life Guards Artillery Brigade in 1816 was divided into the 1st and 2nd brigades.

In 1817, a guards battery company was formed in Warsaw, which became part of the combined guards and grenadier artillery brigade in 1821.

The guard took part in all the wars waged during the reign of Alexander I, except for the Turkish and Persian.

Under Nicholas I

Moscow Detachment of the Guards Corps (March-November 1826) Formed in March 1826 to participate in the coronation of Nicholas I. It consisted of two infantry brigades, formed from battalions of guards regiments, a special cavalry detachment, three battery companies and a platoon of gendarmes. The commander of the detachment, Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich, chief of staff of the detachment, Major General A.K. Gerua. Disbanded in November 1826.

Under Emperor Nicholas I, in 1829, the Finnish training rifle battalion was added to the composition of the young guard, and the Finnish rifle battalion was renamed the Life Guard. He, as well as the regiments of the Life Guards Grenadier and Pavlovsky, were granted in 1831 for the distinction in the Polish campaign of the rights of the Old Guard. At the same time, the grenadier regiments of St. Petersburg of King Friedrich Wilhelm III and the Kexholm of the Austrian emperor were ordered to be attached to the Guards Corps.

In 1827, the Crimean Tatar Life Guards squadron and the Caucasian Gorsky Life Guards squadron were formed.

In 1831 His Majesty's Life Guards Cuirassier Regiment was united with the Podolsk Cuirassier's Life Guards under the general name His Majesty's Life Guards Cuirassiers and with the rights of the Old Guard. At the same time, the rights were granted: the old guard - to the Life Guards regiments of the Horse-Jaeger and Grodno Hussars, and the young guard - to the Ataman Cossack. The Life Guards Dragoon Regiment was renamed into the Life Guards Horse Grenadier Regiment, and the Life Guards Horse Ranger Regiment was renamed into the Life Guards Dragoon Regiment.

In 1830, the Life Guards Don Cavalry Artillery Company was formed, and in 1833 all artillery companies were renamed batteries. In the same 1833, the guard was divided into two corps: the guards infantry (from the infantry and foot artillery) and the guards reserve cavalry (from the cavalry and horse artillery).

During the reign of Nicholas I, the Guards participated in the Turkish and Polish wars.

Under Alexander II

Under Emperor Alexander II in 1856, rifle companies were formed in all the Guards infantry regiments, one per battalion, and at the same time the Life Guards First and Second Infantry Battalions were formed again. The first of them in 1858 was named the Life Guards 1st Infantry Battalion of His Majesty.

In 1856, the Imperial Family Life Guards Rifle Battalion, formed during the Eastern War of 1853-1856 from appanage peasants, was added to the Guard (as the Young Guard). These battalions in 1870 were combined with the Life Guards Finnish Rifle Battalion into one Guards Rifle Brigade.

The Guards Invalid Brigade was disbanded in 1859. From the Life Guards of the Garrison Battalion in 1873, a personnel battalion of the Life Guards of the Reserve Infantry Regiment was formed.

In 1856, Her Majesty's Life Guards Cuirassier Regiment was granted the rights of the Young Guard; For His Majesty's Own Convoy, 3 Cossack Life Guards squadrons were formed (1 - in service, 2 - on privilege), and the Crimean Tatar Life Guards squadron was disbanded.

Under Emperor Alexander II, the Guards took part in the campaign to suppress the Polish rebellion in 1863 and in the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. At the end of this war on April 17, 1878, the Life Guards Ataman Regiment of the Heir to the Tsarevich was granted the rights of the Old Guard, and in 1884 the Life Guards Cuirassier Regiment and the Life Guards 4th Infantry Imperial Family Battalion were granted the same rights.

From 1864 to 1874, the guards did not make up corps or corps, in 1874 the guards corps was restored.

Guards detachment of His Majesty's honorary convoy (1877-1878) Formed on May 11, 1877 to guard the Headquarters during the stay of Alexander II in the army during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. After his departure from the army in December 1877, the detachment was attached to the commander-in-chief of the Army in the field. The detachment consisted of two companies of infantry, a half-squadron of cavalry, half a company of sappers and foot artillerymen from the guards and the army units sponsored by the emperor. The detachment was commanded by the aide-de-camp P. S. Ozerov, K. A. Runov, P. P. von Enden. The detachment was disbanded on November 29, 1878.

Russian Imperial Guard by 1917

1st Guards Infantry Division

1st Guards Infantry Brigade,

Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment
Life Guards Semyonovsky Regiment

2nd Guards Infantry Brigade, location - St. Petersburg. (02.1913 g.)

Life Guards Izmailovsky Regiment
Life Guards Jaeger Regiment

2nd Guards Infantry Division

3rd Guards Infantry Brigade, location - St. Petersburg. (02.1913 g.)

Life Guards Moscow Regiment
Life Guards Grenadier Regiment

4th Guards Infantry Brigade, location - St. Petersburg. (02.1913 g.)

Life Guards His Majesty's Pavlovsk Regiment
Life Guards Finland Regiment

3rd Guards Infantry Division

5th Guards Infantry Brigade,

Life Guards Lithuanian Regiment
Life Guards Kexholm Emperor of the Austrian Regiment

6th Guards Infantry Brigade, deployment - Warsaw (02.1913)

Life Guards St. Petersburg King Friedrich Wilhelm III Regiment
His Majesty's Life Guards Volynsky Regiment

Guards Rifle Brigade, 02/17/1915 - the brigade is deployed into a division

His Majesty's Life Guards 1st Infantry Regiment
Life Guards 2nd Rifle Tsarskoye Selo Regiment
His Majesty's Life Guards 3rd Infantry Regiment
Life Guards 4th Rifle Imperial Family Regiment

1st Guards Cavalry Division

1st Guards Cavalry Brigade,

Her Majesty's Cavalry Regiment of the Empress-Empress Maria Feodorovna
Life Guards Cavalry Regiment

2nd Guards Cavalry Brigade, brigade headquarters - SPB. (02.1913 g.)

His Majesty's Life Guards Cuirassier Regiment
Life Guards Cuirassier Her Majesty Sovereign Empress Maria Feodorovna regiment

3rd Guards Cavalry Brigade, brigade headquarters - SPB. (02.1913 g.)

Life Guards Cossack Regiment of His Majesty
Life Guards Ataman of His Imperial Highness Heir-Tsarevich Regiment
Life Guards Consolidated Cossack Regiment of His Majesty

1st Division of the Life Guards Horse Artillery

1st His Majesty Battery
4th His Imperial Highness Heir-Crown Prince Battery
6th Don battery of His Majesty

2nd Guards Cavalry Division

4th Guards Cavalry Brigade

Life Guards Horse Grenadier Tsarevich Alexei Regiment
Life Guards Ulansky Her Majesty Sovereign Empress Alexandra Feodorovna regiment

5th Guards Cavalry Brigade

Life Guards Dragoon Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna Regiment
His Majesty's Life Guards Hussar Regiment

2nd Division of the Life Guards Horse Artillery

2nd General Feldzheichmeister of the Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich Battery
5th His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich Battery

Separate Guards Cavalry Brigade

Life Guards Ulansky His Majesty Regiment
Life Guards Grodno Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich Hussar Regiment
3rd His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Georgy Mikhailovich Battery Life Guards Horse Artillery

Guards Mortar Artillery Division

Life Guards Sapper Battalion

Guards naval crew

Guards Corps Aviation Detachment Russian Imperial Air Force.

1st military road detachment of the guard troops

Guards railway regiment

In the guard, recruits-soldiers were selected for their appearance: in the Preobrazhensky regiment - the tallest and fair-haired, in the Semyonovsky regiment - blondes, in Izmailovsky - brunettes, in the life huntsman - lightly built with any hair color. Life Guards Moscow regiment - red, Grenadier - brunettes, Pavlovsky - red and snub-nosed, Finnish - as huntsmen.

The Cavalry Regiment - the tallest blondes, chestnut horses, the Life Guards equestrian - brunettes and black horses, His Majesty's Cuirassier - red on red horses, Her Majesty's Cuirassier - blondes on Karak (dark chestnut) horses.

Russian guard in the White movement

In 1918, along with the disbandment of the Russian Imperial Army, the guards units were also abolished. However, almost all of them were restored during the Civil War and took part in the struggle against the Bolsheviks as part of the White armies. At the end of the Civil War in exile, the Guards Association and the associations of the regiments of the Russian Imperial Guard were created, which became part of the Russian General Military Union ..

Guard of modern Russia

Today, the Armed Forces of Russia include:

guards tank Kantemirovskaya division
guards motorized rifle Taman division
guards motorized rifle Carpathian-Berlin division
Guards separate motorized rifle Sevastopol brigade
line connections of airborne forces
guards units and ships of the Navy
guards units of the SV and Air Force (in particular, the 159th Guards Novorossiysk Red Banner Order of Suvorov III degree Fighter Aviation Regiment)

“... In order to revive and develop domestic military traditions, increase the prestige of military service and in connection with the 300th anniversary of the Russian guard, I decide:

From the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin

Military service has always been the most honorable and respected in Russia. And this is not accidental, because throughout the thousand-year history of the Russian state, our ancestors constantly had to defend the independence and integrity of their country with arms in hand.

A special place among the armed defenders of the Motherland has always been occupied by the heroes of battles, who, without sparing their lives, defended the freedom and independence of the Fatherland. It was from such people that the Russian guard was created. It is no exaggeration to say that over the more than three hundred years of history of their existence, the guards have written the most memorable pages in the military chronicle of the Russian state.

Guard is traditionally called the elite, privileged, best trained and equipped part of the troops. The word "guard" at its core has an ancient Gothic root, which means "guard, defend, protect." It was the core of the army, armed detachments that were directly under the monarch, often performing the functions of his personal guard.

The guard in Russia was established at the beginning of the reign of Peter I from the "amusing" Preobrazhensky and Semyonovsky regiments. The first mention of Russian guards units is given in the historical annals of the Russian army in connection with the military campaigns of Peter's troops near Azov and Narva. In the archives of the Semyonovsky regiment there is information that it was already in 1698 called the Semyonovsky Life Guard. In 1700, during the Narva "confusion", two guards regiments held back the onslaught of the Swedes for three hours, for which the chief officers of these regiments were awarded a special silver insignia (the oldest in Russia) with the inscription: "1700, November 19".

During the reign of Peter I, the guard was replenished mainly by nobles. The officers enjoyed privileges and had the seniority of two ranks in comparison with the army. It was only after significant combat losses in the guards units that they began to accept recruits and transfers of servicemen from other units for resupply.

The recruits-soldiers were selected into the tsar's guard by their appearance: to the Preobrazhensky regiment - the tallest and fair-haired, to the Semyonovsky regiment - blondes, to the Izmailovsky - brunettes, to the life huntsman - lightly built with any hair color. So the soldiers of the Life Guards of the Moscow regiment were red, the Grenadier - brunettes, Pavlovsky - red and snub-nosed.

From the end of the 18th century in Russia, banners began to serve as the sign of the Guards regiment (previously they were considered amunic accessory). Since that time, the guards banner has become a symbol of military honor, valor and glory. History has preserved many examples of heroic deeds under the guards' banners.

The first naval unit of the Russian Imperial Guard - the Guards Crew - was officially formed in 1810 by the decree of Emperor Alexander I. The most worthy sailors and officers were selected from the fleet for staffing, such a transfer was made as a distinction award on the personal order of the emperor. In fact, even under Peter I, the first court rowing team was formed, which was subsequently transformed with an increase in status and the addition of new functions to the Guards crew.

In the battles of the Patriotic War of 1812, the guards covered themselves with unfading glory, showing an example of true service to the Fatherland. The feat of self-sacrifice of the cavalry guards in the battle of Austerlitz on November 20, 1805, when they went to certain death, saving the bleeding Semyonovsky and Preobrazhensky regiments from the vastly superior forces of the French cavalry, was inscribed in blood in the military history of the Fatherland. The Marine Guards crew as part of the ground forces also participated in the most significant battles: for Smolensk, near Borodino, near Dresden and Leipzig. In the historic battle of Borodino on August 26, 1812, near the walls of Moscow, the sailors-guards destroyed the regiment of the division of General Delson and with their artillery crushed the soldiers of the French marshals Davout, Ney, Junot and the cavalry of Murat.

The first ship of the Guards crew of Russia was the 74-gun sailing battleship "Azov", commanded by Captain 1st Rank M.P. Lazarev, in the future a famous naval commander. On October 8, 1827, in the famous Navarino battle of the combined fleet of Russia, England and France against the Turkish-Egyptian fleet, fighting simultaneously with five Turkish ships, the Azov destroyed four, and the fifth, 80-gun battleship under the flag of the commander of the enemy fleet, made me run aground. In this battle, the officers of "Azov" especially distinguished themselves: Lieutenant PS. Nakhimov, midshipman V.A. Kornilov and midshipman V.I. Istomin. The highest award for successful military operations in this battle was awarded to Azov. At the end of the Crimean War, all the crews of the Black Sea Fleet (from the 29th to the 45th) were awarded with St. George's flags with the inscription: "For the defense of Sevastopol from September 13, 1854 to August 27, 1855."

This is how military glory was created and the traditions of the Russian guard were laid.

It was quite natural that the Russian Guard, which ceased to exist in 1918, was revived again in the terrible years of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

In fierce battles, the soldiers and commanders of the Red Army demonstrated to the whole world love for their Fatherland, their people, and loyalty to the military oath. On the battlefield, they acquired combat experience and thwarted the intentions of the invaders. Thus, during the Battle of Smolensk, which unfolded in mid-July 1941 in the Western strategic direction, Soviet troops forced the enemy to go on the defensive for almost two months and delayed his advance towards Moscow. This was the first strategic success of the Soviet Armed Forces. It was here, in the battles on the outskirts of Moscow, near Yelnya, in 1941 the pride of the Army - the Guard - received its second birth. In the harsh time of repelling fascist aggression, it became necessary to revive the time-tested glorious tradition of the Russian army - the creation of shock units from the most skillful and courageous fighters, who were an example for all soldiers and a support for command. The Soviet guards were sent to the most difficult sectors of the front and everywhere carried out combat missions with honor. It was not for nothing that they said during the war: “Where the guards are advancing, the enemy cannot resist. Where the guards defend themselves, the enemy cannot pass. "

In September 1941, the concept of "guards unit" was introduced in the Red Army. For servicemen of the guards units on May 21, 1942, the "Guard" badge was established, and for the guardsmen of the fleet - a rectangular plate with an orange moire ribbon with black longitudinal stripes. At the same time, guards ranks were introduced in the active army.

The first ships received the rank of guards on April 3, 1942. By order No. 72 of the People's Commissar of the Navy, Admiral Nikolai Kuznetsov, four submarines of the Northern Fleet became guards: D-3 Krasnogvardeets, submarine K-22, M-171 and M-174. From the Red Banner Baltic Fleet, the first guards ships were the Stoyky destroyer, Marty minelayer and Gafel minesweeper. And the largest and most powerful battleship of the Black Sea Fleet - the cruiser Krasny Kavkaz - was awarded the title of Guards. For the decisive contribution to the heroic defense of Sevastopol, by Order of the NK of the Navy No. 138 of June 18, 1942, the 1st separate artillery division of the Coastal Defense of the Black Sea Fleet, which at that time included the 30th and 35th armored turret batteries, was awarded the rank of guards. On the walls of the 30th battery that died in an unequal battle, enemy soldiers wrote "... the most powerful fortress in the world." The award deserved at the high price of courage and self-sacrifice of soldiers did not always find heroes. According to the recollections of the last defender of the 14th coastal battery of the 2nd separate artillery battalion of the Coastal Defense of the Main Base of the Black Sea Fleet - the gunner of gun No. 3, sailor GI Teslenko. - in the last days of June 1942, the 14th coastal sniper battery was promoted to the rank of Guards, but the performance was apparently lost in the fire of blazing Sevastopol.

By the end of the war, in its ranks over four thousand formations, the Guard was a powerful vanguard of the Armed Forces of the USSR.

Already 76 years separates us from those September days of 1941, when the first guards divisions appeared in the Red Army.

In the postwar years, the Soviet guard continued the glorious traditions of the previous generations of guards. And although in peacetime the transformation of formations into guards was not carried out, in order to preserve military traditions, the guards ranks of units, ships, formations and formations were transferred to new military units and formations during reorganization with direct succession in terms of personnel. So, the Kantemirovskaya tank division was created on the basis of the famous 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya corps. The honorary name was retained and the corps guard banner was transferred to it. The same thing happened with the 5th Guards Mechanized Division, whose servicemen subsequently fulfilled their military duty in Afghanistan with dignity.

Guards units and formations were mainly located on the front lines in groups of forces and border districts, and divisions, whose exploits received special recognition, were deployed in large cities and capitals of the union republics. A recruit soldier, coming to serve in the guards unit, with great pride took the "Guard" badge from the commander's hands and swore not to shame the memory of his fathers and grandfathers.

Soldiers-guardsmen who had to participate in various local wars and conflicts outside the borders of our Motherland also remained worthy of the memory of their predecessors. So, in February - October 1950, in order to repel the Kuomintang aviation raids on the cities of the People's Republic of China, in accordance with the agreement between the USSR and the PRC of February 14, 1950, the Group of Soviet Air Defense Forces operated. The Group, along with other units, included the 29th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment and the 1st Guards Anti-aircraft Searchlight Regiment. Guards pilots had to participate in the Korean War of 1950-1953. The missile guards demonstrated their best qualities in July - October 1962, when during Operation Anadyr, in the most difficult climatic conditions, a group of troops was created in Cuba that could prevent a possible invasion of the island by the US armed forces.

The Guard of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation was the successor and continuer of the military traditions of their predecessors. Guards motorized rifle Taman, guards tank Kantemirovskaya, 20th guards motorized rifle Carpathian-Berlin division; Guards formations of the Airborne Forces; Guards Stalingrad-Korsun Motorized Rifle Regiment ... These names still evoke memory, inspire and oblige.

The current generation of guards is worthily continuing the centuries-old traditions of selfless service to the Motherland and loyalty to the oath.

This was clearly manifested in the course of the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus. The feat of the Pskov paratrooper heroes is akin to the feats of the cavalry guards in the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805 and the Panfilov heroes in the winter of 1941. On March 1, 2000, in the Argun gorge, the 6th paratrooper company of the 104th Guards paratrooper regiment of the 76th airborne The airborne division took a fierce battle with the many times superior forces of mercenary fighters. The paratroopers did not flinch, did not retreat, fulfilled their military duty to the end, at the cost of their lives blocked the enemy's path, showing courage, courage and heroism. The heirs of the military glory gained by their predecessors under the walls of Narva, near Borodino, on the Shipka Pass and near Dubosekovo, they could not have acted otherwise: the guard did not surrender and did not retreat. From 10 to 23 August 2008, the Guards missile cruiser "Moskva", as part of a ship formation of diverse forces, took part in supporting the peacekeeping operation "Peace Enforcement", being in the eastern part of the Black Sea. As the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, "Moscow" is actively involved in the combat training of the fleet and combat services in various parts of the World Ocean. Both paratroopers and sailors in our days honorably fulfilled their military duty, did not disgrace the rank of the Guards.

Times, people change, the names of military units change, but traditions remain unchanged. The indissoluble unity of the past, present and future has been and remains one of the main sources of strength and valor of the Russian army.

The Russian Guard is the flower and pride of the Russian Armed Forces, the personification of indestructible military power, mass heroism and military valor. Her combat traditions serve as a model of loyalty to military duty and the Fatherland for the soldiers.

History and traditions of the Imperial Guard

"Guard" in translation from Italian - guard, guard, the elite privileged part of the troops. It arose with the emergence of slave states, when special guards (bodyguards) appeared under the monarchs and military leaders. For example, in ancient Greece it was called a “sacred detachment”, in ancient Persia it was a 10-thousandth corps of “immortals”, in the army of Alexander the Great - a 6-thousandth corps, which included heavy infantry (giraspists) and heavy cavalry (getters). In ancient Rome, Guy Marius had a cohort of praetorians.

In the Middle Ages, special detachments of selected warriors existed in many armies. They were owned by the generals of Byzantium, Charlemagne, Genghis Khan and others.

The term "guard" first appeared in the 12th century in Lombardy (Italy). Initially, it meant an elite military detachment that guarded the state banner. With the creation of standing armies, the guard was divided into palace (to protect the monarch) and military (elite army units). It existed in almost all European states - in France, Italy, Prussia, England and others.

The Russian Guard (Russian Imperial Life Guard) existed from 1721 to March 1917. It was created by Peter I in 1696-1700 on the basis of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky "amusing" regiments. The Russian Guard received their baptism of fire in the Battle of Narva in 1700, where they saved the Russian army from total destruction. For this feat, the officers of the regiments were awarded a badge with the inscription "November 17, 19". Peter I ordered the guardsmen to wear red stockings instead of green ones as a sign that they fought knee-deep in blood.

In the 18th century, the Russian Guard took part in all the wars of the Russian Empire. Guards regiments trained officers for the entire army and were staffed almost exclusively by nobles, for whom military service was compulsory. From the mid-30s of the 18th century, the rank and file of the Guard also began to be replenished with recruits from the tax-paying estates, and after the publication in 1762 of the manifesto on the liberty of the nobility, this method became the main one. The social composition of the guard provided it with great political influence. The support of the guard predetermined the success of all the palace coups of that time. As an elite part of the Russian army, the guard enjoyed great privileges. For example, according to the Table of Ranks in 1722, officers of the Guard had a seniority over army officers of two ranks. With the formation of the Young Guard in 1813, its officers received a seniority of one rank. This order existed until the end of the 19th century, when Alexander III curtailed the privileges of the guards.

In the 19th century, the full force of the Guards participated in all the wars that Russia waged with Napoleon. She especially distinguished herself in the Austerlitz (1805) and Borodino (1812) battles, in the battles at Kulm (1813) and Gorny Dubnyak (1877).

At the beginning of the 20th century, individual units of the guard took part in the Chinese campaign (1900) and the Russian-Japanese war (1904 -1905). During the First World War (1914 - 1918), the troops of the Guard successfully operated in the Battle of Galicia, Warsaw-Ivangorod, in Lodz in some operations. In the summer of 1916, as part of the Special Army, the Guard participated in the Brusilov breakthrough.

During the First World War, significant changes took place in the organization of the guard. In connection with serious losses in the staff, representatives of the peasantry and the working class began to be called up to replenish it. The soldier masses of the Guards bore the hardships of the war on a par with the entire Russian army and ceased to be a stronghold of tsarism. This seriously influenced the political mood in the guards environment. As a result, after the victory of the February Revolution of 1917 and the tsar's abdication from the throne, the guard did not even make an attempt to intervene in the course of events. The Provisional Government kept it, abolishing the prefix "leib" and the name "Imperial". After the conclusion of the Brest Peace Treaty in 1918 and the demobilization of the old tsarist army, the guard was disbanded.

During the 1917 revolution, the Red Guard appeared in many large cities of Russia. It was recruited from workers on a voluntary basis on a territorial basis (by factories) and was the main force of the Land of Soviets. On the basis of the Red Guard detachments at the beginning of 1918, the first units and formations of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army were formed, many of whose fighters and commanders later became; prominent Soviet military leaders. After the introduction of compulsory military service on July 10, 1918, the Red Guard as a form of organization of the armed forces was gradually abolished.

The military uniform of the Guardsmen has always been a symbol of honor, dignity, discipline, and the expression "the honor of the uniform" was identical to the concept of "honor deserved on the battlefield." After all, they, the guards, the only one in the Russian army, were granted not only red stockings, but also a white edging. It was considered the property of sailors and reminded the guards infantry of its valiant participation in the naval battles of Peter I. In memory of the Narva Victoria in 1704, officers of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments wore special badges.

It should be noted that with the introduction of new types of weapons in the army, they first of all went to the guard. So, in the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. the guards regiments were already armed with the improved Berdan No. 2 rifle, while the army units were still armed with old rifles.

The guardsmen sacredly cherished the honor of their regiment, its ancient traditions. The regiment's name was on the battle banner and was a matter of special pride for all personnel. The naming of the regiment in memory of its military merits was considered an outstanding event. The first duty of every guardsman was to protect the regiment's military banner. These and other glorious traditions of the Russian Guard were continued by the Soviet Guard.

History and traditions of the Soviet and Russian guards

The Soviet guard was not born in the thunder of salutes and honors. The first guards formations emerged during the Battle of Smolensk in 1941 - at a time of mortal danger for the Fatherland, at the most difficult, most difficult stage of the Great Patriotic War, when our army, in unfavorable conditions for itself, stubbornly, at the cost of incredible efforts and great sacrifices, held back the sudden, treacherous, gradually prepared enemy invasion. There, near Yelnya, as a result of the counterattack of the Western and Reserve fronts, for the first time a large enemy grouping was defeated, and the city was liberated.

On September 18, 1941, the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR issued order No. 308, which noted the special military valor of the 100th, 127th, 153rd and 161st rifle divisions, which displayed massive heroism, examples of courage, courage in battles for the Motherland, discipline, organization, high military skill of the personnel. By this order, distinguished formations, which were commanded, respectively, by Major General I.N. Russiyanov, Colonels A.Z. Akimenko, N.A. Hagen, P.F. Moskvitin, were renamed the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Guards Rifle Divisions. At the same time, by decision of the Supreme Command Headquarters, the formation of guards mortar units began.

One of the first in the Red Army on November 18, 1941, the title of 8th Guards was given to the legendary 316th Infantry Division under the command of Major General Ivan Vasilyevich Panfilov, who bravely fought against the Nazi invaders on the outskirts of Moscow in the Volokolamsk direction. 28 Panfilov heroes performed an unparalleled feat at the Dubosekovo junction, stopping the advance of 50 enemy tanks. And the words of the political instructor V.G. Klochkova: "Russia is great, but there is nowhere to retreat - Moscow is behind!" have become synonymous with courage, heroism and fortitude.

The Soviet Guards became irresistibly stronger and matured in all branches of the Armed Forces and branches of the armed forces. The name "guards" was given to units, ships, formations and formations that distinguished themselves in the battles and battles of the Great Patriotic War, as well as newly formed according to special states. Over the four years of the Great Patriotic War, 11 combined-arms and 6 tank armies, dozens of rifle, cavalry, tank, mechanized, aviation corps, divisions and separate units, 18 warships were awarded the honorary title of "guards".

The Great Patriotic Guard is a galaxy of heroes whose names will never fade. Among them is Yuri Vasilyevich Smirnov, the junior commander of the Red Army, who performed a heroic feat as part of the 77th Guards Rifle Regiment of the 26th Guards Rifle Division, forever enlisted in his lists. On the night of June 24, 1944, being part of a tank landing when breaking through the enemy defense in the Orsha direction in the battle for the village of Shalashino, he was seriously wounded and captured by the enemy. During interrogation, despite cruel torture, the courageous warrior did not give the enemy military secrets. The embittered Nazis crucified him on the wall of the dugout, stabbed his body with bayonets. For his courage, loyalty to the soldier's duty, military oath and heroism, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

The guardsmen were full holders of the Order of Glory, Heroes of the Soviet Union, guard senior lieutenant Ivan Grigorievich Drachenko and guard foreman Pavel Khristoforovich Dubinda. I.G. Drachenko - a talented air attack fighter, named after the loss of one eye by air admiral Nelson, fought as part of the 140th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment of the 8th Guards Assault Aviation Division. P.Kh. After escaping from captivity, Dubinda fought first as a squad leader, then as a platoon commander of the 293rd Guards Rifle Regiment of the 96th Guards Rifle Division on the 1st and 3rd Belorussian Fronts.

All of them revived and multiplied the best fighting traditions of the Russian Guard. In the feats of arms of their ancestors, our guardsmen set lofty examples of steadfastness and fearlessness, loyalty to their people. For successful actions, many guards units (ships), formations, formations were repeatedly noted in the orders of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, were awarded state awards, were awarded honorary titles for the capture of cities, forcing rivers.

For servicemen of the guards units in May 1942, the "Guard" badge was established. In the Navy until 1943, they were served by a rectangular plate (gilded for the commanding staff and silvered for the private) with an orange moire ribbon with black longitudinal stripes. The sailors and foremen of the guard ships wore moire tape on their peakless caps. For all servicemen of the guards units, ships and formations, distinctive military ranks were established, which were formed by adding the word "guard" before the corresponding military rank, and an increased salary was established for them.

On June 11, 1943, a sample of the Guards Red Banner was established, which became the military insignia of the unit. The Regulations on the Guards Red Banners said: "The Guards Red Banner obliges the entire personnel of the Guards armies and corps to be a model for all other units and formations of the Red Army." The ceremony of presenting the Guards Banners included a new tradition - the oath of personnel to the Guards Banner. Not knowing fear, the guardsmen fought heroically under their banners.

The creation of the Soviet guard has become one of the important measures in the field of military development. It played a huge role in strengthening the combat capability of the army and navy. Guards regiments, ships, divisions, corps and armies inflicted crushing blows on the enemy, served as an example of selfless devotion to the Motherland, unshakable will to victory, fortitude and perseverance. The Soviet guards were sent to the most difficult sectors of the front and everywhere carried out combat missions with honor. It was not for nothing that they said during the war: “Where the guards are advancing, the enemy cannot resist. Where the guards defend themselves, the enemy cannot pass. "

People of high duty - such were the front-line guardsmen. Such aspire to be those who are entrusted to serve in the guard today. With their military labor, they continue the glorious traditions of previous generations of guardsmen and make a worthy contribution to strengthening the might of the Russian Armed Forces.

In peacetime, the transformation of military units and formations into guards is not carried out. In order to preserve military traditions, the guards ranks of units, ships, formations and formations during reorganization are transferred to new military units with direct succession in terms of personnel.

So, in October 1986, he returned to his homeland, having exemplarily fulfilled his international duty in Afghanistan, the guards motorized rifle regiment, in which the company commander served as the Hero of the Soviet Union, senior lieutenant N.M. Akramov. During the Great Patriotic War, the soldiers of the regiment as part of the famous 13th Guards Rifle Division, commanded by General A.I. Rodimtsev, fought to death in Stalingrad, participated in the Battle of Kursk, the crossing of the Dnieper, distinguished themselves in the liberation of the Polish city of Czestochowa and celebrated Victory Day in Prague.

The children and grandchildren of the front-line soldiers had a chance to provide international assistance to the Afghan people. The military work of the young guardsmen was not easy. During their stay in the Republic of Afghanistan, the soldiers of the regiment, guarding the columns carrying fuel and food to the cities and villages, removed and destroyed more than two thousand dushman mines and land mines. Many soldiers, sergeants and officers of the unit were awarded Soviet and Afghan orders and medals.

The soldiers-guards showed examples of courage and heroism in the performance of their international duty in Afghanistan. At a critical moment, they deliberately sacrificed themselves in order to save the subordinates entrusted to them. So, saving the lives of the soldiers of the company, the guard senior sergeant Alexander G. Mironenko and two of his subordinates entered the battle with the dushmans. The moment came when the cartridges ran out. Twice wounded, Alexander lay with a grenade in his hand behind a stone. He waited for the spooks to come closer. With the last grenade, he blew up himself and his enemies. For this feat, committed on February 29, 1980, the deputy platoon commander of the reconnaissance company of the guards parachute regiment A.G. Mironenko was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. He is forever enlisted in the lists of the guards military unit.

Will we ever forget about the feat of contemporaries of the 6th Company of the 104th Guards Parachute Regiment near Ulus-Kert? It is inscribed in a golden line in the modern history of the Armed Forces of Russia, in the centuries-old chronicle of its guard.

In the battles for the freedom and independence of the Motherland, guards fighting traditions have developed, which have been helping commanders to educate courageous and skillful fighters for more than a decade, and the guard of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is the successor and continuer of the military traditions of their predecessors.

Guards units and ships are true laboratories of combat experience: creative daring, tireless search for new methods of fighting, effective use of weapons — these are what always distinguishes guardsmen. Serving under the banners of the Russian Guard is both a great honor and a great responsibility.

The traditions of the Russian Guard, its unfading glory are the legacy and heritage of every warrior, of all our units and ships. To serve as a guard today means to have the highest combat qualifications, to master equipment and weapons. The covenant of the front-line guardsmen - to keep the powder dry, to be ready at any moment to join the battle and heroically fight for the freedom and independence of the Fatherland - should be the main one for the current defenders of the Fatherland.

On the day of the Russian guard, the number of people celebrating the holiday with reverence and pain in their hearts increases every year, and there are many good reasons for this, which have their origins since the beginning of 1700.

Day of the Russian Guard

The Day of the Russian Guard was officially established in accordance with the Decree of the President of Russia dated December 22, 2000 under No. 2032 "On the establishment of the Day of the Russian Guard" ... The rich history of the Guardsmen, carried through 300 years of constant struggle for the honor and freedom of the Motherland, was the reason for the establishment of the holiday date. Thanks to this holiday, the authority of military service rises to a qualitatively new level, observance of military traditions helps to maintain a fighting spirit.

Guards regiments have long been the pride of the armed forces. They are distinguished by special valor, will to win, values and a united fighting spirit that stands up for the defense of the Motherland to maintain its interests.

Day of the Russian Guard - a history of traditions

Peter the Great was famous not only for his love for shipbuilding and for taking the Russian fleet to a new level.
It was thanks to his efforts that the Russian Guard was created in 1700. Timely gathering under the banner made it possible to test the strength of the guards during the Battle of Navar on November 19, 1700.

In it, the recruits were able to demonstrate their fighting spirit and strength in action. Every year the authority of the Guard acquired more and more importance. Proving superiority over enemies in the battles of 1702 and 1704, she secured the title of the best warriors of Russia. The Battle of Poltava with the army of the Swedish king Charles XII, which took place in 1709, marked the beginning of the end of Swedish domination in Europe and the consolidation of the status of an inviolable authority for the Russian state. This day of the Russian guard has become a landmark. She was given honor and praise, since it was thanks to her merits that the turning point in the Northern War took place.

For a long time, only from the guardsmen it was possible to transfer to the status of officers. Training in military craft in the guards regiments has become a harsh school for future officers. Although, even the general's staff sought to acquire the proud title of the Guards. But, its receipt was possible only in case of special differences during hostilities. If there were any, then the generals provided themselves with the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel of the Preobrazhensky regiment. It gave them many prerogatives, including in the political life of the state. This is evidenced by the fact that, according to the Table of Ranks, the guards officers had two ranks advantage over the active army.

The size of the army increased every year. During the life of Peter the Great, five full-fledged battalions were formed. In 1813, a decision was made in favor of the formation of the Young Guard. It consisted of two grenadier regiments and one cuirassier regiment, distinguished for their particular courage during the battles in 1712. So, along with the Old Guard, the Young Guard became an equally prestigious place of service.

By the beginning of the 20th century, the main active units of the guard were:

12 infantry regiments;
4 rifle regiments;
13 cavalry regiments;
naval crew;
3 artillery brigades;
engineer battalion.
In whatever hostilities the Russian Empire took part, the guards regiments were in the forefront, defending the interests of their power and defending its integrity. Special uniforms spoke of the merits of the soldiers during the previous wars. The Guardsmen became the models of honor, dignity and discipline of the Empire's army.
Every day of the Russian guard was marked by feats and the will to win.

Day of the Russian Guard date of new military exploits of the Soviet troops

The Great Patriotic War could not do without the participation of the Soviet guard. During the hostilities near Smolensk in 1941, four motorized rifle divisions, which demonstrated special tactical skills and bravery in battle, received the title of Guards on September 18 of the same year for special merits. Against the background of the events that took place, taking into account the order of the Supreme Command Headquarters, the organization of guards mortar units began.

Many glorious heroes who sacrificed their lives for the victory of their homeland are inscribed in history. I.N. Kozhedub, A.M. Matrosov, V.S. Petrov, A.P. Maresyev and thousands of other guardsmen fought gloriously for their ideals and the Motherland, increasing the military merits of their faithful companions.

How brave the soldiers of the guards units were, was evidenced not only by the special banners under which the guardsmen entered the battle, but also by a special badge, testifying to their feats of arms, which became a distinctive feature in May 1942. During the Great Patriotic War, about 5,000 military units, ships, associations received the proud status of guards. On the day of the Russian guard, the date of the celebration coincided with numerous enemy attacks, which were brilliantly repelled and launched into a counteroffensive.

After the end of the war, the Soviet guard did not lose its importance. And although military operations were not meant in peacetime, the traditions of the Russian Guard were not lost. They became successive and passed on from generation to generation in separate military formations. For a long time, the guards units were located in the border territories, protecting the integrity of the state and keeping order. Ships and divisions with special services to the homeland were supposed to be in the capitals of all union republics, as a guarantee of security and peace in the regions.

Recruits called up to serve in the guards formations proudly accepted the title "Guardsman" and took an oath of allegiance to their homeland and promised not to shame the memory and honor of their predecessors in the glorious cause of defending their homeland.

Day of the Russian Guard the number of defenders of the Motherland is growing

At the turn of the century, the Russian guard has not lost its importance. Only brave warriors can serve in it, who clearly know that they are ready for the sake of protecting the Motherland to take any action that can support its integrity and interests. From the experience of their predecessors, the modern guardsmen adopt not only honor and valor, but also special awards and distinctive signs, testifying to the combat merit of the owner. Every year more and more young people come to the ranks of the guardsmen who are able to prove their skills and loyalty to the Country not in word but in deed.

The armed forces of Russia, in particular the guards formations, are currently undergoing qualitative changes. Particular attention is paid not only to the organizational structure, but also to changing the principles of manning, provision of special types of military equipment and maximum combat training.

Special attention, among the guards formations, of modern times, deserves 45th Separate Guards Special Purpose Regiment... He went a long military path through the First and Second Chechen Wars, the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian conflicts. To this day, there are heroes who can come to the rescue of their homeland at any time and demonstrate their exceptional skills in practice.

September 2, Day of the Russian Guard is not an easy date. On this day, the heroes are honored who managed to go through the warriors with unshakable fortitude, an irrepressible desire for victory and willingly give their lives in the name of the ideals of the Motherland. Honor and praise to the heroes of the past and present!