62nd Rifle Division (Soviet Union)

The 62nd Rifle Division was an infantry division of the Soviet Union's Red Army, formed four times and active during World War II and the postwar period. The division was formed in 1936 and fought in the Winter War and Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina. It was destroyed during the Battle of Kiev in summer 1941. The division was reformed in November 1941. It fought in the defense against the German offensive Case Blue during the summer of 1942. After suffering heavy losses, it was withdrawn from combat but was sent back to fight in the Battle of Stalingrad in November. The division suffered heavy losses and was disbanded on 21 November. The division was reformed a third time from a rifle brigade in April 1943. It fought in Operation Suvorov, Operation Bagration, the East Prussian Offensive and the Prague Offensive. It was disbanded in the summer of 1945. The 62nd was reformed a fourth time by renaming the 360th Rifle Division, but became the 108th Motor Rifle Division in 1957.

First formation
The division was formed formed in 1936 from the 2nd Turkestan Rifle Division. In June 1940, the division fought in the Soviet occupation of Bessarabia. Possibly with 15th Rifle Corps of 5th Army on 22 June 1941. It was destroyed in the Battle of Kiev. The division was officially disbanded on 19 September.

Second formation
The division was reformed in November 1941. It joined the 'operational army' on 2 November 1941, serving on the front until 29 July 1942. It then fought on the front again from 7 October 1942 to 2 November 1942. It was then disbanded.

Third formation
The division was recreated on 15 April 1943 from the 44th Separate Rifle Brigade. In March 1944, it inherited the Order of the Red Banner of Labour from the division's first formation. Fought in the Battle of Stalingrad and at Kursk. With 31st Army of the 1st Ukrainian Front in May 1945. It was disbanded in the summer of 1945 by the order forming the Central Group of Forces, dated 29 May 1945. by the order forming the Central Group of Forces, dated 29 May 1945. (Feskov et al 2013, 413). On 10 June 1945 Feskov et al 2013 lists the division as being with 36th Rifle Corps (along with 88th and 331st Rifle Divisions), 31st Army.

Fourth formation
In 1955, the 62nd Rifle Division was formed a fourth time by renaming the 360th Rifle Division at Termez with the 17th Rifle Corps. This formation inherited the honorific "Nevel" and the Order of the Red Banner from the 360th Rifle Division. On 25 June 1957, it became the 108th Motor Rifle Division.