96th Chita Rifle Regiment in the Great Patriotic War: preparation for the Battle of Kursk

the subject of the study is the preparation of the 96th Chita Regiment as part of the 140th Siberian Division for the battles at the Kursk Bulge. The purpose of this paper is to formalize previously unpublished data on the preparation and military encounters of the 96th Chita Rifle Regiment with the enemy preceding the large-scale battle. The division made significant efforts to fortify its positions and prepare for battle despite active enemy action, including reconnaissance and artillery fire. From July 1 to 7, the enemy launched an offensive, concentrating the main forces, including enemy tanks and infantry. As a result of the fighting on July 7, the 96th Infantry Regiment suffered heavy losses of 26 killed and 63 wounded. It is noted that, even in the face of incessant enemy attacks, the 96th Regiment managed to hold its position, which would play an important role in the future. The work emphasizes the strategic importance of the heights and the preparation of Soviet troops to repel enemy attacks. Such conclusions are obtained during the processing of materials and comparing the logs of combat operations of the 96th Infantry Regiment and the 140th Infantry Division. The conclusion notes that the regiment conducted a large-scale process of preparation for the offensive of German units (fortifications, dugouts, minefields, etc.), which played a decisive role in repelling the offensive of the German army.

World War II, Eastern Front, Battle of Kursk, Transbaikalia, Chita, 70th Army, 140th Rifle Division, 96th Rifle Regiment