399th Rifle Division

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The 399th Rifle Division was an infantry unit of the Soviet Red Army in World War II. It had two formations: a partial 1941 formation that was abandoned, and a second formation that began in February–March 1942 in Siberia.

Second formation and early fighting
- The new 399th began near Chita in the Transbaikal Military District, with Col. Nikolai Gregorovich Travnikov in command from March 1, 1942. It moved west by rail in July 1942 and joined the fighting west of Stalingrad as part of the 1st Tank Army.
- The division suffered heavy losses in its first battles around Stalingrad but was rebuilt west of the Don River. It then fought its way into the city’s center before being withdrawn and sent north to the Bryansk Front.
- In early 1943 it took part in the winter offensive against Army Group Center, fighting on the right flank of the Kursk salient during the German summer offensive in 1943. After the German defeat, the division helped push into western Russia and earned its first big honor.

Novozybkov honor and mid-war actions
- The 399th played a leading role in the advance that liberated Novozybkov, earning the town’s name as a battle honor.
- Its command changed a few times: Col. Andrei Ivanovich Surchenko took over in October 1942, then Col. Dmitry Mikhailovich Ponomarev, followed by Col. Pyotr Ivanovich Skachkov in July 1943, and finally Col. Daniil Vasilevich Kazakevich (who would become a Hero of the Soviet Union in 1945).
- In early 1944 the division was part of the Bryansk/48th Army group and fought in heavy winter battles near the Oryol region. A major winter offensive in 1944–45 saw the 399th helping to break German defenses and advance further into western Russia.

offensives leading to East Prussia
- In 1944 the division took part in the Gomel–Rechitsa Offensive (November 1943) and the Parichi–Bobruysk offensives as part of the 42nd Rifle Corps, contributing to the destruction of German forces around Bobruisk. The success there earned the division the Order of Suvorov, 2nd Degree, on July 2, 1944.
- In the summer of 1944 the 48th Army then pressed toward Bobruisk and the Berezina, breaking the last German defenses and helping to encircle and defeat the 9th Army. The corps helped liberate Berezina River areas and reached further toward Poland.
- By late 1944 the division moved within the 2nd Belorussian Front and then the 3rd Belorussian Front as part of the 53rd Rifle Corps. It fought in the east Prussia operations and ended the war near Elbing (Elbląg) in East Prussia.

Final honors and disbandment
- On April 5, 1945, the division was awarded the Order of the Red Banner for its role in the liberation of the Danzig region and for capturing Marienburg and other East Prussian cities. Twelve of its personnel were named Heroes of the Soviet Union (some posthumously).
- The full title of the unit at war’s end reflected its honors: 399th Rifle Division Novozybkov, Order of the Red Banner, Order of Suvorov.
- The division was returned to the 42nd Corps in March 1945 and was disbanded in August 1945 after Major General Kazakevich left the unit on July 7, with Lt. Col. Shopovalov finishing the process.

Decorations and notable leaders
- Decorations: Order of the Red Banner, Order of Suvorov (2nd Degree); Novozybkov battle honor.
- Notable commanders: Col. Nikolai Travnikov, Col. Andrei Surchenko, Col. Dmitry Ponomarev, Col. Pyotr Skachkov, and Maj. Gen. Daniil Kazakevich (Hero of the Soviet Union).