Statistics and Organization
From 1946 to 1959

 

Here are some useful statistics relating to the Soviet army.  We have the manpower of the Soviet army for selected years between 1946 and 1960.  We also have the organizational structure for the three types of divisions that made up the army of this period.

 

Strength of Armed Forces
1946 - 1960
1946

2,500,000
1952 6,034,038
1953 5,394,038
1955

5,750,000
1956

4,277,822

1960

3,700,000

  

Motor Rifle Division    
Manpower: 12,000
Vehicles: 1,300
Tanks/SU's: 100		 Motor Rifle
 Regiment		    
Motor Rifle
 Battalion		  
Motor Rifle
 Company
3 x Infantry Regiments
1 x Anti-Tank Regiment
     (with 50 anti-tank guns)
1 x Howitzer Regiment
     (60 guns / 20 hvy mortars)

Also attached:
70 anti-aircraft guns   
     (detached to regiments)
Small planes for messages.

 3 x Infantry Battalions

Also attached:
1 x Anti-Aircraft Battery
1 x Regimental Artillery
     (SU-76's, 76mm cannon, 
     and heavy mortars)

 

 3 x Infantry Companies
1 x MG Company		 3 x Infantry Platoons
      (120 men)
1 x MG Platoon

  

Armored Division    
Manpower: 11,000
Tanks: 180		 Medium Tank
 Regiment		 Motor Rifle
 Regiment		 Heavy Tank
 Regiment
3 x Med. Tank Regiments

1 x Infantry Regiment

1 x Hvy Tank Regiment

Also attached:
Mobile Rocket Launchers   
 
Towed Arty and Mortars

 2 x Med. Tank Battalions*
      (32 tanks each, usually
      T-34/85's or T-54 tanks)

1 x Infantry Battalion
       (400 men)

 3 x Infantry Battalions*
      (truck mounted)





 2 x Heavy Tank Battalions
      (20 tanks or SU's each
      usually Stalin tanks)
1 x Infantry Battalion*
      (for close support)



* This was later increased to 3 battalions in the early 1950's) * These could act either in support of the armor or as and independent infantry regiment. *Sometimes this would be a Company instead of a Battalion.

  

Mechanized Division    
Manpower: 15,000
Tanks/SU's: 220		 Medium Tank
 Regiment		 Mechanized
 Regiment		 Heavy Tank
 Regiment
3 x Mechanized Regiments

1 x Hvy Tank Regiment

1 x Med. Tank Regiment		 3 x Med. Tank Battalions
      (32 tanks each, usually
      T-34/85's or T-54 tanks)

1 x Infantry Battalion
       (400 men)

 3 x Infantry Battalions

1 x Med. Tank Battalion
      (32 tanks each, 
      usually T-34/85's 
      or T-54 tanks)		 2 x Heavy Tank Battalions
      (20 tanks or SU's each
      usually Stalin tanks)

1 x Infantry Battalion
      (for close support)

 

 

Back to the
The Post-War Soviet Army		 Back to the
Era of Reconstruction