Russian Impression Guidelines
Soviet forces will be portraying troops of the 90th Guards Rifle Division, 22nd Guards Rifle Corps, 6th
Guards Army, 1st Baltic Front.
The division was formed on September 8, 1941 as the 325th Rifle Division in the Orel Military District.
Less than a month after being formed, the division was moved to Moscow and participated in the
defense of the Hero City as well as the summer counter offensive.
On April 18, 1943, the division was rewarded with Guards status. At this time, they were re-designated
the 90th Guards Rifle Division. As a Guards Division, they were refitted and brought back to strength.
As part of the 6th Guards Army, they next fought at the Battle of Kursk. As part of the 22nd Guards Rifle
Corps, they were heavily engaged in fierce fighting against the Fourth Panzer Army on July 5, 1943.
On October 15, 1943, the 90th was assigned to 2nd Baltic Front that was scheduled to launch an
offensive in the Nevel area. The offensive launched on October 28 and on November 1, the 90th was
committed to exploit the breakthrough. In fighting that went on into February, German forces
successfully constrained any widening of the breakthrough. At this time, the division was reassigned to
the 1st Baltic Front.
On May 1, 1944, survivors of the Moscow campaign were authorized to wear the Defense of Moscow
Medal.
The division was next engaged in Operation Bagration. The gap into which 6th Guards Army was
advancing was between the extreme left flank of Army Group Centre and the extreme right flank of
Army Group North became known as the “Baltic Gap.”
By mid-October, Army Group North abandoned Riga and withdrew to the Courland Peninsula. The 6th
Guards Army, together with three other armies of the 1st Baltic Front, was moved north to join the
armies of the 2nd Baltic Front in attempting to subdue the German forces defending the Courland
Peninsula.
During the second half of October, 6th Guards Army and seven other Soviet armies made a determined
effort to break through the German Courland defenses, but without success. The 90th Division was to
spend the rest of the war in the Courland Peninsula where it was involved in five further unsuccessful
offensives to take the peninsula.
Mindset, Morale, and Supply
By December 1944, the 90th Guards Rifle Division would have been engaged on the Courland Peninsula
for nearly two months. During this time, two unsuccessful attempts had been made to break the
German defenses. By the time the event scenario takes place, preparations for a third attack would have
been well underway.
The 90th was a veteran division which had been in near constant action since the summer of 1944. By
this time, there would have been very few “cucumbers” in the ranks. While reports indicate morale was
good, there would certainly have been some trepidation about the upcoming attack. It is also likely
there was some frustration regarding being stalemated in the Baltic States while Soviet armies were
making significant gains elsewhere. Younger men might feel some resentment at being left out of the
attack on the ultimate prize – Berlin. Veterans of Kursk, Nevel, and Bagration were probably content to
play the hand they were dealt.
The troops around Courland would have been well supplied but not as well supplied as the Soviet armies
at the tip of the spear. Soviet doctrine indicated that units achieving success got the priority for
replacements, equipment, spare parts, etc. However, being on the northern front did have some
advantages. Lend-Lease goods would have been arriving at northern ports so troops in the north (and
extreme south) would have had access to high quality western-made goods and food.
Impression Guidelines
General Rules
1. The goal is simple - to look like typical Red Army soldiers on the Kurland campaign in December of
1944. Please keep that in mind when putting together your impression.
2. Take a “Less is more” approach. The Red Army was travelling pretty light at this point in the war.
3. The Command Staff will be inspecting all attendees. If the Commander suggests you remove or
switch something, don’t get upset. (See Rule #1)
4. Loaner gear is available so if you need something, contact the Commander. We are happy to help.
Uniform
I. Headgear
Preferred - Pilotka with wartime-style cap star. Cap may be wool, cotton, or wool/cotton blend. Cap star
can be large or small, painted or enameled.
Not allowed - Repro or postwar “Staybright” type stars.
II. Gynmastiorka (Tunic)
Preferred – Obr43 pattern without pockets.
Accepted – Obr43 pattern with pockets or Obr35 pattern converted to 1943 regulations.
IV. Sharovari (Breeches)
Preferred - Obr43 pattern.
Accepted - Obr35 pattern.
V. Footwear
Sapogi (high boots) or botinki (low boots) with proper puttees. Soviet and Lend-Lease styles are
acceptable.
VI. Undergarments
Preferred – Soviet-issue underwear
Acceptable – Lend-Lease underwear or “tank top” without tags or printing.
Not allowed – Modern tshirts and underwear
VII. Medals
Older men are authorized to wear the Defense of Moscow Medal.
Defense of Stalingrad and Defense of the Caucasus are not authorized.
Equipment
I. Kaska (Helmet) – Every soldier will have a helmet.
Preferred – standard wartime style SSh-40
Accepted – SSh-39.
Not allowed – “Converted” Czech or other postwar Communist helmets must be approved by the
commander.
II. Remyen (Belt)
Preferred – Leather belt. US-made “Garrison” belts would be appropriate.
Accepted – Canvas/leather belt
III. Ammunition Pouch – Please wear one pouch on your right side.
Preferred – “Reparations” or reproduction leather/pigskin pouches for rifles. Three-cell canvas pouches
for submachine gun. Leather/pigskin or synthetic pouches for SVT-40.
Not allowed – Kirza rifle pouches. Postwar Polish submachine gun pouches with nylon belt loops.
IV. Lopata (Shovel) – Shovel should have appropriate carrier.
Preferred – Soviet-style riveted or stamped shovels are accepted.
Accepted – German shovels
Not allowed – Chinese or “Spetsnaz” shovels.
V. Flyaga (Canteen) – Canteen should have appropriate carrier.
Preferred – Wartime style with small threads, glass canteens, or postwar (large threads) that have been
repainted or stripped to bare aluminum.
Accepted – Prewar canteen (cork stopper)and German canteens in Soviet carriers.
Reluctantly accepted – Unmodified postwar canteens.
VI. Plasch-Palatka (Rain Cape)
Preferred – Wartime style with leather or handsewn grommets.
Accepted – “Defarbed” postwar type with handsewn grommets.
Not allowed – Postwar style with brass grommets.
VII. Myeshok (Knapsack)
Preferred –Soviet-made wartime style.
Accepted –Reproduction wartime style.
Not allowed –Postwar style with pockets.
VIII. Soomka Protivogaznaya (Gas Mask Bag) – Optional. Limited numbers.
Preferred – Leningrad pattern or other wartime styles.
Accepted – Correctly converted postwar Soviet.
IX. Knives – Knives are optional. Side knives in limited numbers will be allowed.
Preferred – Pocket knife.
Accepted – SVT-40 bayonet or original K-98 “trophy” bayonet. NR-40 “Scout” Knife may be worn by
scouts, snipers, sappers, and as approved by the Commander.
Not allowed – Repro K-98 bayonets, trophy daggers, or rubber knifes.
X. Grenade Pouch – Optional. Very limited numbers.
Preferred – Nothing.
Accepted – Three cell pouch for F-1 or RG-42 grenades.
Not allowed – RG-33 pouches, shovel pouches, etc…
XI. Koteluk (Mess kit)
Preferred – pot type.
Accepted – Two-piece style. Should be repainted or stripped to bare aluminum.
Reluctantly accepted – Unmodified postwar canteens.
XII. Medical Equipment
All medical equipment will be approved by the Senior Sanitar prior to being fielded.
Cold Weather Gear
I. Headgear
Preferred – Ushanka with appropriate chapka-size star.
Not allowed – Budionovka, Czech ushanka, balaclava, or German toques.
II. Coat
Preferred – Shinel (overcoat) with correct wartime insignia or telogrieka (padded coat). When not in
use, shinel should be rolled.
III. Gloves/mittens
Preferred – Soviet canvas/felt gloves or knit gloves.
Accepted – German or other nationalities trigger finger mittens.
Not allowed – Shearling or modern gloves.
IV. Trousers
Accepted – Padded trousers are accepted but not required.