The magnificent seven. Magnificent Seven 7th Airborne Regiment

Flag of the 7th Guards The Airborne Forces Airborne Forces will be an unexpected and pleasant gift for everyone who served in the Airborne Forces unit in Novorossiysk or Kaunas.

Characteristics

7th Guards VDD
military unit 61756

Flag of the Airborne Forces of the 7th Guards. VDD

Serving in the armed forces is a worthy endeavor for real men. Especially when we are talking about the most illustrious formations that gained honor and respect in battles for the quiet life of their homeland. One such compound is 7 airborne division(Novorossiysk), to whose divisions Voenpro devotes a number of publications.

Airborne Forces Semerka - a proud name

The first “home” for the 7th Airborne Division was the city of Polotsk in Belarus, where the formation took place. In 1948, the division was redeployed to the Lithuanian SSR, to Kaunas and Marijampole. At that time, on the territory of this Soviet republic The so-called “forest brothers” acted, for whom the words “Airborne Forces Kaunas” were the most terrible.

The Seven Airborne Forces became the advanced formations in the troops. The division's units served as a testing ground for the introduction into the Airborne Forces of new types of transport aircraft, parachutes, airborne armored vehicles and various types weapons.

The 108th Airborne Regiment (Kaunas) took part in fulfilling the tasks set by the USSR government in Hungary in 1956 and in Czechoslovakia in 1968. For the operation in Budapest, Guards. Captain Nikolai Ivanovich Kharlamov was awarded the title of Hero Soviet Union. The paratroopers improved their combat training at numerous exercises: “Shield-76”, “Zapad-81”, “Zapad-84”, “Dozor-86”, and “Neman” exercises. Wherever the 7th Assault Division was located, everywhere it was distinguished by its coherence of action and the highest results. In 1985 he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

There were also tragic episodes in the history of the unit that were not directly related to participation in combat operations. So, on June 23, 1969, the 6th PDR of the 108th regiment of the division was supposed to fly to Ryazan from Kaunas. At an altitude of 3000 m, an An-12 with paratroopers on board collided with an Il-14 passenger plane. As a result of the collision, all paratroopers, passengers of the civilian flight and crews were killed. In total - 121 people, of which 91 military personnel 6 pdr. The plane crash near Kaluga will forever go down as a sad page in the history of the Airborne Forces.

Part of the Airborne Forces in Novorossiysk - 7th Guards. Airborne Forces Airborne Forces

In August-September 1993, the division was redeployed to the territory of the North Caucasus Military District - first to Maykop, and later to Novorossiysk.

The turbulent 90s could not ignore the 7th Assault Division. From 1993 to 1996, the unit carried out tasks to ensure peace and order in Abkhazia, becoming a decisive factor in preventing serious bloodshed.

The 7th Mountain Airborne Assault Division took an active part in eliminating radical militants in Chechnya. In 1995, 7th Guards. The Airborne Forces fight in Grozny and the mountains of the Shatoi and Vedeno regions of Chechnya. We will go into more detail on the “Chechen” stage of the 7th assault division in a special material. Now it is worth saying that during the fighting, 499 paratroopers of the division were awarded medals and orders. 18 commanders and soldiers were awarded the title Hero of Russia. But the price of the feat of the paratroopers of the 7th Airborne Division of Novorossiysk was high. From 1995 to 2004, the unit lost 87 people in Chechnya.

7th Mountain Airborne Division today

Nowadays, paratroopers from the Airborne Forces unit in Novorossiysk are busy with combat training in order to again successfully complete any tasks when the interests of the Motherland require it. Today the 7th Assault Division consists of the following units: 108th Guards. dshp, 247 dshp, 1141 artillery regiment, 162 ORR, as well as from the support, repair, communications and engineer battalions. The current division commander is Colonel Solodchuk.

The 7th Guards Airborne Division (VDD) was formed on the basis of the 322nd Guards Parachute Order of Kutuzov Regiment of the 8th Guards Airborne Corps in the city of Polotsk, Belarusian Military District.

She received her baptism of fire in the area of Lake Balaton (Hungary) in 1945 as part of the 9th Army of the 3rd Ukrainian Front.

On April 26, 1945, for the exemplary performance of command tasks at the front, the formation was awarded the Order of Kutuzov, II degree, and 6 commendations were announced. Supreme Commander-in-Chief, 2065 soldiers, sergeants and officers were awarded orders and medals for battles USSR. April 26 was established as the day of unification by order of the USSR Minister of Defense.

On October 14, 1948, the division was redeployed to the cities of Kaunas and Marijampol, Lithuanian SSR. In 1956, the unit took part in the Hungarian events, and in 1968 - in the Czechoslovak ones.

The division's units were the first in the Airborne Forces (Airborne Forces) to master parachute jumps from AN-8, AN-12, AN-22, IL-76 aircraft, and tested a number of new parachute systems D-5, D-6. For the first time, the division's personnel carried out a practical landing after a flight at altitudes of 6-8 thousand m using oxygen devices.

The formation's paratroopers were repeatedly involved in such major exercises and maneuvers as “Shield-76”, “Neman”, “Zapad-81”, “Zapad-84”, “Dozor-86”, etc. For demonstrating high combat skill during During the Zapad-81 exercise, the division was awarded the Pennant of the USSR Minister of Defense “For Courage and Military Valor.” During the last three exercises, airborne combat vehicles and their crews were landed.

May 4, 1985 for success in combat and political training and in connection with the 40th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War The division was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

Between 1979 and 1989 the overwhelming majority of officers and warrant officers of the division honorably fulfilled their international duty in the Republic of Afghanistan. Many of them have been awarded state awards.

Since August 1993, the division has been deployed on the territory of the North Caucasus Military District. In 1993-1996. military units and units of the 7th Guards. The Airborne Forces carried out peacekeeping tasks in Abkhazia.

From January 1995 to April 2004, a separate combined parachute battalion of the division with reinforcement equipment carried out tasks to establish constitutional order on the territory of the Chechen Republic.

From February 1998 to September 1999, the military maneuver group (VMG) of the 7th Airborne Division carried out missions to combat terrorists in the Botlikh region of the river. Dagestan. In August 1999, the personnel of the VMG 7th Airborne Division were the first to take on the attack of the detachments Chechen militants who invaded the territory of the Botlikh district.

From 1999 to April 2004, the division's personnel took an active part in the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus.

More than 2.5 thousand paratroopers of the division were awarded for their courage and heroism while performing combat missions during the counter-terrorism operation.

In August 2008, the formation's paratroopers took part in an operation to force Georgia to peace.

In 2012, the division, in cooperation with units of the Southern Military District and federal law enforcement agencies, took part in conducting a counter-terrorism operation in the mountainous part of the Republic of Dagestan.

By Decree of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Russian Federation No. 201 dated April 20, 2015, the division was awarded the Order of Suvorov.

On May 14, 2015, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Army General Sergei Shoigu, received the Order of Suvorov for his services and exemplary service to the Fatherland. The division at that time became the fifth holder of the Order of Suvorov in modern history Russia.

Since the creation of the division, 10 people have been awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. More than 2 thousand paratroopers were awarded orders and medals. For the successful completion of combat missions, courage, bravery and heroism, 18 military personnel were awarded the title of Hero of Russia.

In August 2016, the team of the 7th Guards Airborne Assault Division (G) took 1st place in the International Army Games Airborne Platoon 2016, where representatives of airborne troops from 6 countries such as China, Venezuela, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Egypt took part.

In 2017, paratroopers took part in the International Army Games in the “Airborne Platoon” competition, which was held on the territory of the People’s Republic of China.

Currently, the airborne unit is equipped with the most modern weapons, military equipment, landing and communications equipment.

Today, paratroopers of the 7th Guards Red Banner Order of Suvorov and Kutuzov of the 2nd degree Air Assault Division (Mountain) continue to improve their combat training and are ready to carry out any assigned tasks!

Motto: "Courage, Courage, Honor"

Historical background

The 7th Guards Airborne Division was formed on the basis of the 322nd Guards Parachute Landing Order of Kutuzov, 2nd degree regiment of the 8th Guards Airborne Corps in the city of Polotsk, Belarusian Military District.

The unit received its baptism of fire in the area of Lake Balaton (Hungary) in 1945 as part of the 9th Army of the 3rd Ukrainian Front. There, in bloody battles, demonstrating unparalleled courage and heroism, the paratroopers stopped and then destroyed selected SS units of Nazi Germany. On April 26, 1945, for the exemplary performance of command tasks at the front, the formation was awarded the Order of Kutuzov, 2nd degree.

After the destruction of the fascist group near Balaton, the division's personnel were given the task of turning north and moving towards the Czechoslovak border. Pursuing the retreating enemy, the division captured many settlements, bridges. crossings, strategically important roads. Thousands of fascists were captured, and large number military equipment and weapons. Units and subunits of the division crossed the border with Czechoslovakia and already on its territory carried out the tasks assigned by the command. The division ended the fighting in the city of Trezbon (Czechoslovakia) on May 12, 1945, having successfully carried out the last order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief in the Great Patriotic War.

During the war years, the division received six commendations from the Supreme Commander-in-Chief; 2,065 soldiers, sergeants and officers were awarded orders and medals of the USSR for courage and heroism.

On October 14, 1948, the division was redeployed to the cities of Kaunas and Marijampole, Lithuanian SSR. Those who were strictly veterans of the Great Patriotic War took an active part in arranging the unit at the new location. They also played a major role in educating young recruits, instilling in them front-line landing traditions. Personnel The formation was repeatedly involved in blocking and destroying fascist collaborators from among the Lithuanian nationalists who had settled in the forests.

In 1956, the unit took part in the Hungarian events. While performing their military duty, the guardsmen showed courage and heroism. About a thousand paratroopers were awarded orders and medals for their bravery in carrying out assigned tasks.

In 1968, the division took part in the Czechoslovak events. Operating in the most dangerous and difficult areas, the personnel completed their tasks with honor, for which about two hundred people were awarded high government awards.

On June 23, 1968, the parachute company of the 108th Guards Parachute Regiment of the 7th Airborne Division was tasked with flying from Kaunas to Ryazan. In Ryazan, the company personnel had to show their combat skills while operating on airborne combat vehicles to the USSR Minister of Defense A. Grechko.

A group of three An-12 aircraft took off from Kaunas early in the morning. The flight took place at an altitude of 4 thousand meters. When approaching the city of Kaluga, the plane, where the company personnel and battalion command were located (a total of 91 people - soldiers and officers of the Airborne Forces), collided with an Il-14 passenger plane, which unauthorizedly occupied the flight level at an altitude of 4 thousand meters. When the An-12 crashed (near the village of Vypolzovo, 35 km from Kaluga), a powerful explosion occurred, which was heard even in Kaluga. As a result of the plane's crash, all the personnel on board were killed.

Commanding Airborne General army V.F. Margelov decided to erect a monument at the site of the fall of the paratroopers. All formations and units of the Airborne Forces, mainly through parachute jumps, collected funds for the production of the monument. In total, about 250 thousand rubles were collected. Of the money collected, 75 thousand rubles were spent on the construction of the monument, 125 thousand rubles on the construction of a 13 km long road to the monument, 50 thousand rubles were spent on organizing delivery and accommodation for relatives of those killed at the opening of the monument (599 people arrived at the opening).

The monument is a complex of a stele and a wall 8 meters long. It was built by a team from Vuchetich’s workshop. There is an inscription on the wall: “Eternal memory to the heroic paratroopers and pilots.” In addition, two bas-reliefs are depicted on the wall: the figure of a kneeling mother and the figure of a paratrooper. Next to the monument is a site where 96 marble slabs were laid (91 for paratroopers and 5 for pilots). On one of the plates the surname of a paratrooper officer is engraved and “Son Albert, 4 years old” is signed below. His father took him with him to take him to relatives in Ryazan.

Four sapper battalions and local road organizations paved a paved road to the monument in April and May. The monument was opened exactly a year after the plane crash - June 23, 1969.

The division's units were the first in the Airborne Forces to master parachute jumps from AN-8, AN-12, AN-22, IL-76 aircraft, and tested a number of new parachute systems D-5, D-6. For the first time, the division's personnel performed a practical landing after a flight at altitudes of 6-8 thousand meters using oxygen devices.

The formation's paratroopers were repeatedly involved in such major exercises and maneuvers as Shield-76, Neman, Zapad-81, Zapad-84, and Dozor-86. For the demonstrated combat prowess during the Zapad-81 exercise, the division was awarded the Pennant of the USSR Minister of Defense “For Courage and Military Valor.” During the last three exercises, airborne combat vehicles and their crews were landed.

In 1971 and 1972, the division was awarded the Challenge Red Banner of the Airborne Forces.

On May 4, 1985, for success in combat and political training and in connection with the 40th anniversary of the Victory, the division was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

Between 1979 and 1989, the vast majority of the division's officers and warrant officers went through the harsh school of Afghanistan. Most of them were awarded state awards, and senior lieutenant V. Zadorozhny became a Hero of the Soviet Union (posthumously).

In 1988-1989, units of the division carried out a special government task in the republics of Transcaucasia. Since August 1993, the division has been deployed on the territory of the North Caucasus Military District.

In 1993-1996, units and units of the 7th Guards Airborne Division carried out peacekeeping missions in Abkhazia, showing great composure and composure. Many soldiers and officers were awarded orders and medals for the courage and heroism shown during peacekeeping missions, and Guard Sergeant V. A. Wolf was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.

From January 1995 to October 1996, a separate combined parachute battalion of the division with reinforcements carried out a government mission in the Chechen Republic. The paratroopers took part in many combat operations and acted courageously and decisively everywhere. The battalion personnel under the leadership of Colonel V.A. Shamanov especially distinguished themselves in battles in the south of Chechnya. For most of the operations carried out, the personnel received high praise from the Unified Command. For their courage and heroism in carrying out assigned tasks, 499 military personnel were awarded, and senior lieutenant V. Savchuk was awarded the title of Hero of Russia. Major E. Rodionov was awarded the title of Hero of Russia "posthumously".

Since January 1998, the division's personnel have been performing special missions in the republics of Dagestan and Chechnya. A special test for the unit’s soldiers was the destruction of Chechen militants on the territory of Dagestan. The feat of the paratroopers at the Donkey Ear height is inscribed as a golden line in the history of not only the formation, but also the entire Airborne Forces. A unit of guardsmen under the command of Major Sergei Kostin repelled attacks by much superior forces of militants. The cartridges ran out, avalanche after avalanche rolled in brutal crowds of terrorists, but time after time they fled, covering the slopes of the mountain with their corpses. And everywhere, where it was most dangerous, there was the commander of the guard paratroopers, Major S. Kostin. It was his military skill, which instilled confidence in his subordinates, that helped them survive and win. The landing party survived, but their commander did not see it. He died a hero's death, having fully fulfilled his duty as a commander, a true Russian officer and citizen.

By decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Guard Major S. Kostin was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation (posthumously).

One of the classic examples of courage, valor and military skill was the landing of a night helicopter assault almost on the heads of militants who were taken aback by surprise. As a result of this battle, the bandits were completely destroyed, and two strategically important bridges they defended were captured unharmed, which allowed the entire group of troops to complete the task. During the operation, the paratroopers did not lose a single person.

The soldiers of the formation completed all assigned tasks in a guards manner. For the courage and heroism shown during the counter-terrorist operation in Chechnya, almost all personnel were awarded orders and medals, and the seven most distinguished were awarded high rank Hero of the Russian Federation.

The division includes the 108th Guards Parachute Regiment. For the successful completion of command tasks on February 23, 1968, the regiment was awarded the order Red star. For courage and military valor, successful completion of combat training tasks and demonstrated high discipline in 1968 and 1984 the regiment was awarded the pennant of the USSR Minister of Defense "For courage and military valor"

Novorossiysk guardsmen are always ready to perform tasks of any degree of complexity, because it is not without reason that the paratroopers’ motto is: “Courage. Courage. Honor.”

During the existence of the division it was commanded by:

Guards major general	Polishchuk Grigory Fedoseevich	1945-1952
Guards Colonel	Golofast Georgy Petrovich	1952-1955
Guards major general	Rudakov Alexey Pavlovich	1955-1956
Guards Colonel	Antipov Petr Fedorovich	1956-1958
Guards Colonel	Dudura Ivan Makarovich	1958-1961
Guards major general	Chaplygin Petr Vasilievich	1961-1963
Guards major general	Shkrudiev Dmitry Grigorievich	1963-1966
Guards major general	Gorelov Lev Nikolaevich	1966-1970
Guards major general	Kuleshov Oleg Fedorovich	1970-1973
Guards major general	Kalinin Nikolay Vasilievich	1973-1975
Guards major general	Kraev Vladimir Stepanovich	1975-1978
Guards major general	Achalov Vladislav Alekseevich	1978-1982
Guards Colonel	Yarygin Yurantin Vasilievich	1982-1984
Guards major general	Toporov Vladimir Mikhailovich	1984-1987
Guards major general	Sigutkin Alexey Alekseevich	1987-1990
Guards major general	Khatskevich Valery Franzovich	1990-1992
Guards major general	Kalabukhov Grigory Andreevich	1992-1994
Guards major general	Solonin Igor Vilyevich	1994-1997
Guards major general	Krivosheev Yuri Mikhailovich	1997-2002
Guards major general	Ignatov Nikolay Ivanovich	2002-2005
Guards Colonel	Astapov Viktor Borisovich	since 2005

Photos provided:

Airborne Forces Headquarters (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10);
- From personal archive author (1, 2);

,
Operation Danube,
"Black January"
First Chechen War,
Invasion of Dagestan,
Second Chechen War,
Operation in the Kodori Gorge (2008)

Insignia

7th Guards Air Assault (Mountain) Red Banner Orders Suvorov and Kutuzov division- formation of airborne troops Soviet Army USSR Armed Forces and Armed Forces Russian Federation.

History 1945-1991

The regiment received its baptism of fire in the area of Lake Balaton (Hungary) in 1945 as part of the 9th Guards Army of the 3rd Ukrainian Front.

On April 26, 1945, for the exemplary performance of command tasks, the regiment was awarded the Order of Kutuzov, 2nd degree.

The division's units were the first to airborne troops mastered landing from An-8, An-12, An-22, Il-76 aircraft, tested a number of new parachute systems (D-5 and D-6), all generations of BMD and the 2S9 “Nona” artillery system. For the first time, the formation's personnel performed a practical landing after a flight at altitudes of 6,000 - 8,000 meters using oxygen devices.

In 1956, the unit took part in the suppression of the Hungarian Uprising.

In 1968, the division took part in Operation Danube to suppress the Prague Spring.

In 1971 and 1972, the division was awarded the Challenge Red Banner of the Airborne Forces.

May 4, 1985 for success in combat training and in connection with the 40th anniversary Great Victory the division was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

In 1988-1989, units of the division participated in the suppression of the political opposition of the Azerbaijan SSR in Baku. As a result of the events in Baku, known as Black January, more than a hundred citizens died.

Plane crash near Kaluga

On June 23, 1969, the 6th parachute company as part of the 2nd battalion of the 108th Guards Parachute Regiment of the 7th Guards Airborne Division was tasked with flying from Kaunas to Ryazan. In Ryazan, the company personnel were supposed to conduct demonstration exercises for the USSR Minister of Defense A. A. Grechko.

In 1993-1996, the personnel of the formation carried out peacekeeping tasks in Abkhazia. From January 1995 to April 2004, units of the division carried out combat missions in the North Caucasus region. In 1995, the division fought in Grozny, and during the mountainous phase of the campaign - in the Vedeno and Shatoi regions of Chechnya. For their courage and heroism, 499 military personnel were awarded orders and medals. The irretrievable losses during the two Chechen campaigns amounted to 87 people.

In July 2001, the musical group “Sineva” was created in the division, which included paratroopers who took part in the hostilities. The founder of the team was Guard Major Oleg Grigorievich Bosenko. Since its founding, the group has become a laureate of many military-patriotic song festivals.

In 2011, a book about the division was published.

On May 14, 2015, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu awarded the division the Order of Suvorov.

Since September 2015, he has been performing tasks to ensure the security of the Aviation Group of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria at the Khmeimim airbase during the air operation of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Formations

Heroes

During the existence of the division, 10 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, and 18 people were awarded the title of Hero of Russia. Of these:

Commander (period)

Major General Polishchuk, Grigory Fedoseevich (1945-1952)
Colonel Golofast Georgy Petrovich (1952-1955)
Major General Rudakov, Alexey Pavlovich (1955-1956)
Guard Colonel Antipov Pyotr Fedorovich (1956-1958)
Guard Colonel Dudura Ivan Makarovich (1958-1961)
Major General Chaplygin, Pyotr Vasilievich (1961-1963)
Major General Shkrudiev, Dmitry Grigorievich (1963-1966)
Major General Gorelov, Lev Nikolaevich (1966-1970)
Major General Kuleshov, Oleg Fedorovich (1970-1973)
Major General Kalinin, Nikolai Vasilievich (1973-1975)
Major General Kraev, Vladimir Stepanovich (1975-1978)
Major General Achalov Vladislav Alekseevich (1978-1982)
Guard Colonel Yarygin, Yurantin Vasilievich (1982-1984)
Major General Toporov Vladimir Mikhailovich (1984-1987)
Major General Sigutkin, Alexey Alekseevich (1987-1990)
Major General Khatskevich, Valery Frantsovich (1990-1992)
Major General Kalabukhov, Grigory Andreevich (1992-1994)
Major General Solonin, Igor Vilyevich (1994-1997)
Major General Krivosheev Yuri Mikhailovich (1997-2002)
Major General Ignatov Nikolai Ivanovich (2002-2005)
Major General Astapov, Viktor Borisovich (2005-2007)
Guard Colonel Kochetkov Vladimir Anatolyevich (2008-2010)
Major General Vyaznikov, Alexander Yurievich (2010-2012)
Major General Solodchuk Valery Nikolaevich (2012-2014)
Major General Roman Breus (2014-present)

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Notes

Links

Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
V.V. Kulakov. Candidate's dissertation historical sciences. Krasnodar, 2003.
Magazine "Brother".



Compound

Airborne Forces educational institutions

Airborne Forces Commanders

Key figures

Excerpt characterizing the 7th Guards Air Assault (Mountain) Division

“Petya, you’re stupid,” Natasha said.
“No more stupid than you, mother,” said nine-year-old Petya, as if he were an old foreman.
The Countess was prepared by hints from Anna Mikhailovna during dinner. Having gone to her room, she, sitting on an armchair, did not take her eyes off the miniature portrait of her son embedded in the snuffbox, and tears welled up in her eyes. Anna Mikhailovna, with the letter, tiptoed up to the countess's room and stopped.
“Don’t come in,” she said to the old count who was following her, “later,” and closed the door behind her.
The Count put his ear to the lock and began to listen.
At first he heard the sounds of indifferent speeches, then one sound of Anna Mikhailovna's voice, making a long speech, then a cry, then silence, then again both voices spoke together with joyful intonations, and then steps, and Anna Mikhailovna opened the door for him. On Anna Mikhailovna’s face was the proud expression of an operator who had completed a difficult amputation and was introducing the audience so that they could appreciate his art.
“C”est fait! [The job is done!],” she said to the count, pointing with a solemn gesture at the countess, who was holding a snuffbox with a portrait in one hand, a letter in the other, and pressed her lips to one or the other.
Seeing the count, she stretched out her arms to him, hugged his bald head and through the bald head again looked at the letter and portrait and again, in order to press them to her lips, she slightly pushed the bald head away. Vera, Natasha, Sonya and Petya entered the room and the reading began. The letter briefly described the campaign and two battles in which Nikolushka participated, promotion to officer, and said that he kisses the hands of maman and papa, asking for their blessing, and kisses Vera, Natasha, Petya. In addition, he bows to Mr. Sheling, and Mr. Shos and the nanny, and, in addition, asks to kiss dear Sonya, whom he still loves and about whom he still remembers. Hearing this, Sonya blushed so that tears came to her eyes. And, unable to withstand the glances directed at her, she ran into the hall, ran up, spun around and, inflating her dress with a balloon, flushed and smiling, sat down on the floor. The Countess was crying.
-What are you crying about, maman? - Vera said. “We should rejoice at everything he writes, not cry.”
This was completely fair, but the count, the countess, and Natasha all looked at her reproachfully. “And who did she look like!” thought the Countess.
Nikolushka's letter was read hundreds of times, and those who were considered worthy of listening to it had to come to the countess, who would not let him out of her hands. Tutors, nannies, Mitenka, and some acquaintances came, and the countess re-read the letter every time with new pleasure and each time, from this letter, she discovered new virtues in her Nikolushka. How strange, extraordinary, and joyful it was for her that her son was the son who had barely noticeably moved with tiny limbs inside her 20 years ago, the son for whom she had quarreled with the pampered count, the son who had learned to say before: “ pear,” and then “woman,” that this son is now there, in a foreign land, in a foreign environment, a courageous warrior, alone, without help or guidance, doing some kind of manly work there. All the world's centuries-old experience, indicating that children imperceptibly from the cradle become husbands, did not exist for the countess. The maturation of her son in every season of manhood was as extraordinary for her as if there had never been millions of millions of people who matured in exactly the same way. Just as she couldn’t believe 20 years ago that that little creature that lived somewhere under her heart would scream and begin to suck her breast and start talking, so now she couldn’t believe that this same creature could be that strong, a brave man, an example of the sons and men he was now, judging by this letter.
- What a calm, how cute he describes! - she said, reading the descriptive part of the letter. - And what a soul! Nothing about myself... nothing! About some Denisov, and he himself is probably braver than them all. He writes nothing about his suffering. What a heart! How do I recognize him! And how I remembered everyone! I haven't forgotten anyone. I always, always said, even when he was like this, I always said...
For more than a week they prepared, wrote brouillons and copied letters to Nikolushka from the whole house; under the supervision of the countess and the care of the count, the necessary items and money were collected to outfit and equip the newly promoted officer. Anna Mikhailovna, a practical woman, managed to arrange protection for herself and her son in the army, even for correspondence. She had occasion to send her letters to Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich, who commanded the guard. The Rostovs assumed that the Russian guard abroad had a completely definite address, and that if the letter reached the Grand Duke, who commanded the guard, then there was no reason why it should not reach the Pavlograd regiment, which should be nearby; and therefore it was decided to send letters and money through the Grand Duke’s courier to Boris, and Boris should have already delivered them to Nikolushka. The letters were from the old count, from the countess, from Petya, from Vera, from Natasha, from Sonya and, finally, 6,000 money for uniforms and various things that the count sent to his son.

November 12th Kutuzovskaya fighting army, camped near Olmütz, was preparing for the next day to view the two emperors - Russian and Austrian. The guard, who had just arrived from Russia, spent the night 15 versts from Olmutz and the next day, right for the review, at 10 o’clock in the morning, they entered the Olmutz field.
On this day, Nikolai Rostov received a note from Boris informing him that the Izmailovsky regiment was spending the night 15 miles short of Olmutz, and that he was waiting for him to give him a letter and money. Rostov especially needed money now that, having returned from the campaign, the troops stopped near Olmutz, and well-supplied sutlers and Austrian Jews, offering all kinds of temptations, filled the camp. The Pavlograd residents had feasts after feasts, celebrations of awards received for the campaign and trips to Olmutz to visit Caroline of Hungary, who had recently arrived there, who opened a tavern there with female servants. Rostov recently celebrated its production of cornets, bought Bedouin, Denisov's horse, and was in debt to his comrades and sutlers. Having received Boris’s note, Rostov and his friend went to Olmutz, had lunch there, drank a bottle of wine and went alone to the guards camp to look for his childhood comrade. Rostov had not yet had time to get dressed. He was wearing a shabby cadet's jacket with a soldier's cross, the same leggings lined with worn leather, and an officer's saber with a lanyard; the horse he rode on was a Don horse, bought on a campaign from a Cossack; the hussar's crumpled cap was pulled back and to one side in a jaunty manner. Approaching the camp of the Izmailovsky regiment, he thought about how he would amaze Boris and all his fellow guardsmen with his shelled combat hussar appearance.
The guard went through the entire campaign as if on a festivities, flaunting their cleanliness and discipline. The crossings were short, the backpacks were carried on carts, and the Austrian authorities prepared excellent dinners for the officers at all crossings. The regiments entered and left the cities with music, and throughout the campaign (of which the guards were proud), by order of the Grand Duke, people walked in step, and the officers walked in their places. Boris walked and stood with Berg, now the company commander, throughout the campaign. Berg, having received a company during the campaign, managed to earn the trust of his superiors with his diligence and accuracy and arranged his economic affairs very profitably; During the campaign, Boris made many acquaintances with people who could be useful to him, and through a letter of recommendation he brought from Pierre, he met Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, through whom he hoped to get a place on the headquarters of the commander-in-chief. Berg and Boris, cleanly and neatly dressed, having rested after the last day's march, sat in the clean apartment assigned to them in front of the round table and played chess. Berg held a smoking pipe between his knees. Boris, with his characteristic accuracy, placed the checkers in a pyramid with his white thin hands, waiting for Berg to make a move, and looked at his partner’s face, apparently thinking about the game, as he always thought only about what he was doing.
- Well, how will you get out of this? - he said.
“We’ll try,” Berg answered, touching the pawn and lowering his hand again.
At this time the door opened.
“Here he is, finally,” Rostov shouted. - And Berg is here! Oh, petisanfant, ale cushe dormir, [Children, go to bed,] he shouted, repeating the words of the nanny, which he and Boris had once laughed at.
- Fathers! how you have changed! - Boris stood up to meet Rostov, but while getting up, he did not forget to support and put in place the falling chess and wanted to hug his friend, but Nikolai moved away from him. With that special feeling of youth, which is afraid of the beaten path, wants, without imitating others, to express its feelings in a new way, in its own way, if only not in the way the elders express it, often feignedly, Nikolai wanted to do something special when meeting with a friend : he wanted to somehow pinch or push Boris, but just not kiss him, as everyone else did. Boris, on the contrary, calmly and friendlyly hugged and kissed Rostov three times.
They didn't see each other for almost six months; and at that age when young people take their first steps on the path of life, both found in each other enormous changes, completely new reflections of the societies in which they took their first steps in life. Both had changed a lot since their last date, and both wanted to quickly show each other the changes that had taken place in them.
- Oh, you damn polishers! Clean, fresh, as if from a party, not that we are sinners, army people,” Rostov said with new baritone sounds in his voice and army grip, pointing to his mud-splattered leggings.
The German hostess leaned out of the door at Rostov’s loud voice.
- What, pretty? - he said with a wink.
- Why are you shouting like that! “You’ll scare them,” Boris said. “I wasn’t expecting you today,” he added. – Yesterday, I just gave you a note through one of my acquaintances, Kutuzovsky’s adjutant, Bolkonsky. I didn’t think that he would deliver it to you so soon... Well, how are you? Already fired upon? – asked Boris.
Rostov, without answering, shook his soldier's St. George's Cross hanging on the strings of his uniform, and, pointing to his tied hand, smiling, looked at Berg.
“As you can see,” he said.
- That's how it is, yes, yes! – Boris said, smiling, “and we also made a nice trip.” After all, you know, His Highness always rode with our regiment, so we had all the comforts and all the benefits. In Poland, what kind of receptions there were, what kind of dinners, balls - I can’t tell you. And the Tsarevich was very merciful to all our officers.
And both friends told each other - one about their hussar revelry and military life, the other about the pleasures and benefits of serving under the command of high-ranking officials, etc.
- Oh guard! - said Rostov. - Well, let’s go get some wine.
Boris winced.
“If you absolutely want to,” he said.
And, going up to the bed, he took out his wallet from under the clean pillows and ordered him to bring wine.
“Yes, and give you the money and the letter,” he added.
Rostov took the letter and, throwing the money on the sofa, leaned both hands on the table and began to read. He read a few lines and looked angrily at Berg. Having met his gaze, Rostov covered his face with the letter.
“However, they sent you a fair amount of money,” said Berg, looking at the heavy wallet pressed into the sofa. “That’s how we make our way with a salary, Count.” I'll tell you about myself...
“That’s it, my dear Berg,” said Rostov, “when you receive a letter from home and meet your man, whom you want to ask about everything, and I’ll be here, I’ll leave now so as not to disturb you.” Listen, please go somewhere, somewhere... to hell! - he shouted and immediately, grabbing him by the shoulder and looking tenderly into his face, apparently trying to soften the rudeness of his words, he added: - you know, don’t be angry; my dear, my dear, I say this from the bottom of my heart, as if it were an old friend of ours.
“Oh, for mercy’s sake, Count, I understand very much,” said Berg, standing up and speaking to himself in a guttural voice.
“You go to the owners: they called you,” added Boris.
Berg put on a clean frock coat, without a stain or a speck, fluffed up his temples in front of the mirror, as Alexander Pavlovich wore, and, convinced by Rostov’s glance that his frock coat had been noticed, left the room with a pleasant smile.
- Oh, what a brute I am, however! - Rostov said, reading the letter.
- And what?
- Oh, what a pig I am, however, that I never wrote and scared them so much. “Oh, what a pig I am,” he repeated, suddenly blushing. - Well, let’s go get some wine for Gavrilo! Well, okay, let's do it! - he said...
In the letters of the relatives there was also a letter of recommendation to Prince Bagration, which, on the advice of Anna Mikhailovna, the old countess obtained through her friends and sent to her son, asking him to take it for its intended purpose and use it.
- This is nonsense! “I really need it,” said Rostov, throwing the letter under the table.
- Why did you leave it? – asked Boris.
- Some kind of letter of recommendation, what the hell is there in the letter!
- What the hell is in the letter? – Boris said, picking up and reading the inscription. – This letter is very necessary for you.
“I don’t need anything, and I won’t go as an adjutant to anyone.”
- Why? – asked Boris.
- Lackey position!
“You’re still the same dreamer, I see,” Boris said, shaking his head.
– And you are still the same diplomat. Well, that’s not the point... Well, what are you talking about? - asked Rostov.
- Yes, as you see. So far so good; but I admit, I would very much like to become an adjutant, and not remain at the front.
- For what?
- Because, having already started a career in military service, you should try to make, if possible, a brilliant career.
- Yes, that’s how it is! - said Rostov, apparently thinking about something else.
He looked intently and questioningly into his friend’s eyes, apparently searching in vain for a solution to some question.

The 7th Guards Air Assault Mountain Division is also part of the Russian Federation. The unit was formed at the end of the Great Patriotic War, and received its full name 3 years later.

The division took part in many armed conflicts, a large number of personnel were awarded medals and orders.

Formation

The 7th Guards Air Assault Mountain Division was formed at the end of the winter of 1945. The regiment went west. The unit took up positions in Hungary, where it received its baptism of fire. While all fronts were rapidly advancing, in the area of Lake Balaton the Red Army erected defensive fortifications for the first time in a long time and the last time in the entire war. This was due to Hitler’s order to push back the liberation troops from Vienna. The oil well remained no less significant than the city itself for the Nazis. And oil, as you know, is the fuel of war.
The 7th Guards Air Assault Mountain Division took up defense in depth. The plan was developed by the Commander-in-Chief Headquarters. It was based on the successful experience of the battle on

The beginning of the breakthrough

The Nazis planned to push through the defenses Soviet troops a quick tank strike. On March 6, before dawn, the Nazis launched an offensive. After heavy fighting, they captured the areas necessary from a tactical point of view.

The main blow fell between two lakes, where the 7th Guards Air Assault Mountain Division was located. There they advanced in dense formation and suppressed the Red Army soldiers with superior technology. After 2 days, howitzers and MLRS systems thundered. This meant that the main forces of the Reich would soon enter the battle. By 9 o'clock in the morning the SS began to advance.

But the Nazis underestimated the resilience Soviet soldiers, and the offensive bogged down, but the defense held out. After an unsuccessful attempt at a counteroffensive, the Nazis were no longer able to organize serious pressure on their opponents. The Red Army liberated Vienna, and the road to Berlin was finally open.

After World War II

The 7th Guards Air Assault Mountain Division ended its participation in the Great Patriotic War, liberating Czechoslovakia, after which it was stationed in the Baltic states. She took part in suppressing the attempt of Nazi revanchists to carry out a putsch in Hungary. After this, the command sent the division to Czechoslovakia to participate in Operation Danube.

In 1968, the majority of the Czechoslovakian government betrayed the ideas of socialism and wanted to ask for help from NATO. In response, the countries decided to suppress the coup attempt by military means. Preparation and planning of the operation took place in the strictest secrecy. Local commanders did not know about specific goals and combat missions until the last minute. On August 21, Allied troops crossed the Czechoslovakian border and occupied key political and military objectives. The operation was successful, with virtually no losses or battles.

Chechen wars

During both Chechen campaigns, the 7th Guards Air Assault Mountain Division was assigned various tasks. The soldiers fought in the hottest spots in the North Caucasus. In 1995, Grozny was stormed, where fierce battles were fought for every lane.

Also, the 7th Guards Air Assault Mountain Division carried out clearing missions in the Vedeno and Shatoi districts. This is a mountainous area where the infamous Argun Gorge is located. There, militants of the Arab mercenary Khattab defeated a column of federal troops during the first campaign.

Also combat biography The division includes peacekeeping operations in Abkhazia and the suppression of protests in Azerbaijan during the collapse of the USSR. The personnel of the military formation is five and a half thousand people. The main equipment is airborne combat vehicles and armored personnel carriers. The nickname of the 7th Division is "Bisons".