| 342nd Rifle Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1941–1943 1944-1955 |
| Country |  Soviet Union |
| Branch | .svg){kind=small} Red Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Engagements | Battle of Moscow Operation Kutuzov Battle of Smolensk (1943) Soviet invasion of Manchuria Proposed Soviet invasion of Hokkaido |
| Battle honours | Mtsensk |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Col. Aleksandr Ippolitovich Popov Col. Grigorii Ivanovich Kanachadze Maj. Gen. Logvin Danilovich Chervonii Col. Georgii Lukyanovich Sirikh Maj. Gen. Anatolii Olegovich Muratov |
The 342nd Rifle Division began forming in September 1941, as a standard Red Army rifle division, in the Saratov oblast. It arrived at the front southwest of Moscow in December, in time to take part in the winter counteroffensive. During most of 1942 and into 1943 the division served in primarily defensive roles in 61st Army along the northern face of the German-held salient around Oryol. Following the Soviet victory at Kursk the 342nd took part in the operation that eliminated that salient, and then in the further offensives that liberated Bryansk and pushed on towards Smolensk and the Dniepr River. During these tactical-level actions the division distinguished itself sufficiently to be re-designated as the 121st Guards Rifle Division, one of the last Guards divisions to be formed before the postwar period. In November 1944, a new 342nd was formed in the Far East, and saw action against Japanese forces in northern Manchuria, assaulting across the Sungach river during the Soviet invasion of that region. Well after the war this formation was re-designated and became the 33rd Motor Rifle Division.