160th Rifle Division (1941 formation)

The 160th Rifle Division was a military formation of the Soviet Red Army, formed in 1941 shortly after the beginning of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. This division was one of many rapidly raised units intended to bolster Soviet defenses against the German onslaught.

The 160th Rifle Division's initial composition typically included three rifle regiments, an artillery regiment, and various support and service units, such as signal battalions, engineer battalions, and medical detachments. Like most Soviet rifle divisions of the period, it was designed to be a combined arms force, capable of both offensive and defensive operations, though often lacking the experience and equipment of pre-war formations.

The division likely saw action on the Eastern Front in the latter half of 1941 or early 1942, participating in defensive battles aimed at slowing the German advance. Given the context of the war in this period, the 160th Rifle Division probably experienced heavy casualties and underwent multiple reorganizations and replacements of personnel and equipment.

Specific details regarding the 160th Rifle Division's operational history, commanders, and specific battles fought are currently limited. Records detailing the fates of many hastily formed divisions from the early war years are incomplete, lost, or difficult to access. Further research in Soviet archives would be necessary to fully document the division's service record. The division's ultimate fate – whether it was destroyed in combat, disbanded, or continued to fight throughout the war – remains subject to verification with more detailed historical sources.