36th Cavalry Division (Soviet Union)

The 36th Cavalry Division was a military formation of the Red Army during World War II. It was formed in 1941 and saw action primarily on the Eastern Front. The division's history is marked by periods of intense combat, significant losses, and eventual disbandment.

The 36th Cavalry Division was created as part of the Soviet Union's rapid military expansion following the German invasion. It was initially composed of cavalrymen, a traditional arm of service that still held some importance in the early stages of the war due to its mobility. However, cavalry divisions proved vulnerable to modern weaponry, and the 36th faced significant challenges adapting to the evolving battlefield.

The division participated in several major campaigns against the Wehrmacht. Specific details regarding its operational deployments, commanders, and engagements are scarce and often contradictory across various historical sources. However, it is generally understood that the division suffered heavy casualties throughout the war, reflecting the Red Army's overall losses in the face of the initial German onslaught and subsequent battles.

Due to sustained losses and the declining relevance of cavalry in modern warfare, the 36th Cavalry Division was eventually disbanded. This occurred sometime between 1942 and 1943, as many Soviet cavalry divisions were either reformed into mechanized or tank units or simply dissolved. The exact circumstances and timing of its disbandment remain unclear due to the limited availability of detailed records about the unit's final months. Surviving personnel were likely reassigned to other Red Army formations.