97th Cavalry Division (Soviet Union)

The 97th Cavalry Division was a Soviet cavalry division that existed during World War II. It was formed in 1941 as part of the rapid expansion of Soviet cavalry forces in the early stages of the war.

The division participated in several major battles on the Eastern Front, particularly during the defensive campaigns of 1941 and 1942. Details regarding its specific composition, subordinate units, and combat record are somewhat fragmented and require further corroboration from archival sources.

Like many Soviet cavalry formations, the 97th Cavalry Division faced challenges in the face of increasingly mechanized German forces. Cavalry divisions were often used for reconnaissance, raiding, and flanking maneuvers, exploiting gaps in the enemy lines or operating in terrain unsuitable for tanks and other heavy vehicles. However, they were vulnerable in direct confrontations with armored units and well-entrenched infantry.

The ultimate fate of the 97th Cavalry Division is not definitively established in readily available English-language sources. Many Soviet cavalry divisions were either disbanded, reorganized into other types of units, or suffered heavy losses and were effectively destroyed during the course of the war. Further research in Soviet archives and historical publications would be necessary to provide a more complete account of the division's operational history and final disposition.