The 78th Tank Brigade began forming in accordance with a directive of the NKO dated 11 February 1942, in the city of
Vladimir as part of the
Moscow Military District. The brigade included the 263rd and 264th Tank Battalions and a technical support company. Major Aleksey Dmitrievich Loktionov became brigade commander. Lieutenant Colonel
Leonid Chigin took command of the brigade on 3 March 1943 and commanded it until 30 April. In the autumn of 1943, the 78th Tank Brigade took part in the
Nevel Offensive. One Soviet report said the brigade only lost seven tanks in the offensive. For distinction in battles during this operation, by order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on September 7, 1943, the brigade was given the honorary name "Nevelskaya". On April 4, 1944, it was reassigned to the
10th Guards Army of the 2nd Baltic Front. On February 10, 1945, it was withdrawn from the 10th Guards Army and subordinated to the 42nd Army of the 2nd Baltic Front.
Cold War Between 1 and 2 November 1945 the 78th Separate Tank Brigade left the
Baltic Military District, and entrained for the station of
Osipovichi in the
Belorussian Military District, where it became part of the 12th Mechanized Division and was reorganized as a tank regiment. In accordance with a directive dated 30 July 1949, the regiment handed over its
T-54 tanks to units of the 12th Mechanized Division and received in exchange 65 T-34 tanks. From 15 July 1949 the regiment left the 12th Mechanized Division and entrained for
Chardzhou, where it became part of the
Turkestan Military District. By an order dated 11 August 1949 the regiment, with a strength of 811 men and 65 T-34 tanks was expanded to form the new 15th Tank Division. The 78th Tank Regiment itself formed the 143rd Tank Regiment (v/ch 01287) at Chardzhou, as well as the 156th and 167th Tank Regiments, the 180th Heavy Tank Self-Propelled Gun Regiment, 608th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, and 94th Guards Mortar Battalion (MLRS). Except for the 143rd Tank Regiment, the division was stationed at
Kogon from 1949. In accordance with a directive dated 12 March 1957, the 15th Tank Division was reorganized along a new table of organization and equipment. The division included the 143rd, 156th, and 180th Heavy Tank Regiments, the 608th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, 194th Separate Signals Battalion, 103rd Separate Sapper Battalion, 19th Separate Medical-Sanitary Company, 120th Separate Auto-Transport Company, 406th Armored Repair Workshop, 407th Auto-Transport Workshop, and 8th Separate Training Tank Battalion. On 5 August 1961 the 180th Heavy Tank Regiment was redesignated as the 180th Tank Regiment. The division relocated to
Ashgabat in 1958. In October 1960, the division became part of the
1st Army Corps. On 19 February 1962 the 345th Separate Missile Battalion and separate equipment maintenance and recovery battalion were activated. In connection with the transition of the Ground Forces to a brigade formation in 2003, the division was disbanded. On 15 May 2005, the 31st Tank Regiment was reorganized into the 11th Separate Mechanized Brigade. On 1 December 2007, the 11th Mechanized Brigade was reorganized into the 11th Tank Brigade. == Commanders ==