The 94th Rifle Division was formed in early 1932 as a territorial unit of the
Siberian Military District. The regiments of the division were based in
Krasnoyarsk and nearby
Achinsk. As a result of the
Battles of Khalkhin Gol, cadres from the division were used to form the new
119th Rifle Division in Krasnoyarsk and the
91st Rifle Division in Achinsk during August and September 1939. The 94th was sent to the
Transbaikal Military District in July 1939, but did not see action. During 1940 and 1941 the division was part of the
12th Rifle Corps of the district, and in July 1941 became part of the
36th Army, formed from the 12th Rifle Corps. The division included the following elements when the war began: • 9th Rifle Regiment • 64th Rifle Regiment • 152nd Rifle Regiment • 97th Artillery Regiment • 83rd Reconnaissance Battalion • 158th Separate Destroyer Anti-Tank Battalion • 491st Separate Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion • 124th Sapper Battalion • 99th Separate Signals Battalion • 95th Auto Transport Company • 118th Medical-Sanitary Battalion • 37th Separate Chemical Defense Company • 89th Field Bakery The division spent most of
World War II covering the border southeast of
Chita. Colonel Ivan Zamakhayev commanded the division from 30 April 1943 and was promoted to major general on 2 November 1944. The 94th did not see action until August 1945, when it fought in the
Soviet invasion of Manchuria as part of the 36th Army. The main forces of the division crossed the Argun into Manchuria without artillery preparation on the night of 9 August and entered sustained fighting for the
Jalainur-
Manzhouli fortified region, simultaneously advancing to the north on
Hailar. As part of the army mobile group, the division conducted a turning movement and on 10 August surprised the Japanese defenders by attacking the city from the east, joining the battle for the Hailar fortified region. The division then continued the offensive deeper into Manchuria. Crossing the
Greater Khingan, the division captured Boketu, Yalu, and
Zalantun on 17 August, and
Qiqihar on 19 August. For its performance in the invasion, the 94th was awarded the
Order of the Red Banner on 19 September 1945. In October 1945 the division (
Military Unit Number 06126) was still part of the
86th Rifle Corps within
36th Army. On 2 July 1955 86th Rifle Corps became
26th Rifle Corps. The 94th was based at
Sretensk by 1955 and was disbanded on 25 July 1956. == Commanders ==