Soviet Organization question

[Commissar]

Did the Soviets actually have a brigade as part of their military structure? My understanding was that they did not. Regiments, yes but they did not actually have what they called a brigade. Instances in western publications of them calling the soviet equivalent a brigade are technically false and are used for people familiar mainly with the western army structure. Can anyone give me a definitive answer and point to a Soviet/Russian source? Thanks

[This message has been edited by Commissar (edited 05-18-2000).]

[Scout_42MDP]

I read in my old Border Guard Handbook that the Soviets had a few independant brigades. They were loosley structured, unlike regiments, all having a MRB and a varying number of tank battalions. Divisions in East Germany were kept at 110-120% strength and these brigades were made up of excess equiptment. Seemed pretty much standard for every Tank army to have an independant brigade, while the Combined Arms armies did not. The brigade was to be used as a pursuit/exploitation force to keep momentum after a breakthrough. Sort of a permanent reserve.

[Commissar]

I believe you are referring to the Operational Manuever Group (OMG). It's structure was loose and theoretically could be anything from a compnay to an Army. Once a breach had been made in the NATO line, the OMGs were to roll into the rear of the enemy line and basically cause chaos and panic by destroying C3I, engage reserves before hitting the front, take out any tactical nuclear assets they could find, and disrupt reinforcements and supplies. They eventually dropped the concept because they felt that such actions would actually trigger a nuclear response and that it was better to simply turn the flanks of NATO. It would decimate NATO forces which would lead to greater NATO casualities which would place unbearable pressure on the Western governments to end the war favorable to the Soviets. The Soviets knew the West (especially America) was very casuality sensitive particularly after Vietnam and wanted to exploit this weakness as much as possible.

[Scout_42MDP]

Probably is the OMG concept, but at Camp Hof, they were always refered to as brigades. Regiments have rigid TO+E and these did not. From what I understand, they were under control at the Army level as opposed to an OMG being at the Front or TVD level. Their only purpose was to keep pressure on the retreaters until the second echelon divisions showed up, while the first echelon main attack resupplied and reorginized, as they most likely would have suffered heavy casualties.

[Commissar]

If they are commanded that high, then the "brigade" organization would only be applicable to this mobile reserve. Within actual Soviet divisions themselves, the "brigade" does not exist, I guess. I just can't recall. I remember studying the organization so long ago . . .. .I wish I had something like "Soviet Airland Battle Tactics" handy.