The 1st Combined Arms Group at War

[KG Erwin]

Stavka Report to Comrade Stalin, June 1939: In keeping with the western armies' development of tank forces, in particular the Germans, we Soviets have been considering the formation of our own tank units. We have considered the nature of future battles, which our doctrine assumes will be a containment of an enemy attack upon our sovereign territory, followed by deep counter-blows into the rear areas of the enemy, forcing his retreat from the Motherland.

With this in mind, we propose that the 1st Combined Arms Group be formed, with these forces to comprise it:

HQ unit w/transport

5 KV-1 tanks
10 T-28 tanks
17 BT-7M tanks

These tanks will comprise the mobile counterstrike force, and will be kept in reserve until needed.

The main body of the 1st Combined Arms Group with be three Rifle Companies, with supplemental units. It is intended that these companies have the ability to operate independently during the containment phase of the operations.

Each company will have the following units:

Company Hq

Three Rifle Platoons (four squads each)

Three 7.62 MMG platoons (four guns each)

Three 82mm Mortars (with transport)

Two 76.2 Inf Guns (motorized)

Two 45mm Anti-Tank Guns (motorized)

Two 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns

Three Reconnaissance Patrol groups

An engineer platoon will also be at the disposal of the Combined Arms Group (CAG) commander.

Submitted for your approval--

Zhukov


20 June 1939:

To Stavka from Stalin: proposal approved. Who will command the 1st CAG?

22 June 1939:

To Stalin from Stavka: we suggest that Col Lavitov, from the Caspidor Military District, be appointed to this command.

25 June 1939:
Stalin to Stavka: Caspidor? Didn't that sink into the Caspian Sea? Ok--he's perfect. If he fails I only have to shoot him, since his family drowned. Send the Colonel to Moscow immediately.

[KG Erwin]

Readiness report of Col Lavitov, December 1939:

Comrades, after less than six months of training my combat group is being thrown into battle against an opponent of unknown strength in unfamiliar territory. There is snow on the ground, it is very cold, and the area is heavily wooded. We trained in the Ukraine, on open ground, preparing to fight the Poles or the Germans, and now we face the Finns, about whom my intelligence staff knows nothing. My orders are simply to "advance and destroy the enemy". However, we will do our duty for the Motherland. We are moving forward on a broad front, with tanks and infantry staying close together. I have been promised the support of a few batteries of 122mm howitzers, if they are needed. We prepare to move forward into the unknown, like our ancestors did in times past , and ready our arms to face the barbarians of the far north. Wish us good fortune.