In the origins of the army: Part II
THE ARMY DURING THE SOVIET PERIOD
After the fall of the First Republic, Armenians continued to develop military traditions within the Soviet Army. Armenians participated massively in World War II (1939-1945) as part of the partisan detachments and armies of the USSR, USA, France and other allied countries. During the first period of the war, several Armenian divisions were formed that contributed to the defeat of Nazi Germany; these were the 76th Mountain Rifle, 408th, 409th, 89th, 390th and 261st Rifle Divisions. The “89th Tamanyan” division under the command of Nver Safaryan was the only national division that participated in the Battle of Berlin. 109 Armenians and 10 Armenians from national minorities were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The pride of the Armenian people are marshals Hovhannes Baghramyan, Hovhannes Isakov, Hamazasp Babajanyan, Armenak Khamperyants, Sergey Aganov, generals, full cavaliers of the three Orders of “Glory,” etc., who went through the war.
