Unit History

The 47th Georgian Rifle Division traces its lineage back to 1922, when it was first raised as the Georgian Rifle Division within the Red Army. Initially composed primarily of ethnic Georgians and stationed within the Transcaucasian Military District, it was part of the broader effort by the Soviet Union to integrate the newly Sovietized Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic into its military structure.

When Operation Barbarossa began in June 1941, the division was deployed to the Southwestern Front. It fought in defensive actions during the initial German advances, suffering heavy losses.

  • In early 1942, it was encircled during the Second Battle of Kharkov near Izyum.

  • The division was effectively destroyed in the fighting and formally disbanded in June 1942.

In July 1942, the unit was reconstituted as the 47th Rifle Division, again drawing heavily from Georgian conscripts but now including other Soviet nationalities as replacements. This new incarnation participated in major offensives as the tide of the war turned in the Soviet Union’s favor.

  • By 1944, the division was part of the 1st Baltic Front, pushing westward in the Baltic Offensive.

  • They fought in Latvia and Lithuania, contributing to the liberation of these regions from Nazi Germany.

  • The division remained stationed in the Baltics as part of the occupation and demobilization forces until it was disbanded again in 1946.

Our Vision

Welcome Comrade,

We are honored to welcome you to the 47th Georgian Light Reconnaissance Section.

Our mission goes beyond uniforms, equipment, and battlefield tactics. Through a blend of public and private events each year, we strive to preserve and share the stories of the often-forgotten men and women of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA) who served from 1939 to 1945.

As living historians, we carry a profound responsibility. The Soviet Union bore an unimaginable burden in the Second World War — over 27 million Soviet citizens, including more than 8 million soldiers, perished in defense of their homeland. Every impression we create, every story we tell, is done in solemn remembrance of those who never returned home. Their courage and sacrifice deserve to be remembered with dignity, not forgotten to the passing of time.

While our primary portrayal is a reconnaissance section of the 47th Georgian Rifle Division, we welcome all RKKA reenactors seeking a home, as well as those simply interested in exploring this history from a respectful, educational perspective. We are not just portraying soldiers — we are guardians of memory.

Welcome to the ranks.
Слава героям — Glory to the heroes.

Equipment:

Base Garments (Standard-Issue):

  • Gymnastiorka M43 tunic (or M35 if depicting earlier 1943 look)

  • Sharovari field trousers with canvas or leather suspenders

  • Pilotka side cap (with red star) or SSH-40 steel helmet

  • Footwraps (portyanki) with ankle boots (kirza sapogi) or jackboots (sapogi)

Recon-Specific/Field Adaptations:

  • Amoeba camouflage suit (one-piece coverall or two-piece smock & trousers) — issued in limited numbers to scouts and snipers

  • Telogreika padded jacket or Shinel greatcoat (cold weather)

  • Civilian scarves, gloves, or Baltic-pattern knit items for regional authenticity

  • Optional camouflage helmet cover or netting, often field-made

Standard Scout Small Arms (personal choice varies):

  • PPSh-41 or PPS-43 submachine gun (most common; compact, high ROF)

  • Mosin-Nagant M38 carbine (lighter, handier than long rifle)

  • Tokarev TT-33 pistol or Nagant M1895 revolver as sidearm

  • RGD-33 stick grenades or F1 grenade fragmentation grenades

  • Optional: SVT-40 semi-automatic rifle (less

    common, but prized by experienced troops)

Team-Level Support Weapons:

  • DP-28 light machine gun (carried by 1–2 men in recon group)

  • PTRD-41 anti-tank rifle (early 1943 only — later phased out)

  • Signal flares, whistles, and occasionally radios (RBM-1 or R-105 sets)

Standard Infantry Gear:

  • SVT-pattern ammo pouches or drum-mag pouches for PPSh

  • RD-54 reconnaissance harness (or standard Mosina poyas web belt & suspenders)

  • Plash-palatka (rain cape/shelter half)

  • M1891 bayonet

  • SSh-40 helmet or camouflage cover/net

  • Soviet gas mask bag (often repurposed as utility pouch)

  • Russian canteen with cloth cover

  • Veshmeshok rucksack or Sidor sack

Recon-Specific Additions:

  • PN-1 field compass

  • Red Army binoculars

  • Map case (Portupeya) and captured German maps or documents

  • Wire cutters, small entrenching tool, and camouflage face paint (lampblack or mud)

  • Captured German breadbag, mess tin, or entrenching tool (common among scouts)

Leadership Contacts

If you’re interested in defending Mother Russia, we encourage you to reach out to our leadership team with any questions. Whether you’re curious about requirements, events, or the commitment involved, our staff is happy to guide you. Don’t hesitate to contact us—we’re always eager to welcome dedicated reenactors who want to help keep this history alive.

David Dean

Unit CommNDER

Contact