13th Guards Poltavaskaya

1st Battalion 42nd " Vistula" Order of the Red Banner Guards Rifle Regiment.

Above is a full size replica banner of the 42nd Guards Rifle Regiment, which was part of the 13th Guards. It was custom made for the group in 2018 from images of the original banner, which is currently displayed in the Panoramic Museum "Battle of Stalingrad" in Volgograd.

Welcome to the home page of the 13th Guards Rifle Division.

The 13th Guards Rifle Division is a living history group those aim is to accurately portray the men and women of the Red Army who served during World War Two, or The Great Patriotic War as it is known in Russia and the former states of the Soviet Union.

The unit was founded in 2005 by a few enthusiasts in the North-East of England and were formerly members of the Northern World War Two Association. The unit takes part in period living history and battle re-enactment displays for the general public, mainly in the north of England region of the UK.
No extreme political, racial, homophobic views or activity etc. will be permitted within the unit, however some period political reference maybe made in the interest of historical accuracy.

Membership is not gender specific and is open to both male and female applicants who have an interest in the Red Army and The Great Patriotic War.

Members of the unit have previously travelled to Russia to take part in Eastern Front battle re-enactments and also re-enactments and commemorative events in France and Germany. We have also undertaken film and TV documentary work in the UK. We also support
charitable organisations here in the UK.

In the 13th Guards members own period Soviet vehicles, including a T34/85 tank, a GAZ 67 utility vehicle, a GAZ-AA Truck, a Jeep (Lend Lease impression) a Dnepr Russian motorcycle combination as well a two other combination examples under restoration. Also in the collection we have a Soviet Model 1937 45mm Anti Tank Gun. The vehicles are regularly displayed at our various events.

The "Red Banner" is the units own news letter, which is published quarterly for its members. The news letter, the Commissariat's Store and Unit Rules & Protocols are accessible only to unit members.

View the Contact page for enquiries or information about the 13th Guards. View the Events page for events,venues and updates etc.

13th Guards members with comrades of the 2nd Guards Tank Army, Beltring 2010. Image reproduced with kind permission of John Woolford (J.W.G.D).

In order to meet other commitments and long overdue vehicle maintenance, until further notice the 13th Guards will not be undertaking any formal organised events or additional new membership in 2020.

Further to the above, and in light of the developing Covid 19 virus situation here in the UK, the group will also be strictly adhering to current national government and local authority guidelines about none attendance at public gatherings and events until further advice or notice.