1st Battalion 42nd " Vistula" Order of the Red Banner Guards Rifle Regiment.
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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. It bears the Order of the Red Banner on a rosette affixed to streamers in said orders colours of red and white. The order and the honorific title "Vistula" were awarded for the regiments actions during the Sandomierz Bridgehead offensive on the River Vistula between August 1944-January 1945.
Sadly, with effect from September 2024 the 13th Guards are formally no longer active as a reenacting group or attending events as previously undertaken and therefore are no longer taking on new members. The core membership has either since dispersed and joined other like groups or are no longer participating within the UK reenacting community.
The sincerest appreciation and the very best of wishes are extended to all the members who have actively supported the group since 2005, which over the years have created long standing friendships, many fond memories and experiences, both here in the UK and mainland Europe!
However,it is intended to maintain the website, suitably restructured to reflect the above and to continue as a reference source for those in the wider reenacting community or for whose who have a general interest in the Great Patriotic War 1941-45, the RKKA and the history of the 13th Guards Rifle Division.
John Gibbon
Co-founder
13th Guards,UK.
The sincerest appreciation and the very best of wishes are extended to all the members who have actively supported the group since 2005, which over the years have created long standing friendships, many fond memories and experiences, both here in the UK and mainland Europe!
However,it is intended to maintain the website, suitably restructured to reflect the above and to continue as a reference source for those in the wider reenacting community or for whose who have a general interest in the Great Patriotic War 1941-45, the RKKA and the history of the 13th Guards Rifle Division.
John Gibbon
Co-founder
13th Guards,UK.
Welcome to the home page of the 13th Guards Rifle Division.
The 13th Guards Rifle Division was an active 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. In September 2024 the 13th Guards formally stood down as an active living history group and no longer attends public events,the core membership having dispersed and joined other like groups or are no longer participating within the UK reenacting community.
Members of the unit 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 also undertook 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, Chevrolet G506 truck, Ford GPW 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.
View the Contact page for enquiries or information about the 13th Guards website.
13th Guards members with comrades of the 2nd Guards Tank Army, Beltring 2010.
Updated 2023 image reproduced with kind permission of John Woolford (J.W.G.D).
Copyright © : John Gibbon. All rights 13th Guards Poltavaskaya. Aug 2011.
The pandemic situation in 2020-2022 within the UK resulted in the subsequent cancellation and the non-attendances at public events during this period and it was anticipated that they would recommence soon.
It is felt that the following statement is necessarily made in relation to the current situation in Ukraine. The unit was formed to portray and honour the sacrifices of the former states of the Soviet Union during the Great Patriotic War 1941-45 and also to further educate about the conflict, which is generally not studied or fully understood here in the UK by the wider public. Notwithstanding current UK public opinion, it is felt that at this time it would be appropriate to review attendance at future public events as necessary until further notice and in conjunction and consultation with event organisers.
The actions of the Russian Federation and of its military intervention in the sovereign state of Ukraine is wholly condemned and is not representative of the founding principles and ethos of the unit and its membership!
25th February 2022.
It is felt that the following statement is necessarily made in relation to the current situation in Ukraine. The unit was formed to portray and honour the sacrifices of the former states of the Soviet Union during the Great Patriotic War 1941-45 and also to further educate about the conflict, which is generally not studied or fully understood here in the UK by the wider public. Notwithstanding current UK public opinion, it is felt that at this time it would be appropriate to review attendance at future public events as necessary until further notice and in conjunction and consultation with event organisers.
The actions of the Russian Federation and of its military intervention in the sovereign state of Ukraine is wholly condemned and is not representative of the founding principles and ethos of the unit and its membership!
25th February 2022.