General V. F. Zakharov, Commander of the 2nd Guards Rifle Division, June 1943

September 16, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes

General V. F. Zakharov addresses the 2nd Guards Rifle Division at an award ceremony in Krymskaya, June 1943.

General V. F. Zakharov, commander of the 2nd Guards Rifle Division, addressing his troops during the award ceremony in Krymskaya, June 19, 1943.

This historical photo shows General-Major Vasily F. Zakharov, commander of the 2nd Guards Rifle Division of the Red Army, greeting his troops during a solemn ceremony in Krymskaya (now the city of Krymsk, Krasnodar Krai) on June 19, 1943. The event marked the presentation of the Order of the Red Banner to the division in recognition of its distinguished role in the liberation of the North Caucasus and Kuban regions.

The 2nd Guards Rifle Division, which would later become famous as the Taman Division, had earned its elite “Guards” designation through its fierce fighting during the defense of Moscow in 1941. By 1943, it was a battle-hardened unit that played a decisive role in pushing German forces out of the Caucasus.

Zakharov’s leadership symbolized both the resilience and the growing confidence of the Red Army as the tide of war turned against the Wehrmacht. Ceremonies like this were not only military events but also vital morale boosters, reinforcing the bond between commanders and soldiers and celebrating collective sacrifice and victory.

This rare photograph captures a moment of pride and recognition, linking the personal presence of General Zakharov with the broader achievements of his division during the Great Patriotic War.

Technical photo data:
📍 Location: Krymskaya (now Krymsk), Krasnodar Krai, USSR
📅 Date of photo: June 19, 1943
📝 Event: Awarding of the Order of the Red Banner to the 2nd Guards Rifle Division
📷 Source: Soviet WWII photo archives