What does the "Guards" of the Soviet Army in World War II mean?

1. The origin of the Soviet Guards

"Guards" generally refers to the "Soviet Guards" (Гвардия Советская), plus "Soviet" (Советская) The title is to distinguish it from the "praetorian guard" (Гвардия) that once existed in Russian history

The word "praetorian guard" originates from the Italian word guardia, which initially refers to the appearance in Italy in the twelfth century It is an elite force that guards the national flag. Later, France, Britain, Sweden, Prussia, Turkey, Japan and other countries all formed the Praetorian Guard. Historically, the Praetorian Guard was synonymous with elite, privileged troops. Nowadays, in a few countries such as the United Kingdom and Sweden, the Royal Guards are more responsible for guarding the royal family.

Soviet Guards - the troops, ships, regiments and regiments of the Soviet armed forces that were renamed the Guards due to their outstanding military exploits during the Great Patriotic War; equipped with new technologies and with rich combat capabilities Troops, ships, corps and legions reorganized and replenished by experienced (or former Guards) personnel.

2. The military uniforms of the Soviet Guards are no different from those of ordinary troops, except that the Guardsmen wear the "Guards" badge on the right chest (there are two types of Army and Navy). In addition, the soldiers of the Soviet Union also wear "Guards" badges on their right chests. Has a unique hatband

The logo of the "Guards" usually refers to the metal badge worn on the chest of the Guardsmen, using patterns such as red flags, red stars and laurel branches with the words "ГВАРДИЯ" written on them. . The same logo was also painted on the heavy equipment of various Guards units, corps, and legions, becoming the representative image of the Soviet Guards.

What is often overlooked is that the Guardsmen of the Soviet Navy wear another kind of badge on their chests, which is a metal strip wrapped with a black and yellow striped ribbon. In addition, the cap wall and streamers of the Guards sailor caps are not the usual black but adopt the same yellow and black stripes. The "Guards" badge patterns on the heavy equipment of the Navy's various Guards units (ships) and regiments are also decorated below. There are these stripes. This yellow and black stripe originated from the ribbon of the Order of George in Tsarist Russia, and is commonly known as the "George Belt". The ribbons of the "Glory" Medal and the "Victory over Germany" medal established during the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War continued this pattern and carried forward the military bravery it represented. The Soviet Navy Guards adopted this symbol and called it the "Guards Ribbon". The intention is self-evident.

According to relevant regulations, the "Guards" badge of Soviet soldiers is worn on the right chest of the military uniform, located under the battle injury medal and medal. The badges allowed to be worn in other regulations are located on the "Guards" badge. Under the badge. Sailor hats decorated with Guards ribbons are used for soldiers with the rank of Navy Sergeant or below, namely "Guards Red Navy Soldiers" and "Guards Red Navy Soldiers First Class" (renamed "Guards Sailors" and "Guards Sailors" respectively after 1946). Guards First Class Sailor").

——The above text is from the article "Soviet Guards" in the April 2005 issue of the Academy of Military Sciences' "Military History" magazine. The author is Xu Jinchuan. Reprinting without permission is prohibited