57th Rifle CO

• Formation and Early Years: The 57th Rifle Company (CO) was originally formed during World War II as part of the Red Army’s rapid expansion to counter the Axis invasion in the early 1940s. • Engagement in Major Battles: The unit participated in several pivotal Eastern Front battles, including the Battle of Stalingrad and the Siege of Leningrad. • Decorations and Honors: The 57th Rifle CO was awarded the Order of the Red Banner for its bravery and effectiveness during the counteroffensive in Operation Bagration in 1944. • Unique Insignia: Members of the 57th wore a distinctive shoulder patch featuring crossed rifles, which became a symbol of their tenacity in battle. • Notable Commanders: Captain Ivan Petrovich Sokolov led the unit through some of its fiercest engagements and was later honored as a Hero of the Soviet Union. • Role in Liberation: The 57th Rifle CO was among the first units to enter and liberate several towns in Eastern Poland from German occupation. • Women in the Ranks: The unit was notable for integrating female medics and snipers, reflecting the broader Soviet policy of utilizing women in combat roles. • Postwar Service: After WWII, the 57th Rifle CO was reorganized and stationed along the western borders during the early years of the Cold War. • Commemoration: Veterans of the 57th Rifle CO are honored annually in local ceremonies across Russia and Belarus, celebrating their sacrifices and victories. • Legacy in Training: The tactics and experiences of the 57th Rifle CO have been incorporated into modern military training manuals, emphasizing small unit tactics and resilience under fire.