Reference:Resolution of the Sovnarkom On the Organizational Structure of the Red Army Air Forces
From OnAirpower.org
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[edit] Notes
The resolution is dated July 25, 1940, classified Top Secret, and signed by Molotov and Khlovom.
It specifies that the Air Forces will be organized into the following unit types:
- Aviation Division, consisting of a Headquarters plus 4-5 Aviation Regiments
- Independent Aviation Brigade, consisting of a Headquarters plus 2-3 Aviation Regiments
- Aviation Regiment, consisting of 4-5 Aviation Squadrons
- Aviation Squadron, consisting of 4-5 Aviation Flights
- Aviation Flight, consisting of 3 aircraft
The following types and quantities of air divisions are specified in the Resolution:
| Type | Quantity | Number of Aircraft Each | Composition | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed Division | 26 | 250-312 | Typically consisting of 5 regiments, including two fighter regiments and three bomber regiments, with 1-2 ground attack squadrons per bomber regiment. Divisions intended to support armored forces were to contain 2 bomber regiments, 1 fighter regiment, and 1-2 ground attack regiments | Direct cooperation and support of armored, cavalry, and combined-arms ground forces |
| Long Range Bomber Division | 7 | 248-310 | 4-5 regiments of DB-3 bombers | Attacking targets in the enemy rear areas and disrupting rear area operations |
| Fighter Division | 5 | 252-315 | 4-5 regiments | Achievement of air superiority and defense of government and economic centers |
The overall mix of divisions was specified to include three 3-regiment divisions, twenty-two 4-regiment divisions, twelve 5-regiment divisions, and one 6-regiment division, for a total of 38 divisions with 163 regiments.
Twelve new Aviation Divisions were to be formed, including 5 mixed, 4 long-range bomber, and 3 fighter divisions with a total of 48 regiments that included 31 bomber regiments and 17 fighter regiments.
In addition to the Divisions, several additional independent units were to be formed, including:
- 2 heavy bomber regiments
- 58 Corps Aviation Squadrons
- 6 Air Medical Squadrons
Thirty-eight Aviation Divisions were to be formed from existing regiments by September 1, 1940. The formation of the 12 new air divisions was to be completed by January 1, 1941. The additional independent units were to be formed by December 1, 1940.
To support the growth, the resolution allowed for an increase of 60,248 Air Force personnel. Additionally, it notes that per a resolution of the Sovnarkom of July 6, 1940, the Red Army as a whole was to contain 3,521,448 people.
The document appears in "Russia in the 20th Century: Documents from 1941", Vol. 1, pgs. 129-130.
