With the beginning of the Nikita Khrushchev era , the Strategic Rocket Forces were increasingly emphasised at the expense of the Ground Forces , and the Ground Forces were reduced and reorganized . On 5 March 1962 , the division dropped the designation " Heavy " and became simply the 18th Guards Tank Division . Between 1 and 2 June 1962 , the division was involved in the Novocherkassk massacre , the suppression of a strike caused by food shortages . On 11 January 1965 , the division was renumbered the 5th Guards Tank Division to reflect its World War II title
Novocherkassk massacre
Novocherkassk massacre
5th Guards Tank Division