Soviet formation philosophy.

[waynebaumber]

Peter,
I would like to have gone for "a better idea" but I can't see one. You are going to have problems with all nationalities other than the US I think. The Soviets as you have pointed out renamed & renumbered units throughout the war. The Germans created new divisions up to the end of the war and other units "grew" into divisions from smaller units. They also created ad hoc units which often remained ad-hoc for a long time. Us Brits changed our divisional sub units and brigades more times than perhaps any other nation, and of course it was the "regiment" you were in that carried the kudos not what brigade or division you were temporally attached to.
I think that linage is the only way to go and the best of luck to you. It must be a fascinating study for you.