The division, then as in today, is part of the 24th Corps. Under the flag of 70th division it took part in several major battles in the Chinese Civil War. By then the division was composed of:
In September 1952, the division entered Korea as a part of the People's Volunteer Army. During its deployment to Korea the division took part in the Battle of Triangle Hill and the Battle of Kumsong, allegedly inflicting 9600 casualties on UN Forces. In October 1955 the division pulled out from Korea and redeployed in the then Beijing Military Region. In April 1960 the division was re-organized into a Motorized Army Division. In April Antiaircraft Artillery Regiment was activated from the former 209th Regiment. On May 11, 1960 275th Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment was activated and attached to the division. In January 1961 the 209th Motorized Infantry Regiment was re-activated. By then the division was composed of:
In late October 1962 the division was further organized into a Mechanized Army Division, becoming the second mechanized division of PLA ground force. A tank battalion is activated in each now mechanized infantry regiments. As of late 1962, the division was composed of:
On June 15, 1966, the division was removed from the 24th Army Corps and was transferred to the Beijing Garrison and renamed as the 3rd Guard Division. The 208th, 209th, and 210th Mechanized Infantry Regiments were renamed as the 7th, 8th, and 9th Guard Regiments, respectively. In August 1969 the 275th Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment was renamed as the Tank Regiment, 3rd Guard Division, and the 350th Artillery Regiment was renamed as the Artillery Regiment, 3rd Guard Division. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the division was the only one mechanized formation following 190th Army Division's re-motorization, and the only unit possessing tank battalions for its infantry regiments. Since December 31, 1974, the division became a "showcase" unit. In January 1979, 7th, 8th and 9th Guard Regiments were renamed as the 11th, 12th, and 13th Guard Regiments, respectively. In 1998 the 12th Guards Regiment was disbanded. The Tank Regiment was renamed as the Armored Regiment, 3rd Guard Division.
Current organization
Today, as one of only 7 active divisions of the PLA Ground Forces within Beijing and one of the few remaining divisions in service, it is organized into:
Division HQ
11th Guards Regiment
13th Guards Regiment
Armored Regiment
Artillery Regiment
Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment
Support Battalion
The division is permanently garrisoned in Beijing and thus helps provide for its defense and security as the capital of the republic.
