Soviet 1st Guards Army
| 1st Guards Army | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1942 - 1991 |
| Country |
 Soviet Union
|
| Branch |
 Red Army
|
| Type | Infantry |
| Part of |
Kiev Military District 1st Ukrainian Front |
| Garrison/HQ | Chernigov |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations | Order of Lenin |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Andrei Grechko Dmitry Lelyushenko |
The 1st Guards Army was a Soviet field army that fought on the Eastern Front during World War II.
On August 6, 1942, the army formed from the 2nd Reserve Army with five Guards Rifle Divisions, the 37th, 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st. On August 9, the army was incorporated into Southeastern Front. On August 18, it was transferred to the Stalingrad Front (renamed Don Front on September 30).
During the German Sixth Army's assault on Stalingrad in August 1942, the Red Army launched a counter-offensive to drive the German forces back. The 1st Guards Army and the 24th Army launched the attack. Little success was met. The 1st Guards Army managed an advance of just a few miles, while the 24th Army was pushed back right into its start-line.
On October 16, 1942, the headquarters of the army transferred into Stavka reserve and its troops transferred to the 24th Army. On 25 October 1942 the army was disbanded, its headquarters was converted to the field management of the 2nd formation of Southwestern Front according to the Stavka directive of 22 October 1942.
On November 5, 1942, 1st Guards Army was reformed from 63rd Army according to the Stavka directive of November 1. The army was a part of Southwestern Front. When the German troops were making their attack on Stalingrad, the First Guards Army was facing the Italian Eighth Army in the upper part of the Don River. The Army participated in Stalingrad strategic offensive Operation Uranus. As the right flank of the front shock group, 1st Guards Army with 5th Tank Army created the appearance of the Stalingrad encirclement "boiler".
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Wikipedia