57th Army (Soviet Union)

The 57th Army (Russian: 57-я армия) was a field army of the Soviet Union's Red Army that was created in 1941, and then disbanded and created a second time in 1943. The 57th Army was employed by the Soviets in the fight against Germany during World War II.

History

First formation

The 57th Army was formed in October 1941 and subordinated to the Reserve of the Supreme High Command (RVGK). Still under RVGK control in December 1941, the 57th Army was made up the 333rd, 335th, 337th, 341st, 349th and 351st Rifle Divisions, as well as the 60th and 70th Cavalry Divisions.

Starting on 1 January 1942, the 57th Army participated in the offensive by Southwestern Front against the lines of the German 6th Army and 17th Army. After the Soviet 6th Army had forced a breach around Izium at the gap of the two German armies' positions, 57th Army and the 6th Cavalry Corps were inserted into the new salient, capturing Barvinkove (Russian spelling: Barvenkovo) on 24 January and the important logistical strongpoint Lozova, including a German supply depot, on the 27th. The Germans reacted by 3 February with the transfer of XI Corps to the Pavlohrad sector, where it stood opposite 57th Army, which was now in the Barvenkovo Salient, bordered in the southeast by XLIV Corps, in the south by Gruppe Mackensen of III Panzer Corps, in the west by XI Corps, and in the north by Gruppe Dostler and by LI Army Corps.

During the May 1942 Battle of Kharkov, the army was surrounded and practically destroyed. Attempting to break out, General Podlas, the army commander, was killed in action. Slowly rebuilt, by December 1942, the army was part of the Stalingrad Front. The 57th Army was disbanded in February 1943 to form the headquarters of the 68th Army.