56th Army (Soviet Union)

56th Army
Active October 1941 - November 1943
Country Soviet Union
Allegiance Red Army
Branch Infantry
Type Combined Arms
Size Army

The 56th Army was a field army of the Soviet Union's Red Army that was created in 1941, and then disbanded to create the second formation of the Separate Coastal Army in 1943. The 56th Army was employed by the Soviets in the struggle against Germany during World War II.

History

The 56th Army was formed in October 1941 and subordinated to the North Caucasus Military District.[1] Subordinated to the Southern Front (Soviet Union) in December 1941, the 56th Army was made up of the following units, as well as five regiments of artillery and a rocket-launcher regiment.

31st Rifle Division
335th Rifle Division
337th Rifle Division
341st Rifle Division
353rd Rifle Division

11th Rifle Brigade
13th Rifle Brigade
16th Rifle Brigade
78th Rifle Brigade
33rd NKVD Motorized Rifle Regiment

62nd Cavalry Division
64th Cavalry Division
70th Cavalry Division
"NO" Cavalry Division
54th Tank Brigade
8th Tank Battalion

In January 1942 the army comprised the 31, 106, 343, 347 сд, 13, 16 сбр, Ростовский осп (б/н), and the 62, 64, 70 Cavalry Divisions.[2]

Among prominent actions, the 56th Army fought during the successful Soviet liberation of Rostov in late 1941 and spearheaded the amphibious landings in the Crimea in late 1943. The 56th Army was disbanded in November 1943 to create the second formation of the Separate Coastal Army.[3]

Commanders

Notes

  1. Glantz, p. 58
  2. General Staff, Combat composition of the Soviet Army, via Soldat.ru, January 1942.
  3. Glantz, p. 58

References

Further reading

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