| abstract | - The 63rd Army of the Soviet Union's Red Army was formed in July 1942, by the order of Headquarters Red Army Supreme Command № 994110, by renaming Stavka's 5th Reserve Army. Initially part of the Stalingrad Front for defensive battles on approaches to Stalingrad, later the Don Front for the battle within the city, and Soviet Southwestern Front for the Operation Uranus counter-offensive. In November 1942 the 63rd Army was reflagged as the 1st Guards Army. In March 1943 the Army was formed for the second time from 2nd Reserve Army. Initially it conducted defensive operations along the Zusha and Neruch Rivers and the region south of Mtsensk. It participated in Operation Kutuzov at Orel, and the Briansk and Gomel-Rechitsa Offensives. With Markian Popov's Bryansk Front at the Battle of Kursk it comprised the 5th, 41st, 129th, 250th, 287th, 348th and 397th Rifle Divisions. It was disbanded in February 1944.
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