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.