Historical Dictionary of the Russian Civil Wars, 1916-1926

The 16th Red Army originally occupied an area around Gdov, Luga, Novgorod, and Cherikov, before (from November 1918 to January 1919) moving into areas of Belorussia and Lithuania that, in the wake of the armistice, had been evacuated by German forces. This advance brought it into contact with Polish units around Minsk. During the opening stages of the Soviet–Polish War, in July 1920, the 16th Red Army captured Minsk and Brest-Litovsk before being forced to retreat, in late August, by the resurgent Poles. In November–December 1920, it was involved in battles against the forces of S. Bułak-Bałachowicz. The army was disestablished on 7 May 1921, and its forces were distributed to other armies on the Western Front.

Commanders of the 16th Red Army were A. E. Snesarev (15 November 1918–13 March 1919); F. K. Mironov (acting, 9–14 June 1919); A. V. Novikov (14 June–22 July 1919); V. P. Glagolev (22 July–14 August 1919); N. V. Sollogub (14 August 1919–21 September 1920); A. I. Kuk (26 September 1920–24 April 1921); and E. A. Shilovskii (acting, 24 April–7 May 1921). Its chiefs of staff were A. V. Novikov (15 November 1918–13 March 1919 and 9–14 June 1919); V. V. Sergeev (14 June–10 September 1919); V. L. Baranovich (10–28 September 1919); P. A. Mei (acting, 28 September–9 October 1919); M. A. Batorskii (9 October 1919–10 October 1920); E. A. Shilovskii (10 October 1920–24 April 1921); and N. E. Varfolomeev (acting, 24 April–7 May 1921).

6TH RED ARMY. This appellation was applied to two groups of Red forces during the course of the civil wars.

The first 6th Red Army was created from forces attached to the northeastern section of the Soviet Republic’s Screens on 11 September 1918, and from 1 October 1918 to 19 February 1919 was attached to the Northern Front, operating in the regions of Arkhangel′sk, Kotlas, and Viatka in opposition to the Whites’ Northern Army. Among its constituent parts were the 1st Rifle Division (August 1919–April 1920); the 1st Kamyshinsk Rifle Division (March–April 1919); the 18th Rifle Division (November 1918–April 1920); the 19th Rifle Division (December 1918–January 1929); and the 54th Rifle Division (August 1919–April 1920). Based at Vologda (September 1918–February 1920) and latterly Arkhangel′sk (March–April 1920), it also had operational command of the Northern Dvina Military Flotilla (September 1918–May 1920) and the Onega Military Flotilla (August 1919–April 1920). Its operations were focused along the few railways and the main rivers of the northern region and brought it into contact with British and American forces of the Allied intervention that were advancing south from Arkhangel′sk. When the latter withdrew from North Russia, the 6th Red Army entered Arkhangel′sk (21 February 1920) and Murmansk (13 March 1920). By an order of the Revvoensovet of the Republic on 10 April 1920, the first 6th Red Army was disestablished, its forces being distributed between the White Sea Military District and the 7th Red Army. The commanders of the first 6th Red Army were V. M. Gittis (11 September–22 November 1918); A. A. Samoilo (22 November 1918–2 May 1919 and 29 May 1919–15 April 1920); and V. P. Glagolev (2–29 May 1919). Its chiefs of staff were A. A. Samoilo (11 September–22 November 1918); N. N. Petin (29 November 1918–22 May 1919); I. V. Iatso (23 May–27 October 1919 and 22 November 1919–2 January 1920); and N. V. Lisovskii (27 October–22 November 1919 and 2 January 1920–10 April 1920).