It entered the Second World War as part of the Soviet Southwestern Front, comprising the It participated in the frontier battle to the west of Stanislau.

In the second half of July as part of the Soviet Southern Front it conducted defensive fights in the direction of Uman.

[4] The Army defended the left bank of the Dnepr around Zaporozhye, from the end of September to the beginning of December, 1941.

It was later in 1942 reorganised as a defensive zone HQ, but then reformed again by conversion of the previous 5th Tank Army in mid April 1943.

In April – July the Army was in Front reserve, and then participated in the Donbas and Zaporozhye offensive operations.