[1] The composition of the army on formation was: After the German 6th Army was encircled at Stalingrad it was apparent to both sides that there were two possible routes that a German relief operation could follow: from the west from the area of the confluence of the Don and Chir Rivers; or from the southwest from the area around Kotelnikovo.

As the distance from the west was significantly shorter than from the southwest, 5th Shock was formed specifically to counter the former threat, which it successfully carried out over the next two weeks.

In August 1943, it finally succeeded in breaking through the German Mius-Front defensive line on the river Mius, after which it participated in the Melitopol Offensive during the Battle of the Dnieper.

During the final assault on Berlin the army was heavily reinforced and composed of:[6] Rifle Artillery Armor and Engineers

The 5th Shock Army was then assigned occupation duties in eastern Germany and was responsible for securing the Berlin area.