On August 5, 1918, beneath the walls of Kazan, which had been captured by the Whites, a small group of Red forces came into being. On August 10 this group was given, by order, the title of the Fifth Army. [58] The best workers of Moscow, Petrograd and the whole country helped this small detachment to become a strong, unified, victorious army. In the fight against the Czechoslovaks and in the fight against Kolchak the Fifth Army occupied and is occupying one of the foremost places.
In greeting the Fifth Army on the anniversary of its birth, I consider it my duty to hand over to the army the banner of honour I have received from the Moscow Soviet for awarding to a valiant unit. To this banner is pinned the Order of the Red Banner, which distinction will henceforth be borne by the Fifth Army as a whole.
When the Fifth Army is discharged, after our final victory over the enemy, its banner of honour will find a place in the Museum of the Red Army, as a sacred revolutionary relic.
58. On the creation of the Fifth Army, see note 28.
Last updated on: 22.12.2006