The Red Army's 60th Army was a Soviet field army during the Second World War. It was first formed in reserve in the Moscow Military District in October 1941, but soon was disbanded. It was formed a second time in July 1942, and continued in service until postwar. The 60th Army was commanded by Gen. Ivan Danilovich Chernyakhovsky for much of the war, and it was while in this command that he proved himself worthy to be promoted to the rank of General of the Army and command of a Front at the age of 38 years. Elements of the army went on to, among other things, liberate the Auschwitz concentration camp.
General of the Army Ivan Chernyakhovsky
Ivan Danilovich Chernyakhovsky was the youngest-ever Soviet General of the army. For his leadership during World War II he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union twice. He died from wounds received outside Königsberg at age 37 while in command of the 3rd Belorussian Front.
Chernyakhovsky in 1943
Chernyakhovsky and other members of his military council on the eve of the Battle of the Dnieper, 1943
Chernyakhovsky in 1944
Marshal Aleksandr Vasilevsky and Chernyakhovsky interrogate captured Lieutenant General Alfons Hitter in Germany, 1944