Soviet General Staff created as preparations for war begin

January, 1920, Moscow: Today, Premier Vladimir Lenin of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics announced the formation of the Soviet General Staff, in order to better plan and execute military operations throughout the Soviet Empire. The General Staff announced the restructuring of the Red Army and Soviet Navy into two separate divisions: the West Army Corps, based in Orenburg, and the Asian Imperial Command, headquartered in Port Arthur. The huge naval base south of Manchuria has now become the main headquarters for the Soviet military east of Central Asia, and Soviet commanders have promised that Port Arthur will never fall to the enemies of the Soviet Union.