Marshal Vasilevsky - biography, information, personal life. Marshal Vasilevsky - a great commander and failed teacher

The Great Patriotic War found Major General Vasilevsky at the General Staff, in the position of Deputy Chief of Operations. Less than two months later he was appointed chief of the operational department and deputy chief of the General Staff. The Chief of the General Staff was, as you know, Shaposhnikov.

Together with Shaposhnikov, Vasilevsky participates in Headquarters meetings in the Kremlin. And in December 1941, during Shaposhnikov’s illness, Vasilevsky served as chief of the General Staff.

A. M. Vasilevsky played a key role in organizing the defense of Moscow and the counter-offensive, which began at the end of 1941. During these tragic days, when the fate of Moscow was being decided, from October 16 to the end of November, he headed the operational group to serve Headquarters. The group’s responsibilities included knowing and correctly assessing events at the front, constantly informing Headquarters about them, reporting their proposals to the Supreme High Command in connection with changes in the front-line situation, and quickly and accurately developing plans and directives. The task force, as can be seen from this list of responsibilities, was the brain and heart of the grandiose military operation that became known as the Battle of Moscow.

In April 1942, Vasilevsky was awarded the rank of Colonel General, and in June of the same year he took the post of Chief of the General Staff.

Throughout the Battle of Stalingrad, Vasilevsky, as a representative of the Headquarters, was in Stalingrad, coordinating the interaction of the fronts. He played a decisive role in repelling the Manstein group. In January 1943, Vasilevsky was awarded the rank of Army General and was awarded the Order of Suvorov, 1st degree. And less than a month later, which is extremely unusual, he became Marshal of the Soviet Union.

It was Vasilevsky who came up with the idea of ​​conducting a defensive operation, followed by a counteroffensive during the Battle of Kursk. It was he who convinced Stalin and other representatives of the General Staff to do just that. At the height of the Battle of Kursk, he coordinated the actions of the Voronezh and Steppe fronts. Vasilevsky personally observed the tank battle near Prokhorovka from the position of his command post.

Vasilevsky planned and led operations to liberate Donbass, Crimea and southern Ukraine. On the day of the capture of Odessa in April 1944, Vasilevsky was awarded the Order of Victory. He became the second holder of this order. The first was Zhukov.

When Sevastopol was liberated, in early May 1944, Vasilevsky was personally driving around the city, and his car came across a mine. The marshal was wounded. The wound was minor, but he had to undergo treatment in Moscow for some time.

However, already at the end of May, Marshal Vasilevsky was leaving for the front to command the actions of the 1st Baltic and 3rd Belorussian fronts during Operation Bagration. For the liberation of the Baltic states and Belarus, on July 29, 1944, Vasilevsky was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal.

In February 1945, the commander of the 3rd Belorussian Front, Chernyakhovsky, died. Vasilevsky was appointed in his place. In this position, he led the assault on Konigsberg - an operation included in all military textbooks.

Vasilevsky Alexander Mikhailovich - Soviet statesman and military leader, commander, Marshal of the Soviet Union (1943), twice Hero of the Soviet Union (07/29/1944, 09/08/1945). Chief of the General Staff of the Red Army (1942 - 1945), from February 1945, Commander of the 3rd Belorussian Front, Commander of Soviet troops in the Far East in the war with Japan. Member of the CPSU since 1938, in the Soviet Army since 1919. Knight of two orders “Victory” (1944,1945)

A.M. Vasilevsky was born on September 18 (30), 1895 in the village of Novaya Golchikha, now the Kineshma district of the Ivanovo region - died on December 5, 1975 in Moscow, the ashes of A.M. Vasilevsky was buried in the Kremlin wall on Red Square in Moscow.

Father - Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vasilevsky (09/30/1872 - 08/07/1939) - church regent and psalm-reader of the St. Nicholas Church of Edinoverie. Mother - Nadezhda Ivanovna Vasilevskaya (1866 - 1953), nee Sokolova, daughter of a psalm-reader in the village of Uglets, Kineshma district, Ivanovo province.

In 1897, the family moved to the village of Novopokrovskoye, where Alexander entered a parochial school. In 1909, he graduated from the Kineshma Theological School and entered the Kostroma Theological Seminary, a diploma from which allowed him to continue his studies in a secular educational institution. A.M. Vasilevsky dreamed of becoming an agronomist or land surveyor, but the outbreak of the First World War changed his plans. Before the last class of the seminary, he passed the exams as an external student and in February began studying at the Alekseevsky Military School. In May 1915, he completed an accelerated course of study and was sent to the front with the rank of ensign.

Ensign A.V. Vasilevsky (right)

From June to September, he visited a number of reserve units and finally ended up on the Southwestern Front, where he took up the post of half-company commander of the 409th Novokhopyorsky Regiment of the 103rd Infantry Division of the 9th Army. In the spring of 1916, he was appointed commander of a company, which after some time was recognized as the best in the regiment. In this position he participated in the famous Brusilov breakthrough in May 1916. As a result of heavy losses among the officers, he became the commander of the battalion of the 409th regiment. Received the rank of staff captain. The news of the October Revolution found Vasilevsky near Ajud-Nou, in Romania, where he decided to leave military service and went on leave in November 1917.

After the Great October Socialist Revolution A.M. Vasilevsky linked his fate with the Red Army. He began serving as an assistant platoon commander in the reserve battalion (Efremov), then was appointed company commander. He commanded a detachment of 500 fighters, which was allocated to the commission to combat kulaks and banditry. In October 1919, he was appointed battalion commander and temporarily served as commander of the 5th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Tula Infantry Division. As an assistant regiment commander of the 11th Petrograd Division, he participated in battles with the White Poles in 1920. From May 1920 to 1931 he served in the 48th Infantry Division as assistant regiment commander, head of the division school, and for 8 years as regimental commander.

Colonel A.M. Vasilevsky

These were years of intense work associated with the training and education of subordinates, and the improvement of personal professional training.

In May 1931, he was transferred to the Combat Training Directorate of the Red Army. Participated in the preparation and conduct of major exercises, in the development

“Manuals for the service of military headquarters”, Instructions for conducting deep combat. In 1934-1936 he served as head of the combat training department in the Volga Military District. In 1936, he was awarded the rank of colonel and became a student at the Military Academy of the General Staff. After successfully completing it, he was appointed to the General Staff of the Red Army. In the spring of 1940, he was awarded the rank of “divisional commander” and appointed first deputy chief of the Operations Directorate of the General Staff.

A participant in the Great Patriotic War from the first day of August 1, 1941, Major General A.M. Vasilevsky was appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Red Army - Head of the Operations Directorate. During the battle for Moscow in October 1941, he was part of a group of GKO representatives at the Mozhaisk defensive line. Vasilevsky played one of the key roles in organizing the defense of Moscow and the subsequent counter-offensive. His work was highly appreciated by I.V. Stalin. On October 28, 1941, Vasilevsky was awarded the rank of lieutenant general. On April 26, 1942, Vasilevsky was awarded the rank of Colonel General and on June 26, 1942, he was appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Red Army.

As Chief of the General Staff, A.M. Vasilevsky headed the planning and development of the largest operations of the Soviet Armed Forces, led the solution of the most important issues of providing the fronts with personnel, material and technical means, and preparing reserves for the front. He made a great contribution to the development of Soviet military art. A bright page of his military leadership was the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942-1943.

German tanks at Stalingrad

The Germans in the summer of 1942

On behalf of the Supreme Command Headquarters, Vasilevsky was on various fronts of the Second World War, mainly where the most difficult situation arose and the most important tasks were solved. He was one of the creators and executors of the plans for operations at Stalingrad, directly headed the leadership of repelling the offensive of the Nazi troops, and coordinated the actions of the Soviet troops during their final defeat at Stalingrad.

The Battle of Stalingrad 1942-1943, defensive (July 17 - November 18, 1942) and offensive (November 19, 1942 - February 2, 1943) WWII operations carried out by Soviet troops with the aim of defending Stalingrad and defeating the group of Nazi troops operating in the Stalingrad direction and their satellites. The Battle of Stalingrad at different times involved troops of the Stalingrad, South-Western, South-Eastern, Don, left wing of the Voronezh fronts, the Volga military flotilla and the Stalingrad air defense corps region.

Taking advantage of the absence of a second front in Europe, the Nazi command continued to increase military efforts on the eastern front. In the summer of 1942, they launched an offensive on the southern wing of the Soviet-German front with the goal of reaching the oil regions of the Caucasus and the fertile regions of the Don, Kuban, and Lower Volga. Before the attack on Stalingrad, the 6th Army (commanded by Colonel General F. Paulus) was separated from Army Group B. By July 17, it included 13 divisions (270,000 people, 3,000 guns and mortars, 500 tanks, 1,200 combat aircraft).

Aviation at Stalingrad

In the Stalingrad direction, the Supreme High Command Headquarters advanced the 62nd, 63rd, 64th armies from its reserve. On July 12, the Stalingrad Front was created (commanded by Marshal of the USSR S.K. Timoshenko, from July 23 by Lieutenant General V.N. Gordov). In addition to them, the front included the 21st, 28th, 38th, 57th combined arms and 8th air armies of the former Southwestern Front, and from July 30 - the 51st Army of the North Caucasus Front. Of these, the 57th Army, as well as the 38th and 39th Armies, on the basis of which the 1st and 4th Tank Armies were formed, were in reserve. The Stalingrad Front was faced with the task of stopping the enemy's further advance while defending in a 520 km wide zone. The front began this task with only 12 divisions (160,000 soldiers, 2,200 mortar guns, 400 tanks and 454 aircraft). In addition, up to 200 long-range bombers and 60 fighters of the 102nd Air Defense Aviation Division operated here. The enemy outnumbered the Soviet troops in personnel by 1.7 times, in artillery and tanks by 1.3 times, and in aircraft by 2 times. The main efforts of the front were concentrated in the large bend of the Don, where the 62nd and 64th armies took up defensive positions in order to prevent the enemy from crossing the river and breaking through by the shortest route to Stalingrad. The work with the personnel of the Soviet troops was based on the requirements of NKO Order No. 227 of July 28, 1942, the essence of which was embodied in the slogan “Not a step back!” “. The defensive operation began on the distant approaches to Stalingrad. From July 17, the forward detachments of the 62nd and 64th armies offered fierce resistance to the enemy at the turn of the Chir and Tsimla rivers for 6 days.

As a result of the stubborn defense of the 62nd and 64th Armies and counterattacks by formations of the 1st and 4th Tank Armies, the enemy’s plan to break through the front was thwarted on the move. By August 10, Soviet troops retreated to the left bank of the Don, took up defense on the outer perimeter of Stalingrad and stopped the advance of German troops and their allies. On August 31, the German command was forced to turn the 4th Tank Army from the Caucasian direction to Stalingrad, the advanced units of which reached Kotelnikovsky on August 2; There was a direct threat of a breakthrough to the city from the South-West. The first battles began on the southwestern approaches to Stalingrad.

4th Panzer Army of the Wehrmacht

To defend this direction, on August 7, 1942, a new, South-Eastern Front was separated from the Stalingrad Front (64, 57, 51, 1st Guards and 8th Air Armies, from August 30, 62nd Army; front commander General Colonel A.I. Eremenko). On August 9-10, the troops of the South-Eastern Front launched a counter-attack and forced the German 4th Tank Army to go on the defensive. On August 19, German troops resumed their offensive, trying to capture Stalingrad with simultaneous attacks from the west and southwest. On August 23, the 14th Tank Corps of the 6th Army of F. Paulus managed to break through to the Volga north of Stalingrad. On the same day, German aviation subjected Stalingrad to a barbaric bombardment, flying about 2,000 sorties. In air battles over the city, Soviet pilots and anti-aircraft gunners shot down 120 enemy aircraft.

Stalingrad from above

By the end of September, Army Group B, which was advancing on Stalingrad, included more than 80 divisions, including Italian, Hungarian and Romanian divisions. From September 12, when the enemy came close to the city also from the west and southwest, its further defense was entrusted to the 62nd Army of Lieutenant General V.I. Chuikov and the 64th Army of Major General M.S. Shumilova.

Headquarters of the 62nd Army; from left to right - Mr. N.I. Krylov, Mr. V.I. Chuikov, Mr. K.A. Gurov, Mr. A.I. Rodimtsev

Fierce street battles broke out in the city.

Fight on the streets of Stalingrad

The Volga Military Flotilla actively participated in the defense of Stalingrad. A specially created Northern group of flotilla ships (five armored boats and two gunboats) under the command of Captain 3rd Rank S.P. Lysenko supported the actions of a marine battalion and a tank brigade, and then the S.F. operational group. Gorokhov, allocated by the front command to cover the northern approaches to the city. The ships of the flotilla, having taken up firing positions on Akhtuba, inflicted significant damage on the enemy with well-aimed fire. By doing this, they helped the city’s defenders thwart German attempts to break into it from the north.

The Volga Military Flotilla played a major role in transportation across the Volga. Only from September 12 to 15, she transported up to 10,000 soldiers and 1,000 tons of cargo for the 62nd Army to the right bank. The artillery of the ships (the M-13-M1 rocket launchers turned out to be very effective) took an active part in the suppression and destruction of enemy manpower and military equipment in the areas of Akatovka, Vinnovka, Mamayev Kurgan, the city center, and Kuporosny. Transporting the wounded to the left bank of the Volga was one of the daily tasks of the flotilla. Its significance especially increased from September 15, when the enemy managed to destroy all crossings across the Volga within the city. Thus, the struggle to repel the enemy’s first assault lasted from September 13 to 26. Despite fierce attacks, the Germans failed to completely capture Stalingrad. The Nazis were only able to push back the troops of the 62nd Army and break into the city center, and on its left flank, at the junction with the 64th Army, reach the Volga. However, in these battles they lost more than 6,000 soldiers killed, over 170 tanks, more than 200 aircraft

On September 27, the struggle for Stalingrad entered a new phase. From this time until October 8, the factory villages and the Orlovka area became the center of the fighting. By October 9, the main German strike group operating in front of the 62nd Army of the Stalingrad Front included 8 divisions. They numbered 90,000 soldiers and officers, 2,300 guns and mortars, 300 tanks, and were supported by up to 1,000 aircraft of the 4th Air Fleet. These enemy forces at the Rynok line, the village of the tractor plant, the Barricades and Red October factories, the north-eastern slopes of Mamayev Kurgan, the Stalingrad-1 station were opposed by the troops of the 62nd Army, weakened by long battles. It had 55,000 soldiers and officers, 1,400 guns and mortars, 80 tanks, and the 8th Air Army had only 190 aircraft. In such unequal conditions, fighting began and continued until November 18.

“House of Sergeant Ya.F. Pavlova “

More and more new heroes were born in the battles of Stalingrad. The defenders of the city steadfastly fulfilled their duty. A striking example of their courage was the immortal feat of Komsomol member M.A. Panikha, who entered into an unequal fight with fascist tanks. The exploits of the soldiers of the garrisons of the House of Sergeant Ya.F. became world famous. Pavlova, House of Lieutenant N.E. Zabolotny and mill No. 4. Pavlov's House (House of Soldier's Glory) - a 4-story residential building in the center of Stalingrad, in which during the Battle of Stalingrad a group of Soviet soldiers under the command of Senior Lieutenant I.F. held the defense. Afanasyev and senior sergeant Ya.F. Pavlova.

The house was built so that a straight, flat street led from it to the Volga. This fact played an important role during the Battle of Stalingrad. At the end of September 1942, a reconnaissance group of 4 soldiers, led by Pavlov, captured this house and entrenched itself in it. On the third day, reinforcements arrived at the house, delivering machine guns, anti-tank rifles (later company mortars) and ammunition; the house became an important stronghold in the division's defense system. The Germans organized attacks several times a day. Every time German soldiers and tanks came close to him, Pavlov and his comrades met them with heavy fire from the basement, windows and roof. During the defense of the house from September 23 to November 25, 1942, the losses of the Germans trying to take “Pavlov’s House” (as noted by V.I. Chuikov) exceeded their losses during the attack on Paris (precisely the path of German troops from the border to the capital of France).

On October 15, the Nazis managed to capture the Stalingrad Tractor Plant and reached the Volga in a narrow 2.5-kilometer section. The situation of the 62nd Army became extremely complicated. But the heroic struggle continued. For a month there were heavy street battles for every block, house, and every meter of Volga land. On November 11, the Nazis made their last attempt to storm the city, but it also failed. The main enemy group operating in the Stalingrad area suffered such heavy losses that it was forced to finally go on the defensive; its offensive capabilities were completely exhausted. On November 18, 1942, the defensive period of the Battle of Stalingrad ended.

During the strategic defensive operations of the Soviet troops, the Wehrmacht suffered huge losses. The Nazi army lost 700,000 killed and wounded, over 2,000 guns and mortars, over 1,000 tanks and assault guns and over 1,400 combat and transport aircraft in the fight for Stalingrad in the summer and fall of 1942.

The Soviet command developed the Uranus plan for a counteroffensive near Stalingrad during defensive operations. The most important role was played by representatives of the Supreme Command Headquarters, Generals G.K. Zhukov and

A.M. Vasilevsky. The idea of ​​the counter-offensive was to defeat the troops covering the flanks of the enemy strike group with strikes from the bridgeheads on the Don in the Serafimovich and Kletskaya areas and from the Sarpinsky Lakes area south of Stalingrad, and, developing an offensive in converging directions towards Kalach, Sovetsky, encircle and destroy its main forces operating directly near Stalingrad. By mid-November, preparations for the counteroffensive were completed.

By the beginning of the counter-offensive in the Stalingrad direction, troops of the South-Western (10th Guards, 5th Tank, 21st and 17th Air Armies; commander Lieutenant General N.F. Vatutin), Donskoy (65, 24, 66th Army and 16th Air Army; commander Lieutenant General K.K. Rokossovsky) and Stalingrad (62, 64, 57, 51, 28 and 8th Air Army; commander Colonel General A.I. Eremenko) fronts - a total of 1,106,000 people, 15,500 guns and mortars, 1,463 tanks and self-propelled guns, 1,350 combat aircraft. The Soviet troops were opposed by the 3rd, 4th Romanian armies, 6th field and 4th tank German armies, formations of the Hungarian and Italian armies of Army Group B (commanded by Field Marshal M. Weichs), numbering more than 1,011,000 people, 10,290 guns and mortars, 675 tanks and assault guns, 1,216 combat aircraft.

The bulk of the artillery was used to support the strike groups of the fronts, which made it possible to concentrate from 40 to 100 or more guns, mortars and rocket artillery combat vehicles on 1 km of the breakthrough area. The highest density of artillery - 117 units per 1 km of the breakthrough area - was in the 5th Tank Army. The artillery offensive included three periods: artillery preparation for the attack, artillery support for the attack, and artillery support for the battle of infantry and tanks in depth.

Salvo "Katyusha"

BM-13-16

Artillery training (RVGK artillery)

Despite exceptionally unfavorable meteorological conditions, at 7:30 a.m., as planned, an 80-minute artillery preparation began with volleys of rocket artillery along the front line of defense. Then the fire was transferred to the depths of the enemy defense. Following the explosions of their shells and mines, attacking tanks and infantry of the 5th Tank, 21st Army of the South-Western and the strike group of the 65th Army of the Don Front rushed to the Nazi positions. In the first two hours of the offensive, Soviet troops in the breakthrough areas wedged 2-5 km into the enemy defenses. Attempts by the Nazis to resist with fire and counterattacks were thwarted by massive fire blows from Soviet artillery and the skillful actions of advancing tank and rifle units. In order to localize the beginning of the breakthrough of the Soviet troops, the German command transferred the 48th Tank Corps (22nd German and 1st Romanian tank divisions) in reserve to the command of Army Group B. The Soviet command introduced the 1st, 26th and 4th Tank Corps into the breakthrough, and then the 3rd Guards and 8th Cavalry Corps. By the end of the day, the troops of the Southwestern Front had advanced 25-35 km. The troops of the Stalingrad Front (57th and 51st armies and left-flank formations of the 64th army) began the offensive on November 20, broke through the German defenses on the first day and ensured the entry of the 13th tank, 4th mechanized and 4th cavalry corps. On November 23, the mobile formations of the Southwestern and Stalingrad fronts united in the Kalach, Sovetsky, Marinovka areas and surrounded 22 divisions and more than 160 separate units of the 6th Army and partly the 4th Panzer Army of the German armies with a total number of 330,000 soldiers and officers. On the same day, the Raspopin group of Nazis capitulated. connection of fronts

Reflection of Manstein's counter-offensive on the river. Myshkova

On December 12, the newly formed Wehrmacht Army Group “Don” under the command of Field Marshal E. Manstein attempted to break through the blockade of the encircled troops (Operation “Wintergewitter - Winter Storm”, the 4th Panzer Army of General G. Hoth, reinforced by the 6th, 11th and 17th tank divisions and three air field divisions). During the oncoming battles with the 2nd Guards Army of General R.Ya. Malinovsky, by December 25, the Germans were stopped and thrown back to their original positions, losing almost all their tanks and more than 40,000 soldiers.

Capture of the German supply base in Tatsinskaya

The mobile formations of the Southwestern Front, without slowing down, moved further and further into the operational depth of the German defense. The 24th Tank Corps under Lieutenant General V.M. was especially successful. Badanova. Skillfully using detours and envelopments, the corps covered 240 km in battles in 5 days. On the morning of December 24, unexpectedly for the enemy, his units broke into Tatsinskaya and captured it. At the same time, food, artillery, clothing and fuel warehouses were captured, and at the airfield (the main air base for supplying the encircled troops of Paulus) and in the railway. echelons - over 300 aircraft. Soviet tank crews cut the only railway line. the Likhaya-Stalingrad communication line, through which the Nazi troops were supplied.

By early January 1943, Paulus' encircled aria had been reduced to 250,000 soldiers and officers, 300 tanks and assault guns, 4,230 guns and mortars and 100 combat aircraft. Its liquidation was entrusted to the troops of the Don Front, which outnumbered the Nazis in artillery by 1.7 times, in aircraft by 3 times, but were inferior to him in personnel and tanks by 1.2 times. In accordance with the plan of Operation Ring, the main blow from the west in the direction of Stalingrad was delivered by the 65th Army. After the Germans rejected the offer of surrender on January 10, the front troops went on the offensive, which was preceded by powerful artillery and air preparation. By January 17, front formations reached the Voronovo-Bolshaya Rossoshka line. On the evening of January 26, the troops of the 21st Army united on the northwestern slope of Mamayev Kurgan with the 62nd Army advancing towards them from Stalingrad. The enemy group was cut into two parts.

Assault on Mamayev Kurgan

Meeting of two fronts

On January 31, 1943, the southern group of troops of the 6th Army, led by Field Marshal F. Paulus, capitulated.

Nazi prisoners at Stalingrad

Red Banner over Stalingrad

In total, during Operation Ring, 24 generals, 2,500 officers, and over 91,000 soldiers of the 6th Wehrmacht Army were captured. The trophies of the Soviet troops from January 10 to February 2, 1943 were 5,762 guns, 1,312 mortars, 12,701 machine guns, 156,987 rifles, 10,722 machine guns, 744 aircraft, 1,666 tanks, 261 armored vehicles, 80,438 motor vehicles, 10,679 motorcycles, 240 tractors, 5 71 tractors, 3 armored trains and other military property.

The Battle of Stalingrad is one of the largest in the 2nd World War. It lasted 200 days. The fascist bloc lost 1,500,000 soldiers and officers killed, captured and missing in action - ¼ of all its troops operating on the Soviet-German front. As a result of the victory, the Red Army wrested the strategic initiative from the enemy and retained it until the end of the war. For military distinctions, 112 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The medal “For the defense of Stalingrad” was awarded to more than 700,000 battle participants.

Medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad”

Memorial “Mamayev Kurgan” in Stalingrad

After the end of the Battle of Stalingrad A.M. Vasilevsky was sent by the Supreme Command Headquarters to the Voronezh Front to assist the front command in conducting the Ostrogozh-Rossoshan offensive operation of 1943 on the Upper Don. In the summer of 1943, he coordinated the actions of the commanders of the Voronezh and Steppe Fronts in defensive and offensive operations in the Battle of Kursk in 1943.

Battle of Kursk 1943, defensive (July 5-12) and offensive Oryol (July 12 -August 18) and Belgord-Kharkov (August 3-23), carried out by the Soviet Army in the area of ​​the Kursk ledge to disrupt the strategic offensive of Nazi troops and defeat her troops. In terms of its military-political results and the number of forces participating in it, the Battle of Kursk was one of the largest battles of the 2nd World War. The German command called its offensive operation “Citadel”.

Lieutenant General G. Goth and Field Marshal E. von Manstein

Taking into account the advantageous position of its troops in the area of ​​the Kursk ledge, the Nazi command decided to encircle and destroy the troops of the Central and Voronezh fronts by striking in converging directions from the North and South at the base of this ledge, and then strike in the rear of the Southwestern Front. Then develop an offensive in the northeast direction. To carry out the operation, the Germans concentrated a group of up to 50 divisions (of which 18 were tank and motorized), 2 tank brigades, 3 separate tank battalions and 8 assault gun divisions. The leadership of the troops was carried out by Field Marshal General Günter Hans von Kluge (Army Group Center) and Field Marshal Erich von Manstein (Army Group South). Organizationally, the strike forces were part of the 2nd Tank, 2nd and 9th armies (Field Marshal Walter Model, Army Group Center, Orel region) and the 4th Tank Army, 24th Tank Corps and operational group “Kempf”

(Lieutenant General Herman Goth, Army Group “South”, Belgorod region). Air support for the German troops was provided by the forces of the 4th Air Force of the 6th Air Fleet. To carry out the operation, elite SS tank divisions were advanced to the Kursk area: 1st Leibstandarte SS Division

“Adolf Hitler”, 2nd SS Panzer Division “DasReich”, 3rd SS Panzer Division “Totenkopf” (Totenkopf). In addition, 20 divisions operated on the flanks of the strike groups. In total, the enemy troops numbered over 900,000 soldiers and officers, 10,000 guns and mortars, 2,700 tanks and assault guns, and 2,500 combat aircraft.

An important place in the plans of the Nazis was given to the massive use of new military equipment - Tiger and Panther tanks, Ferdinand assault guns, as well as new aircraft (fighters

“Focke-Wulf-190A” and attack aircraft “Henschel-129”).

PzIV medium tank

Fighter “Fokke-Wulf-190A“

Heavy tank PzV “Panther”

Hs-129 attack

Heavy tank PzVI “Tiger I”

Assault gun “Ferdinand”

After the offensive in the winter of 1942-1943, the Soviet Supreme Commander ordered the troops to go on the defensive, gain a foothold on the achieved lines and prepare for offensive operations. The task of repelling the Nazi offensive from Orel was assigned to the troops of the Central Front, and from the Belgorod region to the troops of the Voronezh Front. After solving the defense problems, it was planned for the Soviet troops to launch a counteroffensive. The defeat of the Belgorod-Kharkov group

(Operation “Commander Rumyantsev”) was supposed to be carried out by the forces of Voronezh (commander of the Army General N.F. Vatutin) and Stepnoy

(Commander Colonel General I.S. Konev) of the fronts in cooperation with the troops of the Southwestern Front (Commander of the Army General R.Ya. Malinovsky). The offensive operation in the Oryol direction (Operation “Kutuzov”) was entrusted to the troops of the right wing of the Central

(Commander of the Army General K.K. Rokossovsky), Bryansk

(commander Colonel General M.M. Popov), left wing of the Western

(Commander Colonel General V.D. Sokolovsky).

Self-propelled fighter unit ISU-152 “St. John’s wort”

Sturmovik “IL-2”

Pe-2 dive bomber

The organization of defense near Kursk was based on the idea of ​​deep echeloning of combat formations of troops and defensive positions with a well-developed system of trenches and other engineering structures. The total depth of the area's engineering equipment reached 250-300 km. The defense near Kursk was prepared primarily as an anti-tank defense. It was based on anti-tank strong points (ATOP). The depth of anti-tank defense reached 30-35 km. A strong air defense was organized.

Soviet intelligence accurately established the time of the German offensive - July 5 at 5 am. As a result of the artillery counter-training in areas where enemy strike forces were concentrated, Hitler’s troops suffered significant losses, and troop control was partially disrupted. Nazi troops began their offensive on the morning of July 5 with a delay of 2.5-3 hours. Already on the first day, the Nazis brought into battle the main forces intended for Operation Citadel, with the goal of breaking through the defenses of the Soviet troops with a ramming attack from tank divisions and reaching Kursk. Fierce battles broke out on the ground and in the air. The soldiers of the 13th Army fought heroically in the Central Front, taking the main blow of the enemy advancing in the direction of Olkhovatka. The enemy threw up to 500 tanks and assault guns into battle. On this day, the troops of the Central Front launched a counterattack against the advancing enemy group by the forces of the 13th and 2nd Tank Army and the 19th Tank Corps. The German offensive was delayed. Having failed to achieve success at Olkhovatka, the Germans moved their attack in the direction of Ponyri.

Battle of Ponyri

But here, too, his efforts failed. Already on July 10, the Nazi offensive in the Central Front was finally stopped. In 7 days of fighting, the enemy was able to penetrate the defenses of the Soviet troops by only 10-12 km. The German offensive on Oboyan and Korocha was taken over by the 6th, 7th Guards, 69th and 1st Tank Armies. On the first day, the Germans brought up to 700 tanks and assault guns into the battle, supported by large air forces. But by the end of July 9, it became clear that the offensive was running out of steam. The German command decided to shift the main efforts to the Prokhorovsk direction, intending to capture Kursk with a blow from the southeast.

Map of the battle of Prokhorovka

Prokhorovskoe field

Battle of Kursk

The Soviet command discovered the enemy's plans and decided to launch a counterattack against his wedged groups. For this purpose, the troops of the Voronezh Front were reinforced by the reserves of the Supreme Command Headquarters (5th Guards Tank and 5th Guards armies and two tank corps). On July 12, 1943, the largest counter tank battle of the 2nd World War took place in the Prokhorovka area, in which 1,200 tanks, self-propelled and assault guns took part. The battle was won by Soviet troops. During the day of the battle, the Nazis lost 400 tanks and assault guns, more than 10,000 soldiers and officers near Prokhorovka. On July 12, a turning point occurred in the development of the defensive battle on the southern front of the Kursk ledge. The main enemy forces switched to defensive battles. The maximum advance of fascist German troops in the south of the Kursk Bulge reached only 35 km. During the defensive battles, the enemy was exhausted and bleeding.

Battle of Prokhorovka

Fighter “La-5 F” (plane of three times Hero of the USSR I.N. Kozhedub)

Simultaneously with intense tank battles, fierce battles broke out in the air. On July 6, formations of the 2nd Air Army alone carried out 892 sorties, conducted 64 air battles and shot down about 100 German aircraft. Soviet aviation gained air supremacy in stubborn battles. Many Soviet pilots showed unparalleled valor and courage, including junior lieutenant I.N. Kozhedub, later three times Hero of the USSR, and Guard Lieutenant A.K. Gorovets, posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the USSR. His award sheet stated: “In this air battle, Comrade. Horovets showed exceptional flying skill, courage and heroism, personally shot down 9 enemy aircraft and himself died a heroic death.”

“La-5” in air combat

On July 12, a new stage of the Battle of Kursk began - the counter-offensive of Soviet troops (offensive operation “Kutuzov”). On this day, the 11th Guards Army (and from July 13, the 50th Army) on the left wing of the Western Front, supported by aviation from the 1st Air Army, and troops of the Bryansk Front

(61st, 3rd and 63rd Armies), supported by aviation from the 15th Air Army, launched a surprise attack on the 2nd Tank and 9th Field Army defending in the Orel area. On July 15, the troops of the right wing of the Central Front launched a counteroffensive, striking at the southern flank of the enemy’s Oryol group.

Soviet counteroffensive

The German command, trying to delay the offensive, urgently began to transfer divisions from other sectors of the front to the threatened areas. The Supreme Command headquarters brought its reserves into the battle. The troops of the Western Front were reinforced by the 4th Tank and 11th Armies and the 2nd Guards Cavalry Corps, and the Bryansk Front by the 3rd Guards Tank Army. Developing the offensive, the troops of the Bryansk Front deeply engulfed the German group in the Mtsensk area and forced it to retreat. Bolkhov was soon liberated, and on August 5, troops of the Bryansk Front, with assistance from the flanks of troops of the Western and Central Fronts, liberated Oryol as a result of fierce battles. On the same day, Belgorod was liberated by the troops of the Steppe Front. On the evening of August 5, an artillery salute was held for the first time in Moscow in honor of the troops who liberated these cities.

Fireworks in Moscow on August 5, 1943

On August 18, Soviet troops reached the “Hagen” line of defense prepared by the Germans east of Bryansk. As a result of the Oryol offensive operation, which lasted 37 days, Soviet troops advanced westward up to 150 km. 15 Nazi divisions were defeated.

The counter-offensive of the Voronezh and Steppe fronts in the Belgorod-Kharkov direction began on the morning of August 3, 1943 after powerful artillery and air preparation. The plan for the Belgorod-Kharkov operation (“Commander Rumyantsev”) envisaged an offensive on a front with a length of 200 km and a depth of up to 120 km. From the air, ground troops were supported by the 2nd and 5th Air Armies. After regroupings and replenishment, the Voronezh and Steppe fronts included 980,500 people, more than 12,000 guns and mortars, 2,400 tanks and self-propelled guns and 1,300 combat aircraft. The cutting blow was delivered by adjacent wings of the Voronezh and Steppe fronts from the area north-west of Belgorod in the general direction of Bogodukhov, Valki, Nizhnyaya Vodolaga. As soon as the infantry of the combined arms armies wedged into the main line of enemy defense, the advanced brigades were introduced into the battle

The 1st and 5th Guards Tank Armies, which completed the breakthrough of the tactical defense zone, after which the mobile troops began to develop success in the operational depth.

Attack on Kharkov

The Nazis also suffered major defeats in the areas of Tomarovka, Borisovka, and Belgorod. By the end of August 11, the troops of the Voronezh Front, having significantly expanded the breakthrough in the western and southwestern directions, advanced with their right wing to the enemy strongholds of Boromlya, Akhtyrka, Kotelva, and units of the 1st Tank Army cut the railway. Kharkov - Poltava and covered Kharkov from the west. On the afternoon of August 22, the Germans were forced to begin a retreat from the Kharkov area. During fierce battles, the troops of the Steppe Front, with the assistance of the Voronezh and Southwestern Fronts, liberated Kharkov by 12 o'clock on August 23.

Counter-offensive of the Red Army in the summer of 1943

During the Belgorod-Kharkov operation, which ended the Battle of Kursk, 15 German divisions were defeated. Soviet troops advanced 140 km in the southern and southwestern directions, expanding the offensive front to 300 km. Favorable conditions were created for the liberation of Left Bank Ukraine and access to the Dnieper. The victory at Kursk had enormous military and political significance. In the Battle of Kursk, 30 selected Nazi divisions were destroyed, including 7 tank divisions, the Wehrmacht lost over 500,000 soldiers and officers, 1,500 tanks, over 37 aircraft, 3,000 guns, and the enemy’s Oryol and Belgorod-Kharkov bridgeheads were liquidated. In the battles of Kursk, Soviet troops showed massive heroism, increased military skill and high morale. Over 100,000 Soviet soldiers were awarded orders and medals, more than 180 soldiers were awarded the title of Hero of the USSR.

Monument “Belfry” in Prokhorovka

Monument “Taran” on Prokhorovsky Field

After the end of the Battle of Kursk A.M. In the fall of 1943, Vasilevsky led the planning and conduct of operations of the Southern and Southwestern Fronts to liberate Donbass and the 4th Ukrainian Front in Northern Tavria. In January-February 1944, he coordinated the actions of the 3rd and 4th Ukrainian Fronts in the Krivoy Rog-Nikopol operation, and in April, the actions of Soviet troops to liberate Crimea. In the battles for the liberation of Sevastopol A.M. Vasilevsky was wounded. Since June 1944, as a representative of the Supreme Command Headquarters, he coordinated the actions of the troops of the 3rd Belorussian, 1st and 2nd Baltic fronts in the Belarusian offensive operation. July 29, 1944 A.M. Vasilevsky was awarded the title of Hero of the USSR.

In February 1945, during the East Prussian offensive operation, A.M. Vasilevsky was appointed commander of the 3rd Belorussian Front (after the death of Army General I.D. Chernyakhovsky). Under his command, the troops completed the defeat of the East Prussian group of Germans and stormed the fortified city of Königsberg.

The Koenigsberg offensive operation of the troops of the 3rd Belorussian Front was carried out with the assistance of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet

(fleet commander Admiral V.F. Tributs) April 6-9, 1945 during the East Prussian operation of 1945.

Commander of the 3rd Belorussian Front, Marshal of the USSR A.M. Vasilevsky and Chief of Staff of the 3rd Belorussian Front Army General I.Kh Bagramyan

The Königsberg plan was to launch simultaneous attacks on Königsberg from the south and north in converging directions with the aim of encircling and destroying the Nazi group. By decision of the commander of the front troops, Marshal of the USSR A.M. Vasilevsky, the main forces of the 43rd, 50th, 11th Guards and 39th Armies were concentrated in narrow areas of the breakthrough. In order to pin down the Zemland group of Germans, an auxiliary attack on Pillau was planned from the area north of Königsberg. To support the ground forces from the air, along with the 1st and 3rd Air Armies of the 3rd Belorussian Front, aviation formations of the 18th Air Army (long-range aviation0, as well as aviation of the Leningrad and 2nd Belorussian Fronts were involved. The forces of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet during the operations were supposed to operate against enemy communications, with air strikes and naval artillery fire to facilitate the offensive of the troops.

Cruiser KBF “Kirov”

The fascist German command prepared Königsberg for a long defense in conditions of complete isolation and considered it impregnable. The city had underground factories, arsenals and warehouses. The fortress's defense system consisted of an outer perimeter and those inner-city positions and was based on 9 old-built forts equipped with modern firepower. Koenigsberg was defended by the 4th infantry divisions, several separate Volkssturm regiments and battalions. They consisted of 130,000 soldiers and officers, 4,000 guns and mortars, 108 tanks and assault guns. The number of Soviet troops was approximately the same, but they outnumbered the enemy in artillery by 1.3 times, tanks and self-propelled guns by 5 times, and aviation by 14 times. Before the start of the assault, front artillery with the participation of the railway. artillery and artillery of the Red Ban Baltic Fleet ships destroyed the long-term fire installations of the Germans for 4 days.

Fort No. 2 Königsberg

On April 6, after an hour and a half of artillery preparation and air strikes, the troops of the 3rd Belorussian Front went on the offensive. The Germans put up fierce resistance. By the end of the day, the 39th Army had penetrated 4 km into the enemy’s defenses and cut the railway. Königsberg - Pillau. The 43rd, 50th and 11th Guards Army broke through the first position and came close to the city.

Storming of the Royal Castle in Königsberg

By the end of April 8, Soviet troops captured the port and railway. a hub of the city, many military installations and cut off the fortress garrison from the German troops operating on the Zemland Peninsula. Through envoys, the Nazis were asked to lay down their arms, but the Nazis continued to stubbornly resist. After massive artillery strikes and 1,500 aircraft on the surviving centers of resistance, troops of the 11th Guards Army attacked the Germans in the city center and at 21:00 on April 9, 1945 forced the fortress garrison to capitulate. During the battles, 42,000 soldiers and officers were killed, 92,000 were captured, including 1,800 officers and generals; 2,023 guns, 1,652 mortars and 128 aircraft were captured. The victory was achieved through the joint efforts of ground forces, aviation and navy. With the fall of Königsberg, the citadel of Prussian militarism was destroyed. For the bravery and courage shown in battle, about 200 soldiers were awarded the title of Hero of the USSR.

Back in the fall of 1944, after the completion of the Belarusian strategic operation, Supreme Commander-in-Chief I.V. Stalin instructed A.M. Vasilevsky to prepare initial calculations for the concentration of Soviet troops in the Amur region, Primorye and Transbaikalia and determine the necessary material resources that will be required to wage a war against imperialist Japan. Developed under his leadership at the General Staff in 1945, the plan for a company in the Far East was approved by the Supreme Command Headquarters and approved by the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks and the State Defense Committee.

(State Defense Committee). In June 1945 A.M. Vasilevsky was appointed commander-in-chief of Soviet troops in the Far East. In this post he again proved himself to be a skillful organizer and talented military leader. Under his leadership, a regrouping of Soviet troops was carried out, a strategic operation to defeat the Japanese Kwantung Army was prepared and successfully carried out. July 5, 1945, dressed in the uniform of a colonel general, with documents addressed to Vasiliev, A.M. Vasilevsky arrived in Chita and began to fulfill his duties.

The Manchurian operation of 1945, a strategic offensive operation in the Far East at the final stage of the 2nd World War, carried out on August 9 - September 2 by troops of the Transbaikal, 1st and 2nd Far Eastern Fronts and the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Army in cooperation with the Pacific Fleet and Red Banner Amur Flotilla. The purpose of the operation was to defeat the Japanese Kwantung Army, liberate Northeast China (Manchuria) and North Korea and thereby deprive Japan of a military-economic base on the mainland, a springboard for aggression against the USSR and the Mongolian People's Republic (Mongolian People's Republic) and speed up the completion of 2 th world war.

The plan of the operation provided for the delivery of two main (from the territory of the Mongolian People's Republic and the Amur region) and several auxiliary attacks on directions converging in the center of Manchuria, which ensured deep coverage of the main forces of the Kwantung Army, their dissection and rapid defeat in parts. The operation was carried out on a front with a length of 5000 km, to a depth of 200-800 km, in a complex theater of operations (theater of military operations) with desert-steppe, mountainous, forested-swampy, taiga terrain and large rivers. The Japanese command envisaged providing stubborn resistance to the Soviet-Mongolian troops in the border fortified areas, and then on the mountain ridges blocking the routes from the territories of the Mongolian People's Republic, Transbaikalia, the Amur region and Primorye to the central regions of Manchuria. In the event of a breakthrough of this line, the withdrawal of Japanese troops to the railway line was allowed. Tuman-Changchun-Dalian (Dalian), where it was planned to organize a defense and then go on the offensive in order to restore the original position. The Kwantung Army (commander-in-chief General Yamada) included the 1st, 3rd fronts, 4th separate and 2nd air armies and the Sungari river flotilla. On August 10, the 17th (Korean) Front and the 5th Air Army located in Korea were quickly subordinated to the Kwantung Army. The total number of Japanese troops in Northeast China and Korea exceeded 1,000,000 soldiers and officers, 1,155 tanks, 5,360 guns, 1,800 aircraft and 25 ships, as well as the troops of Manchukuo and the Japanese protege Prince of Inner Mongolia Dewan. On the border with the USSR and the Mongolia there were 17 fortified areas with a total length of up to 1000 km, in which there were 8000 long-term fire installations.

Japanese tank “Chi-Nu”

Japanese tank “Chi-He”

Japanese fighter “KI-43”

Japanese bomber “KI-45”

Japanese army uniform

The Soviet and Mongolian forces numbered 1,500,000 soldiers and officers, 26,000 guns and mortars, 5,300 tanks and self-propelled guns, 5,200 aircraft. The Soviet Navy in the Far East had 93 warships (2 cruisers, 1 leader, 12 destroyers and 78 submarines). The general leadership of the troops in the Manchurian operation was carried out by the command of Soviet troops in the Far East, specially created by the Supreme High Command Headquarters (Marshal of the USSR A.M. Vasilevsky - commander-in-chief, member of the Military Council - Colonel-General I.V. Shikin, chief of staff - Colonel-General S.P. . Ivanov). The commander-in-chief of the MPR troops was Marshal H. Choibalsan.

Marshal of the MPR Khorlogin Choibalsan

On August 9, 1945, strike groups of the fronts went on the offensive from the territory of the Mongolian People's Republic and Transbaikalia in the Khingan-Mukden direction, from the Amur region in the Sungari direction, and from Primorye in the Harbino-Girin direction. Bomber aviation of the fronts carried out massive attacks on military targets in Harbin, Changchun and Girin, on troop concentration areas, communication centers and communications of the Japanese. The Pacific Fleet (commanded by Admiral I.S. Yumashev), using aviation and torpedo boats, attacked the Japanese naval bases (naval bases) in North Korea - Yuki, Rasin and Seishin. Troops of the Trans-Baikal Front (17, 39, 36 and 53 combined arms, 6th Guards Tank, 12th Air Army and KMG

(horse-mechanical group) of the Soviet-Mongolian troops; Commander Marshal of the USSR R.Ya. Malinovsky) on August 18-19, they overcame the waterless steppes, the Gobi Desert and the mountain ranges of the Greater Khingan, defeated the Kalgan, Thessaloniki and Hailar groups of the Japanese and rushed to the central regions of Northeast China.

Trekking through the Greater Khingan ridges

On August 20, the main forces of the 6th Guards Tank Army (commander - Colonel General of Tank Forces A.G. Kravchenko) entered Mukden and Changchun and began to move south to the cities of Dalniy and Port Arthur. The KMG of the Soviet-Mongolian troops, reaching Kalgan and Zhehe on August 18, cut off the Kwantung Army from Japanese troops in North Korea. Troops of the 1st Far Eastern Front (35th, 1st Red Banner, 5th and 25th combined arms armies, 10th mechanized corps and 9th air army; commander USSR Marshal K.A. Meretskov), advancing towards Trans-Baikal Front, broke through a strip of Japanese border fortified areas, repelled strong counterattacks of Japanese troops in the Mudanjiang area and on August 20 entered Girin and, together with formations of the 2nd Far Eastern Front, entered Harbin. The 25th Army, in cooperation with the landing amphibious assault forces of the Pacific Fleet, liberated the ports of North Korea - Yuki, Rashin, Seishin and Wonsan, and then all of North Korea to the 38th parallel, cutting off Japanese troops from the mother country. Troops of the 2nd Far Eastern Front (2nd Red Banner, 15th, 16th combined arms and 10th air armies, 5th separate rifle corps; commander of the Army General M.A. Purkaev) in cooperation with the Red Banner Amur Flotilla (commander Rear Admiral N.V. Antonov) successfully crossed the Amur and Ussuri rivers, broke through the long-term Japanese defenses in the Sakhalyan and Fugdin areas, crossed the Lesser Khingan mountain range and on August 20, together with the troops of the 1st Far Eastern Front, captured Harbin.

Monitor “Lenin” of the Amur River Flotilla

By August 20, Soviet troops advanced deep into Northeast China by 400-800 km from the west, 200-300 km from the east, and 200-300 km from the north, divided the Japanese troops into a number of isolated groups and completed their encirclement. From August 18 to 27, air and naval assault forces were landed in Harbin, Mukden, Changchun, Girin, Port Arthur, Dalny, Pyongyang, and Kanko. The Kwantung Army was defeated and capitulated.

Flag over Port Arthur

With a brilliant victory in Manchuria, the Soviet Union made a decisive contribution to the defeat of militaristic Japan. On September 2, 1945, Japan was forced to sign in Tokyo Bay on board an American battleship

“Missouri” act of unconditional surrender.

Lieutenant General K.N. Derevianko signs the act of surrender of Japan

Japanese delegation aboard the battleship Missouri

Aisinghioro Pu Yi (the last Qing emperor of China with his wife; captured by Soviet troops

08/16/1945 in Mukden)

After the Great Patriotic War A.M. Vasilevsky, while serving as Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Minister of the Armed Forces of the USSR, led the work to reorganize the army and improve the combat training of troops. In November 1948, he was appointed First Deputy Minister of the Armed Forces of the USSR. From March 1949 to March 1953 - Minister of the Armed Forces of the USSR, then First Deputy Minister of Defense of the USSR (1953-1956). Since January 1959, Inspector General of the Group of Inspectors General of the USSR Ministry of Defense.

Awarded: two Orders of “Victory”, 8 Orders of “Lenin”, Order of the “October Revolution”, 2 Orders of the Red Banner, Order of “Suvorov” 1st degree, “Red Star”, “For service to the Motherland in the USSR Armed Forces”. Awarded 14 foreign orders.

VASILEVSKY Alexander Mikhailovich, Soviet statesman and military leader, commander. Marshal of the Soviet Union (1943). Twice Hero of the Soviet Union (1944, 1945).

Born into the family of a clergyman. After graduating from the Kostroma Theological Seminary in 1915, he entered military service. After graduating from accelerated courses at the Alekseevsky Military School in June 1915, he served in the reserve battalion in Zhitomir, second lieutenant. Member of the First World War. He fought on the Southwestern and Romanian fronts: junior officer of the company of the 409th Novokhopersky Infantry Regiment of the 103rd Infantry Division, then commanded the company, staff captain. In June 1918, he was discharged from the army and went to the Ugletsky volost executive committee of the Kineshma district of the Ivanovo-Voznesensk province, where he was the hundredth instructor of Vsevobuch at the Ugletsky volost, and later worked as a teacher in the Novosilsky district of the Tula province.

In April 1919 he was drafted into the Red Army. He began his service as an assistant platoon commander in a reserve battalion, then commanded a platoon, company, and detachment that fought against banditry. In October 1919, he was appointed battalion commander, then temporarily commanded the 5th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Tula Infantry Division. As an assistant commander of the 96th Infantry Regiment of the 11th Petrograd Division, he participated in the Soviet-Polish War of 1920. From May 1920, he served in the 48th Infantry Division: assistant regiment commander, head of the division school, then successively commanded the division's rifle regiments .

As one of the best unit commanders in February 1931, he was appointed to the Combat Training Directorate of the Red Army, assistant to the head of the 2nd department. He took part in the preparation and conduct of military exercises, in the development of the Manual for Staff Service and the Instructions for Conducting Deep Combat. From December 1934 - head of the combat training department of the headquarters of the Volga Military District. After graduating from the Military Academy of the General Staff in 1937, he became head of the operational training department for command personnel of the General Staff of the Red Army. In August 1938, he was awarded the military rank of brigade commander. Since May 1940, Deputy Chief of the Operations Directorate of the General Staff; participated in work on the operational part of the plan for the strategic deployment of the Red Army in the northwestern and western directions. In June 1940, he was awarded the military rank of major general.

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War A.M. Vasilevsky in his previous position. From August 1941 - Deputy Chief of the General Staff - Head of the Operations Directorate. In October 1941, he was awarded the military rank of lieutenant general, and in April 1942, he was appointed to the post of 1st Deputy Chief of the General Staff.

In June 1942, Colonel General (military rank awarded in May 1942) A.M. Vasilevsky was appointed chief of the General Staff of the Red Army, and on October 14, deputy people's commissar of defense of the USSR. In January 1943, he was awarded the military rank of army general. As Chief of the General Staff, Vasilevsky headed the planning and development of the most important operations of the Soviet Armed Forces, resolved issues of providing the fronts with personnel, material and technical means, and preparing reserves for the front. As a member and representative of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command (SHC), he was on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, mainly where the most difficult situation developed. His military leadership was clearly demonstrated in the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942-1943. Vasilevsky was not only one of the authors of the plan for the counteroffensive at Stalingrad, but also directly led the reflection of the counterattack of the army group "Goth", which was trying to relieve the encircled army of F. Paulus. The name of Vasilevsky is associated with the implementation of the Ostrogozh-Rossoshan offensive operation in 1943 on the Upper Don to encircle and destroy 15 German, Hungarian and Italian divisions. In January-February 1943, he planned and carried out the Voronezh-Kastornensk operation of the Voronezh Front.

In February 1943 A.M. Vasilevsky was awarded the military rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union. He was directly involved in the development of offensive strategic operations for the summer campaign of 1943. On behalf of the Supreme Command Headquarters in 1943-1944. he coordinated the actions of the Voronezh and Steppe fronts in the Battle of Kursk in 1943, the Southwestern and Southern during the liberation of Donbass in the summer of 1943; 4th Ukrainian Front and the Black Sea Fleet during the liberation of Crimea in the spring of 1944. During the Crimean operation, Vasilevsky was shell-shocked. After recovery, he took part in the planning of the strategic operation “Bagration” to liberate Belarus and during the operation, as a representative of the Supreme Command Headquarters, he coordinated the actions of the 3rd Belorussian and 1st Baltic fronts.

In February 1945, he was appointed commander of the 3rd Belorussian Front. Under his leadership, the 3rd Belorussian Front captured the city of Koenigsberg. At the end of the East Prussian operation, Vasilevsky was recalled from the front. Under his leadership, in 1945, the General Staff developed a plan for a campaign in the Far East against Japan, and on June 1, 1945, Vasilevsky was appointed commander-in-chief of Soviet troops in the Far East. As a result of the successful actions of the Soviet troops, the Japanese Kwantung Army was defeated.

After the war with Japan from March 1946 to November 1948, A.M. Vasilevsky was again the Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Minister of the USSR Armed Forces, and from March 6, 1947 - 1st Deputy Minister of the Armed Forces of the USSR - Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. During this period, his activities were aimed at transferring the Armed Forces to a peaceful position. At the same time, the General Staff, under his leadership, took all measures to preserve the combat power of the Armed Forces of the state, and they were in full combat readiness. The Chief of the General Staff did a lot of work to generalize the experience of the Great Patriotic War and introduce it to the troops. He systematically engaged in operational-strategic training of headquarters, preparing them for successful command and control of troops.

In March 1949 A.M. Vasilevsky was appointed Minister of the Armed Forces of the USSR, and in February 1950 - Minister of War of the USSR. In March 1953, he was appointed First Deputy Minister of Defense. March 15, 1956 A.M. Vasilevsky was released “from his position at his personal request,” but in August 1956 he was again appointed Deputy Minister of Defense for Military Science. In 1956-1957 Chairman of the Soviet War Veterans Committee. In December 1957, he was “dismissed due to illness with the right to wear a military uniform.” In January 1959, he was again returned to the ranks of the USSR Armed Forces and appointed inspector general in the Group of Inspectors General of the USSR Ministry of Defense. He was a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of the 2nd–4th convocations. Author of the memoirs “The Work of a Lifetime.” Urn with the ashes of A.M. Vasilevsky is buried in the Kremlin wall on Red Square in Moscow.

Twice awarded the highest Soviet military order "Victory". Awarded: 8 Orders of Lenin, Order of the October Revolution, 2 Orders of the Red Banner, Order of Suvorov 1st class, Order of the Red Star and “For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR” 3rd class; foreign orders: NRB - “People's Republic of Bulgaria”, 1st class; Great Britain - British Empire 1st Art.; DPRK - State Banner, 1st class; PRC - Precious Cup, 1st class; MPR - 2 Sukhbaatar and the Red Banner of Battle; Poland - “Virtuti Military” 1st class, “Renaissance of Poland” 2nd and 3rd classes, Grunwald Cross 1st class; USA - “Legion of Honor” 1st class; France: Legion of Honor 2nd Art. and the Military Cross; Czechoslovakia - White Lion 1st class, White Lion “For Victory” 1st class. and Military Cross 1939; SFRY - Partisan Star 1st Art. and "National Liberation"; An honorary weapon with the image of the State Emblem of the USSR, many Soviet and foreign medals.

Vasilevsky

Alexander Mikhailovich

Battles and victories

Soviet military leader and statesman, one of the most prominent commanders of the Second World War.

Vasilevsky was actually the third, after Stalin and Zhukov, figure in the Soviet military leadership in 1942-1945. His assessments of the military-strategic situation were unmistakable, and Headquarters directed the Chief of the General Staff to the most critical sectors of the front. The pinnacle of military leadership is the unprecedented Manchurian operation.

Vasilevsky was born in the village of Novaya Golchikha, Kineshma district, Kostroma province (now Kineshma district, Ivanovo region) in the family of a priest. “My childhood was spent in constant need,” he recalled, “in labor for a piece of daily bread... My father’s meager salary was not enough even for the most urgent needs of a large family. All of us, young and old, worked in the garden and in the field.” He graduated from theological school in Kineshma (1909) and theological seminary in Kostroma (1914). But I took the final exams at the seminary as an external student...

“The war (World War I. - Author) upset all my previous plans,” recalled Alexander Mikhailovich. “I dreamed, after graduating from the seminary, to work for three years as a teacher in some rural school and, having saved a small amount of money, to enter either an agronomy school or the Moscow Land Surveying Institute. But now, after the declaration of war, I was overwhelmed with patriotic feelings. Slogans about defending the fatherland captivated me. That’s why, unexpectedly for myself and my family, I became a military man.” Together with several classmates, Vasilevsky obtained permission to take exams as an external student and was sent to study in Moscow, at the Alekseevsky Military School.

The son of a priest, Vasilevsky, became a military man unexpectedly for himself and his relatives - he was captured by the patriotic enthusiasm of 1914.

After four months of accelerated training in May 1915, Vasilevsky, with the rank of ensign, was sent to Rostov, to the reserve battalion, and from there with a marching company to the front. How this happened is described in Marshall’s memoirs. “We gathered all the officers,” says Alexander Mikhailovich. - It was necessary to appoint a company commander from among those who wanted to go to the front. They offered to volunteer. I was sure that a forest of hands would immediately rise up, and first of all this would be done by officers who had been in the reserve battalion for a long time. To my great surprise, nothing of the kind happened, although the battalion commander repeated the address to “gentlemen officers” several times. Dead silence reigned in the hall. After several rather harsh reproaches to his subordinates, the old colonel finally said: “After all, you are officers of the Russian army. Who will defend the Motherland? ... I was very ashamed for all the officers in the hall ... seeing that none of the more senior ones expressed a desire to accompany the company leaving for the front, I and several other warrant officers declared our readiness ... Remembering this fact, I would like to note that it is completely incredible for officers of the Soviet Armed Forces."

A.M.'s baptism of fire Vasilevsky took over the city of Khotyn, commanding a half-company as part of the 409th Novokhopersky Regiment of the 103rd Infantry Division of the 9th Army of the Southwestern Front. In the spring of 1916 he was appointed company commander. “After some time,” recalled Alexander Mikhailovich, “the regiment commander, Colonel Leontyev, recognized her as one of the best in the regiment in terms of training, military discipline and combat effectiveness. It seems to me that success was due to the trust that the soldiers showed in me.”

In May 1916, the army in which Vasilevsky served took part in the offensive that went down in history as the “Brusilovsky breakthrough.” “The hardening that I acquired during the offensive helped me in the future, and the experience of organizing combat operations on the scale of units of various kinds came in handy during the Civil War.”

Commanded the battalion, staff captain. After the revolution in November 1917, he took leave and went home to Kineshma. At this time, the general meeting of the regiment, in accordance with the principle of election then in force, elected Vasilevsky as its commander. However, the local Council of Deputies did not let Alexander Mikhailovich return to the army, appointing him as an instructor of general military training (universal military training of the population was carried out in accordance with the decree of the Soviet government on the organization of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army) of the Ugletsky volost of the Kineshma district. In August 1918, having read an advertisement in the newspaper about the recruitment of personnel to work in schools in the Tula province, Vasilevsky applied and was sent as a teacher to one of the rural schools in the Novosilsky district. In the spring of 1919, the district military registration and enlistment office drafted Vasilevsky into the Red Army and appointed commander of a detachment sent to assist the commission to combat kulaks and banditry. “This short period was of exceptional importance for my future life and work. - Alexander Mikhailovich later recalled. - Having become a red commander... I realized that military service is my only calling... The Soviet Motherland needs its own army, its own command cadres, including military specialists. And I swore to faithfully serve the people's power. “Soviet Russia or death!” - these are the words that then became the motto of millions of people, including my motto.”

In August 1919, in connection with the approach of the White Guard troops of General A.I. to Tula. Denikin, the Tula province was declared under martial law. Vasilevsky was appointed first as a company commander, then as a battalion commander, and in October as the newly formed 5th Infantry Regiment of the Tula Infantry Division. The regiment did not have to participate in battles with Denikin’s troops, since they were unable to break through to Tula. In December 1919, the Tula Division (48th Rifle) was sent to the Western Front, where it participated in the war with Poland. At the request of Vasilevsky, who believed that he did not have enough combat experience, before the start of hostilities he was transferred to the position of assistant (deputy) regiment commander, and then appointed commander of a separate battalion. After the signing of a peace treaty with Poland, the division in which Vasilevsky served took part in the fight against the gangs of S. Bulak-Balakhovich.

After the Civil War, Vasilevsky headed the division school for junior commanders, and then served as commander of the 143rd Red Banner Regiment for four years. In 1926, he completed a year of training at the department of regiment commanders of the rifle-tactical courses “Vystrel”. In 1928, he was appointed commander of the 144th regiment, which was considered lagging behind in the division, weak in discipline and training. Two years later, the regiment took first place at the divisional inspection.

During this period, V.K. drew attention to the promising regiment commander. Triandafillov is the head of the operational department and deputy chief of staff of the Red Army, one of the largest Soviet military theorists of that time, whose name is associated with the development of the theory of deep operations, which outlined the methods of offensive actions of troops equipped with modern military equipment (tanks and aircraft). Triandafillov trained as a corps commander, where A.M. served. Vasilevsky. “As commander of the 144th regiment, for two years I almost constantly studied and worked under his leadership,” testified Alexander Mikhailovich. On the initiative of Triandafillov, in 1931, Vasilevsky was by order of the People's Commissar of Defense transferred to Moscow, to the central office, and assigned to the Combat Training Directorate of the Red Army. Then, in 1934-1936, he served as head of the combat training department of the headquarters of the Volga Military District, and in the fall of 1936 he was enrolled as a student in the newly created Academy of the General Staff. Many of Vasilevsky’s fellow students from this first batch of the Academy became outstanding commanders and wrote their names in the chronicles of the Great Patriotic War: A.I. Antonov (Chief of the General Staff at the final stage of the war), front commanders I.Kh. Bagramyan, N.F. Vatutin, L.A. Govorov, P.A. Kurochkin, chiefs of staff of the fronts M.V. Zakharov, M.I. Kazakov, G.K. Malandin, L.M. Sandalov, army commanders K.D. Golubev, S.G. Trofimenko and others.

In 1937, as a result of the “purge” in the Red Army, many vacancies arose, and Academy students were sent to fill them without completing their training. In August 1937, Vasilevsky was unexpectedly appointed head of the Academy's logistics department, and a month later - head of the operational training department for senior command personnel of the General Staff of the Red Army. “Then, of course, I did not know that within the walls of the General Staff I would be destined to spend a number of years filled with difficult work, the most difficult in my life,” Alexander Mikhailovich later wrote in his memoirs.

In 1938, Vasilevsky was awarded the rank of brigade commander and joined the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks). In 1939, while remaining head of the operational training department, he was appointed concurrently deputy chief of the operational department of the General Staff. During the Soviet-Finnish war, Chief of the General Staff B.M. Shaposhnikov temporarily made Vasilevsky his deputy for operational issues, since I.V., who was in this position. Smorodinov went to the front. A.M. Vasilevsky wrote in his memoirs: “Remembering that time, I again and again feel a feeling of deep gratitude to dear B.M. Shaposhnikov for his enormous help to me with kind words, advice and instructions in the hard work I was doing.” When, after the breakthrough of the Mannerheim Line, the Finnish government asked for peace, Vasilevsky was included in the Soviet delegation at the negotiations, preparing proposals for the establishment of new borders between the USSR and Finland, and then was appointed head of the mixed commission for demarcating the border and its final clarification on the ground.

As a result of the Soviet-Finnish war, serious changes occurred in the apparatus of the People's Commissar of Defense. New People's Commissar instead of K.E. Voroshilov became S.K. Tymoshenko. Vasilevsky, who was awarded the rank of division commander, was appointed first deputy chief of the operations department. In this position, under the leadership of B.M. Shaposhnikov, and then those who replaced him as Chief of the General Staff K.A. Meretskova and G.K. Zhukov, he participated in the development of the operational plan for the future “big war” with Germany and its satellites, the threat of aggression from which was becoming more and more real. In November 1940, Vasilevsky was included in the Soviet delegation that went to negotiations in Berlin. “All members of the delegation,” Vasilevsky recalled, “made a general impression from the trip: the Soviet Union should be, more than ever, cats to repel fascist aggression.”

Soon after the start of the Great Patriotic War, in August 1941, Vasilevsky was appointed deputy chief of the General Staff and head of the Operations Directorate. From that moment on, he regularly began to participate in meetings of the Headquarters, daily accompanied Shaposhnikov during the latter’s meetings with the Supreme Commander-in-Chief I.V. Stalin. “At that time we spoke about ourselves more in a critical spirit,” Alexander Mikhailovich later wrote in his memoirs, “and did not always pay due attention to the courage and bravery that Soviet soldiers showed in the fight against the enemy... The beginning of the war was not only a period when our army experienced setbacks. In those days she showed the will to fight, perseverance, and heroism.”

In October 1941, a state of siege was declared from Moscow, and the evacuation of government offices began. The General Staff was also evacuated. An operational group of ten people was left at Headquarters, and Vasilevsky was entrusted to lead it. In the most difficult days of the battle for Moscow, he, in fact, did not leave Stalin, performing a huge amount of work analyzing changes at the front and developing operational and strategic proposals, on the basis of which decisions were made. The significance of the work of Vasilevsky’s group at Headquarters is evidenced by the following fact: as Alexander Mikhailovich recalled, “Stalin himself established a rest period for me from 4 to 10 o’clock in the morning and checked whether this requirement was met. Cases of violations caused extremely serious and extremely unpleasant conversations for me.” On October 28, Vasilevsky was awarded the rank of lieutenant general.

The General Staff returned to Moscow at the end of November, joining the preparations for the counteroffensive, however, since B.M. Shaposhnikov fell ill, the duties of the Chief of the General Staff were temporarily assigned by Stalin to Vasilevsky.

From June 1942 to February 1945, Vasilevsky headed the General Staff, being at the same time (from October 1942) deputy people's commissar of defense of the USSR. He took part in the development and implementation of the largest strategic operations of the Great Patriotic War.

Together with G.K. Zhukov was at the origins of the plan to encircle and defeat the Nazi troops at Stalingrad. During Operation Uranus, as a representative of the Headquarters, the Supreme High Command coordinated the actions of the Soviet fronts. At the critical moment of the battle, when the Germans attempted to release Paulus’s army with a counterattack from Manstein’s group, Vasilevsky achieved the adoption and implementation of the decision to switch the 2nd Guards Army to the Kotelnicheskoe direction to disrupt the enemy’s plan, despite the doubts of the Supreme Commander and the categorical objections of K.K. Rokossovsky and N.N. Voronova. In January 1943, Vasilevsky coordinated the actions of the Soviet fronts in a successful offensive operation on the Upper Don.

Contribution of the General Staff and personally A.M. Vasilevsky at the turn of events at the front was so significant that Stalin at the beginning of 1943 twice awarded him the next rank, first of army general, and just a month later - Marshal of the Soviet Union.

In 1943 A.M. Vasilevsky actively participated in the preparation and implementation of the defeat of the enemy at the Kursk Bulge. Together with G.K. Zhukov defended the idea of ​​holding the Battle of Kursk-Oryol on the basis of a deliberate defense option followed by a counteroffensive. Vasilevsky became a direct witness to the fierce tank battle near Prokhorovka, observing it from the command post of the 5th Guards Tank Army. The telegram he sent a day later to Stalin said: “Yesterday I personally observed a tank battle of our 18th and 29th tank corps with more than 200 enemy tanks southwest of Prokhorovka. As a result, the battlefield was dotted with burning German and our tanks for an hour. Within two days of fighting, Rotmistrov’s 29th Tank Corps (army) lost up to 60% of its tanks irretrievably and temporarily out of action, and the 18th Tank Corps lost 30% of its tanks.” The Battle of Kursk, in which the Wehrmacht lost 30 divisions and its best tank troops, completed a radical turning point in the Great Patriotic War.

In 1944, during the liberation of Crimea, Vasilevsky coordinated the actions of the 4th Ukrainian Front, the separate Primorsky Army, the forces of the Black Sea Fleet and the Azov Military Flotilla; during the liberation of Right Bank Ukraine - the actions of the 3rd and 4th Ukrainian Fronts; during the liberation of Belarus (Operation Bagration) and the Baltic republics - the actions of the 3rd and 2nd Belorussian Fronts, the 1st and 2nd Baltic Fronts.

Alexander Mikhailovich spent the lion's share of his time in the troops: out of the 34 months of the war as Chief of the General Staff, he spent 22 months at the fronts, without ceasing to simultaneously direct the work of the General Staff, which indicates his highest organization and efficiency.

Of the 34 months of the war as Chief of the General Staff, he spent 22 months at the fronts.

Vasilevsky supported young and talented military leaders: it was he who noticed the outstanding abilities of the front chief of staff A.I. Antonov, invited him to work at the General Staff, and gained Stalin’s trust in him. Thanks to Vasilevsky, the young talented general I.D. was appointed commander of the 3rd Belorussian Front. Chernyakhovsky.

After the death of Chernyakhovsky A.M. Vasilevsky was appointed commander of the 3rd Belorussian Front (February 1945) and at the same time a member of the Supreme Command Headquarters. At the post of Chief of the General Staff, on the recommendation of Alexander Mikhailovich himself, he was replaced by A.I. Antonov.

The troops of the 3rd Belorussian Front were faced with the task of defeating the East Prussian enemy group and taking Koenigsberg. “Having taken command of the front,” recalled Vasilevsky’s deputy I.Kh. Bagramyan, “in a matter of days (Alexander Mikhailovich) fully studied the situation, identified those links in the operational chain, by grasping which it was possible to pull it out completely, that is, to eliminate the East Prussian bridgehead . With the firmness inherent only in very strong-willed military leaders, he outlined the sequence of actions. First, the defeat of the Heilsberg group, then the assault on Koenigsberg, and finally, the crushing of enemy troops on the Zemland Peninsula. Having entrusted me with everything that was connected with the preparation of the assault on Konigsberg, he seemed to devote himself entirely to organizing the Heilsberg operation and led it with extraordinary specificity and scrupulousness. As soon as the outcome in Heilsberg became visible, Alexander Mikhailovich switched to Konigsberg and in a short time completed the defeat of the East Prussian enemy group.”

Hitler declared Königsberg “an absolutely impregnable bastion of the German spirit”, “the best German fortress in the entire history of Germany.” The assault on the city by Vasilevsky's troops began on April 6, 1945, and three days later it was taken. During the assault on Koenigsberg, bomber aircraft were widely used, including long-range bombers, heavy artillery, and armored forces. The city's defense could not resist the use of massive means of destruction and the attacking potential of units and formations of the 3rd Belorussian Front.

Personally commanding the troops, Vasilevsky sought to limit losses with his thoughtful decisions. Thus, the plan for the capture of Koenigsberg was developed in such a way as to weaken the enemy earlier and only after that begin the assault on the city. According to Army General M.A. Gareev, during this operation, such traits of Vasilevsky’s leadership talent as prudence and caution appeared. Vasilevsky himself said the following about this: “I think that every military leader, be it a unit or division commander, an army or front commander, should be moderately prudent and careful. His job is such that he is responsible for the lives of thousands and tens of thousands of soldiers, and his duty is to weigh, think through every decision, and look for the most optimal ways to accomplish a combat mission. Prudence and caution within the limits of necessity, in my opinion, are not a negative, but a positive quality of a military leader.”

During the war years A.M. Vasilevsky had a brilliant career. Twice during the war years he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union, and was twice awarded the highest military order of Victory (1944 and 1945), and the only Soviet military leader received this award as the chief of the General Staff and as a front commander. He, like no one else, could objectively evaluate the actions of the Supreme Command of the Red Army and the generals in leading the armed struggle. For example, Vasilevsky considered the belated organization of the Voronezh Front in 1942 to be his own mistake as Chief of the General Staff. “I must say,” Alexander Mikhailovich honestly admitted in his memoirs, “that one of the features of war is that it requires quick decisions. But in the constantly changing course of hostilities, of course, not only correct, but also not entirely successful decisions were made.”

After the surrender of Germany, A.M. Vasilevsky was appointed by the Supreme Command Headquarters for the Far East as Commander-in-Chief of the Soviet troops. Planned, prepared and led the Manchurian strategic offensive operation (August 9-September 2, 1945), during which the Japanese Kwantung group was defeated. It is rightly believed that the Manchurian operation became the pinnacle of A.M.’s military leadership. Vasilevsky, a unique result of his military leadership. It amazes with the grandeur of the plan, the thoroughness of the preparation, the effective implementation, the skillful interaction of the forces of the ground forces, aviation, and navy, and the impressiveness of the results achieved. In terms of spatial scope (1.5 million square kilometers, the width of the offensive front is 2,700 kilometers, the depth of advance of troops on three fronts is from 200 to 800 kilometers), such a strategic operation has not been carried out in the entire history of wars. The losses of the Kwantung group in killed amounted to 83.7 thousand people, prisoners - about 650 thousand. Irreversible losses of Soviet troops - 12 thousand people. Very characteristic, notes Army General M.A. Gareev that “those who have recently written a lot about how our army “filled the enemy with corpses” do not like to remember this operation.”

The Manchurian operation became the pinnacle of A.M.’s military leadership. Vasilevsky. In terms of spatial scope, such a strategic operation has never been carried out in the entire history of wars.

After the war, Marshal A.M. Vasilevsky - Chief of the General Staff, Deputy Minister, 1st Deputy Minister, Minister of the Armed Forces of the USSR (in 1950-1953 - Minister of War). In 1953-1957 – deputy. Minister of Defense of the USSR. In 1957, at the insistence of N.S. Khrushchev, he was dismissed. Subsequently, Vasilevsky told K. Simonov that he received this news from Zhukov, for whom he was his deputy at that time. They were driving with Zhukov in the car, and the following conversation took place:

“- How, Sasha, don’t you think that you need to study the history of the war?

This question was unexpected for me, Vasilevsky said, but I immediately understood what was behind it, and directly asked Zhukov:

- What, Georgy, how can I understand this? Do you understand that you need to resign? It's time to go?

And Zhukov answered just as directly:

- Yes. There was a discussion of this issue, and Khrushchev insists on your resignation.

I resigned after that.”

Since 1959, Vasilevsky has been in the group of inspectors general of the Ministry of Defense. He died in Moscow at the age of 83. Urn with ashes in the Kremlin wall.

A.M. Vasilevsky was actually third, after I.V. Stalin and G.K. Zhukov, a figure in the Soviet military leadership in the period 1942-1945. He, like Zhukov, occupied a special place at the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command, systematically and fully engaged in the management of the armed forces on a strategic scale.

An interesting look at the relationship between Vasilevsky and Zhukov. Army General S.P. Ivanov, who knew them well, noted that there was not even a shadow of rivalry between the two outstanding commanders. A.M. Vasilevsky “quite definitely gave the palm to G.K. Zhukov,” and he, for his part, “always behaved with the Chief of the General Staff as equal to equal.”

According to the testimony of everyone who knew him, Vasilevsky was distinguished by self-control, determination, strong will and other qualities necessary for a commander, and at the same time - correctness, great tact, trust in his subordinates and respect for their dignity. Vasilevsky did not tolerate approximate data and unprofessional approaches. He had deep professional knowledge, the ability to quickly understand a complex operational-strategic situation and make the optimal decision. Vasilevsky defended his position on specific operational and strategic issues, if it differed from Stalin’s opinion, with dignity and weighty arguments - and often achieved success.

Marshal A.M. Vasilevsky remained in history as one of the greatest strategists and commanders of the Great Patriotic War, and the Second World War in general. “I am happy and proud,” he wrote in his memoirs, “that in the most difficult time for the Motherland I could take all possible part in the struggle of our valiant Armed Forces and, together with them, experienced the bitterness of our failures and the joy of victory.”

NIKIFOROV Yu.A., Ph.D., Institute of General History of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Marshal A.M. Vasilevsky:

I must tell young people about the main value in human life. Our homeland is our main wealth. Appreciate and take care of this wealth. Don't think about what your homeland can give you. Think about what you can give to your Motherland. This is the main key to a well-meaning life.

In Soviet, and even in progressive foreign literature, the opinion of Vlasov as an opportunist, selfish person, careerist, and traitor has long been irrefutably established. Only the renegade A. Solzhenitsyn, who went over to the service of the most reactionary imperialist forces, in his cynical anti-Soviet work “The Gulag Archipelago” glorifies and praises Vlasov, the Vlasovites and other traitors to the Soviet Motherland, glorifying them for hating the Soviet order and going against their own Fatherland ... Solzhenitsyn claims that Vlasov was persuaded to go over to the side of the Nazis by the fact that he and his army were abandoned by the Soviet high command to the mercy of fate. ...During the period of these events, I held the post of First Deputy Chief of the General Staff and I can responsibly confirm the extremely serious concern that the Supreme Commander-in-Chief showed day after day about the fate of the troops of the 2nd Shock Army, about the issues of providing all possible assistance to them.

Marshall G.K. Zhukov:

Alexander Mikhailovich was not mistaken in his assessment of the operational-strategic situation. Therefore, it was he who was sent by I.V. Stalin to responsible sectors of the Soviet-German front as a representative of Headquarters. During the war, Vasilevsky's talent as a military leader of large scale and a deep military thinker developed in its entirety. In cases where I.V. Stalin did not agree with the opinion of Alexander Mikhailovich, Vasilevsky was able to convince the Supreme Commander with dignity and weighty arguments that in this situation a decision other than what he proposed should not be made.

Army General S.M. Shtemenko:

The better I got to know him, the more my feeling of deep respect for this soldier-like and invariably modest, sincere man, a military leader with a capital “M,” strengthened.

Army General M.A. Gareev:

Marshal of the Soviet Union A.M. Vasilevsky showed himself to be a truly outstanding commander during the Great Patriotic War. He set all officers a wonderful example of how much can be achieved if the desire for a great goal, loyalty to military duty and talent are organically combined with complete dedication to the interests of the cause and selfless work.

Essays

Literature

Marshal A.M. Vasilevsky - strategist, commander, man. M., 2000

Three Marshals of Victory: Based on materials from scientific conferences dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Marshals G.K. Zhukova, A.M. Vasilevsky, K.K. Rokossovsky. Under general ed. Marshal of the Soviet Union V.G. Kulikova. M., 1999

Stavitsky I.V.(comp.), Photo album “A.M. Vasilevsky." M., 1991

Rzheshevsky O.A., Sukhodeev V.V.Marshal A.M. Vasilevsky and his life’s work / New and recent history. 2005. No. 3

Internet

Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich

The largest figure in world history, whose life and government activities left a deep imprint not only on the fate of the Soviet people, but also on all humanity, will be the subject of careful study by historians for many more centuries. The historical and biographical feature of this personality is that she will never be consigned to oblivion.
During Stalin's tenure as Supreme Commander-in-Chief and Chairman of the State Defense Committee, our country was marked by victory in the Great Patriotic War, massive labor and front-line heroism, the transformation of the USSR into a superpower with significant scientific, military and industrial potential, and the strengthening of our country's geopolitical influence in the world.
Ten Stalinist strikes is the general name for a number of the largest offensive strategic operations in the Great Patriotic War, carried out in 1944 by the armed forces of the USSR. Along with other offensive operations, they made a decisive contribution to the victory of the countries of the Anti-Hitler Coalition over Nazi Germany and its allies in World War II.

Nakhimov Pavel Stepanovich

Osterman-Tolstoy Alexander Ivanovich

One of the brightest "field" generals of the early 19th century. Hero of the battles of Preussisch-Eylau, Ostrovno and Kulm.

Field Marshal General Gudovich Ivan Vasilievich

The assault on the Turkish fortress of Anapa on June 22, 1791. In terms of complexity and importance, it is only inferior to the assault on Izmail by A.V. Suvorov.
A 7,000-strong Russian detachment stormed Anapa, which was defended by a 25,000-strong Turkish garrison. At the same time, soon after the start of the assault, the Russian detachment was attacked from the mountains by 8,000 mounted highlanders and Turks, who attacked the Russian camp, but were unable to break into it, were repulsed in a fierce battle and pursued by the Russian cavalry.
The fierce battle for the fortress lasted over 5 hours. About 8,000 people from the Anapa garrison died, 13,532 defenders led by the commandant and Sheikh Mansur were taken prisoner. A small part (about 150 people) escaped on ships. Almost all the artillery was captured or destroyed (83 cannons and 12 mortars), 130 banners were taken. Gudovich sent a separate detachment from Anapa to the nearby Sudzhuk-Kale fortress (on the site of modern Novorossiysk), but upon his approach the garrison burned the fortress and fled to the mountains, abandoning 25 guns.
The losses of the Russian detachment were very high - 23 officers and 1,215 privates were killed, 71 officers and 2,401 privates were wounded (Sytin's Military Encyclopedia gives slightly lower data - 940 killed and 1,995 wounded). Gudovich was awarded the Order of St. George, 2nd degree, all the officers of his detachment were awarded, and a special medal was established for the lower ranks.

Prince Monomakh Vladimir Vsevolodovich

The most remarkable of the Russian princes of the pre-Tatar period of our history, who left behind great fame and good memory.

Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich

He led the armed struggle of the Soviet people in the war against Germany and its allies and satellites, as well as in the war against Japan.
Led the Red Army to Berlin and Port Arthur.

Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich

People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR, Generalissimo of the Soviet Union, Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The brilliant military leadership of the USSR in the Second World War.

Udatny Mstislav Mstislavovich

A real knight, recognized as a great commander in Europe

Margelov Vasily Filippovich

Yudenich Nikolai Nikolaevich

October 3, 2013 marks the 80th anniversary of the death in the French city of Cannes of the Russian military leader, commander of the Caucasian Front, hero of Mukden, Sarykamysh, Van, Erzerum (thanks to the complete defeat of the 90,000-strong Turkish army, Constantinople and the Bosporus with the Dardanelles retreated to Russia), the savior of the Armenian people from the complete Turkish genocide, holder of three orders of George and the highest order of France, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Legion of Honor, General Nikolai Nikolaevich Yudenich.

Vladimir Svyatoslavich

981 - conquest of Cherven and Przemysl. 983 - conquest of the Yatvags. 984 - conquest of the Rodimichs. 985 - successful campaigns against the Bulgars, tribute to the Khazar Khaganate. 988 - conquest of the Taman Peninsula. 991 - subjugation of the White Croats. 992 - successfully defended Cherven Rus in the war against Poland. In addition, the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles.

Donskoy Dmitry Ivanovich

His army won the Kulikovo victory.

Bobrok-Volynsky Dmitry Mikhailovich

Boyar and governor of Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy. "Developer" of the tactics of the Battle of Kulikovo.

Svyatoslav Igorevich

I would like to propose the “candidacies” of Svyatoslav and his father, Igor, as the greatest commanders and political leaders of their time, I think that there is no point in listing to historians their services to the fatherland, I was unpleasantly surprised not to see their names on this list. Sincerely.

Kolchak Alexander Vasilievich

A prominent military figure, scientist, traveler and discoverer. Admiral of the Russian Fleet, whose talent was highly appreciated by Emperor Nicholas II. The Supreme Ruler of Russia during the Civil War, a true Patriot of his Fatherland, a man of a tragic, interesting fate. One of those military men who tried to save Russia during the years of turmoil, in the most difficult conditions, being in very difficult international diplomatic conditions.

Suvorov Mikhail Vasilievich

The only one who can be called GENERALLISIMO... Bagration, Kutuzov are his students...

Ushakov Fedor Fedorovich

A man whose faith, courage, and patriotism defended our state

I beg the military historical society to correct the extreme historical injustice and include in the list of the 100 best commanders, the leader of the northern militia who did not lose a single battle, who played an outstanding role in the liberation of Russia from the Polish yoke and unrest. And apparently poisoned for his talent and skill.

Sheremetev Boris Petrovich

Pozharsky Dmitry Mikhailovich

In 1612, during the most difficult time for Russia, he led the Russian militia and liberated the capital from the hands of the conquerors.
Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky (November 1, 1578 - April 30, 1642) - Russian national hero, military and political figure, head of the Second People's Militia, which liberated Moscow from the Polish-Lithuanian occupiers. His name and the name of Kuzma Minin are closely associated with the country’s exit from the Time of Troubles, which is currently celebrated in Russia on November 4th.
After the election of Mikhail Fedorovich to the Russian throne, D. M. Pozharsky plays a leading role at the royal court as a talented military leader and statesman. Despite the victory of the people's militia and the election of the Tsar, the war in Russia still continued. In 1615-1616. Pozharsky, on the instructions of the tsar, was sent at the head of a large army to fight the detachments of the Polish colonel Lisovsky, who besieged the city of Bryansk and took Karachev. After the fight with Lisovsky, the tsar instructs Pozharsky in the spring of 1616 to collect the fifth money from merchants into the treasury, since the wars did not stop and the treasury was depleted. In 1617, the tsar instructed Pozharsky to conduct diplomatic negotiations with the English ambassador John Merik, appointing Pozharsky as governor of Kolomensky. In the same year, the Polish prince Vladislav came to the Moscow state. Residents of Kaluga and its neighboring cities turned to the tsar with a request to send them D. M. Pozharsky to protect them from the Poles. The Tsar fulfilled the request of the Kaluga residents and gave an order to Pozharsky on October 18, 1617 to protect Kaluga and surrounding cities by all available measures. Prince Pozharsky fulfilled the tsar's order with honor. Having successfully defended Kaluga, Pozharsky received an order from the tsar to go to the aid of Mozhaisk, namely to the city of Borovsk, and began to harass the troops of Prince Vladislav with flying detachments, causing them significant damage. However, at the same time, Pozharsky became very ill and, at the behest of the tsar, returned to Moscow. Pozharsky, having barely recovered from his illness, took an active part in defending the capital from Vladislav’s troops, for which Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich awarded him new fiefs and estates.

Rurikovich (Grozny) Ivan Vasilievich

In the diversity of perceptions of Ivan the Terrible, one often forgets about his unconditional talent and achievements as a commander. He personally led the capture of Kazan and organized military reform, leading a country that was simultaneously fighting 2-3 wars on different fronts.

Alekseev Mikhail Vasilievich

Outstanding employee of the Russian Academy of the General Staff. Developer and implementer of the Galician operation - the first brilliant victory of the Russian army in the Great War.
Saved the troops of the North-Western Front from encirclement during the “Great Retreat” of 1915.
Chief of Staff of the Russian Armed Forces in 1916-1917.
Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army in 1917
Developed and implemented strategic plans for offensive operations in 1916 - 1917.
He continued to defend the need to preserve the Eastern Front after 1917 (the Volunteer Army is the basis of the new Eastern Front in the ongoing Great War).
Slandered and slandered in relation to various so-called. “Masonic military lodges”, “conspiracy of generals against the Sovereign”, etc., etc. - in terms of emigrant and modern historical journalism.

Chichagov Vasily Yakovlevich

Superbly commanded the Baltic Fleet in the campaigns of 1789 and 1790. He won victories in the battle of Öland (7/15/1789), in the Revel (5/2/1790) and Vyborg (06/22/1790) battles. After the last two defeats, which were of strategic importance, the dominance of the Baltic Fleet became unconditional, and this forced the Swedes to make peace. There are few such examples in the history of Russia when victories at sea led to victory in the war. And by the way, the Battle of Vyborg was one of the largest in world history in terms of the number of ships and people.

Ivan groznyj

He conquered the Astrakhan kingdom, to which Russia paid tribute. Defeated the Livonian Order. Expanded the borders of Russia far beyond the Urals.

It's simple - It was he, as a commander, who made the greatest contribution to the defeat of Napoleon. He saved the army under the most difficult conditions, despite misunderstandings and grave accusations of treason. It was to him that our great poet Pushkin, practically a contemporary of those events, dedicated the poem “Commander.”
Pushkin, recognizing Kutuzov's merits, did not oppose him to Barclay. In place of the common alternative “Barclay or Kutuzov,” with the traditional resolution in favor of Kutuzov, Pushkin came to a new position: both Barclay and Kutuzov are both worthy of the grateful memory of posterity, but Kutuzov is revered by everyone, but Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly is undeservedly forgotten.
Pushkin mentioned Barclay de Tolly even earlier, in one of the chapters of “Eugene Onegin” -

Thunderstorm of the twelfth year
It has arrived - who helped us here?
The frenzy of the people
Barclay, winter or Russian god?...

Makarov Stepan Osipovich

Russian oceanographer, polar explorer, shipbuilder, vice admiral. Developed the Russian semaphore alphabet. A worthy person, on the list of worthy ones!

Govorov Leonid Alexandrovich

Margelov Vasily Filippovich

Author and initiator of the creation of technical means of the Airborne Forces and methods of using units and formations of the Airborne Forces, many of which personify the image of the Airborne Forces of the USSR Armed Forces and the Russian Armed Forces that currently exists.

General Pavel Fedoseevich Pavlenko:
In the history of the Airborne Forces, and in the Armed Forces of Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union, his name will remain forever. He personified an entire era in the development and formation of the Airborne Forces; their authority and popularity are associated with his name not only in our country, but also abroad...

Colonel Nikolai Fedorovich Ivanov:
Under the leadership of Margelov for more than twenty years, the airborne troops became one of the most mobile in the combat structure of the Armed Forces, prestigious for service in them, especially revered by the people... A photograph of Vasily Filippovich in demobilization albums was sold to soldiers at the highest price - for a set of badges. The competition for admission to the Ryazan Airborne School exceeded the numbers of VGIK and GITIS, and applicants who missed out on exams lived for two or three months, before the snow and frost, in the forests near Ryazan in the hope that someone would not withstand the load and it would be possible to take his place .

Ushakov Fedor Fedorovich

During the Russian-Turkish War of 1787-1791, F. F. Ushakov made a serious contribution to the development of sailing fleet tactics. Relying on the entire set of principles for training naval forces and military art, incorporating all the accumulated tactical experience, F. F. Ushakov acted creatively, based on the specific situation and common sense. His actions were distinguished by decisiveness and extraordinary courage. Without hesitation, he reorganized the fleet into battle formation even when approaching the enemy directly, minimizing the time of tactical deployment. Despite the established tactical rule of the commander being in the middle of the battle formation, Ushakov, implementing the principle of concentration of forces, boldly placed his ship in the forefront and occupied the most dangerous positions, encouraging his commanders with his own courage. He was distinguished by a quick assessment of the situation, an accurate calculation of all success factors and a decisive attack aimed at achieving complete victory over the enemy. In this regard, Admiral F. F. Ushakov can rightfully be considered the founder of the Russian tactical school in naval art.

Peter the First

Because he not only conquered the lands of his fathers, but also established the status of Russia as a power!

Barclay de Tolly Mikhail Bogdanovich

Participated in the Russian-Turkish War of 1787-91 and the Russian-Swedish War of 1788-90. He distinguished himself during the war with France in 1806-07 at Preussisch-Eylau, and from 1807 he commanded a division. During the Russian-Swedish war of 1808-09 he commanded a corps; led the successful crossing of the Kvarken Strait in the winter of 1809. In 1809-10, Governor-General of Finland. From January 1810 to September 1812, the Minister of War did a lot of work to strengthen the Russian army, and separated the intelligence and counterintelligence service into a separate production. In the Patriotic War of 1812 he commanded the 1st Western Army, and, as Minister of War, the 2nd Western Army was subordinate to him. In conditions of significant superiority of the enemy, he showed his talent as a commander and successfully carried out the withdrawal and unification of the two armies, which earned M.I. Kutuzov such words as THANK YOU DEAR FATHER!!! SAVED THE ARMY!!! SAVED RUSSIA!!!. However, the retreat caused discontent in noble circles and the army, and on August 17 Barclay surrendered command of the armies to M.I. Kutuzov. In the Battle of Borodino he commanded the right wing of the Russian army, showing steadfastness and skill in defense. He recognized the position chosen by L. L. Bennigsen near Moscow as unsuccessful and supported M. I. Kutuzov’s proposal to leave Moscow at the military council in Fili. In September 1812, due to illness, he left the army. In February 1813 he was appointed commander of the 3rd and then the Russian-Prussian army, which he successfully commanded during the foreign campaigns of the Russian army of 1813-14 (Kulm, Leipzig, Paris). Buried in the Beklor estate in Livonia (now Jõgeveste Estonia)

Ushakov Fedor Fedorovich

The great Russian naval commander who won victories at Fedonisi, Kaliakria, at Cape Tendra and during the liberation of the islands of Malta (Ianian Islands) and Corfu. He discovered and introduced a new tactic of naval combat, with the abandonment of the linear formation of ships and showed the tactics of a “scattered formation” with an attack on the flagship of the enemy fleet. One of the founders of the Black Sea Fleet and its commander in 1790-1792.

Miloradovich

Bagration, Miloradovich, Davydov are some very special breed of people. They don't do things like that now. The heroes of 1812 were distinguished by complete recklessness and complete contempt for death. And it was General Miloradovich, who went through all the wars for Russia without a single scratch, who became the first victim of individual terror. After Kakhovsky’s shot on Senate Square, the Russian revolution continued along this path - right up to the basement of the Ipatiev House. Taking away the best.

Rurik Svyatoslav Igorevich

Year of birth 942 date of death 972 Expansion of state borders. 965 conquest of the Khazars, 963 march south to the Kuban region, capture of Tmutarakan, 969 conquest of the Volga Bulgars, 971 conquest of the Bulgarian kingdom, 968 founding of Pereyaslavets on the Danube (the new capital of Rus'), 969 defeat of the Pechenegs in the defense of Kyiv.

Denikin Anton Ivanovich

The commander, under whose command the white army, with smaller forces, won victories over the red army for 1.5 years and captured the North Caucasus, Crimea, Novorossia, Donbass, Ukraine, Don, part of the Volga region and the central black earth provinces of Russia. He retained the dignity of his Russian name during the Second World War, refusing to cooperate with the Nazis, despite his irreconcilably anti-Soviet position

Kutuzov Mikhail Illarionovich

Commander-in-Chief during the Patriotic War of 1812. One of the most famous and beloved military heroes by the people!

Rokhlin Lev Yakovlevich

He headed the 8th Guards Army Corps in Chechnya. Under his leadership, a number of districts of Grozny were captured, including the presidential palace. For participation in the Chechen campaign, he was nominated for the title of Hero of the Russian Federation, but refused to accept it, stating that “he has no moral right to receive this award for military operations on his own territory.” countries".

Romodanovsky Grigory Grigorievich

An outstanding military figure of the 17th century, prince and governor. In 1655, he won his first victory over the Polish hetman S. Potocki near Gorodok in Galicia. Later, as commander of the army of the Belgorod category (military administrative district), he played a major role in organizing the defense of the southern border of Russia. In 1662, he won the greatest victory in the Russian-Polish war for Ukraine in the battle of Kanev, defeating the traitor hetman Yu. Khmelnytsky and the Poles who helped him. In 1664, near Voronezh, he forced the famous Polish commander Stefan Czarnecki to flee, forcing the army of King John Casimir to retreat. Repeatedly beat the Crimean Tatars. In 1677 he defeated the 100,000-strong Turkish army of Ibrahim Pasha near Buzhin, and in 1678 he defeated the Turkish corps of Kaplan Pasha near Chigirin. Thanks to his military talents, Ukraine did not become another Ottoman province and the Turks did not take Kyiv.

Skopin-Shuisky Mikhail Vasilievich

A talented commander who distinguished himself during the Time of Troubles at the beginning of the 17th century. In 1608, Skopin-Shuisky was sent by Tsar Vasily Shuisky to negotiate with the Swedes in Novgorod the Great. He managed to negotiate Swedish assistance to Russia in the fight against False Dmitry II. The Swedes recognized Skopin-Shuisky as their undisputed leader. In 1609, he and the Russian-Swedish army came to the rescue of the capital, which was under siege by False Dmitry II. He defeated detachments of adherents of the impostor in the battles of Torzhok, Tver and Dmitrov, and liberated the Volga region from them. He lifted the blockade from Moscow and entered it in March 1610.

Baklanov Yakov Petrovich

An outstanding strategist and a mighty warrior, he achieved respect and fear of his name among the uncovered mountaineers, who had forgotten the iron grip of the “Thunderstorm of the Caucasus”. At the moment - Yakov Petrovich, an example of the spiritual strength of a Russian soldier in front of the proud Caucasus. His talent crushed the enemy and minimized the time frame of the Caucasian War, for which he received the nickname “Boklu”, akin to the devil for his fearlessness.

Platov Matvey Ivanovich

Military Ataman of the Don Cossack Army. He began active military service at the age of 13. A participant in several military campaigns, he is best known as the commander of Cossack troops during the Patriotic War of 1812 and during the subsequent Foreign Campaign of the Russian Army. Thanks to the successful actions of the Cossacks under his command, Napoleon’s saying went down in history:
- Happy is the commander who has Cossacks. If I had an army of only Cossacks, I would conquer all of Europe.

Pokryshkin Alexander Ivanovich

Marshal of Aviation of the USSR, the first three times Hero of the Soviet Union, symbol of Victory over the Nazi Wehrmacht in the air, one of the most successful fighter pilots of the Great Patriotic War (WWII).

While participating in the air battles of the Great Patriotic War, he developed and tested in battles new tactics of air combat, which made it possible to seize the initiative in the air and ultimately defeat the fascist Luftwaffe. In fact, he created an entire school of WWII aces. Commanding the 9th Guards Air Division, he continued to personally participate in air battles, scoring 65 air victories throughout the entire period of the war.

Linevich Nikolai Petrovich

Nikolai Petrovich Linevich (December 24, 1838 - April 10, 1908) - a prominent Russian military figure, infantry general (1903), adjutant general (1905); general who took Beijing by storm.

Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich

Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the USSR during the Great Patriotic War. Under his leadership, the Red Army crushed fascism.

Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich

Commander-in-Chief of the Red Army, which repelled the attack of Nazi Germany, liberated Europe, author of many operations, including “Ten Stalinist Strikes” (1944)

Kornilov Lavr Georgievich

KORNILOV Lavr Georgievich (08/18/1870-04/31/1918) Colonel (02/1905). Major General (12/1912). Lieutenant General (08/26/1914). Infantry General (06/30/1917). Graduated from the Mikhailovsky Artillery School (1892) and with a gold medal from the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff (1898). Officer at the headquarters of the Turkestan Military District, 1889-1904. Participant in the Russian-Japanese War 1904 - 1905: staff officer of the 1st Infantry Brigade (at its headquarters). During the retreat from Mukden, the brigade got surrounded. Having led the rearguard, he broke through the encirclement with a bayonet attack, ensuring freedom of defensive combat operations for the brigade. Military attaché in China, 04/01/1907 - 02/24/1911. Participant in the First World War: commander of the 48th Infantry Division of the 8th Army (General Brusilov). During the general retreat, the 48th Division was surrounded and General Kornilov, who was wounded, was captured on 04.1915 at the Duklinsky Pass (Carpathians); 08.1914-04.1915. Captured by the Austrians, 04.1915-06.1916. Dressed in the uniform of an Austrian soldier, he escaped from captivity on 06/1915. Commander of the 25th Rifle Corps, 06/1916-04/1917. Commander of the Petrograd Military District, 03-04/1917. Commander of the 8th Army, 04/24-07/8/1917. On 05/19/1917, by his order, he introduced the formation of the first volunteer “1st Shock Detachment of the 8th Army” under the command of Captain Nezhentsev. Commander of the Southwestern Front...

Romanov Mikhail Timofeevich

The heroic defense of Mogilev, the first all-round anti-tank defense of the city.

Kutuzov Mikhail Illarionovich

The greatest Commander and Diplomat!!! Who utterly defeated the troops of the “first European Union”!!!

Alekseev Mikhail Vasilievich

One of the most talented Russian generals of the First World War. Hero of the Battle of Galicia in 1914, savior of the Northwestern Front from encirclement in 1915, chief of staff under Emperor Nicholas I.

General of Infantry (1914), Adjutant General (1916). Active participant in the White movement in the Civil War. One of the organizers of the Volunteer Army.

Saltykov Petr Semenovich

One of those commanders who managed to inflict exemplary defeats on one of the best commanders in Europe in the 18th century - Frederick II of Prussia

Wrangel Pyotr Nikolaevich

Participant in the Russo-Japanese and First World Wars, one of the main leaders (1918−1920) of the White movement during the Civil War. Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army in Crimea and Poland (1920). General Staff Lieutenant General (1918). Knight of St. George.

Zhukov Georgy Konstantinovich

He made the greatest contribution as a strategist to the victory in the Great Patriotic War (aka World War II).

Suvorov Alexander Vasilievich

according to the only criterion - invincibility.

Duke of Württemberg Eugene

General of the Infantry, cousin of the Emperors Alexander I and Nicholas I. In service in the Russian Army since 1797 (enlisted as a colonel in the Life Guards Horse Regiment by Decree of Emperor Paul I). Participated in military campaigns against Napoleon in 1806-1807. For participation in the battle of Pułtusk in 1806 he was awarded the Order of St. George the Victorious, 4th degree, for the campaign of 1807 he received a golden weapon “For Bravery”, he distinguished himself in the campaign of 1812 (he personally led the 4th Jaeger Regiment into battle in the Battle of Smolensk), for participation in the Battle of Borodino he was awarded the Order of St. George the Victorious, 3rd degree. Since November 1812, commander of the 2nd Infantry Corps in Kutuzov's army. He took an active part in the foreign campaigns of the Russian army in 1813-1814; units under his command particularly distinguished themselves in the Battle of Kulm in August 1813, and in the “Battle of the Nations” at Leipzig. For courage at Leipzig, Duke Eugene was awarded the Order of St. George, 2nd degree. Parts of his corps were the first to enter defeated Paris on April 30, 1814, for which Eugene of Württemberg received the rank of infantry general. From 1818 to 1821 was the commander of the 1st Army Infantry Corps. Contemporaries considered Prince Eugene of Württemberg one of the best Russian infantry commanders during the Napoleonic Wars. On December 21, 1825, Nicholas I was appointed chief of the Tauride Grenadier Regiment, which became known as the “Grenadier Regiment of His Royal Highness Prince Eugene of Württemberg.” On August 22, 1826 he was awarded the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. Participated in the Russian-Turkish war of 1827-1828. as commander of the 7th Infantry Corps. On October 3, he defeated a large Turkish detachment on the Kamchik River.

Makhno Nestor Ivanovich

Over the mountains, over the valleys
I've been waiting for my blue ones for a long time
Father is wise, Father is glorious,
Our good father - Makhno...

(peasant song from the Civil War)

He was able to create an army and conducted successful military operations against the Austro-Germans and against Denikin.

And for * carts * even if he was not awarded the Order of the Red Banner, it should be done now

Tsarevich and Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich

Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich, the second son of Emperor Paul I, received the title of Tsarevich in 1799 for his participation in the Swiss campaign of A.V. Suvorov, and retained it until 1831. In the Battle of Austrlitz he commanded the guards reserve of the Russian Army, took part in the Patriotic War of 1812, and distinguished himself in the foreign campaigns of the Russian Army. For the “Battle of the Nations” at Leipzig in 1813 he received the “golden weapon” “For bravery!” Inspector General of the Russian Cavalry, since 1826 Viceroy of the Kingdom of Poland.

Margelov Vasily Filippovich

Creator of modern airborne forces. When the BMD with its crew parachuted for the first time, its commander was his son. In my opinion, this fact speaks about such a wonderful person as V.F. Margelov, that's it. About his devotion to the Airborne Forces!

Platov Matvey Ivanovich

Ataman of the Great Don Army (from 1801), cavalry general (1809), who took part in all the wars of the Russian Empire at the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th centuries.
In 1771 he distinguished himself during the attack and capture of the Perekop line and Kinburn. From 1772 he began to command a Cossack regiment. During the 2nd Turkish War he distinguished himself during the assault on Ochakov and Izmail. Participated in the battle of Preussisch-Eylau.
During the Patriotic War of 1812, he first commanded all the Cossack regiments on the border, and then, covering the retreat of the army, won victories over the enemy near the towns of Mir and Romanovo. In the battle near the village of Semlevo, Platov’s army defeated the French and captured a colonel from the army of Marshal Murat. During the retreat of the French army, Platov, pursuing it, inflicted defeats on it at Gorodnya, Kolotsky Monastery, Gzhatsk, Tsarevo-Zaimishch, near Dukhovshchina and when crossing the Vop River. For his merits he was elevated to the rank of count. In November, Platov captured Smolensk from battle and defeated the troops of Marshal Ney near Dubrovna. At the beginning of January 1813, he entered Prussia and besieged Danzig; in September he received command of a special corps, with which he participated in the battle of Leipzig and, pursuing the enemy, captured about 15 thousand people. In 1814, he fought at the head of his regiments during the capture of Nemur, Arcy-sur-Aube, Cezanne, Villeneuve. Awarded the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called.

Chernyakhovsky Ivan Danilovich

To a person to whom this name means nothing, there is no need to explain and it is useless. To the one to whom it says something, everything is clear.
Twice hero of the Soviet Union. Commander of the 3rd Belorussian Front. The youngest front commander. Counts,. that he was an army general - but just before his death (February 18, 1945) he received the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union.
Liberated three of the six capitals of the Union Republics captured by the Nazis: Kyiv, Minsk. Vilnius. Decided the fate of Kenicksberg.
One of the few who drove back the Germans on June 23, 1941.
He held the front in Valdai. In many ways, he determined the fate of repelling the German offensive on Leningrad. Voronezh held. Liberated Kursk.
He successfully advanced until the summer of 1943, forming with his army the top of the Kursk Bulge. Liberated the Left Bank of Ukraine. I took Kyiv. He repulsed Manstein's counterattack. Liberated Western Ukraine.
Carried out Operation Bagration. Surrounded and captured thanks to his offensive in the summer of 1944, the Germans then humiliatedly walked through the streets of Moscow. Belarus. Lithuania. Neman. East Prussia.

Svyatoslav Igorevich

Grand Duke of Novgorod, from 945 of Kiev. Son of Grand Duke Igor Rurikovich and Princess Olga. Svyatoslav became famous as a great commander, whom N.M. Karamzin called “Alexander (Macedonian) of our ancient history.”

After the military campaigns of Svyatoslav Igorevich (965-972), the territory of the Russian land increased from the Volga region to the Caspian Sea, from the North Caucasus to the Black Sea region, from the Balkan Mountains to Byzantium. Defeated Khazaria and Volga Bulgaria, weakened and frightened the Byzantine Empire, opened routes for trade between Rus' and eastern countries

Kornilov Vladimir Alekseevich

During the outbreak of the war with England and France, he actually commanded the Black Sea Fleet, and until his heroic death he was the immediate superior of P.S. Nakhimov and V.I. Istomina. After the landing of the Anglo-French troops in Evpatoria and the defeat of the Russian troops on Alma, Kornilov received an order from the commander-in-chief in the Crimea, Prince Menshikov, to sink the ships of the fleet in the roadstead in order to use sailors for the defense of Sevastopol from land.

Dragomirov Mikhail Ivanovich

Brilliant crossing of the Danube in 1877
- Creation of a tactics textbook
- Creation of an original concept of military education
- Leadership of the NASH in 1878-1889
- Enormous influence in military matters for a full 25 years

Suvorov, Count Rymniksky, Prince of Italy Alexander Vasilievich

The greatest commander, master strategist, tactician and military theorist. Author of the book "The Science of Victory", Generalissimo of the Russian Army. The only one in the history of Russia who did not suffer a single defeat.

Slashchev Yakov Alexandrovich

A talented commander who repeatedly showed personal courage in defending the Fatherland in the First World War. He assessed rejection of the revolution and hostility to the new government as secondary compared to serving the interests of the Motherland.

Rokossovsky Konstantin Konstantinovich

Because he inspires many by personal example.

Karyagin Pavel Mikhailovich

Colonel Karyagin's campaign against the Persians in 1805 does not resemble real military history. It looks like a prequel to "300 Spartans" (20,000 Persians, 500 Russians, gorges, bayonet attacks, "This is madness! - No, this is the 17th Jaeger Regiment!"). A golden, platinum page of Russian history, combining the carnage of madness with the highest tactical skill, amazing cunning and stunning Russian arrogance

Drozdovsky Mikhail Gordeevich

He managed to bring his subordinate troops to the Don in full force, and fought extremely effectively in the conditions of the civil war.

Stalin (Dzhugashvili) Joseph Vissarionovich

Comrade Stalin, in addition to the atomic and missile projects, together with Army General Alexei Innokentievich Antonov, participated in the development and implementation of almost all significant operations of the Soviet troops in the Second World War, and brilliantly organized the work of the rear, even in the first difficult years of the war.

Rumyantsev Pyotr Alexandrovich

Russian military leader and statesman, who ruled Little Russia throughout the reign of Catherine II (1761-96). During the Seven Years' War he commanded the capture of Kolberg. For victories over the Turks at Larga, Kagul and others, which led to the conclusion of the Kuchuk-Kainardzhi Peace, he was awarded the title “Transdanubian”. In 1770 he received the rank of Field Marshal. Knight of the Russian orders of St. Andrew the Apostle, St. Alexander Nevsky, St. George 1st class and St. Vladimir 1st class, Prussian Black Eagle and St. Anna 1st class

Prince Svyatoslav

Kappel Vladimir Oskarovich

Without exaggeration, he is the best commander of Admiral Kolchak’s army. Under his command, Russia's gold reserves were captured in Kazan in 1918. At 36 years old, he was a lieutenant general, commander of the Eastern Front. The Siberian Ice Campaign is associated with this name. In January 1920, he led 30,000 Kappelites to Irkutsk to capture Irkutsk and free the Supreme Ruler of Russia, Admiral Kolchak, from captivity. The general's death from pneumonia largely determined the tragic outcome of this campaign and the death of the Admiral...

Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich

He was the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the USSR during the Great Patriotic War! Under his leadership, the USSR won the Great Victory during the Great Patriotic War!

Golenishchev-Kutuzov Mikhail Illarionovich

(1745-1813).
1. A GREAT Russian commander, he was an example for his soldiers. Appreciated every soldier. “M.I. Golenishchev-Kutuzov is not only the liberator of the Fatherland, he is the only one who outplayed the hitherto invincible French emperor, turning the “great army” into a crowd of ragamuffins, saving, thanks to his military genius, the lives of many Russian soldiers.”
2. Mikhail Illarionovich, being a highly educated man who knew several foreign languages, dexterous, sophisticated, who knew how to animate society with the gift of words and an entertaining story, also served Russia as an excellent diplomat - ambassador to Turkey.
3. M.I. Kutuzov is the first to become a full holder of the highest military order of St. St. George the Victorious four degrees.
The life of Mikhail Illarionovich is an example of service to the fatherland, attitude towards soldiers, spiritual strength for Russian military leaders of our time and, of course, for the younger generation - future military men.

Brusilov Alexey Alekseevich

In World War I, commander of the 8th Army in the Battle of Galicia. On August 15-16, 1914, during the Rohatyn battles, he defeated the 2nd Austro-Hungarian Army, capturing 20 thousand people. and 70 guns. On August 20, Galich was captured. The 8th Army takes an active part in the battles at Rava-Russkaya and in the Battle of Gorodok. In September he commanded a group of troops from the 8th and 3rd armies. From September 28 to October 11, his army withstood a counterattack by the 2nd and 3rd Austro-Hungarian armies in battles on the San River and near the city of Stryi. During the successfully completed battles, 15 thousand enemy soldiers were captured, and at the end of October his army entered the foothills of the Carpathians.

Chapaev Vasily Ivanovich

01/28/1887 - 09/05/1919 life. Head of the Red Army division, participant in the First World War and the Civil War.
Recipient of three St. George's Crosses and the St. George's Medal. Knight of the Order of the Red Banner.
On his account:
- Organization of the district Red Guard of 14 detachments.
- Participation in the campaign against General Kaledin (near Tsaritsyn).
- Participation in the campaign of the Special Army to Uralsk.
- Initiative to reorganize the Red Guard units into two Red Army regiments: them. Stepan Razin and them. Pugachev, united in the Pugachev brigade under the command of Chapaev.
- Participation in battles with the Czechoslovaks and the People’s Army, from whom Nikolaevsk was recaptured, renamed Pugachevsk in honor of the brigade.
- Since September 19, 1918, commander of the 2nd Nikolaev Division.
- Since February 1919 - Commissioner of Internal Affairs of the Nikolaev district.
- Since May 1919 - brigade commander of the Special Alexandrovo-Gai Brigade.
- Since June - head of the 25th Infantry Division, which participated in the Bugulma and Belebeyevskaya operations against Kolchak’s army.
- Capture of Ufa by the forces of his division on June 9, 1919.
- Capture of Uralsk.
- A deep raid of a Cossack detachment with an attack on the well-guarded (about 1000 bayonets) and located in the deep rear of the city of Lbischensk (now the village of Chapaev, West Kazakhstan region of Kazakhstan), where the headquarters of the 25th division was located.

Gavrilov Pyotr Mikhailovich

From the first days of the Great Patriotic War - in the active army. Major Gavrilov P.M. from June 22 to July 23, 1941 he led the defense of the Eastern Fort of the Brest Fortress. He managed to rally around himself all the surviving soldiers and commanders of various units and divisions, closing the most vulnerable places for the enemy to break through. On July 23, he was seriously wounded by a shell explosion in the casemate and was captured in an unconscious state. He spent the war years in the Nazi concentration camps of Hammelburg and Revensburg, experiencing all the horrors of captivity. Liberated by Soviet troops in May 1945. http://warheroes.ru/hero/hero.asp?Hero_id=484

Saltykov Pyotr Semyonovich

The commander-in-chief of the Russian army in the Seven Years' War, was the main architect of the key victories of the Russian troops.

During the Civil War, he led a local partisan detachment that fought in Ukraine against the German occupiers together with the detachments of A. Ya. Parkhomenko, then he was a fighter in the 25th Chapaev Division on the Eastern Front, where he was engaged in the disarmament of the Cossacks, and participated in battles with the armies of generals A. I. Denikin and Wrangel on the Southern Front.

In 1941-1942, Kovpak's unit carried out raids behind enemy lines in the Sumy, Kursk, Oryol and Bryansk regions, in 1942-1943 - a raid from the Bryansk forests to Right Bank Ukraine in the Gomel, Pinsk, Volyn, Rivne, Zhitomir and Kiev regions; in 1943 - Carpathian raid. The Sumy partisan unit under the command of Kovpak fought through the rear of the Nazi troops for more than 10 thousand kilometers, defeating enemy garrisons in 39 settlements. Kovpak's raids played a big role in the development of the partisan movement against the German occupiers.

Twice Hero of the Soviet Union:
By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated May 18, 1942, for the exemplary performance of combat missions behind enemy lines, the courage and heroism shown during their implementation, Kovpak Sidor Artemyevich was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal (No. 708)
The second Gold Star medal (No.) was awarded to Major General Sidor Artemyevich Kovpak by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated January 4, 1944 for the successful conduct of the Carpathian raid
four Orders of Lenin (18.5.1942, 4.1.1944, 23.1.1948, 25.5.1967)
Order of the Red Banner (12/24/1942)
Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky, 1st degree. (7.8.1944)
Order of Suvorov, 1st degree (2.5.1945)
medals
foreign orders and medals (Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia)

Kolchak Alexander Vasilievich

Alexander Vasilievich Kolchak (November 4 (November 16) 1874, St. Petersburg - February 7, 1920, Irkutsk) - Russian oceanographer, one of the largest polar explorers of the late 19th - early 20th centuries, military and political figure, naval commander, active member of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society (1906), admiral (1918), leader of the White movement, Supreme Ruler of Russia.

Participant of the Russian-Japanese War, Defense of Port Arthur. During the First World War, he commanded the mine division of the Baltic Fleet (1915-1916), the Black Sea Fleet (1916-1917). Knight of St. George.
The leader of the White movement both on a nationwide scale and directly in the East of Russia. As the Supreme Ruler of Russia (1918-1920), he was recognized by all the leaders of the White movement, “de jure” by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, “de facto” by the Entente states.
Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army.

John 4 Vasilievich

Nakhimov Pavel Stepanovich

Successes in the Crimean War of 1853-56, victory in the Battle of Sinop in 1853, defense of Sevastopol 1854-55.

Shein Mikhail Borisovich

He headed the Smolensk defense against Polish-Lithuanian troops, which lasted 20 months. Under the command of Shein, multiple attacks were repelled, despite the explosion and a hole in the wall. He held back and bled the main forces of the Poles at the decisive moment of the Time of Troubles, preventing them from moving to Moscow to support their garrison, creating the opportunity to gather an all-Russian militia to liberate the capital. Only with the help of a defector, the troops of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth managed to take Smolensk on June 3, 1611. The wounded Shein was captured and taken with his family to Poland for 8 years. After returning to Russia, he commanded the army that tried to recapture Smolensk in 1632-1634. Executed due to boyar slander. Undeservedly forgotten.

Barclay de Tolly Mikhail Bogdanovich

In front of the Kazan Cathedral there are two statues of the saviors of the fatherland. Saving the army, exhausting the enemy, the Battle of Smolensk - this is more than enough.

Rurikovich Svyatoslav Igorevich

He defeated the Khazar Khaganate, expanded the borders of Russian lands, and successfully fought with the Byzantine Empire.

Chuikov Vasily Ivanovich

“There is a city in vast Russia to which my heart is given, it went down in history as STALINGRAD...” V.I. Chuikov

Denikin Anton Ivanovich

One of the most talented and successful commanders of the First World War. Coming from a poor family, he made a brilliant military career, relying solely on his own virtues. Member of the RYAV, WWI, graduate of the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff. He fully realized his talent while commanding the legendary “Iron” brigade, which was then expanded into a division. Participant and one of the main characters of the Brusilov breakthrough. He remained a man of honor even after the collapse of the army, a Bykhov prisoner. Member of the ice campaign and commander of the AFSR. For more than a year and a half, possessing very modest resources and much inferior in numbers to the Bolsheviks, he won victory after victory, liberating a vast territory.
Also, do not forget that Anton Ivanovich is a wonderful and very successful publicist, and his books are still very popular. An extraordinary, talented commander, an honest Russian man in difficult times for the Motherland, who was not afraid to light a torch of hope.

Vorotynsky Mikhail Ivanovich

“Drafter of the statutes of the watchdog and border service” is, of course, good. For some reason, we have forgotten the Battle of YOUTH from July 29 to August 2, 1572. But it was precisely with this victory that Moscow’s right to many things was recognized. They recaptured a lot of things for the Ottomans, the thousands of destroyed Janissaries sobered them up, and unfortunately they also helped Europe. The Battle of YOUTH is very difficult to overestimate

Slashchev Yakov Alexandrovich

Kotlyarevsky Petr Stepanovich

Hero of the Russian-Persian War of 1804-1813. At one time they called Suvorov of the Caucasus. On October 19, 1812, at the Aslanduz ford across the Araks, at the head of a detachment of 2,221 people with 6 guns, Pyotr Stepanovich defeated the Persian army of 30,000 people with 12 guns. In other battles, he also acted not with numbers, but with skill.

...Ivan III (capture of Novgorod, Kazan), Vasily III (capture of Smolensk), Ivan IV the Terrible (capture of Kazan, Livonian campaigns), M.I. Vorotynsky (battle of Molodi with Devlet-Girey), Tsar V.I. Shuisky (battle of Dobrynichi, capture of Tula), M.V. Skopin-Shuisky (liberation of Moscow from False Dmitry II), F.I. Sheremetev (liberation of the Volga region from False Dmitry II), F.I. Mstislavsky (many different campaigns, repulse Kazy-Girey), There were many commanders during the Time of Troubles.

Dovmont, Prince of Pskov

On the famous Novgorod monument to the “Millennium of Russia” he stands in the “military people and heroes” section.
Dovmont, Prince of Pskov, lived in the 13th century (died in 1299).
He came from a family of Lithuanian princes. After the murder of the Lithuanian prince Mindaugas, he fled to Pskov, where he was baptized under the name Timothy, after which the Pskovites elected him as their prince.
Soon Dovmont showed the qualities of a brilliant commander. In 1266, he completely defeated the Lithuanians on the banks of the Dvina.
Dovmont took part in the famous Rakovor battle with the crusaders (1268), where he commanded the Pskov regiments as part of the united Russian army. When the Livonian knights besieged Pskov, Dovmont, with the help of the Novgorodians who arrived in time, managed to defend the city, and the Grand Master, wounded in a duel by Dovmont himself, was forced to make peace.
To protect against attacks, Dovmont fortified Pskov with a new stone wall, which until the 16th century was called Dovmontova.
In 1299, the Livonian knights unexpectedly invaded the Pskov land and devastated it, but were again defeated by Dovmont, who soon fell ill and died.
None of the Pskov princes enjoyed such love among the Pskovites as Dovmont.
The Russian Orthodox Church canonized him in the 16th century after Batory's invasion on the occasion of a miraculous phenomenon. The local memory of Dovmont is celebrated on May 25. His body was buried in the Trinity Cathedral in Pskov, where his sword and clothes were kept at the beginning of the 20th century.

30.9.1895 - 5.12.1977

Vasilevsky Alexander Mikhailovich - Chief of the General Staff of the Red Army, Deputy People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR, member of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command; Commander-in-Chief of Soviet troops in the Far East, Marshal of the Soviet Union.

Born on September 30, 1895 in the village of Novaya Golchikha, today Vichuga district, Ivanovo region, in the family of a psalm-reader. Russian. Member of the CPSU (b) / CPSU since 1938. In 1897, he moved with his family to the village of Novopokrovskoye, today Kineshma district, Ivanovo region. In 1909, he graduated from the Kineshma Theological School and entered the Kostroma Theological Seminary, a diploma from which allowed him to continue his education in a secular educational institution. Alexander dreamed of becoming an agronomist or land surveyor, but the outbreak of the First World War changed his plans. In May 1915, he completed an accelerated course (4 months) at the Alekseevsky Military School in Moscow and was sent to the Southwestern Front with the rank of ensign. He commanded a company of the 409th Novokhopyorsky Regiment (103rd Infantry Division, 9th Army), then a battalion. In May 1916 he took part in the famous Brusilov breakthrough. Received the rank of staff captain.

After the October Revolution in December 1917, the soldiers elected him commander of the 409th regiment. At the beginning of 1918, while on vacation in his native land, he was appointed instructor of general education in the Ugletsky volost (Kineshma district, Kostroma province). In the fall of 1918, he worked as a teacher in primary schools in the villages of Verkhovye and Podyakovlevo, Tula province (today Oryol region). In April 1919 he was drafted into the Red Army. After completing a month's training in the 4th reserve battalion, he went to the front. In a short period of time he rose from a platoon instructor (platoon commander) to an assistant commander of the 429th Infantry Regiment. He fought against gangs on the territory of the Tula and Samara provinces, Denikin’s army, Bulak-Balakhovich’s detachments, and participated in the Polish campaign. After the war, he commanded the 142nd and 143rd regiments of the 48th Tver Rifle Division, and headed the division school for junior commanders. In 1927 he graduated from the shooting and tactical courses “Vystrel”. In the fall of 1930, the regiment under the command of Vasilevsky took first place in the division and received an excellent rating at the district maneuvers.

From 1931 he served in the Combat Training Directorate of the Red Army. In 1934-1936. was the head of the combat training department of the Volga Military District. In 1937 he graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff and was unexpectedly appointed head of the academy's logistics department (the former head I.I. Trutko was repressed at that time). In October 1937, a new appointment followed - assistant to the head of the General Staff department. From May 1940 he was Deputy Chief of the Operations Directorate of the General Staff.

Participant of the Great Patriotic War from the first day. In August 1941, Major General Vasilevsky A.M. was appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff - Head of the Operations Directorate. In June 1942, he was appointed Chief of the General Staff, and from October he was simultaneously Deputy People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR and was a member of the Supreme Command Headquarters. He made a great contribution to the development of Soviet military art, took part in the development and implementation of the plan for the offensive operation near Stalingrad. On behalf of the Headquarters, the Supreme High Command coordinated the actions of the Voronezh and Steppe fronts in the Battle of Kursk. In 1943, he was awarded the military rank of “Marshal of the Soviet Union.” He led the planning and conduct of operations for the liberation of Donbass, Northern Tavria, the Krivoy Rog-Nikopol operation, the operation for the liberation of Crimea, and the Belarusian operation.

The title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the presentation of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal (No. 2856) was awarded to Alexander Mikhailovich Vasilevsky on July 29, 1944 for the exemplary performance of the Supreme Commander’s tasks in leading these operations.

From February 1945 he commanded the 3rd Belorussian Front. He led the assault on Koenigsberg.

Back in the fall of 1944 A.M. Vasilevsky was given the task of calculating the necessary forces and material resources for the war against imperialist Japan. In 1945, under his leadership, a plan for the Manchurian strategic offensive operation was prepared, which was approved by the Headquarters and the State Defense Committee. In July 1945 A.M. Vasilevsky was appointed commander-in-chief of Soviet troops in the Far East.

On the eve of the offensive, Marshal Vasilevsky visited the initial positions of the troops, familiarized himself with the units, and discussed the situation with the commanders of the armies and corps. At the same time, the deadlines for completing the main tasks, in particular reaching the Manchurian Plain, were clarified and shortened. At dawn on August 9, troops of the Transbaikal, 1st and 2nd Far Eastern Fronts, the Pacific Fleet, the Amur Military Flotilla and the People's Revolutionary Army of the MPR crossed the border and began an offensive deep into enemy territory. It took Soviet and Mongolian troops only 24 days to defeat the million-strong Kwantung Army in Manchuria.

Alexander Mikhailovich Vasilevsky was awarded the second Gold Star medal (No. 78) on September 8, 1945 for his skillful leadership of Soviet troops in the Far East during the war with Japan.

In 1946-1949. was Chief of the General Staff, Deputy and First Deputy Minister of the Armed Forces of the USSR. In 1949-1953 was the Minister of the Armed Forces (Minister of War) of the USSR, in 1953-1956. - First Deputy Minister of Defense of the USSR, in 1956-1957. - Deputy Minister of Defense for Military Science. Since 1959, he was in the Group of Inspectors General of the USSR Ministry of Defense. At the 19th and 20th congresses he was elected a member of the CPSU Central Committee. He was elected as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of the 2nd - 4th convocations. He died on December 5, 1977. He was buried on Red Square near the Kremlin wall.

Awarded 8 Orders of Lenin, Order of the October Revolution, 2 Orders of “Victory” (one of them No. 2), 2 Orders of the Red Banner, Order of Suvorov 1st degree, Order of the Red Star, “For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR” 3rd degree , medals, weapons of honor, foreign orders.

A bronze bust was installed in the city of Kineshma, and a memorial plaque was installed on the building of the former religious school. A bust was erected in the city of Vichuga (2005) and a monument in Kaliningrad. Streets in Moscow, Ivanovo, Kineshma, Chelyabinsk, Engels in the Saratov region, Krasnodon in the Voroshilovgrad (Lugansk) region, and a square in Kaliningrad are named after the marshal. A peak in the Pamirs and a lilac variety, an ocean tanker and a large anti-submarine ship bear his name. Name A.M. Vasilevsky in 1977-1991. worn by the Military Academy of Military Air Defense in the city of Kyiv (in 1986-1991 it was called the Military Academy of Air Defense of the Ground Forces).