Generals of the Second World War. Generals of the USSR

The higher ranks of the military command have always been respected. But has this title existed for a long time? And who were the people who led the armies and fronts, leading the story during one of the most grandiose military conflicts of mankind?

Who are they, generals of the Second World War?

Rank in the Soviet Union

Until 1940 there was no such title in the air force of the Soviet Union. His counterparts were commanders, corps, army commanders, commissars. True, in September 1935 the rank of marshal appeared, which was awarded to five people. But before the war, only two of them remained alive.

In May 1940, for the first time a little more than a thousand people were presented to the rank of general and admiral. At the beginning of the war there were 1056 people in this rank. By May 1945, their number had reached 5597 people.

Among the dead and missing from 1940 to 1945 there are 421 general and admiral.

Let's understand in more detail and by name we shall name outstanding commanders.

Commanders of land fronts

Even in higher ranks, the soldier remains a soldier. And he is completely uninsured from death on the battlefield or for the sake of preserving his honor. Although there were others of a different opinion. But we'll talk about them in the appropriate section.

So, not all the generals of the Second World War survived. I.R. Apanasenko, M.P. Kirponos, I.A. Bogdanov, F.Ya. Kostenko, M.P. Petrov, N.F. Vatutin and I.D. Chernyakhovsky heroically died under various circumstances. M.G. Efremov committed suicide in order not to get to the fascists alive, and DG Pavlov was repressed.

The remaining generals of the Second World War, whose list will occupy more than one page, survived and greatly contributed to the victory of the Soviet Union in this conflict.

We will mention only a few. THEIR. Bagramyan is twice represented to the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, a participant in many offensive operations.

CM. Budyonny is famous not only for his mustache, but also for the 3 Gold Star medals received during the years of battles. Participated in the battle for Moscow and the Caucasus.

G.K. Zhukov four times submitted to the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, a member of many battles and operations.

K.E. Voroshilov was awarded not only two gold stars. Also in his honor is called a heavy self-propelled artillery - "Clim Voroshilov."

Air Defense Front Commanders

In general, in order to win thousands of battles, you need to have the knowledge and experience in many areas. For example, to understand professionally in strategy and tactics, to know all the nuances of various troops, their ability to interact. We also need unbending will and speed of decision-making. These and other qualities are made of higher military commanders, who can command armies.

The generals of the Second World War also directed the air defense forces. Among them we can mention the following surnames: M.S. Gromadin, P.E. Gudymenko, D.A. Zhuravlev and G.S. Zashihin.

Soviet generals are traitors

But not all the generals of the USSR put honor and loyalty to the Motherland above their own lives and interests. Among the latter can be called a few people.

G.N. Zhilenkov fell into a German captivity near the town of Vyazma. There he pretended to be a private soldier and until 1942 served in the Wehrmacht as an ordinary driver. But accidentally he was identified by the forester. After interrogation and confirmed readiness to cooperate, George Nikolaevich meets Goebbels and is appointed to assist Vlasov.

In 1945 he was detained by the Americans. He reported to himself the Soviet counterintelligence, hoping for cooperation, but after the trial was sentenced to death. Execution by hanging was committed in Butyrskaya prison.

V.F. Malyshkin was imprisoned after the Vyazemsky Kettle. Immediately expressed the desire to cooperate. He worked in the department of propaganda and since 1943 has become Vlasov's assistant in this matter.

He was also detained by the Americans, transferred to the Soviet authorities and executed in Butyrka prison.

B.S. Richter, F.I. Trukhin also managed to serve both the Soviet and the German side.

Thus, we see that the generals of the Second World War did not always act heroically. They were ordinary people with their fears and desires, but also with remarkable talents in the military sphere.

Commander of the Wehrmacht troops

What was happening on the other side of the front? What German generals of the Second World War were particularly famous in the battles?

Among them there are also those who died in the battles. These are Günther von Kluge, Fedor von Bock, Georg von Witzleben, Walter Model, Erwin Rommel and others.

Almost all of them were awarded the Order "Iron Cross", which was issued since 1939 for three or more successfully conducted dangerous operations.

Among the most successful commanders are Herman Balck, Albert Kesselring, Walter Model, Erwin Rommel, Ferdinand Schörner, who were four times the knights of this order.

German generals traitors

However, not everything went as smoothly as it might seem. Among the Wehrmacht command there were also people who did not agree with the course of events. In search of a better fate, they were on the list of traitors to their homeland.

Vincent Müller, Lieutenant-General. In June 1944, he was thrown with the 4th Army near Minsk. Tippelskirch, the official commander of this unit, left him all the authority, having fled with his staff.

As a result, without getting support, supplies, provisions, not even having simple maps with intelligence, he was forced to stop resistance and surrender to the Soviet troops.

As we see, many generals of the Second World changed their views after, without receiving support, were taken prisoner. Otto Korfes, for example, was captured at Stalingrad and surrendered in full parade. Later, he collaborated with Soviet troops, for which his family in Germany was subjected to severe reprisals.

Bernard Behler also was captured by Stalingrad. The main reason why the officers began to cooperate with the enemy was that they blamed Hitler's short-sightedness.

It turns out that the generals of the Second World War were ready to serve their country and win battles, but not always the leadership appreciated their zeal. Resentment, disappointment and other feelings pushed to cooperate with the enemy.

Thus, in the article, we figured out a little about who such generals were, and talked about the outstanding warlords of the Second World War.