The fate of millions of people depended on their decisions! This is not the whole list of our great commanders of the Second World War!
Zhukov Georgy Konstantinovich (1896-1974) Marshal Soviet Union Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov was born on November 1, 1896 in Kaluga region in a peasant family. During the First World War, he was drafted into the army and enrolled in a regiment stationed in the Kharkov province. In the spring of 1916 he was enrolled in a group sent to officer courses. After studying, Zhukov became a non-commissioned officer, and went to the dragoon regiment, in which he participated in the battles of the Great War. Soon he received a concussion from a mine explosion, and was sent to the hospital. He managed to prove himself, and for the capture of a German officer he was awarded the St. George Cross.
After the civil war, he graduated from the courses of the red commanders. He commanded a cavalry regiment, then a brigade. He was an assistant inspector of the cavalry of the Red Army.
In January 1941, shortly before the German invasion of the USSR, Zhukov was appointed Chief of the General Staff, Deputy People's Commissar for Defense.
He commanded the troops of the Reserve, Leningrad, Western, 1st Belorussian fronts, coordinated the actions of a number of fronts, made a great contribution to achieving victory in the battle of Moscow, in the battles of Stalingrad, Kursk, in the Belorussian, Vistula-Oder and Berlin operations. Four times Hero of the Soviet Union, holder of two Orders of Victory, many other Soviet and foreign orders and medals.
Vasilevsky Alexander Mikhailovich (1895-1977) - Marshal of the Soviet Union.
Born on September 16 (September 30), 1895 in the village. Novaya Golchikha, Kineshma district, Ivanovo region, in the family of a priest, Russian. In February 1915, after graduating from the Kostroma Theological Seminary, he entered the Alekseevsky Military School (Moscow) and completed it in 4 months (in June 1915).
During the Great Patriotic War, as Chief of the General Staff (1942-1945), he took an active part in the development and implementation of almost all major operations on the Soviet-German front. From February 1945 he commanded the 3rd Belorussian Front, led the assault on Königsberg. In 1945 the commander-in-chief Soviet troops in the Far East in the war with Japan.
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Rokossovsky Konstantin Konstantinovich (1896-1968) - Marshal of the Soviet Union, Marshal of Poland.
He was born on December 21, 1896 in the small Russian town of Velikiye Luki (former Pskov province), in the family of a Pole railway engineer Xavier-Josef Rokossovsky and his Russian wife Antonina. After the birth of Konstantin, the Rokossovsky family moved to Warsaw. In less than 6 years, Kostya was orphaned: his father was in a railway accident and, after a long illness, died in 1902. In 1911, his mother also died. With the outbreak of World War I, Rokossovsky asked to join one of the Russian regiments heading west through Warsaw.
With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, he commands the 9th mechanized corps. In the summer of 1941, he was appointed commander of the 4th Army. He managed to somewhat restrain the advance of the German armies on the western front. In the summer of 1942, he became commander of the Bryansk Front. The Germans managed to approach the Don and, from advantageous positions, create threats for the capture of Stalingrad and a breakthrough on North Caucasus. With a strike by his army, he prevented the Germans from breaking through to the north, towards the city of Yelets. Rokossovsky participated in the counteroffensive of the Soviet troops near Stalingrad. His ability to conduct combat operations played a large role in the success of the operation. In 1943, he led the central front, which, under his command, began a defensive battle on Kursk Bulge. A little later, he organized an offensive, and liberated significant territories from the Germans. He also led the liberation of Belarus, implementing the plan of the Headquarters - "Bagration"
Twice Hero of the Soviet Union
Konev Ivan Stepanovich (1897-1973) - Marshal of the Soviet Union.
Born in December 1897 in one of the villages of the Vologda province. His family was a peasant. In 1916, the future commander was drafted into royal army. In the First World War, he participates as a non-commissioned officer.
At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Konev commanded the 19th Army, which participated in battles with the Germans and closed the capital from the enemy. For the successful leadership of the army, he receives the rank of colonel general.
Ivan Stepanovich during the Great Patriotic War managed to be the commander of several fronts: Kalinin, Western, Northwestern, Steppe, second Ukrainian and first Ukrainian. In January 1945 the first Ukrainian front, together with the first Belarusian, launched an offensive Vistula-Oder operation. The troops managed to occupy several cities of strategic importance, and even liberate Krakow from the Germans. At the end of January, the Auschwitz camp was liberated from the Nazis. In April, two fronts launched an offensive in the Berlin direction. Soon Berlin was taken, and Konev took a direct part in the storming of the city.
Twice Hero of the Soviet Union
Vatutin Nikolai Fedorovich (1901-1944) - army general.
He was born on December 16, 1901 in the village of Chepukhin, Kursk province, into a large peasant family. He graduated from four classes of the Zemstvo school, where he was considered the first student.
In the early days of the Great Patriotic War, Vatutin visited the most critical sectors of the front. The staff worker turned into a brilliant combat commander.
On February 21, the Headquarters instructed Vatutin to prepare an attack on Dubno and further on Chernivtsi. On February 29, the general was heading to the headquarters of the 60th Army. On the way, his car was fired upon by a detachment of Ukrainian Bandera partisans. The wounded Vatutin died on the night of April 15 in a Kiev military hospital.
In 1965, Vatutin was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Katukov Mikhail Efimovich (1900-1976) - Marshal of the armored forces. One of the founders of the tank guard.
He was born on September 4 (17), 1900 in the village of Bolshoe Uvarovo, then the Kolomna district of the Moscow province, in a large peasant family (his father had seven children from two marriages). schools.
IN Soviet army– since 1919.
At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, he took part in defensive operations in the area of the cities of Lutsk, Dubno, Korosten, showing himself to be a skillful, proactive organizer tank battle with superior enemy forces. These qualities dazzlingly manifested themselves in the battle near Moscow, when he commanded the 4th tank brigade. In the first half of October 1941, near Mtsensk, on a number of defensive lines, the brigade steadfastly held back the advance of enemy tanks and infantry and inflicted enormous damage on them. Having made a 360-km march to the Istra orientation, the brigade M.E. Katukova, as part of the 16th Army of the Western Front, fought heroically in the Volokolamsk direction and participated in the counteroffensive near Moscow. On November 11, 1941, for courageous and skillful fighting, the brigade was the first in the tank troops to receive the title of Guards. In 1942, M.E. Katukov commanded the 1st Tank Corps, which repelled the onslaught of enemy troops in the Kursk-Voronezh direction, from September 1942 - the 3rd Mechanized Corps, In January 1943 he was appointed commander of the 1st Tank Army, which was part of the Voronezh, and later 1 th Ukrainian Front differed in Battle of Kursk and during the liberation of Ukraine. In April 1944, the Sun was transformed into the 1st Guards Tank Army, which, under the command of M.E. Katukova participated in the Lvov-Sandomierz, Vistula-Oder, East Pomeranian and Berlin operations, crossed the Vistula and Oder rivers.
Rotmistrov Pavel Alekseevich (1901-1982) - chief marshal of the armored forces.
Born in the village of Skovorovo, now in the Selizharovsky district of the Tver region, in a large peasant family (had 8 brothers and sisters) ... In 1916 he graduated from a higher primary school
In the Soviet Army since April 1919 (he was enrolled in the Samara workers' regiment), a participant in the Civil War.
During the Great Patriotic War, P.A. Rotmistrov fought on the Western, Northwestern, Kalinin, Stalingrad, Voronezh, Steppe, Southwestern, 2nd Ukrainian and 3rd Belorussian fronts. He commanded the 5th Guards Tank Army, which distinguished itself in the Battle of Kursk. In the summer of 1944, P.A. Rotmistrov with his army participated in the Belarusian offensive operation, the liberation of the cities of Borisov, Minsk, Vilnius. From August 1944 he was appointed deputy commander of the armored and mechanized troops of the Soviet Army.
Kravchenko Andrey Grigoryevich (1899-1963) - Colonel General of the Tank Forces.
Born on November 30, 1899 on the Sulimin farm, now the village of Sulimovka, Yagotinsky district, Kyiv region of Ukraine, in a peasant family. Ukrainian. Member of the CPSU (b) since 1925. Member of the Civil War. He graduated from the Poltava Military Infantry School in 1923, the Military Academy named after M.V. Frunze in 1928.
From June 1940 to the end of February 1941 A.G. Kravchenko - chief of staff of the 16th Panzer Division, and from March to September 1941 - chief of staff of the 18th mechanized corps.
On the fronts of the Great Patriotic War since September 1941. Commander of the 31st Tank Brigade (09/09/1941 - 01/10/1942). Since February 1942, he was deputy commander of the 61st Army for tank troops. Chief of Staff of the 1st Tank Corps (03/31/1942 - 07/30/1942). He commanded the 2nd (07/2/1942 - 09/13/1942) and 4th (from 02/07/43 - 5th Guards; from 09/18/1942 to 01/24/1944) tank corps.
In November 1942, the 4th Corps participated in the encirclement of the 6th German Army near Stalingrad, in July 1943 - in tank battle near Prokhorovka, in October of the same year - in the battle for the Dnieper.
Novikov Alexander Alexandrovich (1900-1976) - Air Chief Marshal.
Born on November 19, 1900 in the village of Kryukovo, Nerekhtsky District, Kostroma Region. Educated at the teacher's seminary in 1918.
In the Soviet Army since 1919
In aviation since 1933. Member of the Great Patriotic War from the first day. He was the commander of the Northern Air Force, then the Leningrad Front. From April 1942 until the end of the war - commander of the Red Army Air Force. In March 1946, he was illegally repressed (together with A. I. Shakhurin), rehabilitated in 1953.
Kuznetsov Nikolai Gerasimovich (1902-1974) - Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union. People's Commissar of the Navy.
Born on July 11 (24), 1904 in the family of Gerasim Fedorovich Kuznetsov (1861-1915), a peasant in the village of Medvedki, Veliko-Ustyug district, Vologda province (now in the Kotlas district of the Arkhangelsk region).
In 1919, at the age of 15, he joined the Severodvinsk flotilla, attributing two years to himself in order to be accepted (the erroneous 1902 year of birth is still found in some reference books). In 1921-1922 he was a combatant of the Arkhangelsk naval crew.
During the Great Patriotic War, N. G. Kuznetsov was chairman of the Main Military Council of the Navy and Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. He promptly and energetically led the fleet, coordinating its actions with the operations of other armed forces. The admiral was a member of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command, he constantly traveled to ships and fronts. The fleet prevented an invasion of the Caucasus from the sea. In 1944, N. G. Kuznetsov was awarded military rank fleet admiral. On May 25, 1945, this rank was equated with the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union and marshal-type shoulder straps were introduced.
Hero of the Soviet Union,Chernyakhovsky Ivan Danilovich (1906-1945) - army general.
Born in the city of Uman. His father was a railway worker, so it is not surprising that in 1915 his son followed in his father's footsteps and entered the railway school. In 1919, a real tragedy happened in the family: because of typhus, his parents died, so the boy was forced to leave school and study agriculture. He worked as a shepherd, driving cattle into the field in the morning, and every free minute he sat down for textbooks. Immediately after dinner, I ran to the teacher for clarification of the material.
During the Second World War, he was one of those young military leaders who motivated soldiers by their example, gave them confidence and gave faith in a brighter future.
All contemporaries knew their names, and their armies were a terrible scourge for any opponents. Whether it be the heroes of antiquity and the Middle Ages or the generals of the Great Patriotic War - every outstanding military leader left a noticeable mark on the history of mankind. The biographies of the best of them are fascinating stories of the talent and heroism of those who have chosen the army as their lifelong vocation.
Alexander the Great (356 - 323 BC) - the greatest commander of antiquity. He was revered by all military leaders of subsequent centuries from Genghis Khan to Napoleon. At the age of twenty, Alexander became king of the small state of Macedonia, located in northern Greece. As a child, he received a Hellenic education and upbringing. His teacher was the famous philosopher and thinker Aristotle.
The military art of the heir was taught by his father, Tsar Philip II. Alexander first appeared on the battlefield at the age of sixteen, and he won his first independent victory at the head of the Macedonian cavalry in 338 BC. e. at the Battle of Chaeronea against the Thebans. In that war, Philip II sought to conquer key Greek cities. Having conquered Athens and Thebes with his son, he began to plan a campaign in Persia, but was killed by conspirators.
Alexander continued his father's work and multiplied his successes. He made the Macedonian army the most well-equipped and trained in the entire ancient world. The Macedonians were armed with spears, bows and slings, heavily armed cavalry, siege and throwing machines were present in their army.
In 334 BC. e. the greatest commander of his time began a campaign in Asia Minor. In the first serious battle on the Granik River, he defeated the Persian governors of the satraps. The king then and later invariably fought in the thick of the army. Having conquered Asia Minor, he moved to Syria. Near the city of Issa, the army of Alexander clashed with the army of the Persian king Darius III. Despite the numerical superiority of the enemy, the Macedonians defeated the enemy.
Later, Alexander annexed all of Mesopotamia, Palestine, Egypt and Persia to his power. In a campaign to the east, he reached India itself and only then turned back. Macedonian made Babylon the capital of his empire. He died in this city at the age of 33, stricken with an unknown disease. In a fever, the king did not appoint a legitimate successor. Within just a few years of his death, Alexander's empire was divided among his numerous associates.
Another famous military leader of antiquity is Hannibal (247 - 183 BC). He was a citizen of Carthage - a city in modern Tunisia, around which at that time a large Mediterranean state developed. Hannibal's father Hamilcar was a nobleman and a military man who commanded troops on the island of Sicily.
In the III century. BC e. Carthage fought with the Roman Republic for leadership in the region. Hannibal was to become a key figure in this conflict. At the age of 22, he became a cavalry commander in the Iberian Peninsula. A little later, he led all the troops of Carthage in Spain.
Wanting to defeat Rome, the greatest commander of antiquity decided on an unexpected daring maneuver. Previous wars between rival states took place in frontier areas or on isolated islands. Now Hannibal himself invaded exclusively Roman Italy. To do this, his army needed to cross the rugged Alps. The natural barrier always protected the republic. In Rome, no one expected an enemy invasion from the north. That is why the legionnaires did not believe their eyes when, in 218 BC. e. the Carthaginians did the impossible and overcame the mountains. Moreover, they brought with them African elephants, which became their main psychological weapon against Europeans.
The greatest commander Hannibal waged a successful war with Rome for fifteen years, while being far from his own homeland. He was an outstanding tactician and knew how to make the most of the forces and resources provided to him. Hannibal also had a diplomatic talent. He enlisted the support of numerous tribes that were also in conflict with Rome. The Gauls became his allies. Hannibal won several victories over the Romans at once, and in the battle on the Ticin River he defeated his main opponent, the commander Scipio.
The main triumph of the hero of Carthage was the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC. e. During the Italian campaign, Hannibal marched through almost the entire Apennine Peninsula. His victories, however, did not break the Republic. Carthage stopped sending reinforcements, and the Romans themselves invaded Africa. In 202 B.C. e. Hannibal returned to his homeland, but was defeated by Scipio at the Battle of Zama. Carthage requested a humiliating peace, although the commander himself did not want to stop the war. His own countrymen turned their backs on him. Hannibal had to become an outcast. For some time he was sheltered by the Syrian king Antiochus III. In Fivonia, fleeing from Roman agents, Hannibal took poison and voluntarily said goodbye to life.
In the Middle Ages, all the great commanders of the world sought to revive the once fallen Roman Empire. About recovery centralized state, which would unite all of Europe, dreamed of every Christian monarch. The king of the Franks, Charlemagne (742 - 814) from the Carolingian dynasty, most succeeded in implementing this idea.
The only way to build a new Roman Empire was by force of arms. Charles was at war with almost all the neighbors. The Lombards who inhabited Italy were the first to submit to him. In 774, the ruler of the Franks invaded their country, captured the capital of Pavia and captured King Desiderius (his former father-in-law). After the annexation of Northern Italy, Charlemagne went with a sword to the Bavarians, Saxons in Germany, Avars in Central Europe, Arabs in Spain and neighboring Slavs.
The Frankish king explained the wars against numerous tribes of various ethnic groups by the struggle against the pagans. The names of the great generals of the Middle Ages were often associated with the defense of the Christian faith. We can say that the pioneer in this matter was just Charlemagne. In 800 he arrived in Rome, where the pope proclaimed him emperor. The monarch made the city of Aachen (in the west of modern Germany) his capital. All subsequent Middle Ages and Modern times, the great commanders of the world tried to somehow resemble Charlemagne.
The Christian state created by the Franks was called the Holy Roman Empire (as a sign of the continuity of the ancient empire). As in the case of Alexander the Great, this power did not long outlive its founder. The grandchildren of Charles divided the empire into three parts, from which, over time, modern France, Germany and Italy were formed.
In the Middle Ages, not only Christian civilization could boast of talented commanders. The Muslim Saladin (1138 - 1193) was an outstanding commander. He was born decades after the crusaders conquered Jerusalem and established several kingdoms and principalities in formerly Arab Palestine.
Saladin vowed to cleanse the lands taken from the Muslims from the infidels. In 1164 he, being right hand Nur-zhd-din liberated Egypt from the crusaders. Ten years later, he carried out a coup d'état. Saladin founded the Ayubit dynasty and proclaimed himself Sultan of Egypt.
What great commanders did not fight against internal enemies no less furiously than against internal ones? After proving his leadership in the Muslim world, Saladin came into direct conflict with the Christians in the Holy Land. In 1187, his army of twenty thousand men invaded Palestine, completely surrounded by the possessions of the Sultan. Almost half of the troops consisted of horse archers, who became the most effective combat unit in the fight against the crusaders (the arrows of their long-range bows pierced even heavy steel armor).
The biography of the great generals is often the biography of the reformers of military art. Saladin was just such a leader. Although he always had many people at his disposal, he succeeded not by numbers, but by his intelligence and organizational skills.
On July 4, 1187, the Muslims defeated the Crusaders near Lake Tiberias. In Europe, this defeat went down in history as the Battle of Hatti. The master of the Templars, the king of Jerusalem, was captured by Saladin, and in September Jerusalem itself fell. In the Old World, a third Crusade was organized against the Sultan. It was led by King Richard the Lionheart of England. A new stream of knights and simple volunteers poured into the east.
The decisive battle between the armies of the Egyptian sultan and the English monarch took place near Arsuf on September 7, 1191. The Muslims lost many men and were forced to retreat. Saladin concluded a truce with Richard, giving the crusaders a small coastal strip of land, but retaining Jerusalem. After the war, the commander returned to the Syrian capital Damascus, where he fell ill with a fever and died.
The real name of Genghis Khan (1155 - 1227) is Temujin. He was the son of one of the numerous Mongol princes. His father was killed during a civil strife when his son was only nine years old. The child was taken prisoner and put on a wooden collar. Temujin fled, returned to his native tribe and grew into a fearless warrior.
Even 100 great commanders of the Middle Ages or any other era could not create such a great power that this steppe built. First, Temujin defeated all the neighboring hostile Mongol hordes and united them into one awesome force. In 1206, he was proclaimed Genghis Khan - that is, the great khan or king of kings.
For the last twenty years of his life, the ruler of the nomads waged wars with China and the neighboring Central Asian khanates. The army of Genghis Khan was built according to the decimal principle: it consisted of tens, hundreds, thousands and tumens (10 thousand). The most severe discipline triumphed in the steppe army. For any violation of the generally accepted order of the warrior, severe punishment awaited. With such orders, the Mongols became the embodiment of horror for all the settled peoples they met on their way.
In China, the steppes mastered siege weapons. They destroyed the resisting cities to the ground. Thousands of people fell into their slavery. Genghis Khan was the personification of war - it became the only meaning of the life of the king and his people. Temujin and his descendants created an empire from the Black Sea to the Pacific Ocean.
Even the great Russian commanders did not become church saints. Alexander Yaroslavovich Nevsky (1220 - 1261) was canonized and acquired a genuine halo of exclusivity during his lifetime. He belonged to the Rurik dynasty and became a prince of Novgorod as a child.
Nevsky was born in fragmented Rus'. She had many problems, but they all faded before the threat of the Tatar-Mongol invasion. The steppes of Batu went through many principalities with fire and sword, but happily did not touch Novgorod, which was too far to the north for their cavalry.
Nevertheless, many trials awaited Alexander Nevsky even without the Mongols. In the west, Novgorod land was adjacent to Sweden and the Baltic States, which belonged to German military orders. After the Batu invasion, the Europeans decided that they could easily defeat Alexander Yaroslavovich. The seizure of Russian lands in the Old World was considered a struggle against the infidels, since the Russian Church was not subordinate to Catholic Rome, but was dependent on the Orthodox Constantinople.
The first crusade against Novgorod was organized by the Swedes. The royal army crossed the Baltic Sea and in 1240 landed at the mouth of the Neva. The local Izhorians have long paid tribute to the Lord Veliky Novgorod. The news of the appearance of the Swedish flotilla did not frighten the seasoned warrior Nevsky. He quickly gathered an army and, without waiting for the blow, went to the Neva. On June 15, the twenty-year-old prince, at the head of a loyal squad, hit the enemy camp. Alexander in a personal duel wounded one of the Swedish Jarls. The Scandinavians could not withstand the onslaught and hastily returned to their homeland. It was then that Alexander received the nickname Nevsky.
Meanwhile, the German crusaders were preparing their attack on Novgorod. On April 5, 1242, they were defeated by Nevsky on the frozen Lake Peipsi. The battle was dubbed the Battle of the Ice. In 1252, Alexander Yaroslavovich became Prince of Vladimir. Having protected the country from Western invaders, he had to minimize the damage from the more dangerous Mongols. The armed struggle against the nomads was yet to come. The restoration of Rus' took too much time for one human life. Nevsky died, returning home from the Horde, where he held regular negotiations with the Golden Horde Khan. He was canonized in 1547.
All military leaders of the last two centuries, including the great commanders of the war of 1941-1945. bowed and bow before the figure of Alexander Suvorov (1730 - 1800). He was born in the family of a senator. Suvorov's baptism of fire took place during the Seven Years' War.
Under Catherine II, Suvorov became a key commander of the Russian army. The wars with Turkey brought him the greatest glory. In the second half of the 18th century, the Russian Empire annexed the Black Sea lands. Alexander Suvorov was the main creator of that success. All of Europe repeated his name after the siege of Ochakov (1788) and the capture of Izmail (1790) - operations that had never been equal in the history of the then military art.
Under Paul I, Count Suvorov led the Italian campaign against the forces of Napoleon Bonaparte. All the battles in the Alps were won by him. In the life of Suvorov, there were no defeats at all. Shortly. The military leader died, surrounded by the international glory of an invincible strategist. According to his will, contrary to numerous titles and ranks, the laconic phrase "Here lies Suvorov" was left on the grave of the commander.
At the turn of the XVIII and XIX centuries. all of Europe plunged into an international war. It began with the French Revolution. The old monarchical regimes tried to stop this plague of freedom. It was at this time that the young military Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 - 1821) became famous.
The future national hero began his service in the artillery. He was a Corsican, but despite his deep provincial origin, he quickly advanced in the service due to his abilities and courage. After the revolution in France, power changed regularly. Bonaparte joined the political struggle. In 1799, as a result of the coup of 18 Brumaire, he became the first consul of the republic. Five years later, Napoleon was proclaimed emperor by the French.
In the course of numerous campaigns, Bonaparte not only defended the sovereignty of his country, but also conquered neighboring states. He completely subjugated Germany, Italy and the numerous other monarchies of continental Europe. Napoleon had his own brilliant generals. great war could not be avoided with Russia. In the campaign of 1812, Bonaparte occupied Moscow, but this success did not give him anything.
After the Russian campaign, a crisis began in Napoleon's empire. In the end, the anti-Bonapartist coalition forced the commander to abdicate. In 1814 he was sent into exile on the Mediterranean island of Elba. The ambitious Napoleon escaped from there and returned to France. After another "Hundred Days" and the defeat at Waterloo, the commander was sent into exile on the island of St. Helena (this time in the Atlantic Ocean). There, under the protection of the British, he died.
The history of Russia has developed in such a way that the great Russian commanders of the First World War, after the establishment of Soviet power, were forgotten. Nevertheless, among the people who led the tsarist army in battles against the Germans and Austrians there were many outstanding specialists. One of them is Alexei Brusilov (1853 - 1926).
The cavalry general was a hereditary military man. His first war was the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. Brusilov participated in it on the Caucasian front. With the outbreak of World War I, he ended up on the Southwestern Front. The group of troops commanded by the general defeated the Austrian units and pushed them back to Lemberg (Lvov). The Brusilovites became famous for capturing Galich and Ternopil.
In 1915, the general led the fighting in the Carpathians. He successfully repulsed the Austrian attacks and went on the counteroffensive. It was Brusilov who took the powerful fortress of Przemysl. However, his successes were brought to naught due to the breakthrough of the front in the area for which other generals were responsible.
The war became positional. Month after month dragged on, and victory did not approach either side. In 1916, the headquarters, which included Emperor Nicholas II, decided to launch a new general offensive. The most triumphant episode of this operation was the Brusilovsky breakthrough. During the period from May to September, the general's army took control of the whole of Bukovina and Eastern Galicia. A few decades later, the outstanding commanders of the Great Patriotic War tried to repeat the success of Brusilov. His victories were brilliant, but useless because of the actions of the authorities.
Many dozens of talented military leaders became famous on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. After the victory over Germany, the great Soviet commanders were awarded the titles of Marshals of the Soviet Union. One of them was Konstantin Rokossovsky (1896 - 1968). He began serving in the army at the very beginning of the First World War, which he graduated as a junior non-commissioned officer.
Almost all commanders of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. due to age, they were hardened on the fronts of the imperialist and civil wars. Rokossovsky in this sense did not differ from his colleagues. During the "citizenship" he commanded a division, a squadron and, finally, a regiment, for which he received two orders of the Red Banner.
Like some other outstanding commanders of the Great Patriotic War (including Zhukov), Rokossovsky did not have a specialized military education. He rose to the top of the army ladder in the turmoil of battles and years of fighting thanks to his determination, leadership qualities and the ability to make the right decisions in a critical situation.
Because of Stalinist repressions Rokossovsky ended up in a short-term prison. He was released in 1940 at the request of Zhukov. There is no doubt that the commanders of the Great Patriotic War were in a vulnerable position all the time.
After the German attack on the Soviet Union, Rokossovsky began to command first the 4th and then the 16th army. It was regularly moved from place to place depending on operational tasks. In 1942, Rokossovsky was at the head of the Bryansk and Don fronts. When a turning point occurred, and the Red Army began to advance, Konstantin Konstantinovich ended up in Belarus.
Rokossovsky reached Germany itself. He could have liberated Berlin, but Stalin put Zhukov in charge of this final operation. Great commanders 1941 - 1945 differently were rewarded for saving the country. Marshal Rokossovsky was the only one to host the climactic Victory Parade a few weeks after the defeat of Germany. By origin, he was a Pole and with the advent of peace in 1949-1956. He also served as Minister of Defense of socialist Poland. Rokossovsky is a unique military leader, he was a marshal of two countries at once (USSR and Poland).
On the way to progress and evolution, mankind has always faced wars. This is an integral part of our history and you should know about the greatest warriors, laws, battles. This time we offer a rating that presents the greatest generals of all times and peoples. No one disputes the fact that history is written by the winners. But this speaks of the greatness and power of the leaders who were able to change the attitude towards the world. This list will feature the greatest leaders who have played a significant role in the history of the Earth.
Alexander the Great
From early childhood, Macedonian wanted to conquer the whole world. Although the commander did not have a massive physique, it was difficult for him to find equal rivals in battle. He preferred to participate in military battles himself. Thus, he showed skill and delighted millions of soldiers. Showing an excellent example to the soldiers, he strengthened the fighting spirit and won - one by one. Therefore, he received the nickname "Great". He was able to create an empire from Greece to India. He trusted the soldiers, so no one let him down. All responded with devotion and obedience.
Mongolian Khan
In 1206, the Mongol Khan, Genghis Khan, was proclaimed the greatest commander of all time. The event took place on the territory of the Onon River. The leaders of the nomadic tribes recognized him unanimously. Even shamans predicted him power over the world. The prophecy has come true. He became a majestic and powerful emperor, who was feared by everyone without exception. He founded a huge empire by uniting the devastated tribes. Managed to conquer China and Central Asia. In addition, he achieved obedience from the inhabitants of Eastern Europe, Khorezm, Baghdad and Caucasus.
"Timur lame"
Another of the greatest commanders, who received the nickname due to being wounded against the khans. As a result of a fierce battle, he was wounded in one leg. But this did not prevent the brilliant commander from conquering most of Central, Western, South Asia. In addition, he managed to conquer the Caucasus, Rus' and the Volga region. His empire smoothly flowed into the Timurid dynasty. It was decided to make Samarkand the capital. There were no equal competitors in the management of the saber to this person. However, he was an excellent archer and commander. After death, the entire territory quickly disintegrated. Consequently, his descendants were not so gifted leaders.
"Father of Strategy"
Many have heard of the best military strategist ancient world? Certainly not, due to the extraordinary behavior and thinking of Hannibal Bark, who was nicknamed the "Father of Strategy". He hated Rome and everything connected with this Republic. He tried with all his might to defeat the Romans and waged the Punic Wars. Successfully applied the tactics of coverage from the flanks. He was able to become the head of an army of 46,000 people. Completed the mission perfectly. With the help of 37 war elephants, he crossed the Pyrenees and even the snow-covered Alps.
National Hero of Russia
Speaking of Suvorov, it should be noted that he is not only one of the great commanders, but also a national Russian hero. He managed to complete all military attacks with victory. Not a single defeat. For the entire military career he did not know a single defeat. And during his life he conducted about sixty military offensives. He is the founder of military Russian art. An excellent thinker who had no equal not only in battle, but also philosophical reflections. A brilliant man who personally participated in the Russian-Turkish, Swiss and Italian campaigns.
Genius commander
An excellent commander and simply a brilliant man who ruled from 1804 to 1815. The great leader at the head of France was able to achieve amazing heights. It was this hero who created the basis for the modern French state. While still an assistant, he began his military career and developed many interesting ideas. At first, he simply took part in hostilities. Later he was able to establish himself as a fearless leader. As a result, he became a brilliant commander and led an entire army. Wanted to conquer the world, but was defeated in the Battle of Batherloo.
Expelling the crusaders
Another warrior and one of the greatest generals is Saladin. We are talking about an outstanding organizer of hostilities, the Sultan of Egypt and Seria. He is the "defender of the faith." This is what made it possible to gain trust. huge army. Received an honorary nickname during the battles with the Crusaders. He was able to successfully complete the battle in Jerusalem. It was due to this leader that the Muslim lands were liberated from foreign invaders. He delivered the people from all representatives of a foreign faith.
Emperor of the Roman Empire
It would be strange if the name Julius did not appear on this list. Caesar is one of the greats not only because of his analytical thinking and unique strategies, but also because of his extraordinary ideas. Dactator, commander, writer, politician - not many merits of a unique person. He could do several things at the same time. That is why he was able to exert such an influence on the people. A gifted person practically captured the whole world. To this day, legends are made about him and films are made.
Throughout the history of mankind, a huge number of wars, battles and battles have taken place in different parts of the world. They necessarily had winners who won the fight, and losers who were defeated or captured by a stronger opponent. Most often, the victory is won by the side that goes into battle under the leadership of the leader, on whose shoulders lies the goal of rallying people into a single whole, making difficult decisions in difficult situations, and much more.
Outstanding commanders lived in the world at different times, whose reasonable tactics and strategies led to significant victories even in the most difficult conditions. Let's get to know top 5 greatest generals in history.
He tried himself as an artist, was a military corporal, but went down in history as a great evil genius. He was able to become the dictator of the Third Reich, as well as the self-proclaimed commander in chief of the troops in Germany. Indeed, in his hands, albeit for a short period of time, was power over all the countries of Europe. Historical facts claim that it is he who owns the development of the "blitzkrieg" tactics, during which the war and the capture of opponents are carried out in record time. short time until other troops have had time to mobilize. Tens of millions of people died at his hands all over the world. Therefore, he is a truly outstanding military leader.
Genghis Khan managed to establish the Mongol nation, to gain power over most of the world that existed at that time. Therefore, he deserves the title of one of the most famous generals in history. Despite the fact that his troops were called "barbarians" and "hordes", his victories are based not on brute force, but on his brilliant tactics, leadership and organizer abilities. Genghis Khan managed to unite all the tribes under his banner and conduct a brilliant military campaign to conquer the countries of Eurasia. Under his rule were countries from Korea to Poland and from Vietnam to the Arctic Ocean.
Napoleon Bonaparte was the emperor of France, under whose leadership for more than two decades was the military and political life of Europe. His military genius, which manifested itself in early age, gave him the opportunity to subjugate almost all countries European continent, as well as extend its influence to Asia and Africa. In addition to the fact that these countries were under his influence, he managed to bring his ideology, innovations and orders there. The troops, armies and governments of all the conquered countries obeyed him. Thus, he managed to go down in history as one of the most significant military leaders of all time.
The achievements of Julius Caesar are so significant for world history that the words “Kaiser” (German) and “king” (Russian) arose from his name. He was not only a legendary commander, but also a great statesman. Thanks to his conquests, the Roman Empire gained security and great influence in the world for as many as 5 centuries. During his reign, the Latin language, Roman laws, traditions and customs spread throughout Europe. His life was cut short great battle but from being stabbed by a close friend of his.
On account of Alexander the Great, 11 years of continuous battles, during which he did not win a single defeat. Although most often he fought with stronger opponents. His thoughtful military strategy managed to rationally distribute forces between different types troops (infantry, cavalry, reconnaissance and military equipment), which allowed for the most effective battles. The main goal of Alexander the Great was the unification of East and West, therefore, the culture of the Hellenes, their political and military thoughts were spread to all the occupied territories.
Over the entire period of the existence of mankind, there have been many wars that have radically changed the course of history. There were many of them in our country. The success of any military action entirely depended on the experience and skill of military commanders. Who are they, the great commanders and naval commanders of Russia, who brought victories to their Fatherland in difficult battles? We present you the brightest domestic military leaders, starting from the time of the Old Russian state and ending with the Great Patriotic War.
The famous commanders of Russia are not only our contemporaries. They were in the period of the existence of Rus'. Historians call the Prince of Kyiv Svyatoslav the brightest commander of that time. He ascended the throne in 945, immediately after the death of his father Igor. Since Svyatoslav was not yet old enough to rule the state (he was only 3 years old at the time of succession), his mother Olga became regent under him. This heroic woman had to lead Old Russian state and after her son grew up. The reason was his endless military campaigns, because of which he practically never visited Kyiv.
Svyatoslav began to independently rule his lands only in 964, but even after that he did not stop his conquests. In 965, he managed to defeat the Khazar Khaganate and annex a number of conquered territories to Ancient Rus'. Svyatoslav conducted a series of campaigns against Bulgaria (968-969), capturing its cities in turn. He stopped only after he captured Pereyaslavets. The prince planned to move the capital of Rus' to this Bulgarian city and expand his possessions to the Danube, but because of the raids on the Kyiv lands of the Pechenegs, he was forced to return home with the army. In 970-971, Russian troops led by Svyatoslav fought for Bulgarian territories with Byzantium claiming them. The prince failed to defeat the mighty enemy. The result of this struggle was the conclusion between Russia and Byzantium of profitable military trade agreements. It is not known how many aggressive campaigns Svyatoslav Igorevich managed to carry out if in 972 he had not died in a battle with the Pechenegs.
There were outstanding commanders of Russia during the period of feudal fragmentation of Rus'. To such politicians should be attributed to Alexander Nevsky. As the prince of Novgorod, Vladimir and Kyiv, he went down in history as a talented military leader who led the people in the fight against the Swedes and Germans claiming the northwestern territories of Rus'. In 1240, despite the predominance of the enemy forces, he won a brilliant victory on the Neva, inflicting a crushing blow. In 1242, he defeated the Germans on Lake Peipsi. The merits of Alexander Nevsky are not only in military victories, but also in diplomatic abilities. Through negotiations with the rulers of the Golden Horde, he managed to achieve the liberation of the Russian army from participation in the wars conducted by the Tatar khans. After his death, Nevsky was canonized by the Orthodox Church. Considered the patron saint of Russian soldiers.
Continuing to talk about who the most famous commanders of Russia are, it is necessary to recall the legendary Dmitry Donskoy. The Prince of Moscow and Vladimir went down in history as a man who laid the foundation for the liberation of Russian lands from the Tatar-Mongol yoke. Tired of enduring the arbitrariness of the Golden Horde ruler Mamai, Donskoy marched against him with an army. The decisive battle took place in September 1380. The troops of Dmitry Donskoy were 2 times inferior in size to the enemy army. Despite the inequality of forces, the great commander managed to defeat the enemy, almost completely destroying his numerous regiments. The defeat of Mamai's army not only accelerated the moment of liberation of the Russian lands from the Golden Horde dependence, but also contributed to the strengthening of the Moscow principality. Like Nevsky, Donskoy was canonized by the Orthodox Church after his death.
Famous commanders of Russia also lived during the time of Emperor Peter I. One of the most prominent military leaders of this era was Prince Mikhail Golitsyn, who became famous at the age of 21 northern war with the Swedes. He rose to the rank of Field Marshal. He distinguished himself during the capture of the Swedish fortress Noteburg in 1702 by Russian troops. Was commander of the guard during Battle of Poltava 1709, which resulted in a crushing defeat for the Swedes. After the battle, together with A. Menshikov, he pursued the retreating enemy troops and forced them to lay down their arms.
In 1714, the Russian army under the command of Golitsyn attacked the Swedish infantry near the Finnish village of Lappole (Napo). This victory was of great strategic importance during the Northern War. The Swedes were ousted from Finland, and Russia took over the bridgehead for further offensive. Golitsyn distinguished himself in sea battle at the island of Grengam (1720), which put an end to the long and bloody Northern War. Commanding the Russian fleet, he forced the Swedes to retreat. After that, Russian influence was established.
Not only the best commanders of Russia glorified their country. The naval commanders did it no worse than the commanders of the ground forces. This was Admiral Fyodor Ushakov, whom for numerous victories Orthodox Church numbered among the saints. He took part in the Russian-Turkish war (1787-1791). He led at Fidonisi, Tendra, Kaliakria, Kerch, led the siege of the island of Corfu. In 1790-1792 he commanded the Black Sea Fleet. During his military career, Ushakov fought 43 battles. He was not defeated in any of them. In battles, he managed to save all the ships entrusted to him.
Some generals of Russia became famous all over the world. Suvorov is one of them. Being the generalissimo of the naval and ground forces, as well as the gentleman of all existing in Russian Empire military orders, he left a noticeable mark in the history of his country. He showed himself as a talented military leader in two Russian-Turkish wars ah, Italian and Swiss campaigns. In 1787 he commanded the Kinburn battle, in 1789 - the battles near Focsani and Rymnik. He led the assault on Ishmael (1790) and Prague (1794). During his military career, he won victories in more than 60 battles and did not lose in a single battle. Together with the Russian army he went to Berlin, Warsaw and the Alps. He left behind the book "The Science of Winning", where he outlined the tactics of successful warfare.
If you ask about who the famous commanders of Russia are, many people immediately remember Kutuzov. And this is not surprising, because for the special merits of this man he was awarded the Order of St. George - the highest military award of the Russian Empire. He held the rank of Field Marshal. Almost all of Kutuzov's life was spent in battles. He is the hero of two Russian-Turkish wars. In 1774, in the battle of Alushta, he was wounded in the temple, as a result of which he lost his right eye. After a long treatment, he was appointed to the post of Governor-General of the Crimean Peninsula. In 1788 he received a second serious wound in the head. In 1790, he successfully led the assault on Izmail, where he proved himself to be a fearless commander. In 1805 he went to Austria to command the troops opposing Napoleon. In the same year he took part in the Battle of Austerlitz.
In 1812, Kutuzov was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian troops in the Patriotic War against Napoleon. He held the grand battle of Borodino, after which, at the military council held in Fili, he was forced to decide on the withdrawal of the Russian army from Moscow. As a result of the counteroffensive, the troops under the command of Kutuzov were able to push the enemy back from their territory. The French army, considered the strongest in Europe, suffered huge human losses.
Kutuzov's military talent provided our country with a strategic victory over Napoleon, and he himself brought worldwide fame. Although the commander did not support the idea of persecuting the French in Europe, it was he who was appointed commander in chief of the combined Russian and Prussian forces. But illness did not allow Kutuzov to give another battle: in April 1813, having reached Prussia with his troops, he caught a cold and died.
The Great Patriotic War revealed to the world the names of talented Soviet military leaders. Outstanding commanders of Russia put a lot of effort into the defeat Nazi Germany and the destruction of fascism in European lands. There were many brave front commanders on the territory of the USSR. Thanks to their skill and heroism, they were able to adequately oppose the well-trained and armed with the latest technology of the German invaders. We offer you to get acquainted with the two greatest generals - I. Konev and G. Zhukov.
One of those to whom our state owes its victory was the legendary marshal and twice hero of the USSR Ivan Konev. The Soviet commander began participating in the war as commander of the 19th Army of the North Caucasian District. During the Battle of Smolensk (1941), Konev managed to escape capture and withdraw the army command and communications regiment from the enemy's encirclement. After that, the commander commanded the Western, Northwestern, Kalinin, Steppe, First and Second Ukrainian fronts. Participated in the battle for Moscow, led the Kalinin operations (defensive and offensive). In 1942, Konev headed (together with Zhukov) the first and second Rzhev-Sychev operations, and in the winter of 1943, the Zhizdrinsky operation.
Due to the superiority of the enemy forces, many battles conducted by the commander until the middle of 1943 were unsuccessful for the Soviet Army. But the situation changed dramatically after the victory over the enemy in the battle on (July-August 1943). After that, the troops under the leadership of Konev carried out a number of offensive operations (Poltava-Kremenchug, Pyatikhat, Znamenskaya, Kirovograd, Lvov-Sandomierz), as a result of which most of the territory of Ukraine was cleared of the Nazis. In January 1945, the First Ukrainian Front under the command of Konev, together with the allies, began the Vistula-Oder operation, liberated Krakow from the Nazis, and in the spring of 1945 the marshal's troops reached Berlin, and he himself personally took part in its assault.
The greatest commander, four times Hero of the USSR, the owner of many domestic and foreign military awards, was a truly legendary person. As a young man, he took part in the First World War and civil wars, the battle of Khalkhin Gol. By the time of Hitler's invasion of the territory of the Soviet Union, Zhukov was appointed by the country's leadership to the positions of Deputy People's Commissar of Defense and Chief of the General Staff.
During the years he headed the troops of the Leningrad, Reserve and First Belorussian fronts. He took part in the battle for Moscow, the battles of Stalingrad and Kursk. In 1943, Zhukov, together with other Soviet commanders, carried out a breakthrough of the Leningrad blockade. He coordinated actions in the Zhytomyr-Berdychiv and Proskurovo-Chernivtsi operations, as a result of which part of the Ukrainian lands was liberated from the Germans.
In the summer of 1944, he led the largest military operation in the history of mankind "Bagration", during which Belarus, part of the Baltic states and Eastern Poland were cleared of the Nazis. At the beginning of 1945, together with Konev, he coordinated the actions of the Soviet troops during the liberation of Warsaw. In the spring of 1945 he participated in the capture of Berlin. On June 24, 1945, a Victory Parade took place in Moscow, timed to coincide with the defeat Nazi Germany Soviet troops. It was entrusted to Marshal Georgy Zhukov to receive him.
It is impossible to list all the great military leaders of our country in one publication. The naval commanders and commanders of Russia from ancient Rus' to the present day have played a significant role in world history, glorifying the domestic military art, heroism and courage of the army entrusted to their disposal.
