Rokossovsky Konstantin Konstantinovich full biography. Konstantin Rokossovsky - biography, information, personal life. Independent since childhood

Rokossovsky Konstantin Konstantinovich is not just a great commander of Russia. This is the one to whom we owe our present. During his life, he managed not only to educate the future generation of excellent commanders and commanders, but also to make our country respect for several centuries to come.

We understand how exactly he managed to achieve such heights and we know the whole truth about his exploits and achievements. And believe me, he has a lot of them.

The childhood of the future commander

Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky was born in Warsaw on December 21, 1896. His father was a Pole - Xavier Yuzefovich Rokossovsky, inspector of the Warsaw railway, mother - Russian teacher, Antonina Ovsyannikova. When little Rokossovsky was only 9 years old, his father died, and the family was left without funds.

After graduating from a four-year school, Konstantin went to work at a hosiery factory. In 1911, Rokossovsky's mother also died. 14-year-old Kostya and his younger sister are left alone ... Konstantin at that time had already worked as an assistant pastry chef, dentist, and in 1909-1914 - a stonemason in the workshop of Stefan Vysotsky.

For self-education, Rokossovsky read many books in Russian and Polish. When the First World War began, 18-year-old Konstantin volunteered for the Kargopol Dragoon Regiment. A few days after the start of his service, Rokossovsky distinguished himself during equestrian reconnaissance near the village of Yastrzhem, for which he was awarded the St. George Cross of the 4th degree and promoted to corporal. Over the next three years of service, Konstantin rose to the rank of non-commissioned officer and was awarded three St. George medals.

At the age of 23 he joined the Bolshevik Party. The future marshal of the Soviet army was distinguished by courage, courage, honesty and modesty. However, despite excellent performance, his promotion was sluggish during this time due to his Polish heritage.

In early April 1915, the division was transferred to Lithuania. In the battle near the city of Ponevezh, Rokossovsky attacked a German artillery battery, for which he was presented to the St. George Cross of the 3rd degree, however, he did not receive an award. In the battle for the railway station Troshkuny, together with several dragoons, he secretly captured the trench of the German field guard, and on July 20 he was awarded the St. George medal of the 4th degree.

The Kargopol regiment waged a trench war on the banks of the Western Dvina. In the winter and spring of 1916, as part of a partisan detachment formed from dragoons, Konstantin repeatedly crossed the river for the purpose of reconnaissance. On May 6, for the attack of the German outpost, he received the St. George medal of the 3rd degree. In the detachment, he met non-commissioned officer Adolf Yushkevich, who had revolutionary views. In June, he returned to the regiment, where he again crossed the river on a reconnaissance search.

Pay attention, friends, how the life of a teenager at the beginning of the last century differed from the life of our same teenager. The 20th century is a century of wars and destruction. I remember myself as a boy, when we played war games with guys on the street and all sorts of Cossack robbers. Here, the boys are not engaged in games at all. They run full scale fighting, take part in battles and reconnaissance operations. Judging by the success of the operations in which the young Rokossovsky took part, he simply had to become one of the most prominent commanders of the Great Patriotic War. But first things first…

Civil War

During the Civil War, Rokossovsky Konstantin Konstantinovich - commander of a squadron, a separate division, a separate cavalry regiment. On November 7, 1919, south of the Mangut station, in a fight with the deputy head of the 15th Omsk Siberian Rifle Division of Kolchak's army, Colonel Nikolai Voznesensky, he hacked the latter to death, and he himself was wounded in the shoulder.

From the memoirs of Rokossovsky himself:

“... November 7, 1919, we raided the rear of the White Guards. A separate Ural cavalry division, which I then commanded, broke through the battle formations of Kolchak at night, obtained information that the headquarters of the Omsk group was located in the village of Karaulnaya, went from the rear, attacked the village and, crushing the white parts, defeated this headquarters, captured prisoners, including many officers among them. During the attack during the single combat with the commander of the Omsk group, General Voskresensky (although the correct rank and surname is Colonel Voznesensky), I received a bullet from him in the shoulder, and he from me received a mortal blow with a saber ... "

In the summer of 1921, commanding the red 35th cavalry regiment in the battle near Troitskosavsk, he defeated the 2nd brigade of General Boris Petrovich Rezukhin from the Asian Cavalry Division of General Baron R. F. von Ungern-Sternberg and was seriously wounded. For this fight, Rokossovsky was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

On June 9, 1924, during an operational military operation against the detachments of Mylnikov and Derevtsov, Rokossovsky led one of the detachments of the Red Army, walking along a narrow taiga path.

“... Rokossovsky, who was walking ahead, stumbled upon Mylnikov, fired two shots at him from a Mauser. Mylnikov fell. Rokossovsky suggests that Mylnikov was wounded, but due to the impenetrable taiga, apparently, he crawled away under a bush, they could not find him ... "

Mylnikov survived. Soon, the Reds operationally located the wounded General Mylnikov in the house of one of the local residents and arrested him on June 27, 1924. The detachments of Mylnikov and Derevtsov were defeated on the same day.

The certification of Konstantin Konstantinovich said the following:

“Has a strong will, energetic, resolute. Possesses dashing, composure. Aged. Capable of showing useful initiative. Understands the environment well. Quick-witted. In relation to subordinates, as well as to himself, he is demanding. He loves military affairs ... He was awarded two Orders of the Red Banner for operations on the Eastern Front against Kolchak and Ungern. Carried out tasks of an organizational nature carefully. In view of the non-receipt of a special military education, it is desirable to send him to courses. The position of the regiment commander is quite consistent.

Interwar period

On April 30, 1923, Rokossovsky married Yulia Petrovna Barmina. On June 17, 1925, their daughter Ariadne was born. In the same years, due to the constant distortion of the patronymic, Ksaverievich Konstantin Rokossovsky began to be called Konstantin Konstantinovich.

From September 1924, over the next 11 months, Rokossovsky was engaged in his own development in his favorite element - military affairs. He becomes a student of the Cavalry advanced courses commanders, but goes through them together with G.K. Zhukov and other famous contemporaries.

But that's not all. A few years later, he takes advanced training courses for senior officers at the Academy. M. V. Frunze, where he manages to get acquainted with the works of M. N. Tukhachevsky. With the introduction of personal ranks in the Red Army in 1935, he received the title of division commander. Thus, several thousand people are already subordinate to Rokossovsky.

How did he manage in such a short time to earn himself such a high military position, and such high level respect? I believe that this is due to the fact that Konstantin Konstantinovich understood from childhood that military affairs is the area where he is most useful to society and can succeed. And here is the confirmation of my words:

“From early childhood,” Konstantin Konstantinovich recalled, “I was fascinated by books about the war, military campaigns, battles, bold cavalry attacks ... My dream was to experience everything that was said in the books myself.”

However, not the most pleasant event in the life of the great commander is already happening soon. In August 1937, Rokossovsky was arrested, undeservedly accused of ties with Polish and Japanese intelligence, convicted, but in March 1940, at the request of his past commander, he was released and returned to the troops. Rokossovsky met the Great Patriotic War in the Kiev Special Military District as the commander of the 9th mechanized corps with the rank of major general.

The Great Patriotic War

On the morning of June 22, 1941, Rokossovsky raised his corps on combat alert, which made a many-kilometer march and immediately entered the battle. About how timely and the only correct actions of Rokossovsky were, I.Kh. Bagramyan:

“The third day of the war was coming to an end. An increasingly alarming situation was developing on the Southwestern Front. The threat, in particular, hung over Lutsk, where the 15th mechanized corps of General I.I. Carpezo needed urgent support, otherwise the enemy tank wedges could cut and crush him. The units of the 87th and 124th rifle divisions, surrounded by the enemy near Lutsk, were also waiting for help. And when we at the front headquarters were racking our brains on how to help out the Lutsk grouping, the main forces of the 131st motorized and advanced detachments of the tank divisions of the 9th mechanized corps, commanded by K.K. Rokossovsky. Reading his report about this, we literally could not believe our eyes. How did Konstantin Konstantinovich succeed? After all, his so-called motorized division could only follow ... on foot. It turns out that on the very first day of the war, the decisive and enterprising corps commander, at his own peril and risk, took all the vehicles from the district reserve in Shepetovka - and there were about two hundred of them - planted infantry on them and moved in front of the corps in a combined march. The approach of its units to the Lutsk region saved the situation. They stopped the enemy tanks that had broken through and provided significant assistance to the formations retreating in a difficult situation.

The 9th mechanized corps under the command of Rokossovsky took part in the tank battle of 1941 near Dubno, Lutsk and Rovno. The actions of the Soviet tankmen did not then allow the enemy to encircle the troops of the Red Army in the Lvov salient. For military operations at the beginning of the war, Rokossovsky was awarded the fourth Order of the Red Banner.

CM. Shtemenko, General of the Army:

“The military leader figure of Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky is very colorful. The most difficult role fell to his share in the famous Smolensk battle of 1941 and in defensive battles on the near approaches to Moscow ... The personal charm of Konstantin Konstantinovich is irresistible ... He was not only infinitely respected, but also sincerely loved by everyone who happened to come into contact with him in the service.

In the midst of the fighting, Rokossovsky was called to Moscow, where he received a new assignment - to the Western Front. Front commander Marshal S.K. Timoshenko, who not so long ago rescued Konstantin Konstantinovich from arrest, setting Rokossovsky a combat mission, warned that the divisions intended for him had not yet arrived, so he ordered to subdue any units and formations to organize resistance to the enemy in the Yartsevo region near Smolensk. So, right in the process of fighting, the formation of a formation began, which in the headquarters documents was called the group of General Rokossovsky.

“Having learned that in the Yartsevo region and along east coast On the river Vop there are units that resist the Germans, people have already reached out to us ... - Rokossovsky recalled. - It seems to me important to testify to this as an eyewitness and participant in the events. Many units have had hard days. Dismembered by enemy tanks and aircraft, they were deprived of a unified leadership. And yet the soldiers of these units stubbornly sought opportunities to unite. They wanted to fight. This is what allowed us to succeed in our organizational efforts to put together a mobile group.

The successful actions of the "Rokossovsky group" contributed to the failure of the enemy's attempts to encircle and destroy the troops of the Western Front near Smolensk. After Smolensk battle Rokossovsky was appointed commander of the 16th Army, which especially distinguished itself in the Battle of Moscow. During the critical days of the defense of Moscow, its troops found themselves in the direction of the main attack of the German troops, defending the northwestern approaches to the capital, and did everything to stop the enemy.

Konstantin Konstantinovich constantly set an example of vivacity, energy, innovation in solving operational and tactical tasks for his subordinates. Battle of Stalingrad March 8, 1942 Rokossovsky was wounded by a shell fragment. The wound turned out to be severe - the lung and liver were affected. He was taken to a Moscow hospital for senior officers, where he received treatment until May 23, 1942. On May 26, he arrived in Sukhinichi and again took command of the 16th Army. On September 30, 1942, Lieutenant General Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky was appointed commander of the Stalingrad Front.

With his participation, a plan was developed Operation Uranus for the destruction and encirclement of the enemy group advancing on Stalingrad. On November 19, 1942, the operation began with the forces of several fronts, and on November 23, the ring around the 6th army of General F. Paulus was closed.

After that, Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky captured Field Marshal F. von Paulus, as well as 24 generals, 2500 German officers and 90 thousand soldiers. On January 28, Rokossovsky was awarded the newly established Order of Suvorov.

Battle of Kursk

In February 1943, Rokossovsky was appointed commander of the Central Front, who was destined for a decisive role in the summer campaign of that year near Kursk. It was clear from intelligence reports that the Germans were planning a major offensive in the Kursk area in the summer. The commanders of some fronts suggested building on the successes of Stalingrad and conducting a large-scale offensive in the summer.

But Rokossovsky had a different opinion. He believed that an offensive needed a double, triple superiority of forces, which the Soviet troops did not have in this direction. To stop the German offensive near Kursk, it is necessary to go on the defensive. It is necessary to literally hide personnel and military equipment in the ground.

The great commander proved to be a brilliant strategist and analyst. Based on intelligence data, he was able to accurately determine the area where the Germans eventually delivered the main blow. But Rokossovsky managed to create a defense in depth in this area and concentrate about half of his infantry, 60% of artillery and 70% of tanks there.

A truly innovative solution was also the artillery counter-preparation carried out 3 hours before the start of the German offensive. The defense of Rokossovsky proved to be so strong and stable that he was able to transfer a significant part of his reserves to Vatutin when the threat of a breakthrough arose on the southern face of the Kursk salient.

After the Battle of Kursk, Konstantin Konstantinovich became a colonel general, three months later - an army general. His fame was already thundering on all fronts, he became widely known in the West as one of the most talented Soviet military leaders. Rokossovsky was also very popular among the soldiers.

Operation "Bagration"

In full measure, Rokossovsky's military talent manifested itself in the summer of 1944 during the operation to liberate the Republic of Belarus, conditionally called "Bagration". The operation plan was developed by Rokossovsky together with A. M. Vasilevsky and G. K. Zhukov.

The strategic highlight of this plan was Rokossovsky's proposal to strike in two main directions, which ensured coverage of the enemy's flanks at operational depth and did not give the latter the ability to maneuver with reserves.

On June 22, 1944, Soviet troops launched Operation Bagration, the most powerful in the history of world wars. From the memoirs of Rokossovsky, it is known that when discussing the plan of the operation, Stalin, not agreeing with the commander’s proposal to deliver not one, but two main blows in order to encircle the Bobruisk grouping of the enemy, twice suggested that he go out and “think carefully.”

The front commander, however, stood his ground. Subsequent events confirmed that the proposed solution was based on a sober calculation and understanding of the specific conditions of the situation.

Operating in difficult swampy terrain, Rokossovsky's troops for the first five days of the offensive destroyed 25 German divisions and advanced 100–110 km. On the second day after the start of the operation, Stalin realized that Rokossovsky's decision was brilliant.

The well-known British historian B. Liddell Hart, comparing the successes of the Red Army and the achievements of the Anglo-American allies, who landed in Normandy shortly before, was able to show the fundamental difference between them:

Having made a breakthrough of the front line directly north of the Pinsk swamps, Rokossovsky's troops continued to develop the offensive at an average speed of 32 km per day ... Russian strikes led to a general collapse of the German defense system. The allied forces on the western flank of the Normandy bridgehead under the command of General O. Bradley, in three weeks of fighting against a much less formidable enemy, advanced, as Liddell Garth calculated, only 8–13 km.

Even before the end of the operation "Bagration" Rokossovsky Konstantin Konstantinovich was awarded the title of Marshal Soviet Union, and a month later - the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. On June 29, 1944, General of the Army Rokossovsky was awarded the diamond star of the Marshal of the Soviet Union, and on July 30, the first Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union.

By July 11, 1944, a 105,000-strong enemy grouping was taken prisoner. When the West questioned the number of prisoners during Operation Bagration, Joseph Stalin ordered them to be led through the streets of Moscow. From that moment on, Stalin began to call Rokossovsky by name and patronymic, and only Marshal Shaposhnikov was awarded such an honor.

ON THE. Antipenko, Soviet military leader:

“Rokossovsky Konstantin Konstantinovich, like most major military leaders, built his work on the principle of trust in his assistants. This trust was not blind: it became complete only when he was personally and more than once convinced that he was being told the truth, and that everything possible had been done to solve the task; convinced of this, he saw in you a good comrade in arms, his friend. That is why the leadership of the front was so united and soldered: each of us sincerely valued the authority of his commander. Rokossovsky was not afraid at the front, he was loved.

P.I. Batov, General of the Army:

“He never imposed his preliminary decisions, approved of a reasonable initiative and helped to develop it. Rokossovsky knew how to lead his subordinates in such a way that each officer and general willingly contributed his share of creativity to the common cause. With all this, Konstantin Konstantinovich himself and we, the commanders, well understood that the commander of our time without a strong will, without his firm convictions, without a personal assessment of events and people at the front, without his own handwriting in operations, without intuition, that is, without his own " I, cannot be. The strength of Rokossovsky's activities has always been his intense desire to defeat the enemy at the cost of the smallest of his own victims. He never doubted success and victory. And this iron will was transmitted to all his associates.

A.E. Golovanov, commander of aviation:

“It is hardly possible to name another commander who would have acted so successfully both in defensive and offensive operations of the past war. Thanks to his broad military education, huge personal culture, skillful communication with his subordinates, whom he always treated with respect, never emphasizing his official position, strong-willed qualities and outstanding organizational skills, he earned himself indisputable authority, respect and love of all those with whom he had to fight. Possessing the gift of foresight, he almost always unmistakably guessed the intentions of the enemy, anticipated them and, as a rule, emerged victorious.

In November 1944, before the start of the Vistula-Oder operation, Rokossovsky was transferred to the post of commander of the 2nd Belorussian Front. Instead, Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov was appointed to the Berlin direction.

“Why such a disfavor that they transfer me from the main direction to a secondary section?” Rokossovsky asked Stalin. Stalin replied that all three fronts (1st Belorussian, 2nd Belorussian and 1st Ukrainian) were the main ones, and the success of the upcoming operation would depend on their close interaction. “If you and Konev do not advance, then Zhukov will not advance anywhere ...” the Supreme Commander concluded.

Until the end of the war, Rokossovsky commanded the 2nd Belorussian Front, whose troops, together with other fronts, crushed the enemy in the East Prussian, East Pomeranian and, finally, Berlin strategic operations. The troops of the front defeated the formations of the Wehrmacht, which threatened the right flank of the Soviet troops aimed at Berlin.

The entry of the 2nd Belorussian Front to the sea near Danzig, Kolberg, Swinemünde, and Rostock deprived the enemy of the opportunity to transfer troops from Courland, Norway, and Denmark to help Berlin.

On March 31, 1945, Marshal Rokossovsky was one of the first among Soviet military leaders "for the skillful leadership of major operations, as a result of which outstanding successes were achieved in defeating Nazi German troops", was awarded the Order of Victory, and on May 2, 1945, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the second time.

On June 24, 1945, Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky commanded the historic Victory Parade in Moscow, which was hosted by Marshal Zhukov.

“I took command of the Victory Parade as the highest award for my entire many years of service in the Armed Forces,” Marshal said at the Kremlin reception in honor of the parade participants.

Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov:

“Rokossovsky was a very good boss. He brilliantly knew military affairs, clearly set tasks, intelligently and tactfully checked the execution of his orders. He showed constant attention to his subordinates and, perhaps, like no one else, he knew how to evaluate and develop the initiative of his subordinate commanders. He gave a lot to others and at the same time knew how to learn from them. I'm not talking about his rare spiritual qualities - they are known to everyone who served at least a little under his command.

It is difficult for me to remember a more thorough, hardworking, hardworking and by and large gifted person.

post-war period

In 1949, Polish President Boleslaw Bierut asked Joseph Stalin to send Pole Rokossovsky to Poland to serve as Minister of National Defense.

In 1949-1956, the latter did a great job of reorganizing the Polish army, raising its defense capability and combat readiness in the light of modern requirements. At the same time he was Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Poland and a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers' Party. He was awarded the military rank of Marshal of Poland.

After the death of Stalin and President Bolesław Bierut, the Polish government released him from his posts.

In 1956-1957 Rokossovsky was deputy. Minister of Defense of the USSR (Minister then was Zhukov). But in 1957 he was transferred to the commander of the Transcaucasian Military District. In 1958-1962 again - deputy. Minister of Defense and Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR.

In 1962, when the marshal refused Nikita Khrushchev to write a "blacker and thicker" article against Joseph Stalin, the next day he was removed from the post of Deputy Minister of Defense. People close to Rokossovsky, in particular Rokossovsky's permanent adjutant, Major General Kulchitsky, explain the refusal mentioned above not by Rokossovsky's devotion to Stalin, but by the commander's deep conviction that the army should not participate in politics.

Death of Rokossovsky Konstantin Konstantinovich

Surprisingly, no one spoke in detail about the death of Rokossovsky. It is only known for sure that the last years of his life the marshal was in the group of general inspectors of the Ministry of Defense, he was seriously ill. He died at the age of 72 on August 3, 1968. The urn with the ashes is located in the Kremlin wall.

Summing up the article and the biography of Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky, we can say that his military style is characterized by the ability to avoid a template and straightforward actions, the ability to recognize the intentions of the enemy and use it weak sides, to ensure maximum fire support for troops in defense and offensive, the desire to achieve results not by numbers, but by skill.

M.A. Gareev, General of the Army:

“To modern officers, he set a great example of innovation and unceasing creativity in the art of war, which all officers must tirelessly learn. He did not just react to the developing situation, but sought to influence it in the right direction by misinforming the enemy, using methods of action unexpected for him, imposing his will, skillfully stimulating the actions of his troops.

Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky:

“In battle, the most important thing is the perfect coordination of actions. The front commander and the ordinary soldier at times equally influence success, and often ordinary soldiers, commanders of companies, battalions, batteries make a decisive contribution to the outcome of the battle ... Of course, the decisions of the High Command are of great importance ... But the main thing is the soldiers.

In the memory of people who talked with Rokossovsky, he remained as a tall, stately, charming man, sincere and intelligent. At the same time, he certainly possessed personal courage and courage.

THEIR. Bagramyan, twice Hero of the Soviet Union:

“Konstantin Konstantinovich stood out for his almost two-meter height. Moreover, he struck with grace and elegance, as he was unusually slender and truly classically complex. He carried himself freely, but, perhaps, a little shyly, and a kind smile, illuminating his handsome face, attracted to him. This appearance harmonized perfectly with the whole spiritual structure of Konstantin Konstantinovich, which I soon became convinced of, becoming firmly, for life, friends with him. He could often be seen in the trenches, at the forefront, among soldiers and officers. “If you don’t stay in the trenches for a long time,” he said, “then you get the feeling that some important communication line has been cut off, and some very valuable information is missing.”

One of the most prominent creators of the Victory, Rokossovsky summed up his military activities as follows:

“The greatest happiness for a soldier is the realization that you helped your people defeat the enemy, defend the freedom of the Motherland, restore peace to it. The consciousness that you have fulfilled your duty as a soldier, a heavy and noble duty, higher than which there is nothing on earth!”

Marshal of the Soviet Union Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky.

Introduction.

Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky (1896-1968) - an outstanding military leader, Soviet and Polish military leader. He was one of the largest commanders during the Second World War, as well as a marshal of the Soviet Union and a marshal of Poland. He played a significant role during the Second World War and had a significant impact on its outcome. This work will consider the main life stages of Konstantin Rokossovsky and those military operations in which he took part.

Origin.

Konstantin Konstantinovich was born in the city of Warsaw on December 21, 1896 (according to other sources, in particular according to the opinion of the Russian historian Sokolov Boris Vadimovich, in 1894). However, after being awarded the title of twice Hero of the Soviet Union for ideological reasons, Konstantin Rokossovsky began to indicate the city of Velikiye Luki in the Pskov region as his birthplace.

The father of Konstantin Konstantinovich was Xavier Jozef Rokossovsky, an auditor of the Warsaw Railway of Polish origin. Xavier Jozef belonged to the gentry Rokossovsky family, which lost its nobility in the middle of the 19th century.

The mother of the future commander was the Belarusian teacher Antonina (or Atonida) Ovsyannikova, who was born in the city of Telekhany in Belarus.

At the beginning of his life path Konstantin Konstantinovich tried a significant number of professions, including a textile factory worker and a stonemason.

Years of the First World War.

In 1914, at the age of 18 (according to personal data - 20), Konstantin Rokossovsky volunteered for the front and joined the 6th squadron of the 5th Kargopol Dragoon Regiment of the 5th Cavalry Division of the 12th Army. The reasons that prompted Konstantin Konstantinovich to go to the front can be considered his personal convictions and desires. Rokossovsky himself wrote: “From early childhood, I was fascinated by books about the war, military campaigns, battles, bold cavalry attacks ... My dream was to experience everything that was said in the books myself.”

During the fighting, for a number of successful operations and shown courage, Konstantin Konstantinovich was awarded the St. George medals of the 3rd and 4th degrees and the St. George's Cross of the 4th degree and was awarded the rank of junior non-commissioned officer.

At the end of October 1917, Konstantin Rokossovsky was transferred to the training team of the 1st reserve cavalry regiment. After the abdication of Nicholas II, the regiment swore allegiance to the Provisional Government.

years civil war.

In October 1917, Konstantin Konstantinovich voluntarily transferred to the Red Guard, and then to the Red Army. As part of the Kargopol Red Guard detachment, Konstantin Konstantinovich, in the rank of assistant to the head of the detachment, participated in the suppression of counter-revolutionary uprisings in the Vologda, Bui and Galich regions. In addition, he took part in the suppression of anarchist and Cossack counter-revolutionary actions in the region of Kharkov and Bryansk.

In July 1918, Konstantin Rokossovsky, as part of his detachment, was transferred to the Eastern Front near Yekaterinburg, where he took part in battles with the White Guards and Czechoslovaks. In August, the detachment was reorganized into the 1st Ural Cavalry Regiment named after Volodarsky, and Rokossovsky was appointed commander of the 1st squadron.

During the Civil War, Konstantin Konstantinovich commanded a squadron, cavalry division, regiment, brigade. In 1919 he joined the RCP(b). At the final stage of the Civil War, Konstantin Rokossovsky participated in battles with the gangs of Baron Ungern in Transbaikalia, as well as in battles against. White Guard detachments of General Mylnikov, Colonel Derevtsov, Duganov, Gordeev and Yesaul Shchedrin. Was wounded twice.

In his certification it was noted: “Has a strong will, energetic, resolute. Possesses dashing, composure. Aged. Capable of showing useful initiative. Understands the environment well. Quick-witted. In relation to subordinates, as well as to himself, he is demanding. He loves military affairs ... He was awarded two Orders of the Red Banner for operations on the Eastern Front against Kolchak and Ungern. Carried out tasks of an organizational nature carefully. In view of the non-receipt of a special military education, it is desirable to send him to courses. The position of the regiment commander is quite consistent.

Interwar period.

Due to the lack of a special military education, Konstantin Konstantinovich from September 1924 was a student of the Cavalry advanced training courses for command personnel, together with G.K. ZhukovsA. I. Eremenko. At the end of the course in the period from 1926 to 1928, Rokossovsky served in Mongolia as an instructor in a separate Mongolian cavalry division. From January to April 1929, he took advanced training courses for senior officers at the Academy. M. V. Frunze, where he got acquainted with the works of M. N. Tukhachevsky.

In 1929 he commanded the 5th separate Kuban cavalry brigade, in November 1929 he participated in the Manchurian-Chzhalaynorskaya offensive operation Red Army (Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army).

With the introduction of personal ranks in the Red Army in 1935, he received the title of division commander.

In 1936K. K. Rokossovsky commands the 5th Cavalry Corps in Pskov.

Arrest

June 27, 1937 Konstantin Rokossovsky was expelled from the CPSU (b) "for the loss of class vigilance." In the personal file of Rokossovsky there was information that he was closely associated with K. A. Tchaikovsky. In addition, on July 22, 1937, Rokossovsky was fired from the Red Army "due to service inconsistency."

In August 1937, Rokossovsky went to Leningrad, where he was arrested on charges of having connections with the Polish and Japanese intelligence services, becoming a victim of false testimony.

On March 22, 1940, Rokossovsky was released, due to the termination of the case, at the request of S. K. Timoshenko V. Stalin, and rehabilitated. K. K. Rokossovsky was fully restored in his rights, in the Red Army position and in the party, and in the same year, with the introduction of general ranks in the Red Army, he was awarded the title of Major General.

The Great Patriotic War.

By the beginning of World War II, he commanded the 9th mechanized corps in the battle of Dubno-Lutsk-Brody. Despite the shortage of tanks and vehicles, the troops of the 9th mechanized corps during June - July 1941 exhausted the enemy with active defense, retreating only on orders. For success he was presented to the 4th Order of the Red Banner

Battle for Moscow

At the beginning of the Moscow battle, the main forces of the 16th army of Rokossovsky fell into the Vyazemsky "cauldron", however, the management of the 16th army, having transferred the troops of the 19th army, managed to get out of the encirclement. The “new” 16th Army was ordered to cover the Volokolamsk direction, while Rokossovsky was forced to gather troops for himself. Soon, a continuous line of defense was restored near Moscow, and stubborn battles ensued. Rokossovsky himself wrote about this battle:

In connection with the breakthrough of the defense in the sector of the 30th Army and the withdrawal of units of the 5th Army, the troops of the 16th Army, fighting for every meter, were pushed back in fierce battles to Moscow at the turn: north of Krasnaya Polyana, Kryukovo, Istra, and on this line, in fierce battles, they finally stopped the German offensive, and then moving on to a general counteroffensive, together with other armies, carried out according to the plan of Comrade Stalin, the enemy was defeated and driven back far from Moscow

It was near Moscow that K.K. Rokossovsky acquired military authority, and was also awarded the Order of Lenin.

Wound.

On March 8, 1942, Rokossovsky was wounded as a result of a shell explosion. The fragment hit the right lung, liver, ribs and spine. After an operation in Kozelsk, he was taken to a Moscow hospital in the building of the Timiryazev Academy, where he received treatment until May 23, 1942.

Stalingrad battle.

On May 26, Konstantin Konstantinovich arrived in Sukhinichi and again took command of the 16th Army. On September 30, 1942, with the rank of Lieutenant General K. K. Rokossovsky, he was appointed commander of the Don Front. With his participation, the planning operation "Uranus" was developed to encircle and destroy the enemy group advancing on Stalingrad. On November 19, 1942, the operation began with the forces of several fronts, and on November 23, a ring around the 6th Army of General F. Paulus was closed. Rokossovsky later summed it up:

the task was successfully completed, connected with the participation of the troops of the Don Front in the general offensive, carried out according to the plan of Comrade Stalin, which resulted in the complete encirclement of the entire Stalingrad group of Germans ...

The Headquarters entrusted the leadership of defeating the enemy grouping to the Don Front, headed by K.K. Rokossovsky, who on January 15, 1943 received the rank of colonel general.

On January 31, 1943, troops under the command of K. K. Rokossovsky captured Field Marshal F. von Paulus, 24 generals, 2,500 German officers, 90 thousand soldiers. On January 28, he was awarded the newly established Suvorov Order. From that moment on, I. V. Stalin began to call K. K. Rokossovsky by his first name and patronymic, only marshal B was honored with such an appeal. M. Shaposhnikov.

Battle of Kursk.

In February - March 1943, Rokossovsky led the troops of the Central Front in the Sevskaya operation.

From intelligence reports it followed that in the summer the Germans were planning a big offensive in the Kursk region. A number of commanders proposed a large-scale offensive in the summer of 1943, but K.K. Rokossovsky had a different opinion. According to his point of view, a double, triple superiority of forces was necessary for an offensive operation, which the Soviet troops did not have in this direction. Rokossovsky believed that in order to stop the German offensive near Kursk, it was advisable to go on the defensive. K.K. Rokossovsky proved to be a brilliant strategist and analyst - on the basis of intelligence data, he managed to accurately determine the area where the Germans struck the main blow, create a defense in depth in this area and concentrate about half of his infantry, 60% of artillery and 70% of tanks. The defense of Rokossovsky turned out to be so adjusted and stable that he was able to transfer a significant part of his reserves to other fronts.

After the Battle of Kursk, Rokossovsky successfully carried out a number of operations with the forces of the Central Front, namely: the Chernigov-Pripyat operation, the Gomel-Rechitsa operation, the Kalinkovichi-Mozyr operation.

Belarusian operation.

I would also like to note the Belarusian operation, in which the military talent of K.K. Rokossovsky was fully manifested during the operation to liberate Belarus.

The operation plan was developed by Rokossovsky together with A. M. Vasilevsky G. K. Zhukov.

The main idea of ​​this plan was proposed by Konstantin Konstantinovich and consisted in striking in two main directions, which ensured the coverage of the enemy's flanks and did not give the latter the opportunity to maneuver with reserves.

On June 29, 1944, General of the Army K.K. Rokossovsky was awarded the diamond star of the Marshal of the Soviet Union, and on July 30, the first Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union.

End of the war

In the final stages of the war, the command of the 1st Belorussian Front was given to Zhukov, while Konstantin Rokossovsky was transferred to the 2nd Belorussian Front.

In the course of a number of operations, Rokossovsky once again proved his talent as a commander. Thanks to skillful maneuvering and concentration of forces, Rokossovsky managed to destroy significant enemy forces.

Rokossovsky was awarded the second Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union.

June 24, 1945, by decision of I. V. StalinK. K. Rokossovsky commanded the Victory Parade in Moscow (received the Victory Parade G. K. Zhukov). May 1, 1946 Rokossovsky takes the parade.

Conclusion.

Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky is an outstanding military leader of the Soviet Union. Thanks to his decisive and at the same time thoughtful actions, a number of key battles were won.

Application.

Awards:

Order "Victory" (No. 6 - 03/30/1945)

2 medals "Gold Star" of the Hero of the Soviet Union (07/29/1944, 06/1/1945)

7 Orders of Lenin

Order of the October Revolution (22.02.1968)

6 orders of the Red Banner

Order of Suvorov, 1st class (01/28/1943)

Order of Kutuzov, 1st class (08/27/1943)

Medal "For the Defense of Moscow" (05/01/1944)

Medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad" (12/22/1942)

Medal "For the Defense of Kyiv" (21.06.1961)

Medal "For the victory over Germany" (9.05.1945)

Medal "Twenty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" (05/07/1965)

Medal "For the Capture of Koenigsberg" (06/09/1945)

Rokossovsky

Konstantin Konstantinovich

Battles and victories

Soviet military leader and statesman, one of the most prominent commanders of World War II.
According to a contemporary, it is hardly possible to name another commander who would have acted so successfully both in defensive and offensive operations.
He commanded the historic Victory Parade in Moscow.

ROKOSSOVSKY KONSTANTIN KONSTANTINOVICH (Ksaverievich) (12/21/1896 - 08/03/1968) was born in Warsaw. His father, Pole Ksavier Rokossovsky, worked as a railway engineer, then as a railway auditor, and his mother worked as a teacher. In the 1920s, due to the constant distortion of the patronymic, Konstantin Rokossovsky began to be called Konstantin Konstantinovich. As a teenager, he was left an orphan. First, his father died, at the age of 14 he lost his mother. His parents helped him to get a school education, and after their death - relatives.

Rokossovsky began to work early. He tried several professions, including a textile factory worker and a stonemason. To the first world war, having added two years to himself, he volunteered for the front. “From early childhood,” Konstantin Konstantinovich recalled, “I was fascinated by books about the war, military campaigns, battles, bold cavalry attacks ... My dream was to experience everything that was said in the books myself.” Served in the Kargopol Dragoon Regiment. For bravery he was awarded the St. George medals of the 3rd and 4th degrees and the St. George's Cross of the 4th degree. He became a junior non-commissioned officer.

Civil War

In October 1917 he deliberately joined the Red Guard. During the Civil War, he was part of the Red Guard detachment, commanded a squadron, cavalry division, regiment, brigade. In 1919 he joined the RCP(b). Fought on the Eastern Front. At the final stage of the Civil War, he fought with the bands of Baron Ungern in Transbaikalia. Was wounded twice.

Rokossovsky K.K.:

There is no worse crime in the Red Army, except for treason and refusal to serve, like assault, swearing and rudeness, that is, cases of humiliation of human dignity

In his certification it was noted: “Has a strong will, energetic, resolute. Possesses dashing, composure. Aged. Capable of showing useful initiative. Understands the environment well. Quick-witted. In relation to subordinates, as well as to himself, he is demanding. He loves military affairs ... He was awarded two Orders of the Red Banner for operations on the Eastern Front against Kolchak and Ungern. Carried out tasks of an organizational nature carefully. In view of the non-receipt of a special military education, it is desirable to send him to courses. The position of the regiment commander is quite consistent.

interwar time

In 1925 he graduated from the Cavalry advanced training courses for command personnel in Leningrad, in 1929 in Moscow - advanced training courses for senior officers at the Frunze Academy.

Commanding a cavalry brigade, he participated in battles on the Chinese Eastern Railway, for which he received the third Order of the Red Banner. Then he commanded the 7th Samara Cavalry Division in Belarus (one of its regiments was commanded by G.K. Zhukov), the 15th Cavalry Division in the Far East, which he brought to one of the best in the Red Army. For exemplary training of troops he was awarded the Order of Lenin. Commanded the 5th Cavalry Corps.

From the certification of K.K. Rokossovsky (1936):

Comrade Rokossovsky is a well-trained commander. He loves military affairs, is interested in it and constantly follows its development. A combat commander with will and energy… A very valuable and growing commander.

In August 1937, Rokossovsky was arrested, undeservedly accused of having connections with Polish and Japanese intelligence services, convicted, but in March 1940, at the request of S.K. Timoshenko, he was released and returned to the troops. Rokossovsky met the Great Patriotic War in the Kiev Special Military District as the commander of the 9th mechanized corps with the rank of major general.

The Great Patriotic War

On the morning of June 22, 1941, Rokossovsky raised the corps on alert, which, having made a many-kilometer march, immediately entered the battle. About how timely and the only correct actions of Rokossovsky were, I.Kh. Bagramyan: “The third day of the war was coming to an end. An increasingly alarming situation was developing on the Southwestern Front. The threat, in particular, hung over Lutsk, where the 15th mechanized corps of General I.I. Carpezo needed urgent support, otherwise the enemy tank wedges could cut and crush him. The units of the 87th and 124th rifle divisions, surrounded by the enemy near Lutsk, were also waiting for help. And when we at the front headquarters were racking our brains on how to help out the Lutsk grouping, the main forces of the 131st motorized and advanced detachments of the tank divisions of the 9th mechanized corps, commanded by K.K. Rokossovsky. Reading his report about this, we literally could not believe our eyes. How did Konstantin Konstantinovich succeed? After all, his so-called motorized division could only follow ... on foot. It turns out that on the very first day of the war, the decisive and enterprising corps commander, at his own peril and risk, took all the vehicles from the district reserve in Shepetovka - and there were about two hundred of them - planted infantry on them and moved in front of the corps in a combined march. The approach of its units to the Lutsk region saved the situation. They stopped the enemy tanks that had broken through and provided significant assistance to the formations retreating in a difficult situation.

The 9th mechanized corps under the command of Rokossovsky took part in the tank battle of 1941 near Dubno, Lutsk and Rovno. The actions of the Soviet tankmen did not then allow the enemy to encircle the Red Army troops in the Lvov salient. For military operations at the beginning of the war, Rokossovsky was awarded the fourth Order of the Red Banner.

CM. Shtemenko, General of the Army:

The military leader figure of Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky is very colorful. The most difficult role fell to his share in the famous Smolensk battle of 1941 and in defensive battles on the near approaches to Moscow ... The personal charm of Konstantin Konstantinovich is irresistible ... He was not only infinitely respected, but also sincerely loved by everyone who happened to come into contact with him in the service.

At the height of the fighting, Rokossovsky was called to Moscow, where he received a new assignment - to the Western Front. Front commander Marshal S.K. Tymoshenko, setting a combat mission for Rokossovsky, warned that the divisions intended for him had not yet arrived, therefore he ordered to subjugate any units and formations to organize resistance to the enemy in the Yartsevo region near Smolensk. So, right in the process of fighting, the formation of a formation began, which in the headquarters documents was called the group of General Rokossovsky.

IN AND. Kazakov, Marshal of Artillery:

Konstantin Konstantinovich possessed ... precious qualities that had a huge impact on those around him ... He was unusually simple and genuinely modest, sensitive and fair.

A man of high culture, he knew how to patiently listen to everyone, immediately highlight main idea in the judgments of the interlocutor and use the knowledge of the team in the interests of the cause.

“Having learned that in the Yartsevo region and along the eastern bank of the Vop River there were units that were resisting the Germans, people themselves were already reaching out to us ... - Rokossovsky recalled. - It seems to me important to testify to this as an eyewitness and participant in the events. Many units have experienced hard days. Dismembered by enemy tanks and aircraft, they were deprived of a unified leadership. And yet the soldiers of these units stubbornly sought opportunities to unite. They wanted to fight. This is what allowed us to succeed in our organizational efforts to put together a mobile group.

The successful actions of the "Rokossovsky group" contributed to the failure of the enemy's attempts to encircle and destroy the troops of the Western Front near Smolensk. After the Battle of Smolensk, Rokossovsky was appointed commander of the 16th Army, which especially distinguished itself in the Battle of Moscow. During the critical days of the defense of Moscow, its troops found themselves in the direction of the main attack of the German troops, defending the northwestern approaches to the capital, and did everything to stop the enemy. Konstantin Konstantinovich constantly set an example for his subordinates of vivacity, energy, innovation in solving operational and tactical tasks.

In the most difficult October 1941, in a conversation with a correspondent of the Krasnaya Zvezda, he confidently said:

When fighting near Moscow, one must think about Berlin. Soviet troops will definitely be in Berlin.

It is no coincidence that many illustrious commanders came out of the 16th Army - Panfilov, Dovator, Katukov, Beloborodov and others. In the winter of 1941-194. under the command of Rokossovsky, the 16th Army successfully participated in the counteroffensive near Moscow, but in March, in the newly liberated Sukhinichi, the commander was seriously wounded by a shell fragment.

Shortly after his recovery and return to the 16th Army, Rokossovsky was appointed commander of the Bryansk Front.

ON THE. Antipenko:

K.K. Rokossovsky, like most major military leaders, built his work on the principle of trust in his assistants. This trust was not blind: it became complete only when Konstantin Konstantinovich was personally and more than once convinced that he was being told the truth, and that everything possible had been done to solve the task; convinced of this, he saw in you a good comrade in arms, his friend. That is why the leadership of the front was so united and soldered: each of us sincerely valued the authority of his commander. Rokossovsky was not afraid at the front, he was loved.

From that moment until the end of the war, he commanded a number of fronts in the following sequence: Bryansk, Don, Central, Belorussian, 1st and 2nd Belorussian.
In the position of commander of the front, Rokossovsky's military talent was revealed in its entirety. Appointed in September 1942 as commander of the Don Front, together with the commanders of the Southwestern (N.F. Vatutin) and Stalingrad (A.I. Eremenko) fronts, Rokossovsky took a direct part in the preparation and conduct of Operation Uranus, the purpose of which was to encircle and the defeat of the Nazi group near Stalingrad.
After the enemy troops were in the "cauldron", by decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, it was the Don Front that was instructed to dismember and capture the encircled enemy grouping. For the victory in the Battle of Stalingrad, Rokossovsky was awarded the Order of Suvorov, 1st degree.

P.I. Batov, General of the Army:

He never imposed his preliminary decisions, approved a reasonable initiative and helped to develop it. Rokossovsky knew how to lead his subordinates in such a way that each officer and general willingly contributed his share of creativity to the common cause. With all this, K.K. Rokossovsky himself and we, the army commanders, well understood that the commander of our time without a strong will, without his firm convictions, without a personal assessment of events and people at the front, without his own style in operations, without intuition, that is without one's own "I", one cannot be.
The strong side of the activities of K.K. Rokossovsky has always been his intense desire to defeat the enemy at the cost of the smallest of his own victims. He never doubted success and victory. And this iron will was transferred to all his associates.

Since February 1943, Rokossovsky commanded the troops of the Central Front on the Kursk Bulge. Managed to properly prepare the troops for the upcoming summer offensive of the enemy. Having repelled the German offensive, the troops of the Central Front launched a counteroffensive, releasing Oryol on August 5.

In the summer of the following 1944, K.K. Rokossovsky, commanding the 1st Belorussian Front, brilliantly proved himself in Operation Bagration, during which the German Army Group Center suffered a crushing defeat in Belarus. When developing a solution and planning an operation, Konstantin Konstantinovich again showed the independence of operational thinking, a creative approach to fulfilling the task assigned to the front, and firmness in upholding the decision made.

A.E. Golovanov:

It is hardly possible to name another commander who would have acted so successfully both in defensive and offensive operations of the past war. Thanks to his broad military education, huge personal culture, skillful communication with his subordinates, whom he always treated with respect, never emphasizing his official position, strong-willed qualities and outstanding organizational skills, he earned himself indisputable authority, respect and love of all those with whom he had to fight. Possessing the gift of foresight, he almost always unmistakably guessed the intentions of the enemy, anticipated them and, as a rule, emerged victorious.

It is known from Rokossovsky’s memoirs that when discussing the plan of operation at Headquarters, Stalin, disagreeing with Rokossovsky’s proposal to deliver not one, but two main blows in order to encircle the enemy’s Bobruisk grouping, twice suggested that he go out and “think carefully.” The front commander, however, stood his ground. Subsequent events confirmed that the proposed solution was based on a sober calculation and understanding of the specific conditions of the situation. Operating in difficult swampy terrain, Rokossovsky's troops surrounded and destroyed more than five German divisions in the Bobruisk region during the first five days of the offensive, advancing 100-110 km.

The well-known British historian B. Liddell Hart, comparing the successes of the Red Army and the achievements of the Anglo-American allies, who had landed in Normandy shortly before, was able to show the fundamental difference between them.

Having made a breakthrough of the front line directly north of the Pinsk swamps, Rokossovsky's troops continued to develop the offensive at an average speed of 32 km per day ... Russian strikes led to a general collapse of the German defense system.

The allied troops on the western flank of the Normandy bridgehead under the command of General O. Bradley, in three weeks of fighting against a much less formidable enemy, advanced, as Liddell Garth calculated, only 8-13 km. Even before the end of the operation "Bagration" K.K. Rokossovsky was awarded the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union, and a month later - the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Developing success, the troops of the 1st Belorussian Front began to carry out the Lublin-Brest offensive operation, during which they reached the approaches to Warsaw. The German command, however, managed to gather reserves and organize a counterattack, forcing Rokossovsky's troops to go on the defensive. In August 1944, erroneously assessing the situation on the Soviet-German front, the Polish government in exile authorized an anti-fascist uprising in Warsaw. It was assumed that the liberation of the capital of Poland without the participation of Soviet troops would provide the "London Poles" with the restoration of their power in the country after the war. Despite the unexpectedness of what happened and the unwillingness of the leaders of the uprising to cooperate with Soviet command, Rokossovsky did everything he could to help the rebels. Exhausted in previous battles, the troops of the 1st Belorussian Front undertook a number of offensive actions, but without success. The uprising was put down.

In November 1944, before the start of the Vistula-Oder operation, Rokossovsky was transferred to the post of commander of the 2nd Belorussian Front. Instead of him, G.K. Zhukov was appointed to the Berlin direction.

Why such a disfavor that they transfer me from the main direction to a secondary section?

Rokossovsky asked Stalin.

Stalin replied that all three fronts (1st Belorussian, 2nd Belorussian and 1st Ukrainian) were the main ones, and the success of the upcoming operation would depend on their close interaction.

If you and Konev do not advance, then Zhukov will not advance anywhere ...

summed up the Supreme Commander.

Until the end of the war, K.K. Rokossovsky commanded the 2nd Belorussian Front, whose troops, together with other fronts, crushed the enemy in the East Prussian, East Pomeranian and, finally, Berlin strategic operations. The troops of the front defeated the formations of the Wehrmacht, which threatened the right flank of the Soviet troops aimed at Berlin. The entry of the 2nd Belorussian Front to the sea near Danzig, Kolberg, Swinemünde, and Rostock deprived the enemy of the opportunity to transfer troops from Courland, Norway, and Denmark to help Berlin.

A.M. Vasilevsky:

Commanding a number of fronts, and always in very responsible areas, Konstantin Konstantinovich, with his hard work, great knowledge, courage, bravery, great capacity for work and constant concern for his subordinates, earned himself exceptional respect and ardent love. I am happy that I had the opportunity during the Great Patriotic War to witness the military talent of Konstantin Konstantinovich, his enviable calmness in all cases, his ability to find a wise solution to the most difficult issue.

March 31, 1945, Marshal Rokossovsky, one of the first among the Soviet military leaders "for the skillful leadership of major operations, as a result of which outstanding successes were achieved in the defeat of the Nazi troops", was awarded the Order of Victory, and on May 2, 1945 for the second time awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

June 24, 1945 K.K. Rokossovsky commanded the historic Victory Parade in Moscow, which was hosted by Marshal G.K. Zhukov. “I took the command of the Victory Parade as the highest award for all my many years of service in the Armed Forces,” Marshal said at the Kremlin reception in honor of the parade participants.

G.K. Zhukov:

Rokossovsky was a very good boss. He brilliantly knew military affairs, clearly set tasks, intelligently and tactfully checked the execution of his orders. He showed constant attention to his subordinates and, perhaps, like no one else, he knew how to evaluate and develop the initiative of his subordinate commanders. He gave a lot to others and at the same time knew how to learn from them. I'm not talking about his rare spiritual qualities - they are known to everyone who served at least a little under his command. “It is difficult for me to remember a more thorough, efficient, hardworking and by and large gifted person.

post-war period

After the war, K.K. Rokossovsky held various command and government positions. In particular, from 1949 to 1956 he was the Minister of National Defense of Poland. He was awarded the military rank of Marshal of Poland.

In 1956-1957 K.K. Rokossovsky was the deputy. Minister of Defense of the USSR (G.K. Zhukov was then the minister). But in 1957 he was transferred to the commander of the Transcaucasian Military District. In 1958-1962 again - deputy. Minister of Defense and Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR. In April 1962, N.S. Khrushchev asked K.K. Rokossovsky to write an article about I.V. Stalin in the spirit of the well-known resolution of the XX Congress of the CPSU on the "cult of personality". But the marshal resolutely refused to carry out this political order, and the next day he was removed from his post. Last years life was in the group of general inspectors of the Ministry of Defense, was seriously ill. He died at the age of 72. Urn with ashes - in the Kremlin wall.

For the military style of K.K. Rokossovsky is characterized by the ability to avoid a pattern and straightforward actions, the ability to recognize the intentions of the enemy and use his weaknesses, to provide maximum fire support for troops in defense and offensive, the desire to achieve results not by numbers, but by skill.

M.A. Gareev, General of the Army:

He gave modern officers a great example of innovation and unceasing creativity in the art of war, which all officers must tirelessly learn.

He did not just react to the evolving situation, but sought to influence it in the right direction by misinforming the enemy, using methods of action unexpected for him, imposing his will, skillfully stimulating the actions of his troops.

Rokossovsky K.K.:

In battle, the most important thing is the perfect coordination of actions. The commander of the front and the ordinary soldier at times equally influence success, and often ordinary soldiers, commanders of companies, battalions, batteries make a decisive contribution to the outcome of the battle ... Of course, the decisions of the High Command are of great importance ... But the main thing is the soldiers.

In the memory of people who communicated with K.K. Rokossovsky, he remained as a tall, stately, charming man, sincere and intelligent. At the same time, he certainly possessed personal courage and courage.

THEIR. Bagramyan:

Konstantin Konstantinovich stood out for his almost two-meter height. Moreover, he struck with grace and elegance, as he was unusually slender and truly classically complex. He carried himself freely, but, perhaps, a little shyly, and a kind smile, illuminating his handsome face, attracted to him. This appearance harmonized perfectly with the whole spiritual structure of Konstantin Konstantinovich, which I soon became convinced of, becoming firmly, for life, friends with him.

He could often be seen in the trenches, at the forefront, among soldiers and officers. “If you don’t stay in the trenches for a long time,” he said, “then you get the feeling that some important communication line has been cut off, and some very valuable information is missing.” One of the most prominent creators of the Victory, Rokossovsky summed up his military activities as follows:

The greatest happiness for a soldier is the realization that you helped your people defeat the enemy, defend the freedom of the Motherland, restore peace to it. The consciousness that you have fulfilled your duty as a soldier, a heavy and noble duty, higher than which there is nothing on earth!

Literature

Gareev M.A. Commanders of the Victory and their military heritage. M., 2003. pp.222-235.

Korolchenko A.F. Marshal Rokossovsky. M., 1999

Rubtsov Yu.V. "Soviet Bagration". Marshal K.K. Rokossovsky. New and recent history. 2004. №6

Internet

Yu.A. Nikiforov, Ph.D., head. Department of History, Philosophy and Cultural Studies of the Moscow State humanitarian university them. Sholokhov

Ivan III Vasilyevich

He united the Russian lands around Moscow, threw off the hated Tatar-Mongol yoke.

Drozdovsky Mikhail Gordeevich

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

Denikin Anton Ivanovich

Russian military leader, political and public figure, writer, memoirist, publicist and war documentary.
Member of the Russo-Japanese War. One of the most productive generals of the Russian imperial army during the First World War. Commander of the 4th Rifle "Iron" Brigade (1914-1916, since 1915 - deployed under his command into a division), 8th Army Corps (1916-1917). Lieutenant General of the General Staff (1916), commander of the Western and Southwestern Fronts (1917). An active participant in the military congresses of 1917, an opponent of the democratization of the army. He expressed support for the Kornilov speech, for which he was arrested by the Provisional Government, a member of the Berdichevsky and Bykhov sittings of generals (1917).
One of the main leaders white movement during the Civil War, its leader in the South of Russia (1918-1920). He achieved the greatest military and political results among all the leaders of the White movement. Pioneer, one of the main organizers, and then commander of the Volunteer Army (1918-1919). Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the South of Russia (1919-1920), Deputy Supreme Ruler and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army, Admiral Kolchak (1919-1920).
Since April 1920 - an emigrant, one of the main political figures of the Russian emigration. The author of the memoirs "Essays on the Russian Troubles" (1921-1926) - a fundamental historical and biographical work about the Civil War in Russia, the memoirs "The Old Army" (1929-1931), the autobiographical story "The Way of the Russian Officer" (published in 1953) and a number of other works.

Izylmetiev Ivan Nikolaevich

Commanded the frigate "Aurora". He made the transition from St. Petersburg to Kamchatka in a record time for those times in 66 days. In the bay, Callao eluded the Anglo-French squadron. Arriving in Petropavlovsk, together with the governor of the Kamchatka Territory, Zavoyko V. organized the defense of the city, during which the sailors from the Aurora, together with the locals, threw into the sea an outnumbering Anglo-French landing force. Then he took the Aurora to the Amur Estuary, hiding it there .After these events, the British public demanded trial of the admirals who lost the Russian frigate.

Shein Mikhail Borisovich

Governor Shein - the hero and leader of the unprecedented defense of Smolensk in 1609-16011. This fortress decided a lot in the fate of Russia!

Nakhimov Pavel Stepanovich

Because it inspires many by personal example.

Romanov Petr Alekseevich

Behind the endless discussions about Peter I as a politician and reformer, it is unfairly forgotten that he was the greatest commander of his time. He was not only an excellent rear organizer. In the two most important battles of the Northern War (the battles of Lesnaya and Poltava), he not only developed battle plans himself, but also personally led the troops, being in the most important, responsible areas.
The only commander I know of was equally talented in both land and sea battles.
The main thing is that Peter I created a national military school. If all the great commanders of Russia are the heirs of Suvorov, then Suvorov himself is the heir of Peter.
The Battle of Poltava was one of the greatest (if not the greatest) victory in Russian history. In all other great predatory invasions of Russia, the general battle did not have a decisive outcome, and the struggle dragged on, went to exhaustion. And only in the Northern War did the general battle radically change the state of affairs, and from the attacking side the Swedes became the defender, decisively losing the initiative.
I think that Peter I deserves to be in the top three in the list of the best commanders of Russia.

Khvorostinin Dmitry Ivanovich

Outstanding commander of the second half of the XVI century. Oprichnik.
Genus. OK. 1520, died on August 7 (17), 1591. At the voivodship posts since 1560. Participated in almost all military enterprises during the independent reign of Ivan IV and the reign of Fyodor Ioannovich. He has won several field battles (including: the defeat of the Tatars near Zaraisk (1570), the Battle of Molodin (during the decisive battle he led the Russian detachments in Gulyai-gorod), the defeat of the Swedes at Lyamits (1582) and not far from Narva ( 1590)). He led the suppression of the Cheremis uprising in 1583-1584, for which he received the boyar rank.
According to the totality of the merits of D.I. Khvorostinin is much higher than M.I. Vorotynsky. Vorotynsky was more noble and therefore he was more often entrusted with the general leadership of the regiments. But, according to the commander's talents, he was far from Khvorostinin.

Tsesarevich and Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich

Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich, the second son of Emperor Paul I, received the title of Tsarevich in 1799 for participation in the Swiss campaign of A.V. Suvorov, retaining 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 peoples" at Leipzig in 1813 he received the "golden weapon" "For courage!". Inspector General of the Russian Cavalry, since 1826 Viceroy of the Kingdom of Poland.

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 a good memory.

Kazarsky Alexander Ivanovich

Captain Lieutenant. Member of the Russian-Turkish war of 1828-29. He distinguished himself in the capture of Anapa, then Varna, commanding the Rival transport. After that, he was promoted to lieutenant commander and appointed captain of the Mercury brig. On May 14, 1829, the 18-gun brig "Mercury" was overtaken by two Turkish battleships"Selimiye" and "Real Bey" Having accepted an unequal battle, the brig was able to immobilize both Turkish flagships, one of which was the commander of the Ottoman fleet himself. Subsequently, an officer from Real Bey wrote: “In the continuation of the battle, the commander of the Russian frigate (the infamous Raphael, which surrendered without a fight a few days earlier) told me that the captain of this brig would not give up, and if he lost hope, then he would blow up the brig If in the great deeds of ancient and our times there are feats of courage, then this act should overshadow all of them, and the name of this hero is worthy to be inscribed in gold letters on the temple of Glory: he is called Lieutenant Commander Kazarsky, and the brig is "Mercury"

Muravyov-Karssky Nikolai Nikolaevich

One of the most successful commanders of the middle of the 19th century in the Turkish direction.

Hero of the first capture of Kars (1828), leader of the second capture of Kars (the biggest success of the Crimean War, 1855, which made it possible to end the war without territorial losses for Russia).

John 4 Vasilyevich

Uborevich Ieronim Petrovich

Soviet military leader, commander of the 1st rank (1935). Member of the Communist Party since March 1917. Born in the village of Aptandriyus (now the Utena region of the Lithuanian SSR) in the family of a Lithuanian peasant. He graduated from the Konstantinovsky Artillery School (1916). Member of the 1st World War 1914-18, second lieutenant. After October revolution 1917 was one of the organizers of the Red Guard in Bessarabia. In January - February 1918 he commanded a revolutionary detachment in battles against the Romanian and Austro-German invaders, was wounded and captured, from where he fled in August 1918. He was an artillery instructor, commander of the Dvina brigade on the Northern Front, from December 1918 the head of the 18 divisions of the 6th Army. From October 1919 to February 1920 he was commander of the 14th Army during the defeat of the troops of General Denikin, in March - April 1920 he commanded the 9th Army in the North Caucasus. In May - July and November - December 1920 the commander of the 14th Army in battles against the troops of bourgeois Poland and the Petliurists, in July - November 1920 - the 13th Army in battles against the Wrangelites. In 1921, assistant commander of the troops of the Ukraine and Crimea, deputy commander of the troops of the Tambov province, commander of the troops of the Minsk province, led the fighting in the defeat of the gangs of Makhno, Antonov and Bulak-Balakhovich. From August 1921 commander of the 5th Army and the East Siberian Military District. In August - December 1922, Minister of War of the Far Eastern Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the People's Revolutionary Army during the liberation Far East. He was commander of the North Caucasian (since 1925), Moscow (since 1928) and Belorussian (since 1931) military districts. Since 1926 he was a member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR, in 1930-31 he was deputy chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR and head of armaments of the Red Army. Since 1934 he has been a member of the Military Council of the NPO. He made a great contribution to the strengthening of the defense capability of the USSR, the education and training of command personnel and troops. Candidate member of the Central Committee of the CPSU (b) in 1930-37. Member of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee since December 1922. He was awarded 3 Orders of the Red Banner and Honorary Revolutionary Weapons.

Rurikovich (Grozny) Ivan Vasilyevich

In the variety of perceptions of Ivan the Terrible, they often forget about his unconditional talent and achievements as a commander. He personally led the capture of Kazan and organized military reform, leading the country, which simultaneously waged 2-3 wars on different fronts.

Baklanov Yakov Petrovich

An outstanding strategist and a mighty warrior, he earned respect and fear of his name from the invincible highlanders who forgot the iron grip of the "Thunderstorm of the Caucasus". At the moment - Yakov Petrovich, a model 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.

Ermak Timofeevich

Russian. Cossack. Ataman. Defeated Kuchum and his satellites. Approved Siberia as part of the Russian state. He devoted his whole life to military work.

Bennigsen Leonty Leontievich

Surprisingly, a Russian general who did not speak Russian, who made up the glory of Russian weapons at the beginning of the 19th century.

He made a significant contribution to the suppression of the Polish uprising.

Commander-in-Chief in the Battle of Tarutino.

He made a significant contribution to the campaign of 1813 (Dresden and Leipzig).

Makhno Nestor Ivanovich

Over the mountains, over the valleys
waiting for your blues for a long time
wise father, glorious father,
our kind father - Makhno ...

(peasant song from the Civil War)

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

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

Yudenich Nikolai Nikolaevich

One of the most successful Russian generals during the First World War. The Erzerum and Sarakamysh operations carried out by him on the Caucasian front, carried out in extremely unfavorable conditions for the Russian troops, and ending in victories, I believe, deserve to be included in a row with the brightest victories of Russian weapons. In addition, Nikolai Nikolayevich, distinguished by modesty and decency, lived and died an honest Russian officer, remained faithful to the oath to the end.

Kotlyarevsky Petr Stepanovich

General Kotlyarevsky, son of a priest in the village of Olkhovatka, Kharkov province. Went from Private to General tsarist army. He can be called the great-grandfather of the Russian special forces. He carried out truly unique operations ... His name is worthy of being included in the list of the greatest commanders of Russia

Chichagov Vasily Yakovlevich

He excellently commanded the Baltic Fleet in the campaigns of 1789 and 1790. He won victories in the battle of Eland (15/07/1789), in Revel (02/05/1790) and Vyborg (06/22/1790) battles. After the last two defeats, which had strategic importance, domination 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.

Spiridov Grigory Andreevich

Became a sailor under Peter I, an officer participated in the Russian-Turkish war (1735-1739), Seven Years' War(1756-1763) graduated as Rear Admiral. The peak of his naval and diplomatic talent reached during the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774. In 1769, he led the first transition of the Russian fleet from the Baltic to the Mediterranean Sea. Despite the difficulties of the transition (among those who died from diseases was the son of the admiral - his grave was recently found on the island of Menorca), he quickly established control over the Greek archipelago. The Chesme battle in June 1770 remained unsurpassed in terms of loss ratio: 11 Russians - 11 thousand Turks! On the island of Paros, the Aouza naval base was equipped with coastal batteries and its own Admiralty.
The Russian fleet left the Mediterranean Sea after the conclusion of the Kuchuk-Kaynardzhiysky peace in July 1774. The Greek islands and the lands of the Levant, including Beirut, were returned to Turkey in exchange for territories in the Black Sea region. Nevertheless, the activities of the Russian fleet in the Archipelago were not in vain and played a significant role in world naval history. Russia, having made a strategic maneuver with the forces of the fleet from one theater to another and having achieved a number of high-profile victories over the enemy, for the first time forced to talk about itself as a strong maritime power and an important player in European politics.

Suvorov Alexander Vasilievich

Outstanding Russian commander. He successfully defended the interests of Russia both from external aggression and outside the country.

Chapaev Vasily Ivanovich

01/28/1887 - 09/05/1919 life. Head of a division of the Red Army, participant in the First World War and the Civil War.
Cavalier of three St. George's crosses and the St. George medal. Cavalier of the Order of the Red Banner.
On his account:
- Organization of the county Red Guard of 14 detachments.
- Participation in the campaign against General Kaledin (near Tsaritsyn).
- Participation in the campaign of the Special Army against Uralsk.
- An initiative to reorganize the Red Guard detachments into two regiments of the Red Army: 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 in honor of the brigade in Pugachevsk.
- Since September 19, 1918, the commander of the 2nd Nikolaev division.
- From February 1919 - Commissar of Internal Affairs of the Nikolaevsky district.
- From May 1919 - brigade commander of the Special Alexander-Gai Brigade.
- Since June - the head of the 25th Infantry Division, which participated in the Bugulma and Belebeev operations against Kolchak's army.
- The capture by the forces of his division on June 9, 1919 of Ufa.
- The capture of Uralsk.
- A deep raid by 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.

Donskoy Dmitry Ivanovich

His army won the Kulikovo victory.

Brusilov Alexey Alekseevich

During the First World War, the commander of the 8th Army in the Battle of Galicia. On August 15-16, 1914, during the Rogatin battles, he defeated the 2nd Austro-Hungarian army, capturing 20 thousand people. and 70 guns. Galich was taken on August 20. 8th Army takes Active participation in the battles at Rava-Russian and in the Battle of Gorodok. In September he commanded a group of troops from the 8th and 3rd armies. September 28 - October 11, his army withstood the counterattack of the 2nd and 3rd Austro-Hungarian armies in the 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.

Prince Svyatoslav

Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich

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

Dubynin Viktor Petrovich

From April 30, 1986 to June 1, 1987 - Commander of the 40th Combined Arms Army of the Turkestan Military District. The troops of this army made up the bulk of the Limited Contingent of Soviet Troops in Afghanistan. During the year of his command of the army, the number of irretrievable losses decreased by 2 times in comparison with 1984-1985.
On June 10, 1992, Colonel General V.P. Dubynin was appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces - First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation
His merits include keeping the President of the Russian Federation B. N. Yeltsin from a number of ill-conceived decisions in the military sphere, primarily in the field of nuclear forces.

Romodanovsky Grigory Grigorievich

An outstanding military leader of the 17th century, prince and governor. In 1655, he won his first victory over the Polish hetman S. Pototsky near Gorodok in Galicia. Later, being the 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 biggest victory in the Russian-Polish war for Ukraine in the battle of Kanev, defeating the traitorous hetman Y. Khmelnitsky 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 Jan Casimir to retreat. Repeatedly beat Crimean Tatars. In 1677 he defeated the 100,000th Turkish army of Ibrahim Pasha near Buzhin, 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.

Ridiger Fedor Vasilievich

Adjutant general, cavalry general, adjutant general... He had three Golden sabers with the inscription: "For courage"... In 1849, Ridiger participated in a campaign in Hungary to suppress the unrest that arose there, being appointed head of the right column. On May 9, Russian troops entered the borders of the Austrian Empire. He pursued the rebel army until August 1, forcing them to lay down their arms in front of the Russian troops near Vilyaghosh. On August 5, the troops entrusted to him occupied the fortress of Arad. During the trip of Field Marshal Ivan Fedorovich Paskevich to Warsaw, Count Ridiger commanded the troops stationed in Hungary and Transylvania ... On February 21, 1854, during the absence of Field Marshal Prince Paskevich in the Kingdom of Poland, Count Ridiger commanded all the troops located in the area of ​​​​the active army - as a commander separate corps and at the same time served as head of the Kingdom of Poland. After the return of Field Marshal Prince Paskevich to Warsaw, from August 3, 1854, he served as the Warsaw military governor.

Maximov Evgeny Yakovlevich

Russian hero of the Transvaal War. He was a volunteer in fraternal Serbia, participating in the Russian-Turkish war. At the beginning of the 20th century, the British began to wage war against a small people, the Boers. Japanese war. In addition to his military career, he distinguished himself in the literary field.

Yulaev Salavat

The commander of the Pugachev era (1773-1775). Together with Pugachev, having organized an uprising, he tried to change the position of the peasants in society. He won several dinners over the troops of Catherine II.

Alekseev Mikhail Vasilievich

Outstanding Employee Russian Academy General Staff. The developer and executor of the Galician operation - the first brilliant victory of the Russian army in the Great War.
Saved from the encirclement of the troops of the North-Western Front during the "Great Retreat" of 1915.
Chief of Staff of the Russian Armed Forces in 1916-1917
Supreme Commander 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 ( Volunteer army- 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.

Kornilov Vladimir Alekseevich

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

Svyatoslav Igorevich

I want to propose the "candidates" of Svyatoslav and his father, Igor, as the greatest commanders and political leaders of my time, I think that it makes no sense to list their merits to the fatherland to historians, I was unpleasantly surprised not to find their names on this list. Sincerely.

Bobrok-Volynsky Dmitry Mikhailovich

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

Dovator Lev Mikhailovich

Soviet military leader, major general, Hero of the Soviet Union. Known for successful operations to destroy German troops during the Great Patriotic War. The German command appointed a large reward for the head of Dovator.
Together with the 8th Guards Division named after Major General I.V. Panfilov, the 1st Guards Tank Brigade of General M.E. Katukov and other troops of the 16th Army, his corps defended the approaches to Moscow in the Volokolamsk direction.

Yuri Vsevolodovich

Bagration, Denis Davydov...

The war of 1812, the glorious names of Bagration, Barclay, Davydov, Platov. An example of honor and courage.

Khvorostinin Dmitry Ivanovich

The commander who did not have defeats ...

Soldier, several wars (including World War I and World War II). passed the way to Marshal of the USSR and Poland. Military intellectual. not resorting to "obscene leadership." he knew tactics in military affairs to the subtleties. practice, strategy and operational art.

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 charges, "This is crazy! - No, this is the 17th Jaeger Regiment!"). A golden, platinum page of Russian history, combining the slaughter of madness with the highest tactical skill, delightful cunning and stunning Russian impudence

Yaroslav the Wise

Minich Burchard-Christopher

One of the best Russian generals and military engineers. The first commander who entered the Crimea. Winner at Stavucany.

Dolgorukov Yury Alekseevich

An outstanding statesman and military leader of the era of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, prince. Commanding the Russian army in Lithuania, in 1658 he defeated hetman V. Gonsevsky in the battle of Verki, taking him prisoner. This was the first time after 1500 when a Russian governor captured the hetman. In 1660, at the head of an army sent under Mogilev, besieged by the Polish-Lithuanian troops, he won a strategic victory over the enemy on the Basya River near the village of Gubarevo, forcing hetmans P. Sapega and S. Czarnetsky to retreat from the city. Thanks to the actions of Dolgorukov, the "front line" in Belarus along the Dnieper was preserved until the end of the war of 1654-1667. In 1670, he led an army sent to fight against the Cossacks of Stenka Razin, in the shortest possible time suppressed the Cossack rebellion, which later led to the Don Cossacks swearing allegiance to the tsar and turning the Cossacks from robbers into "sovereign servants".

Udatny Mstislav Mstislavovich

A real knight, recognized as a fair commander in Europe

Grachev Pavel Sergeevich

Hero of the Soviet Union. May 5, 1988 "for the performance of combat missions with minimal casualties and for the professional command of a controlled formation and the successful actions of the 103rd Airborne Division, in particular, to occupy the strategically important pass Satukandav (Khost province) during the military operation" Highway " "Received the Gold Star medal No. 11573. Commander Airborne troops THE USSR. In total, during his military service, he made 647 parachute jumps, some of them while testing new equipment.
He was shell-shocked 8 times, received several wounds. Suppressed the armed coup in Moscow and thereby saved the system of democracy. As Minister of Defense, he made great efforts to preserve the remnants of the army - a task that few people had in the history of Russia. Only because of the collapse of the army and a decrease in the number of military equipment in the Armed Forces, he could not end the Chechen war victoriously.

Uvarov Fedor Petrovich

At the age of 27 he was promoted to general. Participated in the campaigns of 1805-1807 and in the battles on the Danube in 1810. In 1812 he commanded the 1st artillery corps in the army of Barclay de Tolly, and later - the entire cavalry of the combined armies.

Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich

"As a military figure I.V. Stalin, I studied thoroughly, since I went through the whole war with him. I.V. Stalin mastered the organization of front-line operations and operations of front groups and led them with full knowledge business, well versed in big strategic issues ...
In leading the armed struggle as a whole, JV Stalin was assisted by his natural mind and rich intuition. He knew how to find the main link in a strategic situation and, seizing on it, to counteract the enemy, to conduct one or another major offensive operation. Undoubtedly, he was a worthy Supreme Commander"
Kotlyarevsky Petr Stepanovich

Hero Russo-Persian War 1804-1813 At one time they called the Caucasian Suvorov. On October 19, 1812, at the Aslanduz ford across the Araks, at the head of a detachment of 2221 people with 6 guns, Pyotr Stepanovich defeated the Persian army of 30,000 people with 12 guns. In other battles, he also acted not by number, but by skill.

Antonov Alexey Innokentievich

He became famous as a talented staff officer. Participated in the development of almost all significant operations of the Soviet troops in the Great Patriotic War since December 1942.
The only one of all the awarded Soviet military leaders with the Order of Victory in the rank of army general, and the only Soviet holder of the order who was not awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Kappel Vladimir Oskarovich

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

Barclay de Tolly Mikhail Bogdanovich

It's simple - It was he, as a commander, who introduced largest contribution in the defeat of Napoleon. He saved the army in the most difficult conditions, despite misunderstanding and heavy accusations of betrayal. It was to him that our practically contemporary of those events great poet Pushkin dedicated the verse "Commander".
Pushkin, recognizing the merits of Kutuzov, did not oppose him to Barclay. To replace 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 their descendants, but everyone honors Kutuzov, but Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly is undeserved forgotten.
Pushkin mentioned Barclay de Tolly even earlier, in one of the chapters of "Eugene Onegin" -

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

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.

Platov Matvei Ivanovich

Ataman of the Great Don Army (since 1801), cavalry general (1809), who took part in all the wars of the Russian Empire late XVIII- the beginning of the 19th century.
In 1771 he distinguished himself in the attack and capture of the Perekop line and Kinburn. From 1772 he began to command a Cossack regiment. 2nd Turkish war distinguished himself during the assault on Ochakov and Ishmael. 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, he defeated the enemy near the town 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 French army Platov, pursuing her, inflicted defeats on her at Gorodnya, the Kolotsk Monastery, Gzhatsk, Tsarevo-Zaimishch, near Dukhovshchina and while crossing the Vop River. For merit he was elevated to the dignity of a count. In November, Platov occupied Smolensk from battle and defeated the troops of Marshal Ney near Dubrovna. At the beginning of January 1813 he entered the borders of Prussia and overlaid 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 in the capture of Nemur, at Arcy-sur-Aube, Cezanne, Villeneuve. He was awarded the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called.

Denikin Anton Ivanovich

One of the most talented and successful commanders of the First World War. A native of a poor family, he made a brilliant military career, relying solely on his own virtues. Member of the REV, WWI, graduate of the Nikolaev Academy general staff. He fully realized his talent commanding the legendary "Iron" brigade, then deployed into a division. Member and one of the main actors Brusilov breakthrough. He remained a man of honor even after the collapse of the army, a prisoner of Bykhov. Member of the ice campaign and commander of the All-Russian Union of Youth. For more than a year and a half, having very modest resources and far inferior in number to the Bolsheviks, he won victory after victory, freeing a huge 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 a difficult time for the Motherland, who was not afraid to light a torch of hope.

Nakhimov Pavel Stepanovich

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

Stalin (Dzhugashvili) Joseph Vissarionovich

He was the Supreme Commander of all the armed forces of the Soviet Union. Thanks to his talent as a Commander and an Outstanding Statesman, the USSR won the bloodiest WAR in the history of mankind. Most of the battles of the Second World War were won with his direct participation in the development of their plans.

Gavrilov Petr Mikhailovich

From the first days of the Great Patriotic War - in the army. Major Gavrilov P.M. from June 22 to July 23, 1941 led the defense of the Eastern Fort of the Brest Fortress. He managed to rally around him all the surviving soldiers and commanders of various units and subunits, close the most vulnerabilities to break through the enemy. On July 23, from a shell explosion in a casemate, he was seriously injured and unconsciously captured. He spent the war years in the Nazi concentration camps of Hammelburg and Revensburg, having experienced all the horrors of captivity. Released Soviet troops in May 1945. http://warheroes.ru/hero/hero.asp?Hero_id=484

Chuikov Vasily Ivanovich

Soviet military commander, Marshal of the Soviet Union (1955). Twice Hero of the Soviet Union (1944, 1945).
From 1942 to 1946 commander of the 62nd Army (8th guards army), who especially distinguished himself in the Battle of Stalingrad. He took part in defensive battles on the distant approaches to Stalingrad. From September 12, 1942 he commanded the 62nd Army. IN AND. Chuikov received the task of defending Stalingrad at any cost. The front command believed that Lieutenant General Chuikov was characterized by such positive qualities as decisiveness and firmness, courage and a broad operational outlook, a high sense of responsibility and consciousness of his duty. The army, under the command of V.I. Chuikov, became famous for the heroic six-month defense of Stalingrad in street battles in a completely destroyed city, fighting on isolated bridgeheads, on the banks of the wide Volga.

For unparalleled mass heroism and steadfastness of personnel, in April 1943, the 62nd Army received the guards honorary title of Guards and became known as the 8th Guards Army.

Vasilevsky Alexander Mikhailovich

The greatest commander of the Second World War. Two people in history were awarded the Order of Victory twice: Vasilevsky and Zhukov, but after the Second World War, it was Vasilevsky who became the Minister of Defense of the USSR. His military genius is unsurpassed by ANY military leader in the world.

Barclay de Tolly Mikhail Bogdanovich

Finnish war.
Strategic retreat in the first half of 1812
European campaign of 1812

Paskevich Ivan Fyodorovich

Hero of Borodin, Leipzig, Paris (division commander)
As commander in chief, he won 4 companies (Russian-Persian 1826-1828, Russian-Turkish 1828-1829, Polish 1830-1831, Hungarian 1849).
Knight of the Order of St. George 1st class - for the capture of Warsaw (according to the statute, the order was awarded either for saving the fatherland or for taking the enemy capital).
Field Marshal.

Benigsen Leonty

An unfairly forgotten commander. Having won several battles against Napoleon and his marshals, he drew two battles with Napoleon, losing one battle. Participated in the battle of Borodino. One of the contenders for the post of commander-in-chief of the Russian army during the Patriotic War of 1812!

Romanov Mikhail Timofeevich

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

Rurik Svyatoslav Igorevich

Year of birth 942 date of death 972 Expansion of the borders of the state. 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 foundation of Pereyaslavets on the Danube ( new capital Rus), 969, the defeat of the Pechenegs in the defense of Kyiv.

Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich

People's Commissar Defense of the USSR, Generalissimo of the Soviet Union, Supreme Commander. Brilliant military leadership of the USSR in World War II.

Grand Duke of Russia Mikhail Nikolaevich

Feldzeugmeister General (Commander-in-Chief of the Artillery of the Russian Army), the youngest son of Emperor Nicholas I, Viceroy in the Caucasus since 1864. Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army in the Caucasus in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 Under his command, the fortresses of Kars, Ardagan, and Bayazet were taken.

Yudenich Nikolai Nikolaevich

The best Russian commander during the First World War. An ardent patriot of his Motherland.

Blucher, Tukhachevsky

Blucher, Tukhachevsky and the whole galaxy of heroes of the Civil War. Don't forget Budyonny!

Denikin Anton Ivanovich

The commander under whose command the white army with smaller forces for 1.5 years won victories over the red army and captured 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 the Russian name during the Second World War, refusing to cooperate with the Nazis, despite his uncompromisingly anti-Soviet position

Boris Mikhailovich Shaposhnikov

Marshal of the Soviet Union, an outstanding Soviet military leader, military theorist.
B. M. Shaposhnikov made a significant contribution to the theory and practice of construction armed forces USSR, in their strengthening and improvement, training of military personnel.
Was a staunch advocate strict discipline, but the enemy shout. Rudeness in general was organically alien to him. True military intellectual, b. colonel in the imperial army.

My choice is Marshal I.S. Konev!

Active participant in World War I and civil wars. Trench general. He spent the entire war from Vyazma to Moscow and from Moscow to Prague in the most difficult and responsible position of front commander. Winner in many decisive battles of the Great Patriotic War. Liberator of a number of countries of Eastern Europe, participant in the storming of Berlin. Underestimated, unfairly remained in the shadow of Marshal Zhukov.

Rokossovsky Konstantin Konstantinovich (Ksaverievich) (born December 9 (21), 1896 - death August 3, 1968) - Pole. Soviet and Polish politician, statesman, commander. Marshal of the Soviet Union (1944), twice Hero of the Soviet Union. He commanded the Victory Parade in Moscow. During the Great Patriotic War (WWII) he commanded the troops of the Bryansk, Don, Central, 1st and 2nd Belorussian fronts. 1949, October - Minister of National Defense and Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the PPR, Marshal of Poland. 1956 - Deputy Minister of Defense of the USSR.

Marshal Rokossovsky - was one of the most brilliant commanders of the Second World War.

Origin. early years

The future marshal was born in Warsaw. His father Xavier Jozef Rokossovsky is an auditor of the Warsaw Railway of Polish origin. Xavier Jozef was from the noble family of Rokossovsky, who lost his nobility in the middle of the 19th century. Mother - Belarusian teacher Antonina (Atonida) Ovsyannikova.

In the 1920s, due to the constant distortion of the patronymic, Konstantin Ksaverievich began to be called Konstantin Konstantinovich. Even as a teenager, he was left an orphan. At first, the father died, at the age of 14, the mother died. His parents helped him in getting a school education, and when they were gone - relatives. Konstantin tried many professions, including being a textile factory worker and a stonemason.

1914 - began to serve in the Russian army. He took part in the First World War, which he graduated with the rank of junior non-commissioned officer of the 5th Kargopol Dragoon Regiment.

Military service (Short biography)

1917, October - joins the Red Guard, then the Red Army. He took part in the Civil War of 1918-1920. - commanded a squadron, a separate division and a cavalry regiment. 1925 - completed the cavalry advanced training courses for command personnel. 1929 - advanced training courses for senior officers at the Academy. M. V. Frunze.

During the Second World War 1941-1945. commanded the 9th Mechanized Corps (until 11 July 1941) Commander of the 16th Army on the Western Front (August 1941 - July 1942); Commander of the fronts: Bryansk (July - September 1942), Don (September 1942 - February 1943), Central (February - October 1943), Belorussian (October 1943 - February 1944), 1 th Belorussian (February - November 1944) and 2nd Belorussian (from November 1944 until the end of the war).

Armies under the command of Rokossovsky took part in the Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk battles, in the Belorussian, East Prussian, East Pomeranian, Berlin operations.

1945, June 24 - commanded the Victory Parade in Moscow. 1945-1949 He was commander-in-chief of the Northern Group of Forces. 1949, October - at the request of the government of the Polish People's Republic (PNR) and with the permission of Stalin, the marshal left for the PPR as Minister of National Defense and Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the PPR, conferring on him the military rank of Marshal of Poland. Rokossovsky was elected a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the PUWP and deputies of the Seimas.

1956 - Marshal Rokossovsky returned to the Soviet Union and was Deputy Minister of Defense of the USSR (November 1956 - June 1957); 1957, July - October - Chief Inspector - Deputy Minister of Defense of the USSR. 1957-1958 - Commander of the Transcaucasian Military District. January 1958 - April 1962 - Deputy Minister and Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union. April 1962 - Inspector General of the Group of General Inspectors of the USSR Ministry of Defense. Candidate member of the Central Committee of the CPSU (1956-1968) was a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of the 2nd, 5th-7th convocations.

Arrest

June 27, 1937 - Konstantin Konstantinovich was expelled from the CPSU (b) "for the loss of class vigilance." 1937, July 22 - Rokossovsky was fired from the Red Army "due to official inconsistency."

1937, August - upon arrival in Leningrad, he was arrested on charges of having links with Polish and Japanese intelligence, becoming a victim of false accusations.

1940, March 22 - Rokossovsky was released, in connection with the closure of the case, at the request of S.K. Timoshenko to Stalin, and rehabilitated. He was fully restored in his rights, in the Red Army position and in the party, and in the same year, with the introduction of general ranks in the Red Army, Rokossovsky was awarded the title of "major general".

Death

For several years, despite serious illness, he worked on the memoirs "Soldier's Duty" (1980), in which he did not mention in a single word about the arrest that had befallen him. Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky died on August 3, 1968. The urn with the ashes was buried in the Kremlin wall on Red Square in Moscow.

Personal life

It is believed that the handsome marshal was surrounded by female attention. In fact, handsome, charming and brave on the battlefield, Konstantin was timid and indecisive with girls.

He met his wife Yulia Petrovna Barmina in the city of Troitskosavsk (now Kyakhta) in Buryatia almost a year after he saw her at a performance in the local house of officers. The future marshal drove past the house of his beloved for several months, not daring to introduce himself. They married in April 1923 and had a daughter, Ariadne, in 1925.

It is known that in 1941 at the front, the commander met the beautiful military doctor Galina Vasilievna Talanova. 1945, January - she gave birth to his daughter Nadezhda. Rokossovsky gave his daughter his last name and tried to help, but he did not leave the family. As for the rumors about romance with the Soviet actress Valentina Serova and the Polish actress Alexandra Shlenskaya, these are rumors that have not been confirmed by any of the marshal's friends and acquaintances.

It was raining during the Victory Parade, but the marshal who commanded this historic parade could not hide under the canopy - he was with the troops. When he arrived home, it was impossible to take off his soaking wet parade uniform. My daughter had a chance to cut the uniform at the seams with scissors.

Field Marshal Paulus agreed to transfer his personal weapon only to Marshal Rokossovsky.

Daughter - Ariana (1925-1978) - shot herself, according to one version, from a Paulus pistol.

We can say that the marshal has two birthplaces. In all Soviet encyclopedias and scientific works, the city of Velikie Luki in the Pskov region is indicated. The commander himself in his autobiographies until 1945 named Warsaw as the birthplace. But at the end of the Great Patriotic War, when Konstantin Konstantinovich became twice a Hero of the Soviet Union, a bronze bust of the Hero was supposed to be installed in his homeland. And put up a monument Soviet marshal in formally independent, albeit "fraternal" Poland, it was inconvenient. Therefore, a new homeland was “picked up” for the commander - the city of Velikie Luki in the Pskov region, where the bust was installed.

Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky commanded the Victory Parade in 1945. Before the Great Patriotic War, he was under investigation and was even twice taken out to be shot. During the war, he stood at the origins of the largest operations of the Red Army.

Near Lutsk and Dubno

The beginning of the war caught Konstantin Rokossovsky in Ukraine as commander of the 9th mechanized corps. His corps, among a number of other formations, took part in one of the largest tank battles of the Great Patriotic and World War II near Lutsk and Dubno, where the counterattack of the Soviet tank units delayed for a while, but did not lead to the defeat of the 1st German tank group.

Rokossovsky later recalled the actions of Soviet anti-aircraft gunners who defeated the German column with 85 mm guns on the Lutsk-Rivne road: “The gunners let the Nazis come closer and opened fire. A monstrous traffic jam formed on the highway from the wreckage of motorcycles and armored vehicles, the corpses of the Nazis. But the advancing enemy troops continued to move forward by inertia, and our guns received more and more new targets.

Battle for Moscow

In the autumn of 1941, the troops of the 16th Army of Rokossovsky reliably blocked the Leningrad and Volokolamsk highways, along which the enemy sought to break through to Moscow. For two weeks, the army held the line against the vastly superior enemy forces.

Rokossovsky created strong anti-tank and artillery pockets of defense in the most dangerous areas, forcing the enemy to break through more and more new positions, used the tanks he had not only against enemy infantry, but also - concentratedly - to fight enemy tanks. Both highways were mined, the locks of the Istra reservoir were also blown up, which greatly slowed down the advance of the enemy tank group.

It was in the 16th Army of Rokossovsky near Moscow that the famous divisions of I.V. Panfilov and A.P. Beloborodov, the tank brigade of M.E. Katukov and the cavalry corps of L.M. Dovator fought.

Stalingrad

During the final stage of the Battle of Stalingrad, Rokossovsky led the actions of the Don Front, which were supposed to strike from the north on the extended flanks of the German troops and their allies during Operation Uranus. Rokossovsky's troops completely coped with the task: breaking through the defense in depth, they pinned down the enemy and did not allow him to fend off powerful attacks on the flanks of the 6th german army. On November 23, 1942, the troops of the Southwestern and Stalingrad fronts closed the encirclement ring, in which almost 300,000 enemy groups found themselves.

Kursk Bulge

In the summer of 1943, the Central Front under the command of Rokossovsky occupied the northern face of the Kursk salient, where one of the biggest battles Second World War. Back in the spring of 1943, Konstantin Konstantinovich put forward the idea of ​​the need to organize a solid defense of the ledge, assuming that it was on this sector of the Soviet-German front that the enemy would try to seize the initiative lost at Stalingrad.

Rokossovsky proposed to concentrate powerful reserves in the rear of the arc in order to repel the enemy strike and ensure the timely transition of our troops to the counteroffensive. As a result, on the northern face of the Kursk Bulge, German troops were able to advance only 12-15 km, having suffered significant losses. Favorable conditions were created for the troops of the Central Front to go on the offensive in the Oryol direction (Operation Kutuzov).

Operation "Bagration"

One of the brightest operations in military biography Marshal Rokossovsky was the Bobruisk offensive operation in June 1944 - part of the famous operation "Bagration". In five days of fighting, having broken through the enemy's defenses on a two hundred-kilometer section of the front, Rokossovsky's troops advanced 100-110 km. Given the deep and pre-prepared defense of the enemy, the pace of the offensive was very high - 22 kilometers per day. In the Bobruisk region, a large German group was surrounded and defeated. June 29, 1944 Rokossovsky was awarded the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union.

Berlin operation

During the Berlin offensive, Konstantin Rokossovsky led the troops of the 2nd Belorussian Front, whose forces were to operate north of Berlin. According to the plan of the commander, the troops of the front were to deliver the main blow along the western bank of the Oder.

It was necessary to cut off the 3rd German tank army from Berlin, and then destroy, pressing against the coast of the Baltic. During the fighting, Rokossovsky's troops pinned down large German forces, preventing the enemy command from transferring them to the Berlin direction, where the 1st Belorussian Front under the command of Georgy Zhukov was operating. At the final stage of the operation, Rokossovsky's troops reached the coast of the Baltic Sea, and also occupied the islands of Wollin, Used and Rügen.

Polish Army

The years 1949-1956 were marked by Rokossovsky's service in Poland. In Polish People's Republic he became a member of the highest state leadership, having received the title of Marshal of Poland, was appointed Minister of National Defense. Later, Rokossovsky was appointed Deputy Prime Minister.

Konstantin Konstantinovich did a lot to strengthen the Polish army - the army was reorganized and the network of iron and highways. Among the marshal's awards was the "Grunwald Cross" 1st class - one of the most significant military awards in post-war Poland. In the autumn of 1956, due to the aggravation domestic political situation in Poland, a decision was made to recall the Soviet officers who were part of the Polish Army. Rokossovsky. On November 13, 1956, the marshal resigned.