Who is your favorite Russian from WW2

Nikolai Fyodorovich Vatutin.
Vatutin did Stalin’s dirty work in Poland and Romania. Lieutenant General’s troops had one of the highest casualty rates in early years of the war, but never lost the battle that they were in. Attack, Attack, Attack was the rule of his command. His bold actions saved Leningrad from falling and during Moscow counter offensive he was successful.
He was undefeated at Stalingrad, Kharkov, and Kursk. He liberated Kiev.
IMHO one of the best Soviets had, Zhukov took a lot of credit for his successes.

 

Ah Guderians nemesis, an excellent choice.

 

Well, I asked why there was no love for Vatutin on page 1! Unfortunately I had my private browsing on and that meant I could not post, even though I can see my posts on screen.

Von Mellethin spoke highly of Vatutin and it seems Vatutin had impressed a larger-than-life image of himself upon the minds of German generals, to the point that any demonstration of excellent Russian offensive tactics was attributed to him. For example, Mellenthin credited Vatutin with the victory of the 2nd Guard Army over von Manstein's Winter Storm--due to the adroit handling of armor--even though, Vatutin was, if memory serves, leading his tanks towards Rostov and the Russian commander on the scene was the luckless Rotmistrov. Vatutin was Russia's Patton,

Speaking of which, I nominate Rotmistrov. He had done wonders in mobile combat and the 5th Guards Tank Army was everywhere during the late Second and Third Period of War.I think his removal from command was purely political. Stavka relieved him command on the grounds that his army incurred too many casualties in Belarus--in spite of his brilliant performance during the Orel-Kharkov Offensive! Since when did the Red Army discipline victorious generals for suffering heavy losses?

Anyone who know the inner workings of Stavka politics? Or is that material safely stored in a classified archive somewhere in Moscow?

 

Hard to go past Vatutin as one of the best Red Army Commanders , but unfortunately most suffered at the hands of the Wehrmacht at one time or another from Barbarossa to Stalingrad, many came back to extract revenge, many were killed or captured by the Germans & many were shot or imprisoned by Stalin for losing a battle, eleven Generals were dispatched by Stalin in July '41 alone.

Vatutin's biggest defeat was when he over reached himself in the third Kharkov battle when Manstein with 70,000 men counter attacked Vatutin's 210,000 which were earmarked for the offensive operations towards the Don River & destroyed them causing some 70,000 casualties, Manstein then captured Kharkov & stabilised the front for several months.

In all some 52 Soviet divisions were smashed or mauled according to Glantz.

Vatutin & Manstein were to cross swords a number of times.

It's a miracle that Hoth got to within 25 miles of Paulis at about three to one odds [150,000 vs 50,000] & his flanks in danger of envelopment in operation Little Saturn when Soviet armies smashed through the Italian eighth army. Manstein claimed that the bulk of 6th army could have broken through to him if Paulis gave the go ahead upon the receipt of the code signal Thunderclap.

Rotmistrov's commitment of a tank corps in costly urban fighting [along with disagreements with his Front commander, Ivan Chernyakhovsky] led to his replacement as commander of 5th Guards Tank Army.

3rd guards tank corps [using mainly M4A2 Shermans] were slaughtered by 6th Panzer divisions Tigers at Krupi station & Rotmistrov then threw in 5 motorised divs which were halted after heavy fighting.

But at least he got kicked upstairs & didn't suffer the fate that many other Commanders did during the war.


Another good tank commander was Mikhail Katukov. Katukov's [then a Colonel] 4th tank Brigade action at Tula in repulsing the advance of Guderians Panzers was vital in holding the Orel-Tula Highway, & crucial in the battle for Moscow.

He eventually became a Marshall of armoured troops.

 

I think that Katukov and also Rokossovsky
are great choices. The fine tank tactics of Katukov played a very good role in stopping Guderian at Orel and Tula.
Rokossovsky was a genius of pincer movements at the final stage of the war and for organizing defense virtually with no armies in the beginning. At some stage he saved Moskow with the defense battle near Yarcevo and Elnya.

 

Some comments and IMHO:
Mikhail Tukhachevsky – not, because he had been shot in 1937 and was not involved in WWII. More over, he was a bad commander (lost a battle of the Poles in 1920). And what do you think about your order 0116 from 12th of June, 1921? I think he was the worst commander of Red Army.

Voroshilov, Budyenni – not. They were the Heroes of Civil war and failed to change the thinking from the horse (cavalries) war with the bayonet attacks to the tank-mechanized war.
For example, memories of Mikoyan: When Voroshilov was appointed commander in Leningrad, he demanded that Leningrad was given the required number of rifels. In this he was denied because the need for guns on other fronts has been greater. Then Voroshilov spent a decision about the production at the Leningrad factory knives (peak, daggers, swords)...»

Zhukov – I would agree, but.
As we all know, Russian commanders are not especially cherished lives of their solders. Zhukov was the most ruthless of them. I made this conclusion on the memories of the soldiers that I have read. In addition, Zhukov edited his memories many times, adapting them to the current moment. I think it is not fair and not worthy of an officer with the rank of.

As for me, if we talk about specific personalities, it's Stalin.
If not for his iron will, the Russian could lose. (This is said without regard to the role of Stalin in the outbreak of WWII)

 

Wonderful to see Abba Kovner's name here. "The Avengers" is required reading. I'll add the Bielski brothers.

 

I'm partial to Zhukov. I must admit that it is partially because I've been to the Zhukov statue in Moscow.
But I have immense gratitude and respect for the entire Red Army. Being under Stalin was a dangerous and thankless job, regardless of where you were in the chain of command.

 

I cannot say only one name. We are speaking about stars in a sky.
For sure Zhukov is the first one i thought. Objectively thinking.
However i always liked Rhybalco because of his 'academic' scholarship in tank's tactics and Tcherniakosfksy also. A General 38 years old only!
After the 'Enemy on the Gates' all people admired V.Zaitchev. I liked him years before the movie.
But is possible not to mention some women? Don't you think that women like Lilya Litvak or Valentina Grizontubova deserve to be the favourite Russian of everyone?

 

I posted a few links about Lydia Litvyak here
http://www.ww2f.com/eastern-europe-february-1943-end-war/31365-hero-soviet-union-statistics-3.html#post546418

 

I think mine woul definately have to be Generals Like Chuikov (Hero of Stalingrad) Budenny, Konev & Rokossovsky (SP?) and Generals like they were.

 

My favorite Russian is General Zhukov he was probably the most successfulness commander of WW2 he was the first to bring the Japanese army to defeat and had the right idea of waging war by using any means for victory. He represents the ends justify the means.

 

Zhukov was good, but he got things done at an extremely high price-if you can get my gist?

 

My favorite Russians from WW2 are:
- Ivan Kozhedub or "Ivan the Terrible" - top 1 Soviet WW2 fighter ace with 62 air victories
- Lydia Litvyak - Soviet WW2 female fighter ace
- Vasily Zaytsev - most successful and known Russian sniper during the Battle of Staligrad.
- Lyudmila Pavlichenko - most successful female sniper in WW2 and history, credited with 309 kills.

 

Hi; Favorite Russian? Joe Beyrle-a US paratrooper/POW- who found himself a Pepishaw gunner on a Russian tank for a female Colonel who led her troopers into battle with the cry of "Follow my ass as if you could have it!". An incredible story detailed in the book "The Simple Sounds of Freedom " by Thomas H. Taylor http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Simple-Sounds-of-Freedom/Thomas-H-Taylor/e/9780375507861
His son is a US diplomat to Russia.

 

B;
I would add a whole spate of Jewish Partisan accounts; http://www.ww2f.com/eastern-europe/48599-tribute-jewish-partisans.html And from these readings I have come to the conclusion that these bands played a vital part in the destruction of the Axis War Machine in the East.
JeffinMNUSA