TVNZ and the Russian Military Historical Society have prepared a unique book collection "The Great Generals of Russia" for the anniversary of the Victory. These are 20 colorfully designed albums written by famous military historians. The main objective of the project is to tell about the people who have made the greatest contribution to the history of Russia's military glory. We have selected 100 warlords, starting with Ancient Russia and before the Great Patriotic War, which became the creators of the most outstanding victories of Russian weapons.
Books will be published once a week on Thursdays. The recommended retail price is 149 rubles. Ask in the kiosks of the city and in our company stores!
List of collection volumes:
1. Legendary generals of antiquity Oleg, Dobrynya, Svyatoslav
2. Generals of Ancient Russia Mstislav Tmutarakansky, Monomakh, Mstislav Udatny, Daniil Galitsky
3. Holy patrons of Russia Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry Donskoy, Vladimir Serpukhovskoy, Dovmont Pskovskiy
4. Tsars-commanders Ivan III, Ivan IV the Terrible, Peter I
5. Generals of Ivan the Terrible and the Time of Troubles Basmanov, Mikulinsky, Vorotynsky, Yermak, Khvorostinin, Shein, Pozharsky, Skopin-Shuisky
6. Generals of Peter I Sheremetev, Apraksin, Bour, Repnin, Bruce, Menshikov, Golitsyn
7. Field marshals of the 18th century Lassi, Minich, Buturlin, Saltykov,
8. Naval commanders Spiridov, Ushakov, Senyavin, Nakhimov, Kornilov
9. Generals of Catherine II Rumyantsev, Suvorov, Orlov, Potemkin
10. Commanders of 1812 Kutuzov, Barclay de Tolly, Bagration, Wittgenstein, Arakcheev, Wintzingerode
11. Commanders of 1812-2 Raevsky, Miloradovich, Yermolov, Alexander I, Paskevich, Davydov
12. Generals of the Empire Dibich, Loris-Melikov, Skobelev, Makarov
13. Warlords of World War I Plehve, Brusilov, Shcherbachev, Alekseev, Gurko, Selivachev
14. White. generals Yudenich, Kornilov, Denikin, Kolchak, Wrangel, Kappel
15. Red. generals Kamenev, Budyonny, Frunze, Chapaev, Blucher, Tukhachevsky
16. Trotsky and Makhno
17. Commanders of the Great Patriotic War Stalin, Vasilevsky, Kovpak, Panfilov, Tolbukhin
18. Commanders of the Great Patriotic War-2 Antonov, Rokossovsky, Efremov, Bagramyan, Konev
19. Commanders of the Great Patriotic War-3 Chuikov, Katukov, Vatutin, Kuznetsov, Chernyakhovsky, Shaposhnikov
20. Zhukov
If you missed the first volume - "Great Generals of Antiquity" - there are several ways to get it:
1. By subscribing to 20 volumes of the Great Commanders of Russia collection. More information about the cost and methods of subscription can be found at home page collections section in the left rubricator - http://kp.ru/daily/collections/
2. If you are already a subscriber of the newspaper "Komsomolskaya Pravda", you can get the first volume free of charge by presenting a subscription in our company stores.
3. The first volume is sold in company stores at a reduced price.
Dear readers. We apologize to you for the unfortunate and extremely offensive mistake made by the editor in the preparation of the book "White Generals". On page No. 29 there is a photograph signed "Denikin Anton Ivanovich", in fact, the photo shows General Alekseev M.V.
War and peace are always changing sides of the same coin called "life". If in peacetime you need a wise and just ruler, then in time of war you need a merciless commander who, at all costs, must win the battle and the war. History remembers many great military leaders, but it is impossible to list all of them. We present to your attention the most-most:
From childhood, Alexander dreamed of conquering the world and, although he did not have a heroic physique, he preferred to participate in military battles. Due to the presence of military leadership, he became one of the great commanders of his time. The victories of the army of Alexander the Great are at the pinnacle of military art Ancient Greece. Alexander's army was not outnumbered, but still managed to win all the battles, stretching his gigantic empire from Greece to India. He trusted his soldiers, and they did not let him down, but faithfully followed him, reciprocating.
In 1206, on the Onon River, the leaders of the nomadic tribes proclaimed a mighty Mongolian warrior great khan of all Mongolian tribes. And his name is Genghis Khan. Shamans predicted to Genghis Khan the power over the whole world, and he did not disappoint. Becoming a great Mongol emperor, he founded one of greatest empires, united the scattered Mongolian tribes. Conquered China, all Central Asia, as well as the Caucasus and Eastern Europe, Baghdad, Khorezm, the Shah state and some Russian principalities.
He received the nickname "Timur the Lame" for a physical handicap he received during skirmishes with the khans, but despite this he became famous as a Central Asian conqueror who played a rather significant role in the history of Central, South and Western Asia, as well as the Caucasus, the Volga region and Russia. He founded the empire and the Timurid dynasty, with its capital in Samarkand. He was unrivaled in swordsmanship and archery. However, after his death, the territory subject to him, which stretched from Samarkand to the Volga, very quickly disintegrated.
Hannibal is the greatest military strategist of the Ancient world, the Carthaginian commander. This is the "Father of Strategy". He hated Rome and everything connected with it, was a sworn enemy of the Roman Republic. With the Romans, he fought the well-known Punic Wars. He successfully used the tactics of enveloping enemy troops from the flanks with subsequent encirclement. Standing at the head of the 46,000th army, which included 37 war elephants, he made the transition through the Pyrenees and the snow-capped Alps.
Suvorov can be safely called the national hero of Russia, the great Russian commander, because he did not suffer a single defeat in his entire military career, which includes more than 60 battles. He is the founder of Russian military art, a military thinker who had no equal. Member of the Russian-Turkish wars, Italian, Swiss campaigns.
Napoleon Bonaparte French emperor in 1804-1815, great commander and statesman. It was Napoleon who laid the foundations of the modern French state. While still a lieutenant, he began his military career. And from the very beginning, participating in wars, he was able to establish himself as an intelligent and fearless commander. Having taken the place of the emperor, he unleashed the Napoleonic Wars, but he failed to conquer the whole world. He was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and spent the rest of his life on Saint Helena.
A great talented Muslim commander and an outstanding organizer, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria. Translated from Arabic, Salah ad-Din means "Defender of the Faith." He received this honorary nickname for the fight against the crusaders. He led the fight against the crusaders. Saladin's troops captured Beirut, Acre, Caesarea, Ascalon and Jerusalem. Thanks to Saladin, Muslim lands were liberated from foreign troops, foreign faith.
A special place among the rulers in ancient world occupies the well-known ancient Roman state and political figure, dictator, commander, writer Gaius Julius Caesar. Conqueror of Gaul, Germany, Britain. The owner of outstanding abilities as a military tactician and strategist, as well as a great orator who managed to influence the people, promising them gladiatorial games and spectacles. The most powerful figure of his time. But this did not stop a small handful of conspirators from killing the great commander. This led to the fact that civil wars broke out again, which led to the decline of the Roman Empire.
Grand Duke, wise statesman, famous commander. They call him the fearless knight. Alexander dedicated his entire life to the defense of the Motherland. Together with his small retinue, he defeated the Swedes at the Battle of the Neva in 1240. For which he got his nickname. He conquered his native cities from the Livonian Order at the Battle of the Ice, which took place on Lake Peipus, thereby stopping the ruthless Catholic expansion in Russian lands that came from the West.
Dmitry Donskoy is considered the forefather modern Russia. During his reign, the white-stone Moscow Kremlin was built. This famous prince, after the victory in the Battle of Kulikovo, in which he was able to completely defeat the Mongol horde, was nicknamed Donskoy. He was strong, tall, broad-shouldered, overweight. It is also known that Dmitry was pious, gentle and distinguished by chastity. The real qualities of a real commander.
This man headed the Empire of the Huns, which at first was not an empire at all. He was able to conquer a vast territory stretching from Central Asia before modern Germany. Attila was an enemy of both the Western and Eastern Roman Empires. He is known for his brutality and ability to conduct military operations. Few emperors, kings and leaders could boast of capturing such a vast territory in such a short time.
Actually, this person cannot be called a military genius. Now there is a lot of controversy about how the failed artist and corporal could become, albeit on a short time ruler of all Europe. The military claims that the form of warfare "blitzkrieg" was invented by Hitler. Needless to say, the evil genius Adolf Hitler, through whose fault tens of millions of people died, was indeed a very capable military leader (at least until the start of the war with the USSR, when a worthy opponent was found).
As you know, Zhukov led the Red Army in the Great Patriotic War. He was the kind of person whose ability to conduct military operations could be called super-outstanding. In fact, this man was a genius in his field, one of those people who ultimately led the USSR to victory. After the fall of Germany, Zhukov led the military forces of the USSR, which occupied this country. Thanks to the genius of Zhukov, perhaps we have the opportunity to live and enjoy now.
Sources:
For most of its history, Russia has been at war. The victories of the Russian army were ensured by both ordinary soldiers and illustrious generals, whose experience and thinking are comparable to genius.
Disagree1 Agree
Main battles: Kinburn battle, Fokshany, Rymnik, Assault on Ishmael, Assault on Prague.
Suvorov is a brilliant commander, one of the most beloved by the Russian people. Despite the fact that his combat training system was based on the strictest discipline, the soldiers loved Suvorov. He even became a hero of Russian folklore. Suvorov himself also left behind the book "The Science of Victory". It is written in simple language and already parsed into quotes.
“Save a bullet for three days, and sometimes for a whole campaign, when there is nowhere to get it. Shoot rarely, but accurately, if hard with a bayonet. The bullet will miss, but the bayonet will not. The bullet is a fool, but the bayonet is well done! When once! Throw the bad boy off the bayonet! - dead on a bayonet, scratching his neck with a saber. Saber on the neck - bounce a step, strike again! If another, if the third! The hero will stab half a dozen, and I have seen more.
Disagree2 Agree
Barclay de Tolly (1761–1818)
Battles and battles: Assault on Ochakov, Assault on Prague, Battle of Pultusk, Battle of Preussisch-Eylau, Battle of Smolensk, battle of Borodino, Siege of Thorn, Battle of Bautzen, Battle of Dresden, Battle of Kulm, Battle of Leipzig, Battle of La Rothiere, Battle of Arcy-sur-Aube, Battle of Fer-Champenoise, Capture of Paris.
Barclay de Tolly - the most underestimated brilliant commander, the creator of the "scorched earth" tactics. As commander of the Russian army, he was forced to retreat during the first phase of the War of 1812, after which he was relieved by Kutuzov. The idea of leaving Moscow was also proposed by de Tolly. Pushkin wrote about him:
And you, unrecognized, forgotten Hero of the occasion, reposed - and at the hour of death With contempt, perhaps, remembered us!
Disagree3 Agree
Mikhail Kutuzov (1745–1813)
Major wars and battles: Assault on Ishmael, Battle of Austerlitz, Patriotic War of 1812: Battle of Borodino.
Mikhail Kutuzov is a famous military leader. When he distinguished himself in the Russian-Turkish war, Catherine II said: “Kutuzov must be protected. He will be my great general.” Kutuzov was wounded twice in the head. Both wounds were considered fatal at that time, but Mikhail Illarionovich survived. In the Patriotic War, having taken command of himself, he retained the tactics of Barclay de Tolly and continued to retreat until he decided to give a pitched battle - the only one in the entire war. As a result, the battle of Borodino, despite the ambiguity of the results, became one of the largest and bloodiest in the entire 19th century. On both sides, more than 300 thousand people took part in it, and almost a third of this number were injured or killed.
Disagree5 Agree
Skopin-Shuisky (1587–1610)
Wars and battles: Bolotnikov's Rebellion, the war against False Dmitry II Skopin-Shuisky did not lose a single battle. He became famous for suppressing the Bolotnikov uprising, freed Moscow from the siege of False Dmitry II, and had very great authority among the people. In addition to all other merits, Skopin-Shuisky carried out retraining of Russian troops, in 1607, on his initiative, the Charter of Military, Pushkar and Other Affairs was translated from German and Latin.
Disagree6 Agree
Wars and battles: War with Lithuania, war with Mamai and Tokhtomysh
Dmitry Ivanovich was nicknamed "Don" for the victory in the Battle of Kulikovo. Despite all the contradictory assessments of this battle and the fact that the period of the yoke continued for almost 200 years, Dmitry Donskoy is deservedly considered one of the main defenders of the Russian land. Sergius of Radonezh himself blessed him for the battle.
Disagree7 Agree
Main merit: The liberation of Moscow from the Poles. Dmitry Pozharsky is a national hero of Russia. Military and political figure, leader of the Second militia who liberated Moscow during the Time of Troubles. Pozharsky played a decisive role in the coming to the Russian throne of the Romanovs.
Disagree9 Agree
Mikhail Vorotynsky (1510 - 1573)
Battles: Campaigns against the Crimean and Kazan Tatars, the Battle of Molodi
The governor of Ivan the Terrible from the princely family of the Vorotynskys, the hero of the capture of Kazan and the battle of Molodi - "forgotten Borodino". Outstanding Russian commander. They wrote about him: "a strong and courageous husband, highly skilled in regimental arrangements." Vorotynsky is even depicted, among other prominent figures of Russia, on the monument "Millennium of Russia".
Disagree10 Agree
Wars: First World War, Civil war in Russia, Conflict on the CER, Great Patriotic War.
Konstantin Rokossovsky stood at the origins of the largest operations of the Great Patriotic War. He was successful in both offensive and defensive operations ( Battle of Stalingrad, Kursk Bulge, Bobruisk offensive, Berlin operation). From 1949 to 1956, Rokossovsky served in Poland, became a Marshal of Poland, and was appointed Minister of National Defense. Since 1952, Rokossovsky was appointed Deputy Prime Minister.
Disagree11 Agree
Yermak (?-1585)
Merit: Conquest of Siberia.
Ermak Timofeevich is a semi-legendary character. We do not even know for certain the date of his birth, but this does not in the least diminish his merits. It is Yermak who is considered the "conqueror of Siberia". He did it almost own will- Terrible wanted to return it "under fear of great disgrace" and use it "to protect the Perm region." When the tsar wrote the decree, Yermak had already conquered the capital of Kuchum.
Disagree12 Agree
Main battles: Battle of the Neva, war with the Lithuanians, Battle on the Ice.
Even if you do not remember the famous Battle of the Ice and the Battle of the Neva, Alexander Nevsky was an extremely successful commander. He made successful campaigns against German, Swedish and Lithuanian feudal lords. In particular, in 1245, with the Novgorod army, Alexander defeated the Lithuanian prince Mindovg, who attacked Torzhok and Bezhetsk. Having released the Novgorodians, Alexander, with the help of his retinue, pursued the remnants of the Lithuanian army, during which he defeated another Lithuanian detachment near Usvyat. In total, judging by the sources that have come down to us, Alexander Nevsky conducted 12 military operations and did not lose in any of them.
Disagree14 Agree
Boris Sheremetev (1652–1719)
Major wars and battles: Crimean campaigns, Azov campaigns, Northern War.
Boris Sheremetev was the first count in Russian history. Outstanding Russian commander of the time Northern war, diplomat, the first Russian field marshal general (1701). He was one of the most beloved by the common people and soldiers of the heroes of his time. Soldiers' songs were even composed about him, and in them he was always good. This must be earned.
Disagree15 Agree
Major Wars: Northern War
The only nobleman to receive the title of "duke" from the monarch. General and generalissimo, celebrated hero and politician, Menshikov ended his life in exile. In Berezovo, he built himself country house(together with 8 faithful servants) and a church. His statement of that period is known: "I started with a simple life, and I will finish with a simple life."
Disagree16 Agree
Main wars: Russo-Swedish War, Rhine Campaign, Seven Years' War, Russo-Turkish War (1768-1774), Russo-Turkish War (1787-1791)
Count Pyotr Rumyantsev is considered the founder of Russian military doctrine. He successfully commanded the Russian army in the Turkish wars under Catherine II, he himself participated in the battles. In 1770 he became a field marshal. After the conflict with Potemkin, “He retired to his Little Russian estate Tashan, where he built himself a palace in the form of a fortress and locked himself in one room, never leaving it. He pretended not to recognize his own children, who lived in poverty, and died in 1796, having outlived Catherine by only a few days.
Disagree17 Agree
Grigory Potemkin (1739-1796)
Major wars and battles: Russian-Turkish war (1768-1774), Caucasian war (1785-1791). Russian-Turkish war (1787-1791).
Potemkin-Tavrichesky - an outstanding Russian statesman and military leader, His Serene Highness Prince, organizer of New Russia, founder of cities, favorite of Catherine II, Field Marshal General. Alexander Suvorov wrote about his commander Potemkin in 1789: "He is an honest man, he a kind person, he is a great man: my happiness is to die for him.
Disagree19 Agree
Fyodor Ushakov (1744–1817)
Main battles: Battle of Fidonisi, Battle of Tendra (1790), Battle of Kerch (1790), Battle of Kaliakria (1791), Siege of Corfu (1798, assault: February 18-20, 1799).
Fedor Ushakov is a famous Russian commander who did not know defeat. Ushakov did not lose a single ship in battle, not a single one of his subordinates was captured. In 2001, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized the saints as a righteous warrior Feodor Ushakov.
Disagree20 Agree
Pyotr Bagration (1765-1812)
Main battles: Schöngraben, Austerlitz, Battle of Borodino.
A descendant of the Georgian kings, Peter Bagration has always been distinguished by unusual courage, composure, determination and perseverance. During the battles, he was repeatedly wounded, but never left the battlefield. The Swiss campaign led by Suvorov in 1799, known as Suvorov's crossing of the Alps, glorified Bagration and finally confirmed his title of an excellent Russian general.
Disagree21 Agree
Prince Svyatoslav (942–972)
Wars: Khazar campaign, Bulgarian campaigns, war with Byzantium
Karamzin called Prince Svyatoslav "Russian Macedonian", the historian Grushevsky - "a Cossack on the throne." Svyatoslav was the first to make an active attempt at extensive land expansion. He successfully fought with the Khazars and Bulgarians, but the campaign against Byzantium ended in a truce unfavorable for Svyatoslav. Killed in battle with the Pechenegs. Svyatoslav is a cult figure. His famous "I'm going to you" is quoted today.
Disagree22 Agree
Major wars: Patriotic War of 1812, Caucasian Wars.
The hero of the war of 1812, Alexey Yermolov remained in the people's memory as the "pacifier of the Caucasus." Pursuing a tough military policy, Yermolov paid great attention to the construction of fortresses, roads, clearings and the development of trade. From the very beginning, he relied on the gradual development of new territories, where military campaigns alone could not give complete success.
Disagree23 Agree
Main battles: Battle of Navarino, blockade of the Dardanelles, Battle of Sinop, defense of Sevastopol.
The illustrious Admiral Nakhimov was called the "father-benefactor" for his fatherly concern for his subordinates. for the sake of good word"Fal Stepanych" sailors were ready to go into fire and water. There was such an anecdote among Nakhimov's contemporaries. To the laudatory ode sent to the admiral, he remarked with irritation that the author would give him real pleasure by delivering several hundred buckets of cabbage for the sailors. Nakhimov personally checked the quality of soldiers' rations.
Disagree24 Agree
Major wars and battles: Polish uprising (1863), Khiva campaign (1873), Kokand campaign (1875-1876), Russian-Turkish war.
Skoblev was called the "white general". Mikhail Dmitrievich earned such a nickname not only by wearing a white uniform and prancing in battle on a white horse, but also by his personal qualities: concern for soldiers, virtue. “Convince the soldiers in practice that you are paternally caring about them outside the battle, that in battle there is strength, and nothing will be impossible for you,” said Skobelev.
Disagree25 Agree
Prophetic Oleg (879 - 912)
Main battles: Campaign against Byzantium, Eastern campaigns.
The semi-legendary Prophetic Oleg is the prince of Novgorod (since 879) and Kyiv (since 882), the unifier of Ancient Russia. He significantly expanded its borders, delivered the first blow to the Khazar Khaganate and concluded agreements with the Greeks that were beneficial for Russia.
Pushkin wrote about him: “Victory glorified your name: Your shield is on the gates of Constantinople.
Disagree26 Agree
Humpback-Shuisky (? -1565)
Major wars: Kazan campaigns, Livonian War
Boyarin Gorbaty-Shuisky was one of the bravest commanders of Ivan the Terrible, he led the capture of Kazan and served as its first governor. During the last Kazan campaign, by a skillful maneuver of Gorbaty-Shuisky, almost the entire army of Prince. Yapanchi, and then the prison behind the Arsk field and the Arsk city itself were taken. Despite his merits, Alexander was executed along with his 17-year-old son Peter. They became the only victims of the repressions of Ivan the Terrible from the entire Shuisky clan.
Disagree27 Agree
Wars: Russian Civil War, Polish campaign The Red Army, the Soviet-Finnish war, the Japanese-Chinese war, the Great Patriotic War.
Vasily Chuikov, twice Hero Soviet Union, was one of the most famous military leaders of the Great Patriotic War, his army defended Stalingrad, a surrender was signed at his command post Nazi Germany. He was called the "storm general". During the battles for Stalingrad, Vasily Chuikov introduced close combat tactics. It is he who is credited with the creation of the first mobile assault groups.
Disagree28 Agree
Wars: World War I, Russian Civil War, Great Patriotic War.
Ivan Konev is considered the "second after Zhukov" Marshal of Victory. He built the Berlin Wall, freed the prisoners of Auschwitz, saved the Sistine Madonna. In Russian history, the names of Zhukov and Konev stand together. In the 30s, they served together in the Belarusian Military District, and the commander gave Konev a symbolic nickname - "Suvorov". During the Great Patriotic War, Konev justified this title. He has dozens of successful front-line operations to his credit.
Vasilevsky was actually the third figure in the Soviet military leadership in 1942-1945, after Stalin and Zhukov. His assessments of the military-strategic situation were unmistakable. The Headquarters sent the Chief of the General Staff to the most critical sectors of the front. The pinnacle of military leadership is still considered the unprecedented Manchu operation.
Disagree31 Agree
Dmitry Khvorostinin (1535/1540-1590)
Wars: Russian-Crimean Wars, Livonian War, Cheremis Wars, Russian-Swedish Wars.
Dmitry Khvorostinin is one of the best commanders of the second half of the 16th century. In the work of the English ambassador Giles Fletcher "On the Russian State" (1588-1589) he is presented as "their main (Russian) husband, most used in wartime." Historians highlight the extraordinary frequency of Khvorostinin's battles and campaigns, as well as the record number of local lawsuits against him.
Disagree32 Agree
Mikhail Shein (late 1570s-1634)
Wars and conflicts: Serpukhov campaign (1598), Battle of Dobrynich (1605), Bolotnikov Uprising (1606), Russian-Polish war (1609-1618), Defense of Smolensk (1609-1611), Russian-Polish war (1632-1634) , Siege of Smolensk (1632-1634).
Commander and statesman Russia XVII century, the hero of the defense of Smolensk, Mikhail Borisovich Shein was a representative of the old Moscow nobility. During the defense of Smolensk, Shein personally took up the fortification of the city, developed a network of scouts who reported on the movements of the Polish-Lithuanian troops. The 20-month defense of the city, which tied the hands of Sigismund III, contributed to the growth of the patriotic movement in Russia and, as a result, the victory of the Second Militia of Pozharsky and Minin.
Disagree33 Agree
Ivan Patrikeyev (1419-1499)
Wars and campaigns: War with the Tatars, campaign against Novgorod, campaign against the Principality of Tver
Viceroy of Moscow and chief governor of the Grand Dukes of Moscow Vasily II the Dark and Ivan III. Was for last" right hand» when resolving any conflicts. Representative of the princely family of the Patrikeevs. By father, a direct descendant of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas. He fell into disgrace and was tonsured a monk.
Disagree34 Agree
Daniel Kholmsky (? - 1493)
Wars: Russian-Kazan wars, Moscow-Novgorod wars (1471), Campaign against Akhmat Khan on the river. Oka (1472), Standing on the river. Ugra (1480), Russian-Lithuanian war (1487-1494).
Russian boyar and governor, one of the outstanding commanders of the Grand Duke Ivan III. The decisive actions of Prince Kholmsky largely ensured the success of the Russians in the confrontation on the Ugra, the Danilyev world with the Livonians was named after him, Novgorod was annexed thanks to his victories, and his own man was planted in Kazan.
Disagree35 Agree
Main battles: Battle of Navarino, defense of Sevastopol.
Famous naval commander, vice admiral Russian fleet, hero and chief of defense of Sevastopol in Crimean War. Kornilov died during the bombing of Sevastopol, but died with the order “We are defending Sevastopol. Surrender is out of the question. There will be no retreat. Whoever orders to retreat, stab him."
For more than a thousand years of history Russian state participated in a great many military conflicts. Often, success in resolving these conflicts depended on the tactical and strategic literacy of the commanders, because, as one of the commanders of the Middle Ages correctly noted, “An army without a commander turns into an uncontrollable crowd.” The ten most talented Russian commanders will be discussed in this article.
Putyata Vyshatich was the Kyiv governor at the court of Prince Svyatopolk Izyaslavich in 1097-1113. He took part in the first internecine wars in Russia and made a significant contribution to the defeat of the troops of Prince Davyd in 1099. In the future, Putyata Vyshatich led the Kyiv army during campaigns against the Polovtsians. With a numerical minority, he managed to defeat the Polovtsians in the battles of Zarechsk (1106) and Sula (1107). In 1113, Prince Svyatopolk Izyaslavich was poisoned, and a popular uprising took place in Kyiv, during which Putyata Vyshatich was killed.
A representative of a noble Scottish family, Yakov Vilimovich Bruce was born and raised in Russia. In 1683, Yakov and his brother Roman enlisted in the tsarist troops. By 1696, Bruce had risen to the rank of colonel. He became one of the most prominent associates of the young Peter I and accompanied him during the Great Embassy. He carried out the reform of Russian artillery. As a commander, Bruce became famous during the Great Northern War (1700-1721). There he commanded all Russian artillery and made a huge contribution to the main victories of the Russian troops: at Lesnaya and Poltava. Since then, in the legends, the reputation of a "magician and warlock" has been fixed for him. In 1726, Bruce retired with the rank of Field Marshal. He died in seclusion in 1735.
Prince of Moscow and Vladimir, son of Prince Ivan II. It was he who was able to unite the Russian princes against a common enemy, the Golden Horde. Thanks to a well-planned ambush, the Russian troops united by Dmitry managed to inflict a heavy defeat on the Golden Horde during the Battle of Kulikovo (1380). After this defeat, the power of the Horde over the Russian lands began to gradually weaken. Finally, the Tatar-Mongols were expelled from the Russian lands by Dmitry's great-grandson Ivan III 100 years later, in 1480.
Hereditary nobleman, was recorded on military service even in infancy, which at that time was quite a normal phenomenon. He received his first baptism of fire in 1794 during the suppression of Polish uprising Kosciuszko. There he commanded an artillery battery and was awarded his first award, the Order of St. George, 4th class. Until 1796, Yermolov served under the legendary Suvorov and participated in the Italian campaign and the war of the first coalition. In 1798, Yermolov was stripped of his rank and dismissed from service on suspicion of participating in a conspiracy against Emperor Paul. In 1802 he was reinstated in rank. Returning to the service, Yermolov participated in the coalition wars, and then in the Patriotic War. During the Battle of Borodino, he three hours personally commanded the defense of artillery batteries. Then he participated in the foreign campaign of the Russian army and reached Paris. In 1819-1827 Yermolov commanded the Russian troops in the Caucasus. Exactly on Caucasian war he showed himself in the best possible way: well-established logistics and competent leadership of the army seriously influenced the outcome of the battles with the highlanders. An important role in Yermolov's success in the Caucasus was also played by generals Andrei Filippovich Boyko and Nikolai Nikolaevich Muravyov-Karsky subordinate to him. However, after Nicholas I came to power, Yermolov and his subordinates were removed from their posts for "unjustified cruelty" to the mountain peoples. Thus, in 1827 Ermolov retired. Until the end of his days he was a member of the State Council. Died in 1861.
Descendant of impoverished nobles. In 1912 he entered the service of the Russian Imperial Army. He received his first baptism of fire in the First World War, in battles with the Austrians and Germans. In 1915 he was taken prisoner. On the fifth attempt, in 1917, he managed to escape. From 1918 he served in the Red Army. He lost the first battle: the Red Army soldiers could not take Simbirsk, which was defended by Kappel's army. On the second attempt, Tukhachevsky was able to take this city. Historians note "a well-thought-out plan of operation, the rapid concentration of the army in a decisive direction, skillful and proactive actions." In the further course of the campaign, Tukhachevsky defeated the troops of Kolchak and Denikin, ending the Civil War. Since 1921, Tukhachevsky was engaged in reforming the Red Army. In 1935 Tukhachevsky was awarded the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union. He was a supporter of mobile tank warfare and insisted on the priority of the development of armored forces, but his plan was rejected by Stalin. In 1937, Tukhachevsky was accused of high treason and shot. Posthumously rehabilitated.
He came from the nobility of the Minsk province. Yudenich was accepted into the army in 1881, but received his first baptism of fire in Russo-Japanese War. He distinguished himself in the battle of Mukden (1905) and was wounded there. During the First World War, Yudenich commanded the troops of the Caucasian Front. He managed to utterly defeat the outnumbered troops of Enver Pasha, and then win one of the largest battles of the First World War, the Battle of Erzurum (1916). Thanks to Yudenich's large-scale planning, Russian troops in as soon as possible managed to take most of Western Armenia, and also go to Pontus, capturing Trabzon. After the events of the February Revolution, he was dismissed. During civil war Yudenich commanded the Northwestern Army, which he twice led to Petrograd, but was never able to take it due to the inaction of the allies. From 1920 he lived in exile in France. He died in 1933 from tuberculosis (according to another version, he was poisoned by a Soviet intelligence agent, supporters of this theory give completely identical scenarios for the deaths of Yudenich and Wrangel).
Representative of a military dynasty. In the army since 1761. Kutuzov served for almost thirty years under the command of Suvorov, whom he considered his teacher and mentor. Together they went from the Pockmarked Grave to Izmail, during which time Kutuzov rose in rank to lieutenant general, and in one of the battles he lost an eye. He remained in the army after Paul I came to power, but fell into disgrace with Alexander I. Until 1804, Kutuzov was retired, and then returned to the service. In the War of the Third Coalition (1805), he defeated the armies of Mortier and Murat, but suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Austerlitz. In 1811, Kutuzov took command of the Russian armies in the war against the Ottomans and in less than a year managed to bring Russia out of there victorious. During the Patriotic War of 1812, Kutuzov became famous for the Battle of Borodino, where his troops dealt a tangible blow to the French. After the Tarutino maneuver, Napoleon's troops were cut off from supplies and began the Great Retreat from Russia. In 1813, Kutuzov was supposed to lead the Foreign Campaign, but died of a cold at the very beginning.
Zhukov - a native of the peasants. He enlisted in the army in 1915. In 1916, Zhukov took part in the battles for the first time. He showed himself to be a brave soldier, was twice awarded the Order of St. George. After a shell shock, he retired from the personnel of his regiment. In 1918, Zhukov joined the Red Army, in which he took part in the battles in the Urals and the storming of Yekaterinodar. In 1923-1938 he was in staff positions. In 1939, Zhukov commanded the defense of the Soviet-Mongolian troops in the battles of Khalkhin Gol, where he earned his first star of the Hero of the Soviet Union. During the Great Patriotic War, Zhukov's armies participated in operations to break the blockade of Leningrad. Since 1943, he commanded large military formations. On May 8, 1945, Zhukov's troops took Berlin. On June 24 of the same year, Zhukov hosted the Victory Parade in Moscow as the Supreme Commander. He was a real hero among the soldiers and the common people. However, Stalin did not need such heroes, so Zhukov was soon transferred to the command of the Odessa Military District in order to eliminate high level banditry in the region. He coped with the task perfectly. In 1958, Zhukov was fired from armed forces and took up journalism. Died in 1974.
The son of a hereditary military man, Brusilov was admitted to the tsarist army in 1872. Participated in the Russian-Turkish war (1877-1878), distinguished himself in battles in the Caucasus. In 1883-1906 he taught at the Officer Cavalry School. In the First World War, Brusilov was given command of the 8th Army and a few days after the start of the conflict, he took part in the Battle of Galicia, where he defeated the Austrian troops. In 1916 he was appointed commander of the Southwestern Front. In the same year, Brusilov had previously used the form of breaking through the positional front, which consisted in the simultaneous offensive of all armies. The main idea of this breakthrough was the desire to make the enemy expect an attack along the entire front and deprive him of the opportunity to guess the place of a real strike. In accordance with this plan, the front was broken through, and Brusilov's army defeated the troops of Archduke Joseph Ferdinand. This operation was called the Brusilov breakthrough. This breakthrough became the progenitor of the famous breakthroughs of the Great Patriotic War, seriously ahead of its time in tactics. In May-June 1917, Brusilov was the Supreme Commander of the Russian Army, then he retired. In 1920 he joined the Red Army and until his death was an inspector of the Red Cavalry. Died of pneumonia in 1926.
Suvorov was the son of a figure in the secret office. He entered the military service in 1748. During his half-century career, Suvorov took part in most of the most significant military conflicts of the second half of the 18th century: Kozludzha, Kinburn, Fokshany, Rymnik, Izmail, Prague, Adda, Trebbia, Novi ... This list can be continued for a long time. Suvorov made the famous crossing of the Alps, and also wrote The Science of Victory, the greatest work on Russian military theory. Suvorov did not lose a single battle and repeatedly defeated the enemy outnumbered. In addition, he was known for his concern for ordinary soldiers, participated in the development of new military uniforms. At the end of his military career, Suvorov fell into disgrace with Emperor Paul I. The famous generalissimo died after a long illness in 1800.
29.06.2014
Major events in the history of mankind have something in common with military actions, and breakthroughs in science with the need to win. The Greatest Warlords world, such as Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and Alexander Suvorov struck the world with their military genius and personal qualities, and Napoleon Bonaparte and Hitler with their scale of thinking and organizational skills. Russia has always been famous for its military talents. Its commanders surprised their enemies with strategic decisions and invariably won. So today we bring you a list great commanders of Russia.
An ingenious commander and a brilliant military theorist. An amazingly frail and sickly child, born in the family of a man distinguished by his erudition and energy, did not agree with his future in the civil service. He was constantly engaged in self-education and strengthening his own health. Historians speak of Suvorov as a commander who did not lose a single battle, with the enemy outnumbered.
The decisive and strong-willed commander won victories, despite the losses in his ranks, for which he was constantly condemned by critics. His strategy was characterized by active actions and counterattacks, in response to enemy operations. Having not received a specialized education, he comprehended the secrets of military art on his own, which, combined with natural talent, led to stunning results.
His name includes the most important victory in life, which brought him huge posthumous popularity. The real politician of Kievan Rus and the legendary commander are closely intertwined in his image. Moreover, the attitude to his victory was not always unambiguous. He was canonized by the Orthodox Church.
His whole life was spent in the war. He, like Suvorov, did not believe that it was possible to lead from the rear. His personal merits brought not only awards, but also two head wounds, which doctors considered fatal. The restoration of the commander's combat capability was considered a sign from above, which was confirmed in the war with the French. The victory over Napoleon made the image of Kutuzov legendary.
The son of a railway worker and a teacher was born in Poland and was left without parents at an early age. Attributing to himself a couple of years, he went to the front as a volunteer. He was distinguished by composure and the ability to correctly assess the situation, which more than once saved the situation. He had practically no military education, but he loved his job and had the appropriate talents.
With his light hand the formation of the Black Sea Fleet began, its first traditions were born. Ushakov's baptism of fire became Russian-Turkish war, which glorified him, thanks to his determination and ability to make extraordinary decisions. The tactics of maneuvers he created were completely different from the generally accepted ones, and helped to win even with a significant numerical superiority of the enemy. The great admiral was recently canonized. In the capital of Mordovia, the city of Saransk, a temple named after the Holy Righteous Warrior Feodor Ushakov was built.
Hero of the defense of Sevastopol. Of the five brothers who graduated from the Naval Cadet Corps, the only one who glorified his last name. He was distinguished by his love for military affairs and the sea. His passion was so strong that he forgot to get married and start a family. All the ships he commanded became exemplary over time, and his subordinates were infected with his love for the fleet.
Got its name in honor of the great Kulikovo battle, which became a turning point in relations between Kievan Rus Golden Horde. For services to the Fatherland and outstanding personal qualities, he was canonized as a saint.
Despite numerous military merits, he always sought to avoid human casualties during military operations. He treated the soldiers with respect, realizing that the final result of the battle depended on their personal qualities. For personal qualities, as well as for command in a snow-white uniform and on a snow-white horse, he was named "white general".
The great Russian commander, who became a legendary figure. He not only participated in many wars Russian Empire and won victories, but was selflessly devoted to the emperor.
