RKKA: how the “invincible and legendary” was created. Red Army

Rising from the Ashes [How the Red Army of 1941 turned into the Victory Army] Glanz David M

Commanders of tank armies

While the Red Army's mobile corps contributed to most of the victories achieved in 1941 and 1942, from November 1942 until the end of the war, tank armies became the main striking force of the Soviet forces. From now on, the success of the Red Army as a whole directly depended on the combat performance of its tank armies and their commanders.

1942 In the summer of 1942, the Stavka experimentally formed the first four tank armies of “mixed composition” (1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th), using them at the head of offensives on the most critical sectors of the front during the German operation “ Blau." In July 1942, the 1st, 4th and 5th Tank Armies entered the battle near Voronezh, but performed poorly and suffered terrible losses, while the 3rd Tank Army had hardly better results in August failed offensive near Bolkhov. However, after the reorganization, the 5th Tank Army won lasting glory for itself, leading the successful offensive at Stalingrad in November. In the last six months of 1942, the Red Army's four tank armies were commanded by six generals - an average of 1.5 commanders per army, or three commanders over a whole year. During the same period, the four tank armies experienced eight appointments or changes of command - an average of two commanders per army, or four if counted per year (446). Although one tank army commander was killed in action that year, by 1 January 1943 five others were still in command of the armies. A.I. Lizyukov, the first commander of the 5th Tank Army, died in a battle near Voronezh at the end of July - after he was relieved of his duties as army commander and was put in command of the 2nd Tank Corps. On the other hand, K.S. Moskalenko and V.D. Kryuchenkin, who commanded the 1st and 4th tank armies from July to October 1942, commanded the field armies by the end of the year, and P.L. Romanenko, P.S. Rybalko and M. M. Popov commanded their 2nd, 3rd and 5th tank armies (447) with considerable success until the end of the year.

1943 Since the mixed tank armies put on the field by the Headquarters in the second half of 1942 were unable to fulfill its hopes, starting in January 1943, the Soviet command began to develop a new and more effective structure of tank armies. Meanwhile, until the end of the winter campaign, the 2nd, 3rd and 5th Tank Armies of the previous model were used for operations to develop success. However, as at the end of 1942, these earlier tank armies achieved only limited success. For example, Rybalko's 3rd Tank Army, after leading successful offensives on Ostrogozhsk and Rossosh and on Kharkov in March, was destroyed near Kharkov and soon after was transformed into the 57th Army. At the same time, in January-February 1943, the Headquarters withdrew its mobile corps from the 5th Tank Army and transformed it into the 12th Army in April. After performing in mid-February at the forefront of the Central Front's offensive west of Kursk, the 2nd Rodina Tank Army, although it was defeated in early March, retreated to the Kursk region almost intact. After this, the Headquarters formed four new tank armies - the 1st, 3rd Guards, 4th and 5th Guards, and in the late spring and early summer of 1943 it reorganized the 2nd Tank Army according to the new staff.

Thus, counting General Popov’s mobile group, which was formed and used practically as a tank army before being destroyed in the Donbass in February 1943, in 1943 the Headquarters formed a total of nine tank armies. During this period, nine generals served as commanders of these armies (including the mobile group), an average of one per tank army, as opposed to three in 1942. Although the three tank armies of the previous model had experienced significant rotation of command, the new tank armies knew nothing like this (448).

As for the individual fate of the nine generals who commanded tank armies or mobile groups in 1943, not one of them died or was captured until the end of the war. Eight were still commanding fronts or armies by January 1, 1944, and one ended the year at front headquarters. These eight, who continued to command at army level or higher by the end of the year, included M. M. Popov, who became front commander, M. E. Katukov, S. I. Bogdanov, P. S. Rybalko, V. M. Badanov and P. A. Rotmistrov, who remained in command of the tank armies, as well as P. L. Romanenko and I. T. Shlemin, who became commanders of the combined arms armies. And finally, A.G. Rodin became the head of armored and mechanized forces at the front level by the end of the year.

The glory of most commanders of the tank armies of 1943 did not fade by the end of the war. For example, Katukov, Bogdanov and Rybalko in May 1945 still commanded the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Guards Tank Armies, and Rotmistrov, who had excellent command of the 5th Guards Tank Army for almost the entire year of 1944, ended the war as deputy chief of tank and mechanized troops of the Red Army. As for the other five, Romanenko ended the war as the commander of a military district, Shlemin as the commander of the army, Popov as the chief of staff of the front, Rodin as the chief of armored forces in several fronts, and Badanov as the chief of combat training of armored and mechanized forces.

Together and separately, these commanders of tank armies received baptism of fire and basic experience commanding tank divisions, brigades and corps in 1941 and 1942. They became the most outstanding and most capable generals in the entire Red Army:

“The most gifted, courageous and decisive generals were selected for the positions of commanders of tank armies, who were able to take full responsibility for their actions and not look back. Only such people could solve the tasks assigned to tank armies. These armies were usually introduced into a breakthrough and, operating in operational depth, in isolation from the main forces of the front, destroyed the enemy’s reserves and rear areas, disrupted the control system, captured advantageous positions and the most important objects" (449) .

The most capable commanders of the tank armies of the Red Army in 1943 (and perhaps during the entire war) were P. S. Rybalko, M. G. Katukov, P. A. Rotmistrov and S. I. Bogdanov (450).

Pavel Semenovich Rybalko, who commanded the 3rd Tank Army from October 1942 to April 1943, and in the last two years of the war - the 3rd Guards Tank Army, contributed significantly to many of the most important victories of the Red Army. For example, in July-August 1943, Rybalko’s tank army defeated the Wehrmacht defenses around Orel, in September it led the rapid advance of the Voronezh Front to the banks of the Dnieper, in November it took Kyiv, and in December it advanced far into Ukraine. In March-April, and then in July-August 1944, Rybalko's tank army, continuing to increase his glory, led the offensive of the 1st Ukrainian Front on Proskurov - Chernivtsi and on Lviv - Sandomierz. It achieved even greater success in 1945, operating as part of the same front during the offensives in January, April and May on the Vistula and Oder, Berlin and Prague. For these and other achievements, Rybalko ended the war twice as a hero of the Soviet Union, and soon after the end of the war he received the baton of Marshal of the Armored Forces.

As the memoirist writes, Rybalko “He commanded a tank army for the longest time... He was a very erudite, strong-willed man. In the first post-war years, he had the honor of leading all of our armored forces. He put a lot of work and energy into their reorganization and rearmament" (451) .

“Continuously driving, demanding, Rybalko rushed forward, imposing his inventive and direct leadership style on all aspects of his command. Impatient and at times rude to his subordinates, he could fall into a judicious, satirical mood. He was always fair. He carried out military operations with speed and surprise, which made him a kindred spirit to American General George S. Patton.Rybalko understood the nature and potential of large tank units, was well aware of the technical capabilities and limitations of tanks - this was his hallmark as a commander of tank forces. The adaptable and cunning Rybalko's nerves of steel allowed him to fight on the very brink of disaster... Rybalko ended the war, eclipsing all other tank commanders with his swift dash through Poland and the bold capture of Berlin, which put him in first place among tank commanders" (452) .

Almost on the heels of Rybalko in terms of longevity as army commander and the scale of military achievements followed Mikhail Efimovich Katukov, commanded the 1st (later 1st Guards) Tank Army from its formation in January 1943 until the assault on Berlin in May 1945. In July 1943, Katukov's tank army took part in the defeat of the Wehrmacht's southern tank group near Kursk, in December 1943 it defeated von Manstein's tank forces west of Kiev, and then became famous for its dramatic 500-kilometer breakthrough into the Wehrmacht rear during the offensive of the 1st Ukrainian Front in March-April 1944 on Proskurov and Chernivtsi, during which it cut off and almost destroyed the German 1st Tank Army. Katukov crowned his brilliant career by skillfully outflanking German troops near Lvov in July 1944, seizing a bridgehead across the Vistula in August of the same year, carrying out an impressive operation in January 1945 to build on the success of the breakthrough through Poland to the Oder River and disrupting the Wehrmacht defenses at the turn of the Neisse River in April 1945, which helped to encircle and take Berlin. By the end of the war, Katukov also became twice a hero of the Soviet Union, and in 1959, somewhat belatedly, a marshal of armored forces. As one colleague noted:

“Mikhail Efimovich Katukov is a real soldier, a great expert in combat training and tactics of tank forces. The tank brigade he commanded at the Battle of Moscow was the first in the Soviet Army to receive the title of Guards. From the very beginning until the last day of the Great Patriotic War, Mikhail Efimovich did not leave the battlefields" (453) .

A conservative and at the same time a master of reasonable risks, Katukov earned a reputation as an attentive, cautious commander who always carefully developed plans, weighed the consequences of certain actions, trying to foresee practical results before committing a single tank from his reserves. This caution was especially noticeable at first, when he developed his fighting skills. He preferred that the enemy meet him on his terms and on terrain known to him. Katukov loved it when events were controlled and took great pleasure in stabilizing the situation. He quickly realized that Soviet tank forces were able to increase their tactical advantage due to the superior mobility of their tanks. Later, when he commanded a corps and army, he sought to avoid a massive and mindlessly straightforward approach to solving operational and tactical problems. He preferred to quickly open the lock with a master key than to hit it with a sledgehammer. During raids, Katukov liked to make extensive use of forward detachments in order to know the situation in advance and forestall enemy actions.

“Katukov's leadership style and the way he used his staff make him a good example of the collective approach to leadership encouraged by the Soviet ideal of command. Fighting from the first to the last days of the war, Katukov often led the offensive, leading his armored guards against the masters of tank warfare and defeating them(454)."

Combat service Pavel Alekseevich Rotmistrov ended in the late summer of 1944 - perhaps because the combat effectiveness it demonstrated did not satisfy Stalin. Nevertheless, by the end of 1943, he became the most famous commander of the tank forces of the Red Army - primarily because his 5th Guards Tank Army won a victory on the “tank field” near Prokhorovka during the Battle of Kursk. After participating in the capture of Kharkov as part of the Steppe Front in August 1943, Rotmistrov's tank army in September led the pursuit of the enemy by the Steppe (2nd Ukrainian) Front to the Dnieper, and at the end of 1943 - beginning of 1944 entered into a bloody struggle to capture Krivoy Rog and "Big Bend" of the Dnieper. Then she took part in the encirclement and partial destruction of two Wehrmacht army corps near Korsun-Shevchenkovsky in January-February 1944. In March-April 1944, Rotmistrov's tank army led the 2nd Ukrainian Front's impressive advance through Ukraine to the Romanian border, and then was defeated at Tirgu Frumos in the failed invasion of Romania in late April and May 1944. At the end of May 1944, Rotmistrov's tank army was transferred to Belarus, where at the end of June and July it took part in the massive offensive of the Red Army. However, Stalin removed Rotmistrov from command - most likely due to the heavy losses his army suffered, especially in the battles for Vilnius. Despite his removal from office and subsequent appointment as deputy commander of the armored and mechanized forces of the Red Army under Fedorenko, Rotmistrov nevertheless earned high marks for his performance as a commander, at least until his removal from his post:

“Rotmistrov had an uncanny ability to quickly analyze the situation and apply a creative approach to solutions. Decisions were easy for Rotmistrov - in a word, he was a creator. As an authoritative theorist and practitioner, he took an active part in the reorganization of the structure of Soviet tank forces. At times this put him at odds with management - especially when he thought he had a better idea. Rotmistrov was aware of the level of his critics, but he was not impressed by either title or position. He was extremely pragmatic. Rotmistrov's fighting style is a strong, direct and fast blow designed to crush the enemy. Taking full advantage of the flexibility of tank forces, he split the main enemy forces, surrounded them and destroyed them piece by piece. His rapid rise was a combination of his demonstrated erudition and his bold, decisive initiative on the battlefield. In its struggle for survival, the Red Army tolerated such eccentric natures among the top tier of theorists and architects of its armored guards" (455) .

“Undoubtedly, Pavel Alekseevich Rotmistrov is one of the outstanding tank commanders. Drawing on his rich practical experience acquired on the battlefield and extensive theoretical knowledge, he also made a significant contribution to the post-war development of tank equipment and the training of qualified command personnel" (456) .

After being removed from the post of commander of the tank army in 1944, but also belatedly, Rotmistrov became marshal of the armored forces in 1962, and in 1965 - a hero of the Soviet Union.

The last general in this illustrious four commanders of tank armies during the war was Semyon Ilyich Bogdanov, who from September 1943 until the end of the war commanded the 2nd (2nd Guards) Tank Army. Bogdanov and his tank army first distinguished themselves in July 1943 with the stubborn defense of the northern flank of the Kursk Bulge, as well as the September offensive on Sevsk, which upset the Wehrmacht defenses and prompted them to quickly retreat beyond the Dnieper. After several months of replenishment and reorganization, Bogdanov's tank army took part in the bloody struggle near Korsun-Shevchenkovsky in January-February 1944, and then led the advance of the 2nd Ukrainian Front through Ukraine in March-April 1944 - only to in April-May 1944, suffered defeat in northern Romania near Tirgu Frumos.

After recovering from wounds received in the July 1944 battle for Lublin, Bogdanov led his army in a dramatic advance across Poland to the Oder in January 1945 and fought alongside Katukov's 1st Guards Tank Army in the Battle of Berlin (457). Like his colleague Rybalko, Bogdanov became a twice hero of the Soviet Union during the war, and in 1945 - a marshal of armored forces. As for his combat performance as a commander, according to one colleague:

“The commander of the 2nd Guards Tank Army, Semyon Ilyich Bogdanov, was distinguished by amazing courage. Beginning in September 1943, his army took part in almost all the decisive battles of the Great Patriotic War. Semyon Ilyich showed outstanding abilities in the post-war period - he was the head of the academy, and for almost five years - the commander of the tank forces of the Soviet Armed Forces" (458) .

Regarding his manner of command, the biographer notes:

“German commanders respected General Bogdanov as a good organizer and for his personal courage, seeing in him one of the best commanders of the tank forces of the Red Army... Bogdanov was a true paladin of courage and efficiency - he moved onto the battlefield to ensure that the commanders under him understood their goals and objectives. Using his physical presence to motivate and inspire the troops, and thanks to his ability to clearly define the task, he was able to resolve all problems and eliminate difficulties on the spot. His presence on the battlefield from the first to the last days added tenacity and energy to the troops. Bogdanov was an example of a universal commander who should always be in front of the army with a sword in his hand. Taking advantage of the enemy's mistakes, Bogdanov always sought to push the enemy back, and it was precisely at the point of his weakness that he threw his armored troops" (459) .

With the exception of the most famous representatives of the Headquarters and front commanders, no senior Soviet officer contributed more to the final victory of the Red Army than this outstanding group of tank army commanders.

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Combat schedule of enemy forces in front of the armies of the Southern Front according to the intelligence department as of October 1, 1920 October 1, 1920 KharkovSOUTHERN RUSSIAN FRONTCommander-in-Chief General WrangelNashtaglav General

75 thousand former officers served in the Red Army, while about 35 thousand of the 150 thousand officer corps of the Russian Empire served in the White Army.
On November 7, 1917, the Bolsheviks came to power. Russia by that time was still at war with Germany and its allies. Whether you like it or not, you have to fight. Therefore, already on November 19, 1917, the Bolsheviks appointed the chief of staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief... a hereditary nobleman, His Excellency Lieutenant General of the Imperial Army Mikhail Dmitrievich Bonch-Bruevich.
It was he who would lead the armed forces of the Republic during the most difficult period for the country, from November 1917 to August 1918, and from scattered units of the former Imperial Army and Red Guard detachments, by February 1918 he would form the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. From March to August M.D. Bonch-Bruevich will hold the post of military leader of the Supreme Military Council of the Republic, and in 1919 - chief of the Field Staff of the Rev. Military Council of the Republic.
At the end of 1918, the post of Commander-in-Chief of all Armed Forces of the Soviet Republic was established. We ask you to love and favor - His Highness the Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Soviet Republic Sergei Sergeevich Kamenev (not to be confused with Kamenev, who was then shot along with Zinoviev). Career officer, graduated from the General Staff Academy in 1907, colonel of the Imperial Army. From the beginning of 1918 to July 1919, Kamenev made a lightning career from the commander of an infantry division to the commander of the Eastern Front and, finally, from July 1919 until the end of the Civil War, he held the post that would be occupied by Stalin during the Great Patriotic War. Since July 1919 Not a single operation of the land and naval forces of the Soviet Republic was completed without his direct participation.
Great assistance to Sergei Sergeevich was provided by his direct subordinate - His Excellency the Chief of the Field Headquarters of the Red Army Pavel Pavlovich Lebedev, a hereditary nobleman, Major General of the Imperial Army. As chief of the Field Staff, he replaced Bonch-Bruevich and from 1919 to 1921 (almost the entire war) he headed it, and from 1921 he was appointed chief of staff of the Red Army. Pavel Pavlovich participated in the development and conduct of the most important operations of the Red Army to defeat the troops of Kolchak, Denikin, Yudenich, Wrangel, and was awarded the Order of the Red Banner and the Red Banner of Labor (at that time the highest awards of the Republic).
We cannot ignore Lebedev’s colleague, the head of the All-Russian General Staff, His Excellency Alexander Alexandrovich Samoilo. Alexander Alexandrovich is also a hereditary nobleman and major general of the Imperial Army. During the Civil War, he headed the military district, the army, the front, worked as Lebedev’s deputy, then headed the All-Russia Headquarters.
Baron Alexander Alexandrovich von Taube, Chief of the Main Staff of the Red Army Command in Siberia (former Lieutenant General of the Imperial Army). Taube's troops were defeated by the White Czechs in the summer of 1918, he himself was captured and soon died in the Kolchak prison on death row.
Another “red baron”, Vladimir Aleksandrovich Olderogge (also a hereditary nobleman, major general of the Imperial Army), from August 1919 to January 1920, commander of the Red Eastern Front, finished off the White Guards in the Urals and eventually eliminated the Kolchak regime.
At the same time, from July to October 1919, another important front of the Reds - the Southern - was headed by His Excellency the former Lieutenant General of the Imperial Army Vladimir Nikolaevich Egoriev. Troops under the command of Yegoryev stopped Denikin’s advance and inflicted a number of defeats on him
In the spring of 1919, in the battles near Yamburg, the White Guards captured and executed the brigade commander of the 19th Infantry Division, former Major General of the Imperial Army A.P. Nikolaev. The same fate befell the commander of the 55th Infantry Division, former Major General A.V., in 1919. Stankevich, in 1920 - commander of the 13th Infantry Division, former Major General A.V. Soboleva. What is noteworthy is that before their death, all the generals were offered to go over to the side of the whites, and everyone refused. The honor of a Russian officer is more valuable than life.
In absolute numbers, the contribution of Russian officers to the victory of Soviet power is as follows: during the Civil War, 48.5 thousand tsarist officers and generals were drafted into the ranks of the Red Army. In the decisive year of 1919, they made up 53% of the entire command staff of the Red Army.

Semyon Mikhailovich Budyonny - Soviet military leader, commander of the First Cavalry Army of the Red Army during the Civil War, one of the first Marshals of the Soviet Union.

He created a revolutionary cavalry detachment that acted against the White Guards on the Don. Together with the divisions of the 8th Army, they defeated the Cossack corps of generals Mamontov and Shkuro. Troops under the command of Budyonny (14th Cavalry Division of O.I. Gorodovikov) took part in the disarmament of F.K. Mironov’s Don Corps, which went to the front against A.I. Denikin, allegedly for attempting to raise a counter-revolutionary rebellion.

Post-war activities:

Budyonny is a member of the RVS, and then deputy commander of the North Caucasus Military District.

Budyonny became the “godfather” of the Chechen Autonomous Region

Budyonny is appointed assistant to the commander-in-chief of the Red Army for cavalry and a member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR.

Inspector of the Red Army cavalry.

Graduates from the Military Academy. M. V. Frunze.

Budyonny commanded the troops of the Moscow Military District.

Member of the Main Military Council of NGOs of the USSR, Deputy People's Commissar.

First Deputy People's Commissar of Defense

Blucher V.K. (1890-1938)

Vasily Konstantinovich Blucher - Soviet military, state and party leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union. Knight of the Order of the Red Banner No. 1 and the Order of the Red Star No. 1.

He commanded the 30th Infantry Division in Siberia and fought against the troops of A.V. Kolchak.

He was the head of the 51st Infantry Division. Blucher was appointed sole commander of the 51st Infantry Division, transferred to the reserve of the Main Command of the Red Army. In May, he was appointed head of the West Siberian sector of military and industrial maintenance. Appointed Chairman of the Military Council, Commander-in-Chief of the People's Revolutionary Army of the Far Eastern Republic and Minister of War of the Far Eastern Republic.

Post-war activities:

He was appointed commander of the 1st Rifle Corps, then commandant and military commissar of the Petrograd fortified area.

In 1924 he was seconded to the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR

In 1924 he was sent to China

Participated in the planning of the Northern Expedition.

Served as assistant commander of the Ukrainian Military District.

In 1929 he was appointed commander of the Special Far Eastern Army.

During the fighting at the lake, Khasan led the Far Eastern Front.

He died from beatings during the investigation in Lefortovo prison.

Tukhachevsky M.N. (1893-1937)

Mikhail Nikolaevich Tukhachevsky - Soviet military leader, military leader of the Red Army during the Civil War.

He voluntarily joined the Red Army and worked in the Military Department of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee. Joined the RCP(b), appointed military commissar of the Moscow defense region. Appointed commander of the newly created 1st Army of the Eastern Front. Commanded the 1st Soviet Army. Appointed assistant commander of the Southern Front (SF). Commander of the 8th Army of the Southern Fleet, which included the Inzen Rifle Division. Takes command of the 5th Army. Appointed commander of the Caucasian Front.

Kamenev S.S. (1881-1936)

Sergei Sergeevich Kamenev - Soviet military leader, army commander of the 1st rank.

From April 1918 in the Red Army. Appointed military leader of the Nevelsky district of the Western section of the veil detachments. From June 1918 - commander of the 1st Vitebsk Infantry Division. Appointed military commander of the Western section of the curtain and at the same time military commander of the Smolensk region. Commander of the Eastern Front. He led the offensive of the Red Army in the Volga and Urals. Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Republic.

Post-war activities:

Inspector of the Red Army.
Chief of Staff of the Red Army.
Chief Inspector.
Head of the Main Directorate of the Red Army, chief head of the cycle of tactics at the Military Academy. Frunze.
At the same time a member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR.
Deputy People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR.
Was accepted into the CPSU(b).
Was appointed head of the Red Army Air Defense Directorate
Kamenev was awarded the rank of army commander of the 1st rank.

Vatsetis I.I. (1873-1938)

Joachim Joakimovich Vatsetis - Russian, Soviet military leader. Commander of the 2nd rank.

After the October Revolution, they went over to the side of the Bolsheviks. He was the head of the operational department of the Revolutionary Field Headquarters at Headquarters. He led the suppression of the rebellion of the Polish corps of General Dovbor-Musnitsky. Commander of the Latvian Rifle Division, one of the leaders of the suppression of the Left Socialist Revolutionary uprising in Moscow in July 1918. Commander of the Eastern Front, Commander-in-Chief of all Armed Forces of the RSFSR. At the same time commander of the Army of Soviet Latvia. Since 1921, he has been teaching at the Military Academy of the Red Army, commander of the 2nd rank.

Post-war activities:

On July 28, 1938, on charges of espionage and participation in a counter-revolutionary terrorist organization, he was sentenced to death by the Military Collegium of the Supreme Court of the USSR.

Rehabilitated March 28, 1957

Chapaev V.I. (1887-1919)

Vasily Ivanovich Chapaev - commander of the Red Army, participant in the First World War and the Civil War.

Elected to the regimental committee, to the council of soldiers' deputies. He joined the Bolshevik Party. Appointed commander of the 138th regiment. He was a participant in the Kazan Congress of Soldiers' Soviets. He became commissar of the Red Guard and head of the Nikolaevsk garrison.

Chapaev suppressed a number of peasant uprisings. He fought against the Cossacks and the Czechoslovak Corps. Chapaev commanded the 25th Infantry Division. His division liberated Ufa from Kolchak’s troops. Chapaev took part in the battles to relieve the siege of Uralsk.

Formation of the White Army:

The General Staff began to take shape on November 2, 1917 in Novocherkassk by General M.V. Alekseev under the name “Alekseevskaya Organization.” From the beginning of December 1917, General L. G. Kornilov, who arrived in the Don General Staff, joined the creation of the army. At first, the Volunteer Army was staffed exclusively by volunteers. Up to 50% of those who signed up for the army were chief officers and up to 15% were staff officers; there were also cadets, cadets, students, and high school students (more than 10%). There were about 4% Cossacks, 1% soldiers. From the end of 1918 and in 1919-1920, due to mobilizations in territories controlled by whites, the officer cadre lost its numerical dominance; During this period, peasants and captured Red Army soldiers made up the bulk of the military contingent of the Volunteer Army.

December 25, 1917 received the official name "Volunteer Army". The army received this name at the insistence of Kornilov, who was in a state of conflict with Alekseev and dissatisfied with the forced compromise with the head of the former “Alekseev organization”: the division of spheres of influence, as a result of which, when Kornilov assumed full military power, Alekseev still retained political leadership and finance. By the end of December 1917, 3 thousand people had signed up as volunteers. By mid-January 1918 there were already 5 thousand of them, by the beginning of February - about 6 thousand. At the same time, the combat element of the Dobrarmiya did not exceed 4½ thousand people.

General M.V. Alekseev became the supreme leader of the army, and General Lavr Kornilov became the commander-in-chief of the General Staff.

White Guard uniform

The uniform of the White Guards, as is known, was created on the basis of the military uniform of the former tsarist army. Caps or hats were used as headdress. In the cold season, a bashlyk (cloth) was worn over the cap. An integral attribute of the White Guard uniform remained the tunic - a loose shirt with a stand-up collar, made of cotton fabric or thin cloth. You could see shoulder straps on her. Another important element of the White Guard uniform is the overcoat.

Heroes of the White Army:

Wrangel P.N.

Denikin A.I.

Dutov A.I.

Kappel V.O.

Kolchak A.V.

Kornilov L.G.

Krasnov P.N.

Semenov G.M.

Yudenich N.N.

Wrangel P.N. (1878-1928)

Pyotr Nikolaevich Wrangel is a Russian military leader, a participant in the Russo-Japanese and First World Wars, one of the main leaders of the White movement during the Civil War. Entered the Volunteer Army. During the 2nd Kuban campaign he commanded the 1st Cavalry Division, and then the 1st Cavalry Corps. Commanded the Caucasian Volunteer Army. He was appointed commander of the Volunteer Army operating in the Moscow direction. Ruler of the South of Russia and Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army. Since November 1920 - in exile.

Post-war activities:

In 1924, Wrangel created the Russian All-Military Union (ROVS), which united most of the participants in the White movement in exile.

In September 1927, Wrangel moved with his family to Brussels. He worked as an engineer in one of the Brussels companies.

On April 25, 1928, he died suddenly in Brussels after suddenly contracting tuberculosis. According to his family, he was poisoned by his servant's brother, who was a Bolshevik agent.

Denikin A.I. (1872-1947)

Anton Ivanovich Denikin - Russian military leader, political and public figure, writer, memoirist, publicist and military documentarian.

Took part in the organization and formation of the Volunteer Army. Appointed head of the 1st Volunteer Division. During the 1st Kuban Campaign he served as Deputy Commander of the Volunteer Army of General Kornilov. Became Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the South of Russia (AFSR).

Post-war activities:

1920 - moved to Belgium
The 5th volume, “Essays on the Russian Troubles,” was completed by him in 1926 in Brussels.
In 1926, Denikin moved to France and began literary work.
In 1936 he began publishing the newspaper “Volunteer”.
On December 9, 1945, in America, Denikin spoke at numerous meetings and addressed a letter to General Eisenhower calling on him to stop the forced rendition of Russian prisoners of war.

Kappel V.O. (1883-1920)

Vladimir Oskarovich Kappel - Russian military leader, participant in the First World War and Civil wars. One of the leaders White movement in the East of Russia. General Staff Lieutenant General. Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the Eastern Front of the Russian Army. He led a small detachment of volunteers, which was later deployed into the Separate Rifle Brigade. Later he commanded the Simbirsk groupVolga FrontPeople's Army. He headed the 1st Volga Corps of Kolchak's army. He was appointed commander of the 3rd Army, composed mainly of captured Red Army soldiers who had not received sufficient training. January 26, 1920 near the city of Nizhneudinsk , died of bilateralpneumonia.

Kolchak A.V. (1874-1920)

Alexander Vasilievich Kolchak - Russian oceanographer, one of the largest polar explorers, military and political figure, naval commander, admiral, leader of the White movement.

Established a military regime dictatorship in Siberia, the Urals and the Far East, liquidated by the Red Army and partisans. Member of the board of the CER. He was appointed Minister of War and Naval Affairs of the Government of the Directory. was elected Supreme Ruler of Russia and promoted to full admiral. Kolchak was shot along with the Chairman of the Council of Ministers V.N. Pepelyaev at 5 o’clock in the morning on the bank of the Ushakovka River.

Kornilov L.G. (1870-1918)

Lavr Georgievich Kornilov - Russian military leader, general. Military intelligence officer, diplomat and traveler-explorer. ParticipantCivil War, one of the organizers and Commander-in-ChiefVolunteer Army, leader of the White movement in the South of Russia, pioneer.

Commander of the created Volunteer Army. Killed on 04/13/1918 during the storming of Ekaterinodar (Krasnodar) in the 1st Kuban (Ice) campaign.

Krasnov P.N. (1869-1947)

Pyotr Nikolaevich Krasnov - general of the Russian Imperial Army, ataman All-Great Don Army, military and political figure, famous writer and publicist.

Krasnov's Don Army occupied the territoryRegions of the Don Army, knocking out parts from there Red Army , and he himself was elected ataman Don Cossacks. The Don Army in 1918 was on the verge of destruction, and Krasnov decided to unite with the Volunteer Army under the command of A.I. Denikin. Soon Krasnov himself was forced to resign and went toNorthwestern Army Yudenich , based in Estonia.

Post-war activities:

Emigrated in 1920. Lived in Germany, near Munich

Since November 1923 - in France.

Was one of the founders of "Brotherhood of Russian Truth»

Since 1936 lived in Germany.

Since September 1943 chief Main Directorate of Cossack TroopsImperial Ministry for the Eastern Occupied Territories Germany.

In May 1945 surrendered to the British.

He was transferred to Moscow, where he was kept in Butyrka prison.

By verdict Military Collegium of the Supreme Court of the USSRP. N. Krasnov was hanged in Moscow, inLefortovo prison January 16, 1947.

Grigory Mikhailovich Semenov - Cossack

ataman, leader of the White movement in Transbaikalia and the Far East,lieutenant general White Army . Continued to form into Transbaikalia mounted Buryat-Mongolian Cossack detachment. Three new regiments were formed in Semenov’s troops: 1st Ononsky, 2nd Akshinsko-Mangutsky and 3rd Purinsky. Was created military school for cadets . Semyonov was appointed commander of the 5th Amur Army Corps. Appointed commander of the 6th East Siberian Army Corps, assistant to the chief commander of the Amur region and assistant commander troops of the Amur Military District, commander of the troops of the Irkutsk, Transbaikal and Amur Military Districts.

In 1946 he was sentenced to death.

Yudenich N.N. (1862-1933)

Nikolai Nikolaevich Yudenich-

Russian military leader, infantry general.
In June 1919, Kolchak appointed him commander-in-chief of the north-west. army formed by Russian White Guards in Estonia, and became part of the Russian White Guard Northwestern government formed in Estonia. Undertook from the north-west. army's second campaign against Petrograd. The offensive was defeated near Petrograd. After the defeat of the north-west. army, was arrested by General Bulak-Balakhovich, but after the intervention of the allied governments he was released and went abroad. Died frompulmonary tuberculosis.

Results of the Civil War

In a fierce armed struggle, the Bolsheviks managed to retain power in their hands. All state formations that arose after the collapse of the Russian Empire were liquidated, with the exception of Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland.

On January 20, 1918, the following decree was published in the official organ of the Bolshevik government:

The old army served as an instrument of class oppression of the working people by the bourgeoisie. With the transfer of power to the working and exploited classes, the need arose to create a new army, which would be the stronghold of Soviet power in the present, the foundation for replacing the standing army with all-people's weapons in the near future and would serve as support for the coming socialist revolution in Europe.

In view of this, the Council of People's Commissars decides: to organize a new army called the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, on the following grounds:

1) The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army is created from the most conscious and organized elements of the working masses.

2) Access to its ranks is open to all citizens of the Russian Republic at least 18 years of age. Anyone who is ready to give their strength, their life to defend the gains of the October Revolution, the power of the Soviets and socialism, joins the Red Army. To join the Red Army, recommendations are required: from military committees or public democratic organizations standing on the platform of Soviet power, party or professional organizations, or at least two members of these organizations. When joining in whole parts, mutual responsibility of everyone and a roll-call vote are required.

1) The soldiers of the Workers' and Peasants' Army are on full state pay and, on top of this, receive 50 rubles a month.

2) Disabled members of the families of Red Army soldiers, who were previously their dependents, are provided with everything necessary according to local consumer standards, in accordance with the decrees of local bodies of Soviet power.

The supreme governing body of the Workers' and Peasants' Army is the Council of People's Commissars. Direct leadership and management of the army is concentrated in the Commissariat for Military Affairs in the special All-Russian Collegium created under it.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V. Ulyanov (Lenin).

Supreme Commander N. Krylenko.

People's Commissars for Military and Naval Affairs: Dybenko And Podvoisky.

People's Commissars: Proshyan, Zatonsky And Steinberg.

Administrator of the Council of People's Commissars Vlad. Bonch-Bruevich.

Controls

The supreme governing body of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army was the Council of People's Commissars. The leadership and management of the army was concentrated in the People's Commissariat for Military Affairs, in the special All-Russian Collegium created under it, since 1923, the Council of Labor and Defense of the USSR, since 1937, the Defense Committee of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR, since 1941, the State Defense Committee of the USSR.

Military authorities

The direct leadership of the Red Army is carried out by the Revolutionary Military Council of the RSFSR (Union) (RVS) (formed on September 6, 1918), headed by the People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs and the Chairman of the RVS.

People's Commissariat for Military and Naval Affairs - committee, consisting of:

26.10.1917-? - V. A. Ovseenko (Antonov) (in the text of the Decree on the formation of the Council of People's Commissars - Avseenko)
26.10.1917-? - N.V. Krylenko
10.26.1917-18.3.1918 - P. E. Dybenko

People's Commissars for Military and Naval Affairs:

8.4.1918 - 26.1.1925 - Trotsky L. D.

The central apparatus of the Red Army consists of the following main bodies:

2) Main Directorate of the Red Army

3) Management; subordinate to the chief of armaments of the Red Army

Artillery (since 1921 Main Artillery Directorate)
Military Engineering (since 1921 Main Military Engineering Directorate)
On August 15, 1925, the Military Chemical Directorate was created under the chief of supply of the Red Army (in August 1941, the “Directorate of Chemical Defense of the Red Army” was renamed the “Main Military Chemical Directorate of the Red Army”)
in January 1918, the Council of Armored Units (“Tsentrobron”) was created, and in August 1918 - the Central, and then the Main Armored Directorate. In 1929, the Central Directorate of Mechanization and Motorization of the Red Army was created, in 1937 it was renamed the Automotive and Tank Directorate of the Red Army, and in December 1942 the Directorate of the Commander of Armored and Mechanized Forces was formed.
and others

4) Directorate for combat training of the ground armed forces of the Red Army with inspections of the military branches

5) Directorate of Military Air Forces

6) Directorate of Naval Forces

7) Military Sanitary Department

8) Military veterinary department.

The body in charge of party-political and political-educational work in the Red Army is the Political Directorate of the Red Army.

Local military control is carried out through revolutionary military councils, commands and headquarters of military districts (armies), to which all troops located in the territory of a given district, as well as regional military commissariats, are subordinated. The latter are the bodies for registering the population liable for military service. All work of central and local government bodies in the Red Army is carried out in close connection with party, Soviet and professional organizations. In all parts and divisions of the Red Army there are organizations of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) and the Komsomol.

Artillery

The largest unit of artillery was an artillery regiment. It consisted of artillery battalions and regimental headquarters. The artillery division consisted of batteries and division control. The battery consisted of platoons. The battery has 4 guns.

Personnel

Commanders and soldiers of the Red Army, 1930

In general, the military ranks of junior command personnel (sergeants and foremen) of the Red Army correspond to the tsarist non-commissioned officer ranks, the ranks of junior officers - chief officer (the statutory address in the tsarist army is “your honor”), senior officers, from major to colonel - headquarters officers (the statutory address in the tsarist army is “your honor”), senior officers, from major general to marshal - general (“your excellency”).

A more detailed correspondence of ranks can only be established approximately, due to the fact that the very number of military ranks varies. Thus, the rank of lieutenant roughly corresponds to lieutenant, and the royal rank of captain roughly corresponds to the Soviet military rank of major.

It should also be noted that the insignia of the Red Army of the 1943 model was also not an exact copy of the tsarist ones, although they were created on their basis. Thus, the rank of colonel in the tsarist army was designated by shoulder straps with two longitudinal stripes and without stars; in the Red Army - two longitudinal stripes, and three medium-sized stars, arranged in a triangle.

Repressions 1937-1938

Human resources

Since 1918, the service has been voluntary (based on volunteers). But volunteerism could not provide the required number of fighters to the armed forces at the right time. On June 12, 1922, the Council of People's Commissars issued the first decree on conscription of workers and peasants of the Volga, Urals and West Siberian military districts. Following this decree, a number of additional decrees and orders on conscription into the armed forces were issued. On August 27, 1918, the Council of People's Commissars issued the first decree on the conscription of military sailors into the Red Fleet. The Red Army was a militia (from lat. militia- army), created on the basis of the territorial police system. Military units in peacetime consisted of an accounting apparatus and a small number of command personnel; Most of it and the rank and file, assigned to military units on a territorial basis, underwent military training using the method of non-military training and at short-term training camps. The construction of the Red Army from 1923 to the end of the 30s was carried out on the basis of a combination of territorial police and personnel formations. In modern conditions, with the growth of technical equipment of the armed forces and the complication of military affairs, the police armed forces have practically become obsolete. The system was based on military commissariats located throughout the Soviet Union. During the conscription campaign, young people were distributed on the basis of General Staff quotas by branch of the armed forces and services. After distribution, the conscripts were taken from the units by officers and sent to the young fighter course. There was a very small stratum of professional sergeants; Most of the sergeants were conscripts who had undergone a training course to prepare them for positions as junior commanders. In the 1970s, the ranks of warrant officers were introduced.

After the Civil War, representatives of the “exploiting classes” - children of merchants, priests, nobles, Cossacks, etc. - were not conscripted into the Red Army. In 1935, the conscription of Cossacks was allowed; in 1939, restrictions on conscription based on class were abolished, but restrictions on admission to military schools remained. .

The term of service in the army for infantry and artillery is 1 year, for cavalry, horse artillery and technical troops - 2 years, for the air fleet - 3 years, for the navy - 4 years.

During the period of post-war mass demobilization 1946-1948, conscription into the army was not carried out. Instead, conscripts were sent to reconstruction work. A new law on universal conscription was passed in 1949; in accordance with it, conscription is established once a year for a period of 3 years, in the navy 4 years. In 1968, the service period was reduced by one year, instead of conscription once a year, two conscription campaigns were introduced.

Military training

In the first half of 1918, universal education went through several stages of its development. On January 15, 1918, a decree was issued on the organization of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and the All-Russian Collegium for the formation of the Red Army was created under the People's Commissariat for Military and Naval Affairs. She launched active work in the center and locally. In particular, all military specialists and career officers were registered. In March 1918, the VII Congress of the RCP (b) decided on universal training of the population in military affairs. The day before, Izvestia All-Russian Central Executive Committee published an appeal: “Every worker, every woman worker, every peasant, every peasant woman must be able to shoot a rifle, revolver or machine gun!” Their training, which had already practically begun in the provinces, districts and volosts, was to be led by military commissariats formed in accordance with the decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR of April 8. On May 7, the Central Department of All-Russian Education was established at the All-Russian General Staff, headed by L.E. Maryasin, local departments were created at the military registration and enlistment offices. On May 29, the All-Russian Central Executive Committee issued the first decree on the transition from recruiting volunteers to the mobilization of workers and poor peasants.
In June 1918, the First Congress of General Education Workers took place, which made important decisions. In accordance with them, the activities of local educational institutions were also structured. Back in January, a provincial military department with an accounting subdepartment arose in Kostroma. The People's Commissariat for Military Affairs published instructions on the operating procedures of such bodies, recruitment centers were opened to enroll volunteers in the Red Army, and for the first time, widespread military training was launched. In February - March, Kostroma and Kineshma residents, mainly workers, enlist in the proletarian Red Army detachments. The military departments were training them. On March 21, the very day when the elective beginning in the Red Army was canceled (by order of the Supreme Military Council of the RSFSR), the All-Russian Collegium appealed to military specialists, to all officers of the old army, with an appeal to join the Red Army for command positions.

- A.M. Vasilevsky. "Life's work."

The military education system in the Red Army is traditionally divided into three levels. The main one is the system of higher military education, which is a developed network of higher military schools. Their students are traditionally called cadets in the Red Army, which roughly corresponds to the pre-revolutionary rank of “cadet.” The duration of training is 4-5 years, graduates receive the rank of lieutenant, which corresponds to the position of platoon commander.

If in peacetime the training program in schools corresponds to obtaining a higher education, in wartime it is reduced to secondary specialized education, the duration of training is sharply reduced, and short-term command courses lasting six months are organized.

Main building of the Military Medical Academy

A traditional feature of Russia is the system of secondary military education, consisting of a network of cadet schools and corps. After the collapse of the Armed Forces of the Russian Empire (Russian Imperial Army and Navy) in 1917-1918, this system ceased to exist. However, in the 40s it was actually restored as part of the general turn of the USSR towards pre-revolutionary Russian traditions caused by the Great Patriotic War. The leadership of the Communist Party authorized the founding of five Suvorov military schools and one Nakhimov naval school; The pre-revolutionary cadet corps served as a model for them. The training program in such schools corresponds to obtaining a complete secondary education; Suvorov and Nakhimov students usually enter higher military schools.

After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, a number of new educational institutions were organized in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, directly called “cadet corps”. The pre-revolutionary military rank of “cadet” and the corresponding insignia have been restored.

Another traditional feature of Russia is the system of military academies. Students who study there receive higher military education. This is in contrast to Western countries, where academies typically train junior officers.

Monument to Suvorov in the Swiss Alps

The military academies of the Red Army have experienced a number of reorganizations and redeployments, and are divided into various branches of the military (Military Academy of Logistics and Transport, Military Medical Academy, Military Academy of Communications, Academy of Strategic Missile Forces named after Peter the Great, etc.). After 1991, the point of view was promoted that a number of military academies were directly inherited by the Red Army from the tsarist army. In particular, the Military Academy named after M.V. Frunze comes from the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff, and the artillery Academy comes from the Mikhailovsky Artillery Academy, founded by Grand Duke Mikhail in 1820. This point of view was not shared during the Soviet period, because the history of the Red Army began in 1918. In addition, the Higher Military Scientific Courses (VVNK), created in the White emigration on the initiative of the former, were considered the direct successor of the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff. Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army Vel. Book Nikolai Nikolaevich the Younger as the successor and continuer of the traditions of the Academy of the General Staff.

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation retained the Soviet system of military education in general terms, while disbanding a number of schools as part of the general reduction of the Armed Forces in the 90s of the 20th century. However, the greatest loss for the military education system was the collapse of the USSR. Since the Soviet Army was a single system for the USSR, military schools were organized without taking into account the division into union republics. As a result, for example, out of 5 artillery schools of the USSR Armed Forces, 3 remained in Ukraine, despite the fact that the Ukrainian army did not require such a number of artillery officers.

Reserve officers

Like any other army in the world, the Red Army organized a system for training reserve officers. Its main goal is to create a large reserve of officers in case of general mobilization in wartime. The general trend of all armies of the world during the 20th century was a steady increase in the percentage of people with higher education among officers. In the post-war Soviet Army, this figure was actually increased to 100%.

In keeping with this trend, the Soviet Army viewed virtually any civilian with a college education as a potential wartime reserve officer. For their training, a network of military departments has been deployed at civilian universities, the training program in them corresponds to a higher military school.

A similar system was used for the first time in the world, in Soviet Russia, and adopted by the United States, where a significant part of officers are trained in non-military training courses for reserve officers, and in officer candidate schools. The developed network of higher military schools is also very expensive; the maintenance of one school costs the state approximately the same as the maintenance of a division fully deployed in wartime. Reserve officer training courses are much cheaper, and the United States places great emphasis on them.

Weapons and military equipment

The development of the Red Army reflected the general trends in the development of military equipment in the world. These include, for example, the formation of tank troops and air forces, the mechanization of infantry and its transformation into moto rifle troops, the disbandment of the cavalry, the appearance of nuclear weapons on the scene.

Role of the cavalry

The First World War, in which Russia took an active part, differed sharply in character and scale from all previous wars. A continuous multi-kilometer front line and protracted “trench warfare” made the widespread use of cavalry almost impossible. However, the Civil War was very different in nature from the First World War.

Its features included the excessive extension and unclearness of front lines, which made possible the widespread combat use of cavalry. The specifics of the civil war include the combat use of “carts,” which were most actively used by the troops of Nestor Makhno.

The general trend of the interwar period was the mechanization of troops, the abandonment of horse-drawn traction in favor of automobiles, and the development of tank forces. However, the need to completely disband the cavalry was not obvious to most countries of the world. In the USSR, some commanders who grew up during the Civil War spoke in favor of the preservation and further development of cavalry. Unfortunately, ardent supporters of the development of tank forces, such as Tukhachevsky, were mowed down by repression, while supporters of the cavalry, such as Budyonny and Kulik, were rather raised.

In 1941, the Red Army consisted of 13 cavalry divisions, deployed to 34. The final disbandment of the cavalry occurred in the mid-50s. The US Army command issued an order to mechanize the cavalry in 1942; the existence of cavalry in Germany ceased with its defeat in 1945.

Armored trains

Armored trains were widely used in many wars long before the Russian Civil War. In particular, they were used by British troops to protect vital railway communications during the Boer Wars. They were used during the American Civil War, etc. In Russia, the “armored train boom” occurred during the Civil War. This was caused by its specifics, such as the virtual absence of clear front lines, and the intense struggle for railways, as the main means for the rapid transfer of troops, ammunition, and grain.

Some armored trains were inherited by the Red Army from the Tsarist army, while mass production of new ones was launched. In addition, until 1919, mass production of “surrogate” armored trains continued, assembled from scrap materials from ordinary passenger cars in the absence of any drawings; such an “armored train” could be assembled literally in a day.

By the end of the Civil War, the Central Council of Armored Units (Tsentrobron) was in charge of 122 full-fledged armored trains, the number of which was reduced to 34 by 1928.

The widespread combat use of armored trains during the Civil War clearly demonstrated their main weakness. The armored train was a large, bulky target, vulnerable to artillery (and later air) strikes. It was also dangerously dependent on the railway line. To immobilize him, it was enough to destroy the canvas in front and behind.

However, during the interwar period, the Red Army did not abandon plans for the further technical development of armored trains. During the Great Patriotic War, railway artillery remained in service. A number of new armored trains were built, and railway air defense batteries were deployed. Armored train units played a certain role in the Great Patriotic War, primarily in protecting the railway communications of the operational rear.

At the same time, the rapid development of tank forces and military aviation that occurred during the Second World War sharply reduced the importance of armored trains. By a resolution of the USSR Council of Ministers of February 4, 1958, further development of railway artillery systems was stopped.

The rich experience accumulated by Russia in the field of armored trains allowed the USSR to add to its nuclear triad also railway-based nuclear forces - combat railway missile systems (BZHRK) equipped with RS-22 missiles (in NATO terminology SS-24 “Scalpel”). Their advantages include the ability to avoid impact due to the use of a developed railway network, and the extreme difficulty of tracking from satellites. One of the main demands of the United States in the 80s was the complete disbandment of the BZHRK as part of a general reduction in nuclear weapons. The United States itself has no analogues to the BZHRK.

Nuclear forces

In 1944, the Nazi leadership and the population of Germany began to come to the conclusion that defeat in the war was inevitable. Although the Germans controlled almost all of Europe, they were opposed by such powerful powers as the Soviet Union, the United States, and the British colonial empire, which controlled about one-quarter of the globe. The superiority of the Allies in people, strategic resources (primarily oil and copper), and the capabilities of the military industry became obvious. This entailed Germany's persistent search for a “miracle weapon” (wunderwaffe), which was supposed to change the outcome of the war. Research was carried out simultaneously in many areas, they led to significant breakthroughs and the emergence of a number of technically advanced combat vehicles.

One of the areas of research was the development of atomic weapons. Despite the serious successes achieved in Germany in this area, the Nazis had too little time; In addition, the research had to be carried out in conditions of the actual collapse of the German military machine, caused by the rapid advance of the Allied forces. It is also worth noting that the policy of anti-Semitism pursued in Germany before the war led to the flight of many prominent physicists from Germany.

This flow of intelligence played a certain role in the implementation by the United States of the Manhattan Project to create atomic weapons. The world's first atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 heralded the beginning of a new era for humanity - the era of atomic fear.

The sharp deterioration of relations between the USSR and the USA, which occurred immediately after the end of World War II, created a strong temptation for the United States to take advantage of its atomic monopoly. A number of plans were drawn up (“Dropshot”, “Chariotir”), which provided for a military invasion of the USSR simultaneously with the atomic bombing of the largest cities.

Such plans were rejected as technically impossible; At that time, nuclear weapons stockpiles were relatively small, and the main problem was delivery vehicles. By the time adequate delivery means had been developed, the US atomic monopoly had ended.

Both powers have deployed strategic nuclear triads: nuclear weapons that are based on land (intercontinental ballistic missiles in silos), water (strategic submarines) and air (strategic aircraft). Belonging to the “nuclear club” has become for many countries of the world an indicator of their authority on the world stage, but few nuclear powers can afford to create a full-fledged nuclear triad.

The doctrine of “nuclear deterrence” or “mutually assured destruction” became the doctrine of both countries. MAD- Mutual Assured Destruction). Any military conflict between superpowers inevitably meant the use of nuclear weapons, which should have entailed, apparently, the death of all life on the planet. However, the USSR and the USA continued to prepare for a potential military conflict without the use of nuclear weapons.

Modern Russia continues to view its nuclear arsenal as the only reliable guarantee of the country's preservation as an independent state. However, given the latest anti-missile systems, Russia's nuclear potential does not guarantee maximum security.

Preserving the Soviet nuclear legacy obviously does not serve the national interests of the United States. The existing balance may change if the United States manages to build an effective missile defense system capable of intercepting 100% of Russian nuclear missiles before approaching American territory.

In modern Russia, the greatly exaggerated concern of the United States about the safety of Russian nuclear weapons, the desire to provide technical means of security, assistance in training personnel, etc., have also not gone unnoticed. This has given rise to suspicions in Russia that, under the pretext of improving the security of nuclear weapons, the United States is trying to seize He has complete control. In 2004, presidential candidates' promises about who would "best secure Russian nuclear weapons" became a prominent factor in the US elections. In 2005, at the Bush-Putin summit in Bratislava, a joint commission was formed to study the issue of the safety of Russian nuclear weapons. In fact, the assistance of the United States (real or imaginary) was sharply rejected by the Russian side. Currently, the question of the safety of the Soviet nuclear legacy is no longer raised by the United States.

Warrior rituals

Their purpose is to maintain morale and remind us of military traditions, often dating back to the Middle Ages.

Revolutionary Red Banner

Revolutionary Red Banner of one of the units of the Red Army during the civil war:

The imperialist army is a weapon of oppression, the Red Army is a weapon of liberation.

Each individual combat unit of the Red Army has its own revolutionary Red Banner, awarded to it by the Soviet government. The revolutionary Red Banner is the emblem of the unit and expresses the internal unity of its fighters, united by a constant readiness to act at the first request of the Soviet government to defend the gains of the revolution and the interests of the working people.

The revolutionary Red Banner is in the unit and accompanies it everywhere in its military and peaceful life. The banner is awarded to the unit for the entire duration of its existence. The Order of the Red Banner awarded to individual units is attached to the revolutionary Red Banners of these units.

Military units and formations that have proven their exceptional devotion to the Motherland and have shown outstanding courage in battles with the enemies of the socialist fatherland or have shown high success in combat and political training in peacetime are awarded the “Honorary Revolutionary Red Banner”. The “Honorary Revolutionary Red Banner” is a high revolutionary award for the merits of a military unit or formation. It reminds military personnel of the ardent love of the Lenin-Stalin party and the Soviet government for the Red Army, of the exceptional achievements of the entire personnel of the unit. This banner serves as a call to improve the quality and pace of combat training and constant readiness to defend the interests of the socialist fatherland.

For each unit or formation of the Red Army, its Revolutionary Red Banner is sacred. It serves as the main symbol of the unit, and the embodiment of its military glory. In case of loss of the Revolutionary Red Banner, the military unit is subject to disbandment, and those directly responsible for such disgrace are subject to trial. A separate guard post is established to guard the Revolutionary Red Banner. Every soldier passing by the banner is obliged to give it a military salute. On especially solemn occasions, the troops perform a ritual of solemnly carrying out the Revolutionary Red Banner. To be included in the banner group directly conducting the ritual is considered a great honor, which is awarded only to the most worthy military personnel.

Military oath

Military oath of the Red Army. The copy is signed by Joseph Stalin

It is mandatory for recruits in any army in the world to take an oath. In the Red Army, this ritual is usually carried out a month after conscription, after the young soldier has completed the course. Before being sworn in, soldiers are prohibited from being entrusted with weapons; There are a number of other restrictions. On the day of the oath, the soldier receives weapons for the first time; he breaks ranks, approaches the commander of his unit, and reads a solemn oath in front of the formation. The oath is traditionally considered an important holiday, and is accompanied by the ceremonial carrying out of the Battle Banner.

The text of the oath read as follows:

I, a citizen of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, joining the ranks of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, take the oath and solemnly swear to be an honest, brave, disciplined, vigilant fighter, strictly keep military and state secrets, unquestioningly carry out all military regulations and orders of commanders, commissars and bosses.

I swear to conscientiously study military affairs, to protect military property in every possible way and to my last breath to be devoted to my people, my Soviet Motherland and the workers' and peasants' government.

I am always ready, by order of the workers' and peasants' government, to defend my Motherland - the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and, as a warrior of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, I swear to defend it courageously, skillfully, with dignity and honor, not sparing my blood and life itself to achieve complete victory over the enemy.

If, out of malicious intent, I violate this solemn oath of mine, then may I suffer the severe punishment of Soviet law, the general hatred and contempt of the working people.

Military salute

Facade of the Mausoleum

3. Greetings in and out of formation. To greet direct superiors, the command “at attention”, “turn to the right (left, middle)” is given. At this command, the military personnel take the “at attention” position, and the unit commanders (and political instructors) at the same time put their hand to the headdress and do not lower it until the “at ease” command given by the person who gave the “at attention” command. After the command is given, the senior commander approaches the newcomer and, stopping three steps from him, reports for what purpose the unit was built. Example: “Comrade Corps Commander, the 4th Infantry Regiment has been built for inspector shooting. The regiment commander is Colonel Sergeev." In the same order, a Red Army soldier, appointed senior over several other Red Army soldiers, greets his direct superiors. His approximate report: “Comrade Lieutenant, the team of Red Army soldiers of the 2nd squad, assigned to work on the target yard, has been built. The team leader is Red Army soldier Vasiliev.” At the meeting of the chairmen of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and Union Republics, the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR and Union Republics, the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR and his deputies, the orchestra performs the anthem “Internationale”. When direct superiors meet - from the commander and military commissar of their unit and above - the orchestra performs a counter march. If the commander greets a unit or individual military personnel, they answer “hello.” To congratulations, the military unit (unit) responds with a drawn-out cry of “hurray,” and individual military personnel respond with “thank you.” In response to gratitude, the military unit and individual servicemen respond: “We serve (serve) the Soviet Union.” When saying goodbye, they say “goodbye.” When passing by the Lenin Mausoleum, as well as state monuments declared by order of the People's Commissariat of Defense of the USSR, military units greet them with the command “at attention”. For mutual greeting when meeting military units (subunits), as well as separately following commands, their commanders also give commands: “at attention”, “align to the right (left)”. The commands “stand up” and “at attention” are not given during maneuvers, tactical exercises, shooting (at the firing line), marching movements, work in workshops, garages, parks, hangars, at radio and telegraph stations, in laboratories, clinics, drawing rooms , when performing various chores, after the evening dawn, before the morning dawn, during lunch, dinner and tea. In these cases, the senior commander present or the duty officer (orderly) approaches the arriving (or encountered) chief and reports which unit (unit) is doing what. Examples: “Comrade Colonel, the team of the 3rd company is determining distances. The senior team member is Red Army soldier Sidorov.” “Comrade regimental commissar, the communications company has arrived from lunch, Red Army orderly Voloshin.” The command “at attention” and a report to the boss are given only when he attends classes for the first time on a given day. In the presence of a senior superior, the command “attention” and the report are not given to the junior superior. In the presence of the unit commander, the command “at attention” and the report to the military commissar of the unit are not given; in this case, the unit commander reports to the military commissar what the unit (unit) is doing. In the absence of the unit commander, the command “at attention” and the report are given to the military commissar of the unit. in cases where a person from the commanding staff arrives at the unit, whom the military personnel (duty officer, orderly) of this unit do not know, the senior commander (duty officer, orderly) approaches the arrival according to the rules of the Military Regulations and asks to present a document. Example: “Comrade Brigade Commander, I don’t know you, please show me your ID.” The procedure for checking a document is as follows. On the back of the top cover of the ID card, look for a photo card, the edge of which should be covered with the seal of the institution or military unit. Compare the photo with the face of the ID holder. On the first and second pages, read the title, surname, first name, patronymic and position. On page six, check for signatures and seals and return the ID. If the newcomer turns out to be the direct superior, give the command “at attention” (when required) and give a report, as indicated above. As a sign of belonging to the Red Army, mutual respect and military courtesy, military personnel greet each other. Never wait for another service member to greet you. First of all, greet yourself. Those sitting stand up to greet. Get up cheerfully and abruptly. When singing the “International” anthem, when you are out of formation (at parades, parades and in public places), take a position “at attention”; if you are wearing a headdress, apply it to it and stand in this position until the end of the anthem.