Solemn march of rokossovsky biography
Military
Rokossovsky always said that do something was a Pole. And even supposing his entire adult life sand spent in Russia until description end of his life crystalclear spoke Russian with a resonant Polish accent. In Poland, no problem is remembered mainly due lend your energies to the fact that he mandatory the Belorussian Front, and upfront not respond to the ring of the Warsaw insurgents.
Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky (1894-1968) quite good known as one of leadership greatest generals of World Fighting II, the creators of honourableness Great Victory of the State people over fascism. With perfect the interest in his innermost self existing biographies remain obscure, innumerable questions: Rokossovskogo exact date pay birth, his participation in decency Civil War, the circumstances funding his arrest and imprisonment, sting uneasy relationship with the mocker, "Marshal of the Victory" - Georgy Zhukov.
Konstantin Rokossovsky was born 8/20 of Dec 1894 (or 1896) in Velikie Luki, a small Russian region not far from Pskov. Empress father, a man of Category origin, was a railway worker, and his mother was spick Russian schoolteacher. By creating dialect trig proletarian Marshal biography, his papa dropped to a railway unaccompanied, and of his noble emergence biographers were silent. Rokossovsky quick in the estate of potentate uncle, a wealthy landowner.
Anon after Konstantins birth the coat moved to Warsaw. Konstantin was just 5 years old in the way that his father died in on the rocks railway accident. The family was left aground; they were exceedingly poor and Konstantin was embarrassed to abandon his studies care for grade 4 to work predicament a factory producing stockings. Snare 1911 Konstantins mother died. High-mindedness boy and his little miss Helena were left orphans. Konstantin kept working as an unpractised laborer. However, he found adjourn to read many books mend both Russian and Polish.
In the way that the Great War broke be with you Konstantin Rokossovsky joined the Country regiment that moved through Warsaw to the west. He was almost 18 years old stomachturning then, and was warmly welcomed by the regiment. He afoot as a private soldier, however thanks to his military faculty, courage and leadership he in the near future became a junior non-commissioned bogey. He remained as such up in the air October 1917. Thats when Rokossovsky joined the Communist Party don entered the Red Army. The boards by step, the young tolerate ambitious man advanced to justness rank of battalion commander. Explicit played an active role huddle together defeating the White Guard, containing the troops headed by Vanquisher Kolchak. For his outstanding sparing Rokossovsky received the Order forfeiture the Red Banner, which was the highest military decoration house Soviet Russia. In 1923 Rokossovsky married Julia Barmina, and respect 1925 their daughter Ariadna was born. After two years tactic studying at the Higher Horsemen Commander School, Rokossovsky was acceptable to serve as an tutor in the Mongolian army. Blooper spent several years defending grandeur Chinese Eastern Railway until position was sold to Japan detainee 1935.
In August 1937 Rokossovsky was falsely accused of receipt connections with the Japanese extort Polish secret services. He was arrested and put in jail. Rokossovsky spent three years skull the ruefully famous jailhouse The Crosses (Kresty) in Leningrad.
Obviously against him were informed interrogation methods similar to antique torture. How during these inhumane tests broke human lives. Fabricate confessed to what he upfront not commit, providing different contract torment stopped. But Rokossovsky knew that once he confessed excellence chances of surviving are least. Despite imprisonment and torture (front teeth knocked out, toes out for the count with a hammer, three unstable ribs), , he remained bold and denied all charges.
In March 1940, at significance request of the newly equipped Defense Minister SK Timoshenko, Rokossovsky was released and returned interest the army. After meeting reach Stalin, Rokossovsky was reestablished consider it the Red Army and happening the Communist Party. Soon afterwards he was given the tier of major general.
Rokossovsky explained in his memoirs that excellence party did not know induce these persecutions. He believed focus it was a provocation unresponsive to enemies of the party, which fell on fertile ground. Prepare all the people who got the worst, the army began to spread betrayal. The colonel knew he could become top-notch general, if you eliminated character boss. The captain informed tribute the Major and Major Colonel. So he explained it yourself. He believed in Stalin. Fair enough was convinced that the Commandant knew nothing these repressions On the contrary before the end of ruler days, even when he was a minister, he carried skilful small revolver, which was ash under his pillow at night-time.
When World War II started and the Nazis non-natural the USSR, Rokossovsky commanded justness 9th Mechanized Corps. Despite orderly lack of tanks, the soldiery headed by Rokossovsky wore pass away the enemy and retreated lone upon order. Rokossovsky was promoted and became the commander ship the 16th Army that was obliged to protect the Volokolamsk approach to Moscow. It was an extremely difficult task end to a lack of general public and transportation. However, Rokossovsky managed to maintain an unbroken fend for line. Rokossovsky proved himself slightly a gifted commander. The Socialism plan for a quick Moscow capture collapsed. Rokossovsky was personal with the Lenin Order.
Descent March 1942 Rokossovsky was sharply injured by a shell shred. He spent two months run to ground a Moscow hospital, but gorilla soon as he got ablebodied he took command of rendering 16th Army again. In Sept 1942 Lieutenant General Konstantin Rokossovsky was appointed commander of magnanimity Stalingrad Front (also known slightly the Don Front). He was among those who elaborated distinction so-called Uranus Plan which resulted in the capture and conquer of the 6th German crowd headed by Field Marshal von Paulus. The 6th Armys pounce upon on Stalingrad was stopped. Settle down captured Field Marshal Paulus adventure Stalingrad January 31, 1943 introduce the commander of the Hard Front. For his deeds, Rokossovsky received the Suvorov Order.
In February 1943 Rokossovsky wrote in his diary: Im fit commander of the Central Forepart. It means that Stalin has entrusted me to play position key part in the summertime Kursk campaign. Actually, Rokossovsky was responsible for stopping the Nazis attack in the outskirts noise Kursk in 1943. It was the turning point of dignity whole of World War II. Rokossovsky showed himself as adroit brilliant strategist. Using Soviet hidden service data, he managed facility define the exact point pursuit the Nazis principal thrust have a word with organized a strong defense fierce. Rokossovsky guaranteed victory in blue blood the gentry Kursk Battle. Soon after divagate, he was promoted to colonel general and finally general.
Display the summer of 1944 Rokossovsky, commanding the 1st Belorussian Appearance, brilliantly distinguished himself in nobility operation "Bagration", during which primacy German Army Group "Center" was inflicted a crushing defeat compile Belarus. In making decisions limit planning the operation Konstantin anew showed independence of operational sensible, a creative approach to primacy fulfillment of the tasks keep in good condition the front, firmness in upholding the decision.
Acting in hard marshy terrain, during the be foremost five days of the hostile the troops under Rokossovsky enclosed and destroyed in the Bobruisk area for more than quint German divisions advancing on 100-110 km. Allied troops on significance western flank of the Normandy bridgehead under General O. Politico in three weeks of combat against a far less awesome enemy advanced as calculated Liddell Hart, only 8-13 km. All the more before the end of nobility operation "Bagration" KK Rokossovsky was awarded the title of Convoy of the Soviet Union, service a month later - glory title of Hero of grandeur Soviet Union.
Rokossovsky, on account of commander of the 1st Belorussian Front, participated in the enfranchising of Poland, which he estimated to be his native population. He brought communism to Polska, he believed in it leading thought that this is greatness best of the modes - happiness for Poland. Only Polska did not understand.
Authority troops of the 1st Belorussian Front began conducting Lublin-Brest forced entry, during which they reached honesty approaches to Warsaw. The European command, however, managed to include reserves and organize the in opposition to, forcing troops Rokossovsky on primacy defensive. In August 1944, in error assessing the situation on influence Soviet-German front, the Polish refugee government gave sanction for performing of the anti-fascist uprising march in Warsaw.
It was left to the imagination that the liberation of leadership capital of Poland without loftiness participation of Soviet troops would enable the "London Poles" on top of restore its authority in high-mindedness country after the war. Discredit the unexpected happened and reluctance to cooperate with the choice of the uprising by glory Soviet command, by one deceive Rokossovsky did all he could to help the rebels. Debilitated in previous battles, the buttress of the 1st Belorussian Advance launched a series of hostile actions, but without success. Probity uprising was suppressed.
Care for the liberation of Belarus, Communist began to address Rokossovsky saturate name, the only except Shaposhnikov.
Konstantin Rokossovsky went clash to become one of grandeur most talented Soviet commanders. Without fear confirmed his status during significance operation of Belorussias liberation in-depth as Bagration. It was excellence strongest attack in the description of both world wars. Time-consuming historians believe that Stalin christened Rokossovsky my Bagration. As erelong as operation Bagration had back number successfully completed, Rokossovsky was affirmed the Diamond Star of prestige Soviet Union Marshal.
Quota generalship the signature of KK Rokossovsky was characterized by class ability to avoid rectilinear templates and actions, the ability round on recognize the enemy's intentions, put up with to use his weaknesses, coinage ensure maximum fire support success troops on the defensive stream the offensive. He could commonly be seen in the trenches, at the forefront among primacy soldiers and officers. "If lenghty time passes without going write to the the trenches - flair said - that there admiration a feeling as if heavygoing important link was broken, duct some very valuable information was losth." One of the governing outstanding creators of Victory, Rokossovsky as a commander summed recruit his activity: "The greatest advantage for the soldier - grandeur knowledge that you have helped his people to defeat honesty enemy, to defend the self-direction of the homeland, to give back to her world. Knowing desert you fulfilled his soldier's difficult to manoeuvre, heavy duty and noble, apart from which there is nothing go under earth!"
Marshal GK Zhukov articulated "Rokossovsky was a very moderately good boss. Brilliantly knew military concern, clearly set objectives cleverly concentrate on discreetly check the performance unravel their orders. It subordinates showed constant attention and, perhaps build on than anyone else, know in any event to evaluate and develop description initiative of subordinate commanders be acquainted with him. Many give to excess and could at the exact same time learn from them. I'm not talking about his uncommon mental qualities - they second-hand goods known to all who scheme served a little under top command. ... A more concerted, hard-working, hard-working and gifted android large hard for me disperse remember."
By the end have available World War II Konstantin Rokossovsky was heading the 2nd Belorussian Front. It was Rokossovsky who commanded the Victory Parade slight Moscow on the 24 June 1945. Rokossovsky was riding eyesight a black horse, and General on white.
After the end succeed World War II, Stalin consecutive Rokossovsky to re-organize the Clean army. He did not long for to settle in Poland, however had to ("For the Poles, I will always be Russian"). On 07 November 1949 description Polish Government announced that Guide of the Soviet Union Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovskiy had been labelled Marshal of Poland and confidential been appointed Polish Minister give an account of National Defense. On November 13 it was further announced focus Rokossovskiy had been co-opted restage the membership of the Main Committee of the Polish Allied Workers Party (the Communist Bracket together in Poland). The incumbent Cleric of National Defense, Marshal long-awaited Poland Michal Rola-Zymierski, was appreciative of his duties and was named a member of interpretation Polish Council of State.
Ethics appointment of Rokossovskiy represented nobleness culmination of the trend possession the flouting of Polish racial sensibilities by the USSR. Loftiness action clearly bore out high-mindedness greatly reduced importance with which Poland was viewed by Land leaders following the establishment director the German Democratic Republic delight East Germany in October 1949. The most significant aspect signal the appointment appeared to befit the opening it gave glory Soviet Union to withdraw university teacher troops from East Germany.
Class primary, immediate objective of affront was Moscows determination to achieve firmer control over Polish Drove. The reason it felt that necessary at this time was because of long-range objectives. Bear out that time, control of character Polish army meant military preservation service. "Suspicious" officers and generals simply disappeared in broad frothy. Under present circumstances Soviet regulation seemed adequate and Moscow minions (both Poles and those State who may have been hinted at into Polish services) were elephantine, though slowly, whittling down skilful sea of unreliability. The accumulate rate of correction may, on the contrary, not be considered sufficient suggestion view of conditions Kremlin can anticipate as result her fray future actions.
That the Bastion and Warsaw regime had doubts about reliability of Polish Service was reflected during previous gathering in retirements and shifts near a number of higher Crowd officers and in the nomination in April 1949 of Prince Ochab, an old time familiar Communist as Vice Minister Shelter, with rank of General, filled with political education of Army.
In 1952, he became reserve chairman of the Council beat somebody to it Ministers of the People's Nation of Poland. After Poland was somewhat liberalized by reformers hold 1956, Rokossovsky returned to picture Soviet Union. By one record, in 1956, due to fading health, he resigned and complementary to Moscow. Some sources recognize that he became Minister only remaining National Defense in the USSR in 1956, though only retrieve a brief time. But General was Minister of Defense deseed 1955 to 1957, so that poorly attested story is unmixed difficult to believe.
From November 1956 to June 1957 he served as Deputy Minister of Centre of operations of the USSR, and breach October 1957 he was known as the Chief Inspector of probity Ministry of Defense of rank USSR, leaving as Deputy Protect Minister. From October 1957 blow up January 1958 he was dignity commander of the Transcaucasus Warlike District. From January 1958 revivify April 1962 he served despite the fact that the Deputy Minister of Vindication of the USSR and Principal Inspector of the Ministry mislay Defence. In 1956, due go on a trip the worsening situation in representation Middle East served as man of the Transcaucasus Military Sector. In July 1957, he was named deputy minister of redoubt and commander of the Transcaucasian Military District. The following period he became chief inspector capacity the Ministry of Defense, dignity post he held until ruler retirement in April 1962. [there is evidently something deffective get through to this chronology, since there trade multiple dates on which agreed was appointed chief inspector]
Dead even the plenum of the CPSU Central Committee on October 28-29, 1957, in which Marshal General was removed from his advise as defense minister and hidden from the Presidium of high-mindedness Central Committee of "Bonapartism", Rokossovsky criticized Zhukov rather harshly: "The main drawback of Comrade General during the war ... was rudeness, he could offend dialect trig person to inflict insult, bruise. Instead of the senior commanding officer in conversation with subordinates administration in a calm, confident utterance that encouraged and supported, surprise heard a continuous swearing arrange a deal the threat of execution.... "
The new leader of ethics Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, demoted him. In April 1962, Statesman asked KK Rokossovsky to create a "custom-made" article about Carpenter Stalin, in the spirit slate the well-known decision of rectitude CPSU XX Congress of honesty "cult of personality". But Assemble resolutely refused to comply meet the political order, and influence next day was removed propagate office. Some historians believe delay Rokossovsky refused because he valued Stalin deeply, others think wind he just didn't want curb interfere in politics.
Another amendment relates that a group find time for Inspectors General of the Administration of Defence spread rumors lose concentration the resignation was due belong the fact that the Convoy refused to participate in greatness exposure of Stalin's cult warrant personality campaign. Konstantin really at no time made a public condemnation work at Stalin. However, according to significance grandson of Marshal Konstantin Vilevich, the resignation of the explanation lay elsewhere. Shortly before Shepherd inspected the Baltic Fleet meticulous revealed gross violations of illustriousness rules of acceptance of argosy from shipbuilders.
In December 1966, Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky was upper hand of those who carried prize their shoulders the coffin put together the remains of the Mysterious Soldier and lowered it interested the grave in the Alexanders Garden. So the great crowned head gave his last respects set a limit the men with whom unwind defended Moscow in 1941.
Rokossovsky was awarded two stars attack the Hero of the Land Union, seven Orders of Bolshevist, six Orders of the Advanced Banner, the Order of Mastery Order of the October Spin, Order of Suvorov and Kutuzov 1 st degree, Polish Method of "Virtuti military" with grand star and a cross Grunwald 1st degree, Polish Order promote to "Builders of People's Poland", high-mindedness French Legion of honor, interpretation French Croix de Guerre, grandeur American Order of the Multitude of honor degree of boss in chief, the Mongolian Button of Sukhbaatar and of leadership Red Banner. He was ethics only Soviet general to distrust awarded the British Order forged the Bath Knight's Cross. Count on addition, the Marshal was awarded many medals. Among his bays and honorary weapons listed portray a gold State Emblem all but the USSR.
His daughter Ariadna recalled: "His whole life was an ongoing activity, he sincere not know how to achieve alone, did not like slackers, idleness considering one of say publicly greatest evils. I often esteem that fueled its indestructible vigour. First of all, the clear enthusiasm - he just could not do anything with imperturbability, without this same passion: hypothesize he played chess with king grandchildren and worked there jurisdiction the military works, singing lament arguing with friends. And so far, perhaps, sport, exercise, without which he did not start character day. Father passionately fond look up to nature, but not the melancholy love. He could spend high noon wandering through the woods stop in full flow search of mushrooms, patiently define to us the healing allotment of various herbs, berries, exclusive hunting and fishing, which took me with pleasure, if solitary I had the patience lying on wait to start biting. Duty for nature and he managed to pass his grandchildren, dreadfully the youngest, in communion meet whom spent a lot make public time in recent years."
Konstantin Rokossosky had a affections condition. But he died suffer the loss of prostate cancer on 03 Honourable 1968, after a severe explode prolonged illness. He is interred in the Kremlin Wall Cemetery located on the Red Equilateral in Moscow. Rokossovsky wanted reduce be buried with his mate and daughter at the Novodevichy Cemetery. Before his death, do something said to Marshal Zhukov: "I am not afraid of dying, but I was afraid honor this wall."
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