Military officer.
One of the most celebrated Soviet Field Marshals of World War II. He was the chief mastermind of the massive Soviet counter attack, that drove Nazis permanently out of Russia.
Background
Lived: 1895-1977.
Alexander Vasilevsky was born to a priest’s family. He planned to become a farmer, but World War I interfered.
Career
Vasilevsky was sent to Galicia where he participated in the famous Brusilov Offensive. He also took part in the Russo-Polish War (1919-21). Vasilevsky was among those generals that Stalin’s Purges left untouched.
World War II
When the Winter War broke out with Finland, Alexander Vasilevsky began serving in the General Staff. Stalin had faith in him and he was ranked Major General.
In 1942, Vasilevsky was appointed Chief of General Staff. He was sent to Stalingrad by the Stavka (high command of the army), where he prepared a large-scale counter attack plan together with Zhukov. Vasilevsky was promoted Marshal and he took part in the Battle of Kursk.
From 1945, Vasilevsky commanded the Belorussian Front to Eastern Prussia and stormed the city of Königsberg.
By 1945 Vasilevsky was chosen to accomplish an offensive against Japan. He prepared a plan to invade Manchuria, that Stavka accepted and was named Chief of Soviet Forces in the Far East. In August 1945, Japan was defeated in Manchuria in just 24 days.
Later life
Alexander Vasilevsky enjoyed prominence as the Minister of Defence from 1949-53. After Stalin’s death he gradually fell out of favour and lost his positions. He died in 1977.
Alexander Vasilevsky
Military officer.
One of the most celebrated Soviet Field Marshals of World War II. He was the chief mastermind of the massive Soviet counter attack, that drove Nazis permanently out of Russia.
Background
Lived: 1895-1977.
Alexander Vasilevsky was born to a priest’s family. He planned to become a farmer, but World War I interfered.
Career
Vasilevsky was sent to Galicia where he participated in the famous Brusilov Offensive. He also took part in the Russo-Polish War (1919-21). Vasilevsky was among those generals that Stalin’s Purges left untouched.
World War II
When the Winter War broke out with Finland, Alexander Vasilevsky began serving in the General Staff. Stalin had faith in him and he was ranked Major General.
In 1942, Vasilevsky was appointed Chief of General Staff. He was sent to Stalingrad by the Stavka (high command of the army), where he prepared a large-scale counter attack plan together with Zhukov. Vasilevsky was promoted Marshal and he took part in the Battle of Kursk.
From 1945, Vasilevsky commanded the Belorussian Front to Eastern Prussia and stormed the city of Königsberg.
By 1945 Vasilevsky was chosen to accomplish an offensive against Japan. He prepared a plan to invade Manchuria, that Stavka accepted and was named Chief of Soviet Forces in the Far East. In August 1945, Japan was defeated in Manchuria in just 24 days.
Later life
Alexander Vasilevsky enjoyed prominence as the Minister of Defence from 1949-53. After Stalin’s death he gradually fell out of favour and lost his positions. He died in 1977.
Battle of Stalingrad