Marshal of the Soviet Union. Top Soviet military commander in the Second World War, or "The Great Patriotic War," as it was known to the Soviet People. Born of very humble roots, not far from Moscow; he first saw combat when he was conscripted into the Czarist army to fight the Germans, in the First World War. He became an NCO in the Cavalry (Dragoons). In the Russian Civil War of 1918, Zhukov commanded Bolshevik troops, and became a party member in 1919. After this, he attended a military academy; specializing in armoured warfare. During World War II, he served as commander of the central front, which included the capital of Moscow. As the German army drove within kilometers of Moscow, he advised Stalin he would indeed hold the city. He brought in fresh winter troops from the East, when it became obvious the Japanese were not going to attack. Zhukov threw these troops into the Germans, spelling the end for them. He also helped relieve the German siege of Leningrad, Stalingrad and Kursk; and directed the seizure of Berlin. In 1946, he was heralded in Moscow as a hero, and was appointed top Soviet military commander of all forces. There was a falling out between him and Stalin, sending the former to a series of obscure assignments. After Stalin's death in 1953, he later became Soviet defense minister until 1957. Zhukov, however, was a soldier and not a politician. He tended to be brusque in his demeanor, when it came to politicians. He was essentially "retired" from public life, until the 20th Anniversary of Victory parades in 1965. He passed away in 1974, and was afforded full military honors. "Where you find Zhukov, you find victory."
Marshal of the Soviet Union. Top Soviet military commander in the Second World War, or "The Great Patriotic War," as it was known to the Soviet People. Born of very humble roots, not far from Moscow; he first saw combat when he was conscripted into the Czarist army to fight the Germans, in the First World War. He became an NCO in the Cavalry (Dragoons). In the Russian Civil War of 1918, Zhukov commanded Bolshevik troops, and became a party member in 1919. After this, he attended a military academy; specializing in armoured warfare. During World War II, he served as commander of the central front, which included the capital of Moscow. As the German army drove within kilometers of Moscow, he advised Stalin he would indeed hold the city. He brought in fresh winter troops from the East, when it became obvious the Japanese were not going to attack. Zhukov threw these troops into the Germans, spelling the end for them. He also helped relieve the German siege of Leningrad, Stalingrad and Kursk; and directed the seizure of Berlin. In 1946, he was heralded in Moscow as a hero, and was appointed top Soviet military commander of all forces. There was a falling out between him and Stalin, sending the former to a series of obscure assignments. After Stalin's death in 1953, he later became Soviet defense minister until 1957. Zhukov, however, was a soldier and not a politician. He tended to be brusque in his demeanor, when it came to politicians. He was essentially "retired" from public life, until the 20th Anniversary of Victory parades in 1965. He passed away in 1974, and was afforded full military honors. "Where you find Zhukov, you find victory."
Bio by: ElmerChuChu
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