The introduction of the position and title of “deputy and assistant political instructor” was achieved by the then head of the Main Political Directorate of the Red Army Mehlis L.Z.
He considered that personnel were covered political leadership, only starting from the company level. And the platoon does not have a full-time political instructor. By order of NKO No. 19 of January 25, 1938. The position of assistant (deputy) political instructor was introduced in each platoon.
Pompolitruks had to wear four triangles, like the foreman, but have commissar stars on their sleeves. However, they could not spread this practice everywhere in the army. First of all, due to the fact that among the younger command staff There were almost no members of the CPSU(b) or Komsomol members, and there was no one to fill these positions.
However, the position of deputy political officer existed until 1943.
Belyaev Ivan Petrovich, deputy political instructor of the 4th outpost of the 17th Brest Border Detachment. In the photograph presented in the exhibition of the Defense Museum Brest Fortress, he has 4 triangles in his buttonholes.
Political instructor reconnaissance company 195th rifle regiment 65th rifle division Ural Military District with the rank of deputy political commander E.P. Ustinov. 1938
Deputy political officers.
Conscript deputy political officer from among the chairmen of the presidiums of the Komsomol units. IN in this case- Komsomol organizer of the artillery battery of a separate horse-mountain artillery division:
Deputy political officer border troops holding an officer position.
A.V. Bagrov - deputy political instructor of the rifle unit.
"As a souvenir to my dear mother from my son Anatoly. Photographed on June 30, 1941 in Uzbekistan. I was in a hurry. I sat on a chair without looking at myself. July 1, 1941. Political instructor."
Same in 1945.
The photographs, dated in the winter of 1945-1946, show a soldier drafted into the army for military service in the summer of 1940. By the beginning of the war he was assistant commander rifle platoon Rifle Regiment of the Red Army by position and deputy political instructor by military rank.
From July 1941 to May 1945 - in Nazi captivity.
After a special inspection procedure, he became a platoon commander in a construction battalion formed in Austria from former Soviet prisoners of war. This construction battalion restored bridges in Vienna that were destroyed during the storming of the city. At that time, he was a private in military rank, but was demobilized in 1946 as a sergeant major.
The period under consideration covers the time from September 1935 to May (November) 1940.
Despite the introduction of a disguised system of military ranks in 1924, the need to introduce a full-fledged system of personal ranks was obvious. The leader of the country, J.V. Stalin, understood that the introduction of ranks would increase not only the responsibility of the command staff, but also authority and self-respect; will increase the authority of the army among the population, raise prestige military service. In addition, the system of personal ranks facilitated the work of army personnel authorities, made it possible to develop a clear set of requirements and criteria for the assignment of each rank, systematized official correspondence, and would be a significant incentive for official zeal. However, part of the senior command staff (Budeny, Voroshilov, Timoshenko, Mehlis, Kulik) resisted the introduction of new ranks. They hated the very word “general.” This resistance was reflected in the ranks of the senior command staff.
The resolution of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR dated September 22, 1935 abolished the division of military personnel into categories (K1, ..., K14) and established personal military ranks. Transition process personal titles occupied the entire autumn until December 1935. In addition, rank insignia were introduced only in December 1935. This gave rise to the general opinion of historians that ranks in the Red Army were introduced in December 1935.
Private and junior command personnel also received personal ranks in 1935, which, however, sounded like job titles. This feature of the naming of ranks has given rise to a widespread mistake among many historians, who claim that in 1935 privates and junior command personnel did not receive ranks. However, the Charter internal service Red Army 1937 in Art. 14 clause 10 lists the ranks of ordinary and junior command and command personnel.
It should, however, be noted negative point V new system ranks. The military personnel were divided into:
- 1) Command staff.
- 2) Commanding staff:
- a) military-political composition;
- b) military-technical personnel;
- c) military-economic and administrative staff;
- d) military medical personnel;
- e) military veterinary personnel;
- f) military-legal staff.
- 3) Junior command and management personnel.
- 4) Rank and file.
Each squad had its own ranks, which made the system more complex. It was possible to partially get rid of several rank scales only in 1943, and the remnants were eliminated in the mid-eighties.
P.S. All ranks and names, terminology and spelling (!) are verified according to the original - “Charter of the internal service of the Red Army (UVS-37)” Edition 1938 Military Publishing House.
Private, junior command and command staff of the ground and air force
Command staff of ground and air forces
*The rank of “Junior Lieutenant” was introduced on 08/05/1937.
Military-political composition of all military branches
The rank of “Junior Political Instructor” was introduced on August 5, 1937. It was equivalent to the rank of “lieutenant” (namely a lieutenant, but not a junior lieutenant!).
Military-technical composition of the ground and air forces
| Category | Rank |
| Average military-technical personnel | Junior military technician* |
| Military technician 2nd rank | |
| Military technician 1st rank | |
| Senior military technical personnel | Military engineer 3rd rank |
| Military engineer 2nd rank | |
| Military engineer 1st rank | |
| Higher military-technical personnel | Brigengineer |
| Development engineer | |
| Coring engineer | |
| Armengineer | |
*The rank of “Junior military technician” was introduced on 08/05/1937, corresponding to the rank of “junior lieutenant”. Persons with higher education technical education upon entering the army, the technical staff was immediately awarded the title “Military Engineer of the 3rd Rank.”
Military-economic and administrative, military-medical, military-veterinary and military-legal personnel of all branches of the military
| Category | Military-economic and administrative composition | Military medical staff | Military veterinary staff | Military-legal composition |
| Average | Quartermaster technician 2nd rank | Military paramedic | Military veterinarian | Junior military lawyer |
| Quartermaster technician 1st rank | Senior military paramedic | Senior military veterinarian | Military lawyer | |
| Senior | Quartermaster 3rd rank | Military doctor 3rd rank | Military veterinarian 3rd rank | Military lawyer 3rd rank |
| Quartermaster 2nd rank | Military doctor 2nd rank | Military veterinarian 2nd rank | Military lawyer 2nd rank | |
| Quartermaster 1st Rank | Military doctor 1st rank | Military veterinarian 1st rank | Military lawyer 1st rank | |
| Higher | Brigintendant | Brigdoctor | Brigvet doctor | Brigvoenurist |
| Divintendant | Divdoctor | Divvetdoctor | Divvoenurist | |
| Corintendent | Korvrach | Corvette doctor | Corvoenurist | |
| Armintendant | Arm doctor | Armed veterinarian | Armmilitary lawyer | |
Persons who have higher education upon enlistment or conscription into the army, the rank of “3rd Rank Quartermaster” was immediately awarded; higher medical education upon admission or conscription into the army, the rank of “Military Doctor of the 3rd Rank” (equal to the rank of “captain”) was immediately awarded; higher veterinary education upon admission or conscription into the army was immediately awarded the title “Military Veterinarian of the 3rd Rank”; higher legal education upon admission or conscription into the army, the title of “Military Lawyer of the 3rd Rank” was immediately awarded
The emergence of general ranks of the Red Army in 1940
In 1940, general ranks appeared in the Red Army, which was a continuation of the process of returning to the system of personal military ranks, openly begun in 1935, and in a disguised form since May 1924 (the introduction of the so-called “service categories”).
After much debate and deliberation, the system of general ranks of the Red Army was introduced by Decree of the Presidium Supreme Council USSR on May 7, 1940. However, they were introduced only for command personnel. The commanding staff (military-political, military-technical, military medical, military-veterinary, legal, administrative and quartermaster staff) remained with the same ranks, which will be changed only in 1943. However, the commissars will receive the rank of general in the fall of 1942, when the institution of military commissars will be abolished.
Representatives Communist Party in the armed forces in 1918-1942. (with breaks).
The position of military commissars arose in the Red Army during the period Civil War, when in the spring of 1918 they began to join its ranks former officers tsarist army(“military experts”). In fact, the principle was introduced when the leadership of a unit or formation was carried out by two people at once - the commander and the commissar. After the end of the Civil War, the transition to the principle of unity of command began, when the leadership of the troops is carried out by one commander who bears full responsibility for the orders given. During mass repression, in May 1937, the institution of military commissars was temporarily revived and existed until 1940. With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, on July 16, 1941, by a decision of the Politburo of the Central Committee and a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the position of military commissars was reintroduced in regiments and divisions , buildings and in military educational institutions. At the same time, the position of political instructors was introduced in companies, batteries and squadrons. In July-September 1941, the institutions of military commissars and political instructors were established at Navy, in battalions, divisions, division headquarters, partisan formations. Military commissars, together with commanders, bore full responsibility for “the life and combat activities of units and formations, for their steadfastness in battle.” As during the Civil War, their responsibilities included implementing party policy, monitoring the ideological sentiments of soldiers and commanders, and educating personnel in the spirit of patriotism, loyalty to the oath, concern for material support personnel, etc. However, unlike during the Civil War in 1941, the commissioners were not vested with the authority to control official activities command staff. In a combat situation, the military, mainly commissars, proved themselves to be the most the best side. If the situation required it, they were in the most dangerous areas of the battles. In the first months of the war, they often had to deal with suppressing panic and defeatism, using not only conscription, but also harsh punishment. At the grassroots level, political commissars tried not to leave the soldiers’ environment and do everything in their power to instill confidence in the soldiers moral superiority over the enemy. They saw their main task in that, to personal example show how to fight the enemy. At the same time, the commissars performed the functions of monitoring the mood of soldiers and officers and implementing the party ideology. By the fall of 1942, due to the strengthening of party organizations in the army, the growth of professionalism of officers and the need to increase the authority of the command staff of the Red Army, it was decided to abandon the post of military commissars and political instructors. In this regard, on October 9, 1942, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR adopted a decree “On the establishment of complete unity of command and the abolition of the institution of military commissars in the Red Army.” On October 13, 1942, unity of command was introduced into the Navy. Thus, combatant commanders became responsible for all aspects of the life and activities of the troops. It is noteworthy that this decision was made at one of the most critical moments of the war - during the period of street fighting in Stalingrad, which indicated confidence in the combatant commanders and emphasized high status officer corps Red Army. In the divisions, units and formations of the Red Army, the institution of deputy commanders for political affairs was simultaneously introduced. In relation to political workers, military ranks common to all commanders were established. In October 1942, the institution of commissars was also abolished in partisan formations, but in conditions of fighting behind enemy lines, this measure turned out to be premature. After repeated calls to Central headquarters partisan movement and a special instruction of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks in January 1943, the positions of commissars in partisan formations were abandoned and remained until complete liberation Soviet territory from the occupation.
Historical sources:
CPSU about the Armed Forces Soviet Union. Documentation. 1917-1968. M., 1969;
Party political work in the Red Army. Documentation. M., 1961-64.
Question: Where, when, and by what district military registration and enlistment office were you drafted into the Soviet Army?
Answer: I was drafted into the Soviet Army on October 25, 1937 by the Chernushinsky RVK of the Molotov region.
Question: Tell us in detail about your service in Soviet army.
Answer: After conscription, I was sent to the city of Shepetivka, Kamenets-Podolsk region in the 2nd separate division communications of the 7th Cavalry Corps of the Kyiv Special Military District. Here I was enrolled in the regimental school, where I stayed until October 1938.
After graduating from the regimental school, I was sent to the city of Proskurov to the 2nd separate communications division of the army cavalry. groups. Here I stayed until March 20, 1940 as a squad commander. On March 20, 1940, I was sent to the Zhitomir political school, where I stayed until February 4, 1941 as a cadet.
After graduating from college, I was sent to Shepetovka in the 201st separate battalion communications of the 141st Infantry Division of the 6th Army with the rank of junior. political instructor for the position of deputy company commander for political affairs.
I was part of this division until October 25, 1941, and took part in battles on the Southwestern Front. From October 25, 1941 to March 27, 1942, I was in the reserve of the political unit Southwestern Front in the city of Uryupinsk, Stalingrad region.
In April 1942, I was sent to the 393rd Donbass Rifle Division as a political instructor. rifle company. As part of the 393rd Infantry Division, I participated in battles at the front until May 26, 1942. May 26, 1942, being surrounded near the village of Lozovenki Kharkov region, shell-shocked, was captured by the Germans.
Question: With whom were you captured by the Germans?
Answer: Of my colleagues, I remember Vasily Arkhipov, who was a company commander, battalion commander Captain Vartanyak, and battalion chief of staff Shvedovsky. Arkhipov Vasily from Kursk region, Vartanyak from the Armenian SSR, Shvedovsky from Kyiv.
Question: The Germans knew that you had the rank of junior. political instructor?
Answer: The Germans did not know that I was a political instructor and a member of the CPSU(b). On May 25, 1942, when I went on reconnaissance mission, I handed over my party card and all documents to the executive secretary of the party organization; I also took off my insignia when going on reconnaissance missions. I was captured along with the rank and file and was kept in camps for rank and file all the time.
Question: Did the Germans interrogate you after your capture?
Answer: After my capture, the Germans did not interrogate me, but interrogated me already in Germany in Stalag No. 326-6 “k”, where during registration they asked about my biographical information. In addition, they asked what military factories I knew and where they were located?
Question: What answers did you give during interrogation?
Answer: I told my biographical details, with the exception that I was a member of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) and had the rank of junior. political instructor I said about military factories that I don’t know of any, which was true, because... I really didn’t know any of them.
Question: In which prisoner of war camps were you held and what did you do there?
Answer: After being captured, I was sent to prisoner of war camp No. 326-6 "k" in Paderborn (Germany). On the way to Paterbork we were stopped in the cities of Krasnograd - 2 days, Shepetivka - 3 days and Drohobych - a day. I arrived in Paderborn as part of a train on June 14, 1942.
I stayed in Stalag No. 326-6 "k" until July 1, 1942, then I was enlisted in the work team and sent to work in the city of Gam at the Rot-bot mine, where I worked in the face as a laborer until July 1943.
By poor condition health, I was sent to work for Bauer in the village. Nienberg near Münster. Here I worked in agricultural work until October 1943. After completing agricultural work, I was sent to the city of Bielefeld in Westphalia, where I worked at the Metalturenwerke plant as a laborer until March 30, 1945, i.e. until release American troops.
Question: Where did you live in the territory occupied by American troops and what did you do there?
Answer: I was with the Americans from March 30, 1945 to May 25, 1945 in the camp of Soviet citizens in the city of Gekstr, where there were about two thousand of us Russians. He did not carry out any work or duties for the Americans. Upon the arrival of representatives of the Soviet Army, the camp was organized military training under the leadership of officers from among prisoners of war.
Question: Did the Americans summon you for interrogations or conversations?
Answer: I have never been to interrogations or conversations with Americans.
Question: Who do you know as traitors to the Motherland and traitors?
Answer: I don’t remember the names and other identifying information of the traitors, traitors and collaborators of the Germans.
Question: Have you been arrested by German troops for anti-fascist agitation?
Answer: I have never been arrested and I avoided any kind of agitation.
Question: During your interrogation on German territory, you testified that you were arrested by the Germans for campaigning against the ROA and were in prison for 2 months. Now you deny it. How can you explain this situation?
Answer: I was arrested, but not for campaigning against the ROA, but for attempting to escape. I cannot explain my past testimony in any way.
Question: Where did you undergo state inspection after liberation by Soviet troops?
Answer: I passed the state inspection in the city of Oranienburg (Germany) and at the station. Alkino Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic as part of the 12th reserve division, 32nd rifle regiment.
Question: How would you like to add to your testimony?
Answer: I can’t add anything to my testimony. The protocol from my words was recorded correctly and was read by me personally.
Trubitsin: signature.
Interrogated by: Art. o/unitary enterprise OKR Shch.-Ozersky RO MGB Lieutenant Drobinin.
D.4476. L.7-9ob. Script. Manuscript.
POLITICAL TRUCKS AND COMMISSARS OF THE RKKA (1935-1943)Topic on uniforms and insignia of the political personnel of the Red Army.
The topic welcomes original military photos of political instructors and commissars.In 1935 they introduced special ranks for political workers: “junior political instructor”, “political instructor” and “senior political instructor”, corresponding to the general military ranks of “lieutenant”, “senior lieutenant” and “captain”. Senior political workers had special ranks with the word “commissar”: “battalion commissar” (major), “regimental commissar” (colonel), “divisional commissar” (divisional commander) and so on.
In 1938, by the decision of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, Order No. 19 of January 25, 1938, the positions of deputy and assistant political instructors of units (platoon level) were introduced, who played a significant role in the education of personnel. Pompolitruks had to wear four triangles, like the foreman, but have commissar stars on their sleeves. Military personnel with incomplete or complete secondary education, regardless of length of service, who were members or candidate members of the Komsomol and the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, were appointed to the position of deputy political commissar. The majority of Red Army soldiers holding the position of political fighters were non-partisan, so they could not spread this practice everywhere. First of all, due to the fact that among the junior command staff there were almost no members of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) or Komsomol members, and there was no one to fill these positions.
At the beginning of 1941, local party organizations sent 1,500 communists to political work, and on June 17, the Central Committee decided to mobilize another 3,700 communists for this purpose. On the eve of the war, over 60 military-political schools and courses trained political workers. Thus, at the beginning of 1941, compared to previous number political workers studying in colleges, schools and courses increased by 30-35%.
At the same time, educational level political workers remained quite low and the institution of military commissars was again abolished at the urgent request of those who took office People's Commissar defense of Marshal of the Soviet Union S.K. Timoshenko. People's Commissar Tymoshenko said: “There is still a lot of formalism and bureaucracy in party political work.”
In October 1942, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the institution of commissars was replaced by the institution of deputy commanders for political affairs (political officers). At the same time, the positions of members of the Military Councils of the fronts and armies were preserved. 120 thousand political workers were transferred to command positions, three thousand were sent to the newly created Main Directorate of Counterintelligence “SMERSH” under the People’s Commissariat of Defense of the USSR.
Stalin was partly forced to abolish the institution of military commissars by the huge shortage of commanders created after defeats and failures initial period war. For example, only in the encirclement near Kiev in the summer of 1941, the Red Army lost about 60,000 command personnel. According to some sources, the institution of military commissars was also abolished at the insistence of many military leaders. For example, in the fall of 1942, Konev, in a conversation with Stalin, raised the question of eliminating the institution of military commissars in the Red Army, arguing that this institution was not needed now. The main thing that is needed in the army now, he argued, is unity of command. According to the testimony of Air Chief Marshal Golovanov, Konev’s words, the majority of military leaders supported Konev, and by decision of the Politburo, the institution of commissars in the army was abolished.
Political officers did not have commissar powers, their functions were limited political work among the personnel. Organizationally, the political officer did not occupy a special position, being considered one of the deputy commanders and fully subordinate to him. After replacing positions, the commissars of units and formations automatically became political officers. Those of them who had military ranks of political personnel were awarded combined arms military ranks (as a rule, according to the position held at the time of recertification, usually one step below the regular rank of the corresponding commander). For some time, political officers continued to be informally called “commissars,” but over time this custom died out.
On March 29, 1943, an order was issued by the NGO “On establishing a mandatory minimum of military knowledge for political workers of the Red Army.”
In total, during the war teamwork About 150 thousand political workers were “transferred”.