K.S. Vasiliev
This was taken up, as it should be, by the rear service of the Red Army. The development was carried out in such secrecy that until recently it was known only from the memoirs of the former Chief of the General Staff, Army General S.M. Shtemenko: "Once, having arrived for a report in the Kremlin, A.I. and I. Antonov (Chief of the General Staff - S.M.) met the chief quartermaster of the Red Army, Colonel General P.I., in Stalin’s reception room. Dracheva. He was dressed in a magnificent military uniform of a cut unknown to us. The uniform was sewn according to the model from the time of Kutuzov, with a high stand-up collar. The trousers looked modern, but shone with gold-plated stripes. When, surprised by such an operetta outfit, we stopped and looked at the strange costume, Drachev quietly told us: “A new uniform for the Generalissimo...” There were members of the Politburo in Stalin’s office. The chief of logistics, Army General A.V., reported. Khrulev. Having finished his report, he asked permission to show those present his new military uniform. I.V. Stalin was in a great mood and said: “Come on, the General Staff will take a look.” They signaled to the reception. P.I. entered. Drachev. JV Stalin glanced at him briefly and became gloomy. Apparently, he guessed what this form was. -Who are you going to dress like that? - he asked A.V. Khruleva, nodding his head slightly in the direction of the chief quartermaster. “This is the proposed form for the Generalissimo,” answered A.V. Khrulev - For whom? - asked Stalin. - For you, Comrade Stalin... The Supreme Commander-in-Chief ordered Drachev to leave, and he himself, without being embarrassed by those present, burst into a long and angry tirade. He protested against the special elevation of his personality, said that it was stupid, that he never expected this from the chief of the rear. This idea ended with the fact that the Generalissimo uniform was never created. I.V. Stalin wore a marshal's uniform until the end of his days, like all the other marshals.".
T Only in 1996, a demonstration sample of the Generalissimo’s ceremonial uniform was exhibited at the “Confrontation” exhibition at the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. on Poklonnaya Hill. And only last year, in 2001, some sketches of these developments were published in the Rodina magazine. Based on these materials, the following conclusions can be drawn.
Initially, the insignia of the Generalissimo of the Soviet Union was based on the shoulder straps of the Chief Marshals of the military branches. That is, if the shoulder straps of the Chief Marshals differed from the shoulder straps of the marshals of the military branches by a wreath of laurel leaves surrounding a star, then the shoulder straps of the Generalissimo should have been different from the shoulder straps of the Marshal of the Soviet Union, distinguished by a wreath around the star, but not laurel, but oak. This meant that if the basis for decorating the dress uniforms of generals and marshals of the military branches was an ornament in the form of laurel leaves, then the uniforms of the Marshals of the Soviet Union were decorated with oak leaf ornaments, similar to those with which the general uniforms of the Russian Imperial Army were embroidered.
Subsequently, it was decided to replace the shoulder straps on the dress uniform with epaulettes. In this regard, the star and the coat of arms of the USSR were swapped. The coat of arms was lowered down onto the wreath, and the star was raised up.
The cut, colors and decorations of the Generalissimo's uniform items were developed taking into account the traditions of the old Russian army. True, when considering sketches of the uniform, the question involuntarily arises: who were these clothes intended for? In fact, the person depicted in the sketches does not in any way resemble I.V. Stalin, but similarities with G.K. Zhukov is quite noticeable on some of them. In addition, one of the examples of the dress uniform was clearly designed for horseback parades. I.V. Stalin, as you know, did not know how to ride a horse, but G.K. Zhukov was an excellent rider.
When the demonstration sample of the ceremonial uniform-frock coat was ready, the Chief of the Red Army's Logistics, General of the Army A.V. Khrulev, accompanied by one of the generals of his department, who acted in the unusual role of a fashion model, went to I.V. Stalin.
JV Stalin immediately realized that he, with his short stature and figure flaws, would look simply ridiculous in this richly embroidered uniform. And no smart ruler can allow this. Naturally, he did not say this out loud, but read an instruction about the modesty of the Soviet leader to the military and political figures present. At the same time, he added that Soviet people recognize Comrade Stalin even in a marshal’s uniform.
Indeed, until the end of his life, I.V. Stalin continued to wear the shoulder straps of Marshal of the Soviet Union. But his clothes were still not the usual marshal uniform. Until 1943, J.V. Stalin wore the traditional costume of a Soviet party functionary. It is traditional, not formal. Uniforms were never introduced into the Communist Party, but since almost all Soviet party leaders of that time were former commanders or political workers of the Red Army during the Civil War, and also in order to emphasize that all communists were just soldiers of the party, they wore the usual yourself in paramilitary clothing - a jacket or tunic. Also, I.V. Stalin dressed in a gray closed jacket and trousers tucked into soft Caucasian boots. In winter, he wore an ordinary soldier's overcoat or bekesha. Headdresses would be in the summer - a Voroshilov cap with a Red Army star, in winter - a hat with earflaps.
When he was awarded the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union in 1943, he put on a military uniform: a regular military cut jacket with shoulder straps and untucked trousers with stripes. True, they were light gray, instead of the established protective and dark blue colors.
However, for an elderly person, the standing collar of a jacket presented certain inconveniences. Therefore, a new suit was sewn for J.V. Stalin. It was a closed light gray jacket with a turn-down collar and four pockets of the same cut that Soviet generals wore before the introduction of shoulder straps. The same jackets were worn by Soviet civil servants of lower ranks after the war. The jacket was decorated with shoulder straps of the Marshal of the Soviet Union and general's overcoat buttonholes - red with gold piping and buttons. The collar and cuffs, as usual, were edged with red piping. The loose-fitting trousers with red stripes were made from the same fabric as the jacket. In it, J.V. Stalin was depicted in official portraits and posters. In addition to the gray suit, perhaps J.V. Stalin wore a suit of a similar cut in the summer, but made of pre-revolutionary “shanzhan” cotton fabric. In the first post-war years, uniforms for senior generals were often sewn from such fabric (*).
No one else wore such a suit. In it, J.V. Stalin was depicted in official portraits and posters. He became the only uniform of the Generalissimo of the Soviet Union. And a demonstration sample of a ceremonial frock coat took a place in the closed museum of military clothing.
(*) In the Kostroma Historical Museum-Reserve there is a set of uniforms made of shanzhan fabric (a jacket with a stand-up collar and a cap) that belonged to Chief Marshal of Aviation Novikov.
Materials used from the magazine "Rodina" and Internet forums
The list of which you will see below most often received this rank as recognition of military merit. The acquisition of office was often an episode of a political career and was associated with military victories.
Generalissimos of Russian history
The word generalissimo can be translated from Latin as “most important” or “most important”. In many countries in Europe and later Asia, this rank was used as the highest military rank. The generalissimo was not always a great commander, and the best of them won their greatest victories before gaining a high-profile position.
In the history of Russia, five commanders were awarded this highest military rank:
- Alexey Semenovich Shein (1696).
- Alexander Danilovich Menshikov (1727).
- Anton Ulrich of Brunswick (1740).
- Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov (1799).
- Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (1945).
Who was the first?
Alexey Semenovich Shein in historical literature is most often called the first generalissimo in the history of our country. This man lived a short life and was one of the associates of Peter I at the beginning of his achievements.
Alexey Shein came from a noble boyar family. His great-grandfather, Mikhail Shein, was a hero of the defense of Smolensk during the Time of Troubles, and his father died during the war with Poland in 1657. Alexey Semenovich began serving in the Kremlin. He served as a steward under Tsarevich Alexei Alekseevich, then as a sleeping steward for the Tsar himself.
In 1679-1681 A.S. Shein was a governor in Tobolsk. Under his leadership, the city, which had burned down in a fire, was rebuilt. In 1682, Alexey Semenovich received the rank of boyar. In 1687, the boyar took part in the Crimean campaign, and in 1695 - the first campaign against Azov.
In 1696, he led Russian troops during the second campaign against the Azov fortress. It was then that A.S. Shein received the title “Generalissimo”, unusual for Russia. However, researchers of his biography N.N. Sakhnovsky and V.N. Tomenko questioned this fact. In their opinion, the tsar ordered Shein to be called generalissimo only during the campaign, and the name indicated only the powers of Alexei Semenovich as commander-in-chief of the ground forces. After the end of the campaign against Azov A.S. Shein did not retain the title of Generalissimo, given to him during the fighting. If we accept this point of view, A.D. should be recognized as the first generalissimo. Menshikov.
Alexander Menshikov went down in history as the closest ally of the first Emperor of Russia and one of the greatest commanders of his time. He took a direct part in the military reforms of Peter I, starting with the amusing troops. And in 1706, he defeated the Swedes in the Battle of Kalisz, and participated as one of the military leaders in the victorious battles of Lesnaya and Poltava. For his military services, Alexander Menshikov rose to the rank of president of the Military Collegium and field marshal.
For the first time, the commander tried to claim the highest military rank during the reign of Catherine I, when he had exclusive power. He was able to receive the rank of generalissimo under her successor Peter II, when he still had influence on the tsar.
The Saxon ambassador Lefort recalled the staging of this action. The young emperor entered the chambers of his Serene Highness and, with the words “I destroyed the field marshal,” handed him a decree appointing him generalissimo. At this time, the Russian Empire did not wage wars, and the prince did not have the opportunity to command armies in his new capacity.
The conferment of military rank was one of a whole series of awards that rained down on His Serene Highness the Prince and his family that year. The most important thing was the betrothal of his daughter to the emperor. But already in September 1727, Menshikov lost the fight for the monarch’s favor and lost all awards and ranks, including the title of generalissimo. The following year, Peter I's comrade-in-arms was exiled to Berezova, where he died in November 1729.
Anton Ulrich was the second son of the Duke of Brunswick and nephew of the famous King Frederick II. In 1733 he was summoned to Russia, and a few years later became the husband of Anna Leopoldovna, niece of the Empress of Russia.
In 1740, after the death of Empress Anna Ioannovna, Anton Ulrich's young son became emperor. A temporary worker from the previous reign, Biron became regent under the infant ruler, and Anton Ulrich was actually removed from making serious government decisions.
Biron feared for his position and, fearing a conspiracy, subjected the emperor's father to public interrogation. Anton Ulrich was forced to admit that he wanted to remove the temporary worker from power. Then Biron pointedly offered the highest dignitaries a choice between the prince and himself, and they preferred the current regent. Head of the Secret Chancellery A.I. Ushakov threatened the emperor’s father that, if necessary, he would treat him like any other subject. After this, Anton Ulrich lost all military positions.
On November 7, 1740, Field Marshal Minich organized a coup and arrested Biron. Contemporaries wrote that Minich, who had previously supported the regent, hoped to receive the rank of generalissimo. But under the new regime, the best Russian commander of his time again did not receive the highest military rank.
Two days later, on November 9, a new manifesto was released on behalf of Ivan Antonovich. It reported that Biron had been removed, inter alia, for the insults and threats he made to the emperor’s father. The powers of the regent were received by Anton Ulrich's wife, Anna Leopoldovna, and the German prince himself was declared co-ruler and generalissimo.
Anton Ulrich remained Generalissimo until the next palace coup, which brought Empress Elizabeth to power. During the year he was in the highest rank, the prince did nothing. He only quarreled with Minikh, who was counting on this rank himself and later retired.
After the coup on November 25, 1741, Anton Ulrich lost all his ranks and found himself in the position of a hostage. He lived with his wife and children in the northern provinces of the country. In 1744 he was separated from his son, the emperor, and transferred to live in Kholmogory. In 1746, his wife died, and he and his remaining children continued to live as an exile. In 1774, the old and blind former generalissimo died. A few years later, Empress Catherine allowed his children to leave Russia and provided them with an allowance.
Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov became famous as the greatest Russian commander of his time and one of the greatest in Russian history. During his long military career, he successfully fought against the rebel Poles, the Ottoman Empire, and revolutionary France. He received the highest military rank less than a year before his death, after his last military campaign.
In November 1799, after completing the difficult Swiss campaign, Alexander Suvorov was awarded the highest military rank by the Emperor of Russia as a reward for his service and leadership skills. From now on, the military board had to send messages to the commander not decrees.
The Generalissimo withdrew his troops from Switzerland by order of the emperor and returned with them to Russia. When the army was on Polish territory, Suvorov went forward to the capital. Along the way, the Generalissimo fell ill and went to his estate. His condition changed for the better, then worsened. And in May 1800, Generalissimo Alexander Suvorov died.
The decree introducing the highest military rank of generalissimo in the USSR appeared on June 24, 1945. A day later, at the proposal of the Politburo, I.V. received this rank. Stalin. The title of Generalissimo was a sign of recognition of the services of the Secretary General during the war. In addition to the highest military rank, Joseph Vissarionovich received the title of “Hero of the Soviet Union” and the Order of “Victory”. According to the recollections of contemporaries of the events, the leader of the USSR several times refused to introduce this rank.
The Soviet Army Logistics Service developed uniforms and insignia for the new position. They were not approved during the lifetime of the Secretary General, who, if necessary, wore the uniform of a USSR general with marshal shoulder straps. One of the options for the Generalissimo's dress uniform was rejected by Stalin, who considered it too luxurious.
The military regulations of the USSR after the death of Joseph Vissarionovich allowed for the possibility of someone accepting the rank of generalissimo, but no one else was awarded this rank. The 1975 Charter allowed for the award of the title of Generalissimo for special services to the country related to the leadership of all armed forces in wartime. The title of generalissimo was not introduced into the military regulations.
Military and ordinary citizens of the USSR have repeatedly made proposals to give the title of Generalissimo to the current general secretaries - N.S. Khrushchev and L.I. Brezhnev. But they did not receive an official move.
Not all the generalissimos of Russia and the USSR, the list of which was above, became famous as major commanders. But for all of them (except Shein), the title of generalissimo was nothing more than an additional award or a sign of recognition of military merit.
In the 20th century in our history, only Stalin had the shoulder straps of a generalissimo. The workers of one of the Soviet factories “asked” for this title after the victory over Germany in 1945. Of course, all residents of the Union learned about this “petition” of the proletariat.
Few people remember, but Stalin was awarded the highest title of the tsarist empire. This was the final turning point in the consciousness of the Bolsheviks, since before that ideology had rejected all attempts. Stalin realized that in a difficult hour for the country, the continuity and traditions of the victorious spirit of the Russian Empire, so hated by the communists, should save the country. Shoulder straps are introduced - a distinctive symbol of the “imperial punishers”, the status of an officer, which had only an abusive meaning before, and some new ranks.
These reforms, in a difficult hour for the country, were supposed to unite all the forces scattered by the civil war. The Germans understood that the weakness of the USSR was the generation gap. They skillfully took advantage of this, recruiting numerous battalions of Red Army soldiers. Stalin and his military entourage understood this.
It is during critical years for the country that the continuity of generations is established. Thinking about these events, we will remember how many generalissimos there were in our history. We will also tell you some interesting facts about Stalin related to this title.
Generalissimos in world history
The term "generalissimo" comes to us from Latin. Translated, it means “the most important.” This is the highest rank ever introduced into the army of any state. The generalissimo's uniform gave not only military status, but also civil and political status. This title was awarded only to truly special people.
This title was until recently held by Chiang Kai-shek (pictured above), an opponent of the Chinese communists. But today there are no active generalissimos in the world. This rank is also missing in the system of our army. The last person in the world to hold such a high rank was Kim Jong Il, the leader of the DPRK, who was only posthumously awarded it in 2011. For North Koreans, this is not just a person, it is God, a symbol of the nation. This country maintains a calendar directly related to this politician. It is unlikely that anyone else with such a high rank could appear in the DPRK.
History knows little about generalissimos. In France, over 400 years, only two dozen figures have been awarded this title. In Russia, to count them over the last three hundred years, the fingers of one hand are enough.
Who was the first generalissimo? Version one: “amusing commanders”
The first to receive this title in Russian history were comrades of Peter the Great - Ivan Buturlin and Fyodor Romodanovsky. However, every boy playing in the yard with friends can appropriate it in a similar way. In 1864, twelve-year-old Peter awarded them the title of “generalissimo of the amusing troops” during a game. They stood at the head of two newly formed “amusing” regiments. There were no correspondences with real ranks of that time.
Version two: Alexey Shein
Officially, the high ranks of the “amusing commanders” were not supported by written acts and orders. Therefore, historians name Shein as the main contender for the role of the first generalissimo. During the Azov campaign, he commanded the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments. Peter the Great appreciated Shein's competent leadership, tactics and military skill, for which he awarded him this high rank on June 28, 1696.
Version three: Mikhail Cherkassky
Peter I loved to give high government titles and awards “from the master’s shoulder.” Often these were chaotic and sometimes rash decisions that violated the usual and logical course of things. Therefore, it was during the time of Peter I that the first generalissimos of the Russian state appeared.
One of these, according to historians, was boyar Mikhail Cherkassky. He was in charge of administrative affairs and was popular in society. With his own money he built a warship for
Peter I highly appreciated his contribution to the country. Other, less significant, but useful matters for society did not go unnoticed. For all this, Peter awarded the boyar Cherkassky with the highest military rank. According to historians, this happened on December 14, 1695, i.e. six months before Shein.
Fatal title
In the future, those who wore the generalissimo's shoulder straps were unlucky. There were three of them in total: Prince Menshikov, Duke Anton Ulrich of Brunswick and Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, who had more than one title and regalia.
Prince Menshikov, a loyal friend and ally of Peter the Great, was endowed with this title by the young Peter the Second. The young emperor was supposed to marry the prince's daughter, but palace intrigues tipped the scales in the other direction. To be fair, let’s say that young Peter did not have time to get married. At the last moment he died of smallpox, after which Prince Menshikov was stripped of all titles and awards and exiled to his domain in Berezniki, away from the capital.
The second holder of the highest military rank is her husband, Duke Anton Ulrich of Brunswick. However, he was not there for long. A year later, he was also deprived of this title after his wife was overthrown from the throne.
The third person to receive a high rank in the empire was A.V. Suvorov. There were legends all over the world about his victories. This title was never questioned. But the tragedy is that he served as generalissimo for less than six months, after which he died.
After Suvorov, no one in the Russian Empire received this high title. Thus, we can count how many generalissimos there were in Russian history before the USSR. We'll talk about Stalin's title a little later.
Instead of titles - positions
After the revolution, the Bolsheviks had a negative attitude towards any reminders of the tsarist regime. The term "officer" was a dirty word. As a rule, a holder of this status who did not manage to immigrate on time came under persecution by the authorities. Often this ended in execution.
Instead of titles, the country had a certain system of positions. For example, the famous Chapaev was a division commander, that is, a division commander. The official title for such a position is “Comrade Divisional Commander.” The highest rank was considered marshal. And the statutory address to him is “Comrade Marshal”, or by his last name: “Comrade Zhukov”, “Comrade Stalin”, etc. That is, Stalin’s title throughout the war was precisely marshal, and not generalissimo.
It is noteworthy that the ranks of general and admiral appeared later, only in 1940.
Organizing the system
During the difficult days of the war, the Soviet leadership undertook serious military reforms in the army system. The old positions were abolished. In their place, “royal” military distinctions and ranks were introduced, and the army itself became not “red workers’ and peasants”, but “Soviet,” and the prestige of the status of officers was introduced.
Many people, especially mature and elderly people, reacted negatively to this reform. They can be understood: for them an officer was synonymous with “oppressor”, “imperialist”, “bandit”, etc. However, in general, this reform strengthened the morale in the army and made the management system logical and complete.
All of the country's military leadership and Stalin personally understood that these measures would help achieve victory and streamline the structure and hierarchy. Many people think that it was at this time that the highest rank of generalissimo was introduced. However, this is also a misconception. Stalin was a marshal throughout the war, right up to victory.
Reward for victory
So, until 1945, the highest rank in the USSR was marshal. And only after the Victory, on June 26, 1945, the title of Generalissimo of the Soviet Union was introduced. And the next day, based on the “request” of the workers, it was assigned to I.V. Stalin.
They had been talking about introducing a separate rank for Joseph Vissarionovich for a long time, but the leader himself constantly rejected all these proposals. And only after the war, succumbing to Rokossovsky’s persuasion, he agreed. It is worth noting that until the end of his days, Stalin wore exactly the marshal’s uniform, albeit slightly deviated from the regulations. The address “Comrade Stalin” was considered a violation of the charter, since this address was specifically addressed to the marshal, but the leader himself did not object. After June 1945, he should have been addressed as “Comrade Generalissimo.”
After Stalin, there were proposals to give the highest rank to two other leaders of the USSR - Khrushchev and Brezhnev, but this never happened. After 1993, this rank was not included in the new army hierarchy of the Russian Federation.
Generalissimo shoulder straps
The development of a uniform for the new rank began immediately after it was awarded to Stalin. This work was carried out by the rear service of the Red Army. For a long time, all materials were classified as “secret”, and only in 1996 the data was made public.
When creating the uniform, we tried to take into account the current uniforms of the chief marshal of the military branch, but at the same time create something special, unlike all the others. After all the work, the Generalissimo's shoulder straps resembled the uniform of Count Suvorov. Perhaps the developers were trying to please Stalin, who had a weakness for the style of uniforms of the Russian Empire with epaulettes, aiguillettes and other paraphernalia.
Stalin subsequently said more than once that he regretted agreeing to award him this highest military rank. He will never put on the new generalissimo uniform, and all developments will be classified as “secret.” Stalin will continue to wear a marshal's uniform - a white jacket with a stand-up collar or a gray pre-war cut - with a turned-down collar and four pockets.
Possible reason for the rejection of the new form
However, what is the reason why Stalin refused to wear a special uniform? There is an opinion that the leader had a number of complexes regarding his appearance and believed that on a short, unprepossessing elderly man such a curvy figure would look ridiculous and ridiculous.
It is according to this version, as some believe, that Stalin refused to head the magnificent ceremony and sign the act of surrender of Germany. However, this is just a theory. Whether it was true or not, we, the descendants, can only speculate.
Based on the consideration of the collective petition of workers, engineering and technical workers and employees of the Moscow plant "Ressora" dated February 6, 1943 and a note from the commanders of the front troops, the General Staff of the Red Army, and the Navy dated June 24, 1945.
Story
According to the memoirs of contemporaries, the issue of conferring the title of Generalissimo was discussed several times, but J.V. Stalin invariably rejected this proposal. And only after the intervention of Marshal of the Soviet Union K.K. Rokossovsky (when he stated: “Comrade Stalin, you are a marshal and I am a marshal. You cannot punish me!”) gave his consent.
Uniform and shoulder straps
Below are the projects of the shoulder straps of the Generalissimo of the USSR
Once arriving for a report in the Kremlin, Antonov and I met the chief quartermaster of the Red Army, P. I. Drachev, in Stalin’s reception room. He was dressed in a magnificent military uniform of a cut unknown to us. The uniform was sewn according to a model from the time of Kutuzov with a high stand-up collar. The trousers looked modern, but shone with gold-plated stripes. When, surprised by such an operetta outfit, we stopped and looked at the strange costume, Drachev quietly told us: “A new uniform for the Generalissimo.”
There were members of the Politburo in Stalin's office. The chief of logistics, Army General Khrulev, reported. Having finished his report, he asked permission to show those present his new military uniform. Stalin was in a great mood and said: “Come on, the General Staff will take a look.”
They gave a sign to the reception. Drachev entered. Stalin glanced at him briefly and became gloomy. Apparently, he guessed what kind of form it was.
-Who are you going to dress like that? - he asked, nodding his head slightly in the direction of the chief quartermaster.
“This is the proposed uniform for the Generalissimo,” Khrulev answered.
- For whom? - asked Stalin.
- For you, Comrade Stalin.
The Supreme Commander-in-Chief ordered Drachev to leave. The form of the Generalissimo was never created. Stalin wore a marshal's uniform until the end of his days.
In fact, Generalissimo Stalin wore a standard general's uniform (before the introduction of shoulder straps) jacket with a turn-down collar and four pockets, but of a unique light gray color. Shoulder straps on the jacket - Marshal of the Soviet Union. General's overcoat buttonholes are red with gold edging and buttons. This uniform was official and was depicted in portraits and posters.
The further fate of the title
After I.V. Stalin, the title of Generalissimo of the Soviet Union was not awarded, but was listed in the charters until 1993.
Thus, according to paragraph 9 of the Charter of the Internal Service of the Armed Forces of the USSR dated July 30, 1975:
This Charter continued to be formally in force in the Russian Federation until January 1, 1993, when the Temporary Charter of the Internal Service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation was put into effect, in which the title of Generalissimo is no longer mentioned.
At the same time, letters containing proposals for conferring this rank to Lieutenant General N. S. Khrushchev and Marshal of the Soviet Union L. I. Brezhnev have been preserved in the archives:
These proposals were not given any official progress, although, according to the recollections of TASS Deputy Director E.I. Ivanov, on May 12, 1976, at a meeting with veterans of the 18th Army, Brezhnev (five days before he was awarded the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union) stated the following:
Whether this was a joke, a slip of the tongue, or Leonid Ilyich’s sincere desire is now difficult to establish.
70 years ago, on June 27, 1945, at the proposal of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks (Bolsheviks) and the written submission of the front commanders, the title of Generalissimo of the Soviet Union (introduced by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of June 26, 1945) was awarded to Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin “in commemoration of exceptional merits in Great Patriotic War".
A very interesting legend is associated with the awarding of the title of Generalissimo to Stalin. As you know, Stalin was indifferent to titles and signs of power, he lived modestly, even ascetically. The Supreme Commander did not like sycophants, believing that helpful scoundrels were worse than obvious enemies. According to the recollections of contemporaries, the issue of conferring the title of Generalissimo on Stalin was discussed several times, but the “leader of the peoples” constantly rejected this proposal. At the same time, senior military leaders especially insisted on the revival of this rank; for them, the hierarchy was of great importance. One of these discussions took place in the presence of Stalin. Marshal of the Soviet Union Konev recalled that Stalin reacted as follows: “Do you want to assign a generalissimo to Comrade Stalin? Why does Comrade Stalin need this? Comrade Stalin does not need this. Comrade Stalin already has authority. You need titles for authority. Just think, they found a title for Comrade Stalin - generalissimo. Chiang Kai-shek - Generalissimo, Franco Generalissimo. Nothing to say, good company for Comrade Stalin. You are marshals, and I am a marshal, do you want to remove me from the marshals? Some kind of generalissimo?...” Thus, Stalin gave a categorical refusal.
And only after the intervention of Marshal of the Soviet Union K.K. Rokossovsky, when the latter declared: “Comrade Stalin, you are Marshal and I am Marshal, you cannot punish me!” — Stalin gave his consent.
“Stalin regretted that he agreed to the Generalissimo. He always regretted it. And rightly so. It was Kaganovich and Beria who overdid it... Well, the commanders insisted.” Molotov already recalled this.
The uniform and insignia of the Generalissimo of the Soviet Union were developed by the Red Army Logistics Service, but were not officially approved. In one of the variants, the uniform had epaulettes on which the coat of arms of the USSR was placed in a wreath of oak leaves. A winter overcoat and riding uniform, reminiscent of a general's uniform of the mid-19th century, were also submitted for approval. The manufactured samples were rejected by Stalin, who considered them too luxurious and outdated. Currently they are kept in the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War in Moscow on Poklonnaya Hill.
In fact, Generalissimo Stalin wore a standard general's uniform (before the introduction of shoulder straps) jacket with a turn-down collar and four pockets, but in a unique light gray color. Shoulder straps on the jacket - Marshal of the Soviet Union. General's overcoat buttonholes are red with gold edging and buttons. This uniform was official and was depicted in portraits and posters.
After Stalin, the title of Generalissimo of the Soviet Union was not awarded, but was listed in the charters until 1993. Although there were two attempts - to Lieutenant General N.S. Khrushchev and Marshal L.I. Brezhnev.
In 1993, along with other individual military ranks of the Armed Forces of the USSR, the title of Generalissimo of the Soviet Union was not included in the list of military ranks of the Russian Armed Forces.
And in total in the history of the Russian Army there were four Generalissimos:
— Tsar Peter Alekseevich in 1696 first granted the title of Generalissimo to governor Alexei Semyonovich Shein.
— Officially, the military rank of generalissimo in the Russian state was introduced by the Military Regulations of 1716. Therefore, Alexander Danilovich Menshikov formally became the first generalissimo of Russia. Under Peter, Menshikov did not receive the title of generalissimo. After Peter's death, he was able to become the de facto ruler of Russia under Catherine I and Peter II. When Peter II Alekseevich became the third All-Russian Emperor on May 6 (17), 1727, Menshikov received the rank of full admiral. And on May 12 he was awarded the title of Generalissimo. As a result, Menshikov received the title of Generalissimo not in recognition of military merits, but as a favor from the Tsar.
— Prince Anton Ulrich of Brunswick. He had no special services to Russia that would be worth noting with such a sign of attention. But Anton Ulrich was the husband of Anna Leopoldovna. When Anna Leopoldovna became regent (ruler) of the Russian Empire under the young Emperor Ivan VI, her husband received the highest military rank on November 11, 1740.
— On October 28, 1799, the great Russian commander Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov became the generalissimo of the Russian land and naval forces. He was awarded by Emperor Paul in honor of the legendary Swiss campaign of 1799, when the Russian miracle heroes of Suvorov defeated not only the French, but also the mountains. Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov rightfully received this title.
The First World War did not lead to the emergence of Russian generalissimos. After the October Revolution of 1917, the previous military ranks were abolished, and along with them the rank of generalissimo.