Top 10 Interesting Facts about Georgy Zhukov

Zhukov c. 1960 Photo By Mil.ru -Wikimedia Commons  

Top 10 Interesting Facts about  Georgy Zhukov

Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov was born in Strelkovka, Russia on the 1st of December 1896. He was enlisted into the imperial Russian army and fought in World War II. He was a general and marshal in the Soviet Union.

He earned one of the four heroes of the Soviet Union awards. In 1955 he was appointed as the defense minister and made a member of the presidium however lost favor and was forced to retire 2 years later.

He died on the 18th of June 1974. Here are 10 interesting facts about Georgy Zhukov:

1. He was Born to a Poverty-Stricken Family

 The Tsarist regime that started in 1547 with Ivan iv the terrible, grand prince of Moscow who was officially crowned “tsar of all Russia,” began the religious and political dictatorship that was run by autocrats.

This meant that only the tsar governed Russia as they believed they had a divine right to rule Russia ordained by god. this regime denied people from the poverty-stricken homes to attain any position.

Georgy Zhukov was no exception he worked as an apprentice of fur clothes for richer Russians until World War I. Stalin’s rule changed  Russia’s revolution that allowed Zhukov to rise rank with many other Russian men

2. He Commanded the Battles of Berlin that Ultimately led to the Defeat of Nazi Germany

In 1945 Zhukov commanded the 1st Belarusian front which was a major formation of the soviet army during World War II equivalent to an army group.

He also commanded the Vistula Oder offensive which was a red army operation on the eastern front in the European theatre of World War II.

The army made advances into German-held territory, capturing Krakow, Warsaw, and Poznan.

He also took part in the battle of berlin which liberated Europe and a victory for the Soviet Union and its allies. Zhukov was chosen to accept the German instrument of surrender for his major role in the war and inspected the Moscow victory parade

3. He oversaw Numerous Innovations

During the 4-year war between Germany and the Soviet Union, Mongolia provided the soviets with livestock, food, raw materials, money, and clothing as economic support.

Georgy was positioned to oversee the Mongolian front to the east. Georgy personally oversaw multiple inventions such as the replacement of gasoline to diesel engine oil for the tanks as it was more reliable.

These changes ultimately aided in the development of the t-34 Russian tank which is considered to be the most outstanding tank for war.

4. He took part in the Revolution to collapse the Tsar Regime

 After the success, he accomplished in World War II by winning the cross of St. George twice for bravery and was promoted to become a non-commissioned officer he was made a poster boy for the red army.

The red army provided the largest land force resulting in victory in the European theatre of World War II. Georgy took part in the revolution in 1917 to end the tsar regime.

He fought with an exemplary distinction that awarded him an esteemed order of the red banner and command of his cavalry at the age of 27.

5. In 1941 Zhukov Commanded the Russian Armies Around Moscow

In February 1941, Zhukov was appointed as chief of the red army’s general staff. a position he lost after the German invasion of the Soviet Union. Zhukov organized the defenses of Leningrad, Moscow, and Stalingrad in spite of this.

In Stalingrad, he devised the counteroffensive and oversaw the encirclement and surrender of the German sixth army. His role in the defense of Moscow was devising counterattacks.

After plenty of defeats from the Germans heroic resistance from the capital prevented further encroachment of the land.

The weather also aided the Russians since the Germans struggled to get supplies and soviet ski troops took advantage and caused havoc on the German soldiers. The German armies halted outside Moscow and could not capture the capital.

6. Stalin appointed Zhukov Chief of the Army General Staff

Stalin who had come to power after the bloody revolution to topple the tsar regime signed a pact with Hitler in 1939.

Hitler turned on Russia in June 1941 without warning in an operation now known as Barbarossa. The Wehrmacht attack was brutal and swift and overran Poland which Zhukov was commanding.

Stalin removed him from his post to a reserve post. Zhukov was restored when the situation become direr and more manpower was needed.

7. He Commanded the Largest Tank Battle in History

The battle of Kursk was a major World War II between German and Soviet forces on the eastern front near Kursk.

The battle began with the launch of the German offensive operation citadel on the 5th then their Kursk strategic offensive operation with the launch of operation Kutuzov on the 12th.

Zhukov commanded the Russian forces involving 8000 tanks the largest in history in July 1943. the defeat of the Germans at Kursk tilted the war in the Soviets’ favor.

8. He Enabled Inter-Allied Diplomacy

Zhukov participated in the Potsdam conference with fellow representatives of the allied governments.

He established good relations with General Dwight. Eisenhower, field marshal Bernard Montgomery, and marshal Jean de Lattre.

They exchanged opinions over matters such as trials, the judgment of war criminals, how to defeat japan, etc. Eisenhower and Zhukov’s friendship proved beneficial in resolving differences in post-war occupational issues.

Zhukov and Eisenhower also went on a tour of the Soviet Union together after the war victory aftermath. their relationship is often praised for bringing the two countries to an understanding.

9. His Shortcomings with Stalin caused his demotion

Zhukov’s personality of brutal honesty and bluntness caused problems between him and Stalin. he was not shy to point out his leader’s input was not helpful or needed. this aggravated Stalin.

He initially held a respectful grudge and let Zhukov commence his responsibilities as he was dire in the war activities. However, Zhukov’s straightforwardness landed him in trouble as Stalin started to view him as a threat e was later demoted to command Odessa military district far from Moscow.

After Stalin’s death, Zhukov was promoted to a defense minister although he was forced to retire again in 1957.

10. Zhukov’s life after a Lifetime at War

After forced retirement, Zhukov stayed away from politics. He went on hunting excursions with former subordinates and was a keen aquarist.

In September 1959 president Eisenhower sent Zhukov a set of fishing tackle after Khrushchev told him Georgy enjoyed fishing.

Zhukov respected the gift so much that he only used these and no other for the remainder of his life. Zhukov then began writing his memoirs in 1958. in December 1967 he had a serious stroke he was hospitalized.

He ultimately died in 1974 and was cremated and his ashes were buried at the Kremlin wall necropolis alongside fellow marshals and generals of the Soviet Union.