Georgi Konstantinovich Zhukov (December 1, 1896 – June 18, 1974) was a Soviet military commander and politician, one of the finest and certainly toughest and most overtly successful army commanders of World War II.
Born into a peasant family in Strelkovka, Kaluga Province, Zhukov was apprenticed to work in Moscow, and in 1915 was conscripted into a dragoon regiment as a private. During World War I, Zhukov was awarded the St. George Cross twice and promoted to non-commissioned officer for his bravery.
Early Career
He joined the Communist Party after the October Revolution. After recovering from typhus, he fought in the civil war (1918–1920), receiving the Order of the Battle Red Banner. By 1923 Zhukov was commander of a regiment, and in 1930 of a brigade. He was a keen proponent of tank warfare and survived Stalin's massive purges of the army command in the 1930s.
Zhukov commanded the First Soviet Mongolian Army Group and saw action against the Japanese on the Manchurian border (1938–1939). He ordered a daring flanking manoeuvre with two tank brigades that encircled the 6th Japanese army. For this operation, Zhukov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
World War II
In October 1941, Zhukov replaced Semyon Timoshenko in command of the central front and directed the defense of Moscow. He also directed the transfer of troops from the Far East — a feat of logistics considered by some his greatest achievement.
In 1942 he was made Deputy Commander-in-Chief and sent to the southwestern front to save Stalingrad, overseeing the capture of the German Sixth Army in 1943. In January 1943 he orchestrated the breakthrough of the German blockade of Leningrad. He gave General Vatutin command in the Battle of Kursk and lifted the Siege of Leningrad in mid-1944.
Zhukov led the Soviet offensive of 1944 and the final assault on Germany in 1945, capturing Berlin in April, becoming the first commander of the Soviet occupation zone in Germany.
Post-War
In 1947 he was demoted to command the Odessa military district. After Stalin's death, Zhukov became deputy defense minister (1953) then defense minister (1955). He was buried with full military honours.