Matvei Zakharov
This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (September 2008) |
Matvei Vasilevich Zakharov | |
---|---|
Born | Voylovo village, near Tver, Russian Empire | August 17, 1898
Died | January 31, 1972 Moscow, Soviet Union | (aged 73)
Buried | |
Allegiance | Soviet Union |
Service/ | Red Army |
Years of service | 1917 — 1971 |
Rank | Marshal of the Soviet Union |
Battles/wars | Russian Civil War The World War II |
Awards | Hero of the Soviet Union (2) Hero of Czechoslovakia Order of Lenin (5) Order of the Red Banner (4) Order of the October Revolution Order of Suvorov, 1st Class (2) Order of Kutuzov, 1st Class (2) Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky, 1st Class Order of the Red Star |
Matvei Vasilevich Zakharov (Russian: Матве́й Васи́льевич Заха́ров, August 17, 1898 – January 31, 1972) Marshal of the Soviet Union, Chief of General Staff, Deputy Defense Minister, was born in Tver, to peasant parents. Zakharov joined the Red Guards (precursor to the Red Army) in 1917. He served under Kliment Voroshilov during the Russian Civil War. Zakharov graduated from the Frunze Military Academy in 1928, and from Soviet General Staff Academy in 1937 (his graduation was actually a year ahead of schedule, due to the lack of officers in the Red Army because of the explosive growth of the army, as well as Stalin's purges.) Zakharov held a number of high-ranking positions before World War II even began. In 1937 he was made the Chief of Staff of the Leningrad Military District, then from 1938-1940 he was the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, and then the Chief of Staff of the Odessa Military District.
By the end of 1941, after the beginning of Operation Barbarossa, he was moved north, where he was made the Chief of Staff of the Northwestern Theatre. Soon thereafter, he was made the Chief of Staff of the Kalinin Front, a role he held for most of 1942. In 1943, he was made the Chief of Staff of the Steppe Front, which was renamed the 2nd Ukrainian Front around mid-year. It was in this capacity that Zakharov proved himself as one of the Soviet Union’s top military commanders. He helped plan a number of brilliant operations against German forces, first as a subordinate to Marshal Ivan Konev, and then under Marshal Rodion Malinovsky. After the cessation of hostilities with Germany, Zakharov was transferred east, where he was made the Chief of Staff of the Transbaikal Front, and helped plan the subsequent invasion of Manchuria.
After the war, Zakharov held a number of key positions in the army. Between 1945-1960, Zakharov was the Commandant of the General Staff Academy, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Chief Inspector of the Army, Commander in Chief of the Leningrad Military District and Commander in Chief of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany. On May 8, 1959, Zakharov was made a Marshal of the Soviet Union. After attaining that rank, Zakarhov was simultaneously made Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Minister of Defence from 1960-63. He then briefly went back to the General Staff Academy where he was once again the commandant until 1964, when he was made the Deputy Minister of Defense, a post he held until his retirement in 1971. Marshal M. V. Zakharov died on January 31, 1972. The urn containing his ashes is buried by the Kremlin Wall Necropolis.
Further reading
- Колпакиди А., Север А. ГРУ. Уникальная энциклопедия. — М.: Яуза Эксмо, 2009. — С. 692-693. — 720 с. — (Энциклопедия спецназа). — 5000 экз. — ISBN 978-5-699-30920-7
- Richard Woff: Matvei Vasilievich Zakharov, in: Shukman Harold: Stalin's Generals (New York 1993). (See also Shukman, Harold (2001). Stalin's Generals. Phoenix Press. ISBN 1842125133.)
- B.Z. Gryaznow: Marschall Sacharow (Moskau 1979) -russisch
- 1898 births
- 1972 deaths
- Heroes of the Soviet Union
- Recipients of the Order of Suvorov
- Recipients of the Order of Lenin
- Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner
- Recipients of the Order of the October Revolution
- Recipients of the Order of Kutuzov
- Recipients of the Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky (Soviet Union)
- Recipients of the Order of the Red Star
- KGB officers
- Marshals of the Soviet Union
- People buried in the Kremlin Wall Necropolis