How many generalissimos were there in Russia? Generalissimo shoulder straps. Highest military rank

In addition, the “generalissimos of the amusing troops” were associates F. Yu. Romodanovsky and I. I. Buturlin, the rank of generalissimo of the Turkish troops was held by Shamil, who accepted Russian citizenship after the defeat. After the Great Patriotic War, the title of Generalissimo was awarded to I.V. Stalin.

It is believed that the rank appeared in the middle of the 16th century in France, where it was awarded to the commander-in-chief of the united armies. The first to receive it was the Duke of Anjou, who was only 18 years old, but he was the king's brother and was considered commander-in-chief. Subsequently, this rank became widespread not only in Europe, but also in Asia.

In Russia, the rank of generalissimo formally appeared in the early 90s of the 17th century, when Peter I created Prince Fyodor Yuryevich Romodanovsky and steward Ivan Ivanovich Buturlina to the rank of “generalissimo of the amusing troops.” But they used these ranks only during the period of joint entertainment with the young king, commanding amusing armies. When Peter matured and became seriously involved in state politics, these strange ranks remained only in the memory of the royal drinking companions.
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Romodanovsky, whom the monarch left in charge of the country when he went abroad, received the title of Prince Caesar for state affairs, which at that time became the highest in Russia.

Buturlin was not awarded such high ranks, although he fought a lot and successfully. True, near Narva he was captured. But captivity was never blamed on him, since the Swedes captured him in battle, when he and the Preobrazhensky men held back enemy attacks, giving the main Russian forces the opportunity to retreat. He was subsequently exchanged for captured Swedish officers, and Buturlin continued to fight until the end of the Northern War.
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The first to receive the true rank of generalissimo from the tsar in 1696 was voivode Alexey Semyonovich Shein. Like most of Peter's associates, he was relatively young - only 34 years old.

Shein was elevated to boyarhood by ruler Sophia, entrusting him with the voivodeship of Tobolsk and Kursk. Then he took part in the Crimean campaigns, which were unsuccessful for the Russian troops.

The Azov campaigns of Peter I brought Shein military glory. In 1695, in the first campaign, which was generally unsuccessful, Shein commanded the best Russian regiments - Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky, to whose action Peter had no special complaints. During the Azov campaign of 1696, the tsar entrusted him with command of all ground forces. Azov was taken, the tsar was pleased with the actions of his commander-in-chief and on June 28, 1696, awarded him the rank of generalissimo, simultaneously showering him with expensive awards. Unfortunately, Alexey Semyonovich died in 1700, not having time to reinforce his high rank with new victories.
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At the end of the 17th century, Peter was just beginning to think through a system of ranks for Russia. He introduced a rank for commanders-in-chief of armies and did not assign generalissimo to anyone else. But in the regulations this highest military rank was retained, but the king decided that henceforth “this rank only belongs to crowned heads and great sovereign princes, and especially to the one whose army is. In his non-existence, he gives command over the entire army to his field marshal general.”

The next generalissimo in Russia appeared after the death of Peter I; Emperor Peter II awarded this rank to Alexander Danilovich in May 1727 Menshikov. During this period, preparations were being made for the engagement of the young monarch to the daughter of Menshikov, who was therefore “showered” with ranks and awards.

However, formally, Peter's requirements that the holder of this rank must be a ruler were met. By this period, A. Menshikov possessed almost all the highest titles and ranks, including the Most Serene Prince of the Russian Empire, the Most Serene Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, the Duke of Izhora (this title was equated to sovereign). And he had quite a bit of experience in commanding armies, and successful ones at that.

But Menshikov spent only a short time as Generalissimo; he soon fell into disgrace, was deprived of ranks and titles, and exiled to the Tobolsk province in the small town of Berezov, where he died on November 12, 1729.

In November 1740, Prince Anton Ulrich of Brunswick became Russian generalissimo, receiving the highest military rank only because he was the father of the infant emperor John VI. Exactly one year later, as a result of another palace coup the throne passed to Elizabeth Petrovna, and the prince, deprived of all ranks, was sent into exile in Kholmogory, where he died in May 1774.
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Of all the Russian generalissimos, only Alexander Vasilievich earned the highest military rank with his glorious victories Suvorov, who received it on October 28, 1799 for the Italian and Swiss campaigns. By the way, this time too, Peter’s requirement was met. Shortly before Paul I made the decision to promote the commander to generalissimo, Alexander Vasilyevich was granted the title of “cousin of the king” by the King of Sardinia as a grandee and prince of royal blood.
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When listing generalissimos, they usually forget that this highest military rank was held by another subject of the Russian crown, although he received it during the period when he was at war with Russia. Formally, while living in Russia and having sworn allegiance to Alexander II, the former imam of Dagestan and Chechnya remained a Turkish generalissimo (the rank was awarded in 1854), since he was not officially deprived of the rank. The highest military rank was received by Shamil by right. He fought against Russian troops for 25 years, winning many victories. At times his army exceeded 30 thousand people. By the way, after his capture, Shamil was treated with due respect in Russia, receiving the highest military honors.
Photo: ru.wikipedia.org

In 1945 he was promoted to the rank of Generalissimo Soviet Union was assigned . The initiative did not come from the “father of nations,” who was very cool about formal titles and awards. He rejected several offers to give him this title. It is believed that they managed to persuade him, who stated that there are many marshals in the Soviet Union and Stalin, in fact, is just one of them. And Stalin, naturally, did not want to be “one of many.”

On June 26, 1945, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the highest Generalissimo of the Soviet Union was established, and the very next day it was assigned to I.V. Stalin. Several versions of the Generalissimo's uniform were developed, but Stalin rejected them all as too tacky, and continued to wear a jacket with shoulder straps of the Marshal of the Soviet Union.

After Stalin's death, the title of Generalissimo in the USSR increased not assigned, although it officially existed until 1993.

IN modern Russia Military regulations do not provide for the awarding of the rank of generalissimo. In total, over almost five centuries of its existence, about 100 people from different countries received the military rank (rank) of generalissimo. This title is rightfully the rarest and most honorable in the world.

- - the highest military rank in the USSR, established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on June 26, 1945 (“Gazette of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR” 1945 No. 36). The title of Generalissimo of the Soviet Union is personally conferred by the Presidium of the Supreme... ... Soviet legal dictionary

Armed Forces of the USSR ... Wikipedia

Title of Generalissimo of the Soviet Union- Generalissimo (from Latin generalissimus the most important) the highest military rank in the armed forces of some countries. It was assigned to commanders who commanded several, often allied, armies during the war, as well as sometimes to persons from families... ... Encyclopedia of Newsmakers

Main article: Marshal of the Soviet Union Mandatory insignia of the rank Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal Star of the “large” type This list ... Wikipedia

Everyday shoulder straps... Wikipedia

- (new Latin generalissimus, superlative from generalis general). A title given to the commander-in-chief of all the troops in a state or several allied armies. Dictionary foreign words, included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910.… … Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

The first holder of the title was Albrecht von Wallenstein Generalissimo (German Generalissimus, image ... Wikipedia

generalissimo- , a, m. Highest military rank. * Generalissimo of the Soviet Union. ◘ In the USSR, the title of Generalissimo of the Soviet Union was introduced on June 26, 1945; was assigned to I.V. Stalin. BES, 286. His [the fleet’s] contribution to the victory was noted in wonderful words in... ... Dictionary language of the Council of Deputies

- (from Latin generalissimus the most important) the highest military rank in some countries. First introduced in 1569 in France. In Russia it is known from late XVII V. The title of G. of the Soviet Union was awarded only to I.V. Stalin. In the 20th century V foreign countries… … Legal Dictionary

- (from Latin generalissimus the most important) the highest military rank in some countries. First introduced in 1569 in France. In Russia (from the end of the 17th century), the title of generalissimo was held by F. Yu. Romodanovsky, A. S. Shein, A. D. Menshikov, Anton Ulrich... ... Big encyclopedic Dictionary

Books

• , . The book "Semenovtsy" continues the series "Regiments of the Russian Army". L.-Guards. The Semenovsky regiment, like the Preobrazhensky regiment, was founded by Peter I and was part of the so-called Petrovsky brigade. His story is inseparable...
• Semyonovtsy. History, biography, memoirs, Alexander Bondarenko. The book Semenovtsy continues the series Regiments of the Russian Army. L.-Guards. The Semenovsky regiment, like the Preobrazhensky regiment, was founded by Peter I and was part of the so-called Petrovsky brigade. His story is inseparable...

In the last century, during the Soviet Union, there was a highest rank of generalissimo. However, during the entire existence of the Soviet Union, not a single person was awarded this title except Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin.

The proletarian people themselves asked for this man to be awarded the highest military rank for all his services to the Motherland. This happened after the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945. Soon the whole Union learned that the working people asked for such an honor for their leader.

However, there is very important aspect- during the Soviet Union, Stalin was awarded a title that was considered the highest even under tsarist rule. And this turn of events did not suit all Bolsheviks, but in most cases most of party members reacted very unkindly to this.

Subsequently, this even turned out to be a kind of turning point, since everything that related to royal power was unacceptable to them. But Stalin realized that in the situation that reigned in the country at that moment, only traditions and the spirit of past times could save the Motherland.

For this reason, he introduces into circulation such a distinctive sign as shoulder straps. Initially, this element of the soldier’s appearance is a symbol of “imperial punitive forces,” while this status of a soldier contained a derogatory meaning.

The Germans always understood that Russians become weak the moment they break their connection with their ancestors, and Stalin knew well that they were aware of this. Therefore, he took this action decisively because he wanted to restore this connection again. Moreover, not only he understood the need for such reformations, but also his military circle.

When does it happen in the country? crucial moment, then it was necessary to look for a way out of the situation, and Comrade Stalin found it. As is obvious, he tried with all his might to restore the continuity of generations.

How did the concept of generalissimo appear and what does it mean?

Generalissimo comes from Latin. The literal translation of this word into Russian is “great and very first.” Such a highest rank at one time was not only in Russian Empire, and in general in all countries of the world. One of the most famous domestic military personnel in this rank is Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov.

The generalissimo's uniform contained elements that revealed not only his high military rank, but also his civil status in the country as a whole. As a rule, this title could only be achieved by truly heroic deeds. A person had to make a special contribution to the development of the history of his country.

The shoulder straps of the Generalissimo were impressively sized insignia that the person awarded this title wore on his shoulders. In appearance, they very much resembled epaulettes, but they had stars and several other elements characteristic of this title.

To date, this title has been preserved, but so far no worthy person has been found who could receive the honor of wearing it.

The last person to receive the title of Generalissimo was Chinese politician Kim Jong Il. However, he never found out about this, since he was nominated for this award only in 2011, when he had already died.

Very rarely did anyone manage to receive the title of Generalissimo, since the person to whom it was awarded was not just a ruler, but national symbol. For a long time in different countries There are only a few that have been able to reach such heights. So in different world powers there were the following statistics:

• in France for four hundred years there were only about twenty generalissimos, which in comparison with other states is not such a bad result;
• in Russia over the past three hundred years, only Stalin has been generalissimo, but there have been attempts to assign this title to Khrushchev and Brezhnev;
• in China, Kim Jong Il is still revered, and they even keep special calendars.

Distinctive insignia of rank

Stalin's shoulder straps met all the canons of the generalissimo's shoulder straps. The development of the appearance features of these shoulder straps began almost immediately after the Great Patriotic War ended. All materials related to this case were closed until the end of the last century.

The basic parameters of standard shoulder straps still needed to be taken into account, but those involved in the development wanted to create something truly special. Shoulder straps included the following elements:

• from the gate, the shoulder straps began as a standard officer's, rectangular in shape;
• the main color was gold, and the edging was red;
• further went large star, which with its ends touched the edges of the shoulder strap, its color was silver;
• Next came a narrow stripe, also golden in color and with a red border;
• the generalissimo's shoulder straps ended like epaulettes, which were also golden in color;
• in the center, inscribed in the circle of the epaulette, was the coat of arms of the Soviet Union.

However, Stalin never put on his shoulder straps or the uniform made especially for him. The Generalissimo uniform included the following elements:

• the uniform itself with epaulettes, which included the coat of arms of the Soviet Union, inscribed in a circle of silver oak leaves;
• was also specially sewn winter clothes, on which shoulder straps were an integral part;
• the Generalissimo's special riding uniform, which had appearance, similar to the uniform of the times of Tsarist Russia.

Until the end of his life, Stalin never appeared in public in a uniform tailored specifically for him. In all his most famous portraits he is depicted in marshal's uniform Soviet army. The reason for this is that Stalin loved simplicity and practicality. For him, the outfit looked too flashy, pretentious and even a little ridiculous. Therefore, he resolutely rejected all proposals to change the already familiar marshal uniform to the generalissimo uniform.