Georgy Zhukov

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Georgy Zhukov bigraphy, stories - Marshal of the Soviet Union

Georgy Zhukov : biography

01 December 1896 – 18 June 1974

Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov ( 19 November (1 December) 1896 – 18 June 1974), was a Soviet career officer in the Red Army who, in the course of World War II, played a pivotal role in leading the Red Army drive through much of Eastern Europe to liberate the Soviet Union and other nations from the occupation of the Axis Powers and ultimately, to conquer the capital of Germany itself, Berlin. He is the most decorated general officer in the history of the Soviet Union and Russia.

Amongst many notable generals in World War II, G. K. Zhukov was placed at the top in the respect of number and scale of victoriesDwight D. Eisenhower. "Crusade in Europe" (1948), p. 285. and his talent in operational and strategic command was recognized by many people.Harold Shukman, Stalin’s Generals, Grove Press, New York City, 1993, p. 172. Many famous military leaders in the world such as Bernard Law Montgomery, Dwight David Eisenhower and Jean de Lattre de Tassigny had already recognized Zhukov’s great contributions in many important victories in the Second World War.A. I. Sethi. Marshal Zhukov – The Great Strategician. New Dehli. 1988, p. 12. His combat achievements became valuable heritages in humanity’s military knowledge, exerted great influence on both the Soviet and the whole world’s military theory.John Eisenhower. Strictly Personal. New York. 1974. p. 21.

Rise and fall after Stalin

After Stalin’s death Zhukov returned to favor, becoming Deputy Defense Minister in 1953. He then had an opportunity to avenge himself on Beria.

Arresting Beria

With Stalin’s sudden death, the Soviet Union fell into a leadership crisis. Georgy Maximilianovich Malenkov became temporarily First Secretary. Malenkov and his allies attempted to purge Stalin’s influence and personality cult, however Malenkov himself did not have the courage to do this alone. Moreover, Beria remained dangerous. The politicians sought reinforcement from the powerful and prestigious military men. In this matter, Nikita Khrushchev chose Zhukov because the two had forged a good relationship, and, in addition, in the Great Patriotic War, Zhukov had twice saved Khrushchev from false accusations.Sergei Khrushchev. Khrushchev on Khrushchev. An Inside Account of the Man and His Era. Boston. 1990, pp. 243, 272, 317.

On 26 June 1953, a special meeting of the Soviet Politburo was held by Malenkov. Beria came to the meeting with an uneasy feeling because it was called hastily—indeed, Zhukov had ordered General K. S. Moskalenko to secretly prepare a special force and permitted the force to use two of Zhukov’s and Bulganin’s special cars (which had black glass) in order to safely infiltrate the Kremlin. Zhukov also ordered the NKVD Guard replaced by the guard of the Moscow Military District. In this meeting, Khrushchev, Malenkov, and their allies denounced "the imperialist element Beria" about his "anti-Party", "anti-socialist" activities, "sowing division", and "acting as a spy of England", together with many other crimes. Finally, Khrushchev suggested expelling Beria from the Communist Party and bringing him before a military court. Immediately, the prepared special force rushed in. Zhukov himself went up to Beria and shouted: "Hands up! Follow me!". Beria replied, in a panic, "Oh Comrades, what’s the matter? Just sit down." Zhukov shouted again, "Shut up, you are not the commander here! Comrades, arrest this traitor!". Moskalenko’s special forces obeyed.K. S. Moskalenko. The arrest of Beria. Newspaper Московские новости. No. 23, year 1990.Yu. N. Afansiev (chủ biên). Không còn đường nào khác. NXB Khoa học xã hội và NXB Sự Thật. Hà Nội. 1989, p. 141.

Marshal Zhukov was a member of the military tribunal during the Beria trial, which was headed by Marshal Ivan Konev.Associated Press, 9 February 1955, reported in The Albuquerque Journal page 1 of that date. On 18 December 1953, the Military Court sentenced Beria to death. During the burial of Beria, I. S. Koniev commented: "The day this man was born is deserved to be damned !". Then Zhukov simply said: "I considered it is my duty to contribute my little part in this matter (arresting and executing Beria)."K. S. Moskalenko. The arrest of L. P. Beria. Newspaper Московские новости. No. 23, year 1990.Yu. N. Afansiev (editor-in-chief). There is no other way. Social Science Publisher and Truth Publisher. Hanoi. 1989, p. 141.