Soviet Front Commanders (a list)

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Jeff Leach
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Soviet Front Commanders (a list)

#1

Post by Jeff Leach » 26 May 2019, 08:45

Soviet Higher Commands and Their Commanders: April 1943 - May 1945

Jeff Leach
Draft 06 June 2011

Here is a list of Soviet Fronts and Front Commanders. I did some research because I was dissatified with the English language sources on the Internet. It has been sitting on my hard-drive for 8 years, so I thought it was be better to share the information than let it dissappear. If there is any importance in the document, it is because I have tied most of the information to the wartime documentation. There are some references to other posts on Axis History Forums, you will have to look for them yourselves.

There are some more similar documents on the way: army commanders, airborne commander and cavalry commanders.


Soviet Fronts

Baltic Front (08.10.1943 – 20.10.1943)
A Stavka directive of 01.10.43 orders the reorganization of Brânsk Front (III) into Baltic Front [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#344]. The headquarters staff was renamed Baltic Front by 08.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#352].* Another directive of 16.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#364] says the front is to be renamed 2nd Belorussian Front on 20.10.1943.

M. M. Popov 10.10.1943 – 20.10.1943

M. M. Popov was commander of front during its whole existence.

(*) This directive isn't included in the appendix of directives because it doesn't have any more pertinent information than it is addressed to Baltic Front.

1st Baltic Front 20.10.1943 – 24.02.1945
Kalinin Front was renamed 1st Baltic Front on 20.10.1943 in accordance with a Stavka directive of 16.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#364]. Transformed into the Zemland Operational Group under the command of the 3rd Baltic Front on 24.02.1945 after a Stavka directive of 21.02.1945 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#307].

A. I. Eremenko 20.10.1943 – 19.11.1943
I. H. Bagramân 19.11.1943 – 24.02.1945

The command change from Eremenko to Bagramân is documented in a directive of 17.11.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#386]. General Bagramân became deputy commander of 3rd Belorussian front as well as commander of the Zemland Group of Forces when the 1st Baltic Front was disbanded [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#307].

2nd Baltic Front (20.10.1943 - 01.04.1945)
Baltic Front was renamed 2nd Baltic Front on 20.10.1943 in accordance with a Stavka directive of 16.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#364]. Disbanded on 01.04.1945 after a Stavka directive 29.03.1945 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#327]* and the field forces placed under the command of Leningrad Front.

M. M. Popov 20.10.1943 – 23.04.1944
A. I. Eremenko 23.04.1944 – 04.02.1945
M. M. Popov 04.02.1945 – 09.02.1945
L. A. Govorov 09.02.1945 – 31.03.1945

Marshal Govorov was appointed commander of the front in a directive of 06.02.1945 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#295], when General Popov was demoted to deputy commander. Popov was removed from command and demoted to Colonel General for the poor performance of his front (04.1944).

(*) This directive need to be read to see what happened when front was broken up.

3rd Baltic Front (21.04.1944 – 16.10.1944)
Formed 21.04.1944 after a Stavka directive of 18.04.1944 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#87] by splitting the Leningrad Front. The headquarters staff was created from the staff of the 20th Army (II) [Perečen 1.1]. The directive stated the reorganization was to be complete by 24.04.1944. Disbanded 16.10.1944 after a Stavka directive of the same day [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#227]. The headquarters staff was placed in Stavka Reserve.

I. I. Maslennikov 21.04.1944 – 16.10.1944

The original directive states that the deputy commander of Leningrad Front (Maslennikov) is to assume command of 3rd Baltic Front.

Belorussian Front (I) (20.10.1943 – 24.02.1944)
The Belorussian Front (I) was formed on 20.10.1943, after a Stavka Directive of 16.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#364], by renaming Central Front (II). Renamed 1st Belorussian Front (I) on 18.02.1944,* after a Stavka directive of 17.02.1944 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#32].

К. К. Rоkоssоvskij 20.10.1943 – 18.02.1944

Rokossovskij was commander of the front for its whole existence.

(*) Note the date of the name change isn't given in the original directive but new directives are already referring to the 1st Belorussian Front on 18.02.1944.

Belorussian Front (II) (05.04.1944 – 16.04.1944)
The headquarters of Belorussian Front (II) was formed on 05.04.1944, Stavka Directive of 02.04.1944 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#72], by renaming the headquarters 1st Belorussian Front (I). It was renamed 1st Belorussian Front (II) on 16.04.1944 after a Stavka directive of 12.04.1944 [Приказ СВГК СССР № 220076 от 12.04.44].

К. К. Rоkоssоvskij 05.04.1944 – 16.04.1944

Rokossovskij was commander of the front for its whole existence.

1st Belorussian Front (I) (24.02.1944 – 05.04.1944)
Formed on 24.02.1944 after a Stavka directive of 17.02.1944 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#32], by renaming the headquarters of Belorussian Front (I). Renamed Belorussian Front (II) on 05.04.1944 after a Stavka directive of 02.04.1944 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#72].

К. К. Rоkоssоvskij 18.02.1944 – 05.04.1944

Rokossovskij was commander of the front for its whole existence.

1st Belorussian Front (II) (16.04.1944 – 09.05.1945)
Formed on 16.04.1944 by renaming the Belorussian Front (II) after a Stavka Directive of 12.04.1944 [Приказ СВГК СССР № 220076 от 12.04.44]. The front was disbanded after the war.

К. К. Rоkоssоvskij (16.04.1944 – 16.11.1944)
G. К. Žukоv (16.11.1944 - demobilization (E)?)

A directive of 12.11.44 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#248]* orders that Žukоv takes command of 1st Belorussian Front no later than 16.11.1944 and that Rokossovskij take over command of 2nd Belorussian Front.

(*) Read point 6 of #248 carefully for Žukоv other responsibilities.

2nd Belorussian Front (I) (20.02.1944 – 05.04.1944)
Formed on 20.02.1944, after a Stavka directive of 17.02.1944 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#32],* at the junction of Belorussian Front (I) and 1st Ukrainian Front with taken from troops of both fronts. The headquarters staff was created from the staff of the disbanded Northwestern Front, which had been in Stavka Reserve since 20.11.43. The front was disbanded on 05.04.1944 after a Stavka directive of 02.04.1944 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#72]. The fronts troops were transferred to the 1st Belorussian Front and the headquarters staff was transferred to Stavka Reserve.

P. А. Кurоčkin 20.02.1944 - 05.04.1944

General Кurоčkin was appointed commander of the front in the original directive, he was deputy commander of 1st Ukrainian Front. A directive of 03.04.1944 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#72] states that after General Кurоčkin had seen to the transfer of his troop he was to report to the 1st Ukrainian Front no later than 07.04.1944 for assignment to an army command there.

(*) The original directive has no date when formation was to be complete. The headquarters was to be ready by the 20th February, some major elements by the 25th February and the last arriving element were to be with the army on 14th March. The first directive to the front is from 4th March, so it is probably safe to assume it was combat ready on about this date.

2nd Belorussian Front (II) (18.04.1944 – 09.05.1945)
The 2nd Belorussian Front (II) and 3rd Belorussian Front were formed by splitting Western Front in late April 1944. A Stavka directive of 12.04.1944 [Приказ СВГК СССР № 220076 от 12.04.44] divided Western front into the 2nd Belorussian Front (II) and 3rd Belorussian. The 2nd Belorussian Front (II) was to be formed from the headquarters of the 10th Army (III) [Perečen 1.2] and the directive states that front was to be combat ready by 25.04.44. A Stavka directive of 19.04.1944 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#248] indicates that the headquarters of the 2nd Belorussian Front (II) was already in existence by this date.*

I. Е. Pеtrоv 18.04.1944 – 06.06.1944
G. F. Zаhаrоv 06.06.1944 – 17.11.1944
К. К. Rоkоssоvskij 17.11.1944 – demobilization (E)?

General Petrov is named commander of the front in the original directive. A directive of 12.11.44 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#248]** orders that Rokossovskij take command of 2nd Belorussian Front no later than 18.11.1944. The same directive demotes General Zaharov to deputy commander of 1st Belorussian Front (II).

(*) Check Arts answer!
(**) This directive is a musical chairs directive or a prime example of the Big Dog – Little Dog nature of higher levels of the Soviet Command. Zukov wanted to get in on the final kill so Rokossovskij had to move over, poor Zaharov got demoted to make room for Rokossovkskij etc…

3rd Belorussian Front (18.04.1944 - 09.05.1945)
The 2nd Belorussian Front (II) and 3rd Belorussian Front were formed by splitting Western Front in late April 1944. A Stavka directive of 12.04.1944 [Приказ СВГК СССР № 220076 от 12.04.44] divided Western front into the 2nd Belorussian Front (II) and 3rd Belorussian. Western Front headquarters was to be renamed 3rd Belorussian Front. A Stavka directive of 19.04.1944 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#248] indicates that the headquarters of the 3rd Belorussian Front was already in existence by this date.

I. D. Černâhovskij 24.04.1944 – 18.02.1945 (x)
A. M. Vasilevskij 20.02.1945 – 26.04.1945
I. H. Bagramân 27.04.1945 – demobilization (E)

General Černâhovskij was killed on 18.02.1945 and a Stavka directive of the same day [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#306] orders Marshal Vasilevskij to assume command of the front no later than 21.02.1945. General Bagramân was deputy commander of 3rd Belorussian Front from date, reference?

Brânsk Front (II) (24.12.1941 – 12.03.1943)
Formed 24 December 1941 after a Stavka directive of 18 December 1941.* A directive of 11.03.1943 order the disbandment of the front by 12.03.1943. The forces of the front were to be split up between Western Front and Central Front (II). The headquarters and support services were to assemble around Voronež as part of Stavka Reserve [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#127]. Another directive, issued five minutes later, [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#128] says that the fronts headquarters is to be renamed Reserve Front (II).


М. А. Rejter 27.09.1942 – 12.03.1943

The command change from General Čerevičenko to General Golikov, who was deputy commander of Crimean Front, is documented in a directive of 01.04.42 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-2):#175]. When Voronež Front was split off from Brânsk Front (II) [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#387], General Golikov was appointed commander of the new front and deputy commander General Čibisov was promoted to Front Commander. General Rokossovskij was appointed commander of the front in a directive of 13.07.1942 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-2):#417]. General Čibisov was demoted to deputy commander.

(*) Can not find this directive it may have been issued by Southwestern Front (I).

Brânsk Front (III) (29.03.1943 – 10.10.1943)
Orlov Front was renamed Brânsk Front (III) on 29.03.1943 after a Stavka directive of 28.03.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#154]. Disbanded on 10.10.1943 after a Stavka Directive of 01 October 1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#344]. Most of the field forces were incorporated into Central Front while the HQ staff was used to create Baltic Front.

M. A. Rejter 28.03.1943 – 05.06.1943
M. M. Popov 05.06.1943 – 10.10.1943

Central Front (II) (06.02.1943 – 20.10.1943)
Formed after a Stavka directive of 05.02.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#89] by renaming the headquarters staff of the Don Front. A directive of 06.02.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#94] shows the headquarters had already been renamed by that date; although, the original directive says the formation of the front is to be complete no later than 15.02.1943. A directive of 16.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#94] states Central Front (II) is to be renamed Belorussian Front (I) from 20.10.1943.

K. K. Rokossovskij 15.02.1943 – 20.10.1943

General Rokossovskij is named commander of Central Front (II) in the original directive. He was commander of Don Front, Central Front (II) and Belorussian Front (I) so there was really no change of army commander during these front changes.

Far Eastern Front (22.06.941 – 05.08.1945)
Renamed as the 2nd Far Eastern Front 05.08.1945.

I. R. Apanasenko (01.1941 – 25.04.1943)
M. A. Purkaev (25.04.1943 – 05.08.1945)

1st Far Eastern Front (05.08.1945 – 03.09.1945)
Formed 5.08.1945 (Stavka Directive of 02.08.1945) from the headquarters of the Coastal Group of Forces (Приморской группы войск). Disbanded 01.10.1945 (Stavka Directive of 10.09.1945). Headquarters staff reorganized as the Coastal Military District (Приморского военного округа).

K. A. Mereckov (05.08.1945 – 03.09.1945)

2nd Far Eastern Front (05.08.1945 – 03.09.1945)
Renamed Far Eastern Front 05.08.1945 (Stavka Directive of 02.08.1945). Disbanded 01.10.1945 (Stavka Directive of 10.09.1945). Headquarters staff reorganized as the Far Eastern Military District (II).

M. A. Purkaev (05.08.1945 – 03.09.1945)

Kalinin Front (19.10.41 – 20.10.43)
Formed 19.10.1941 after a Stavka directive of 17.10.1941 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-1):#390]. Took over the control of the right wing forces of Western Front. Renamed 1st Baltic Front on 20.10.1943 after a Stavka directive of 16.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#364].

M. A. Purkaev 26.08.1942 – 25.04.1943
A. I. Eremenko 25.04.1943 – 20.10.1943

General Konev is appointed commander of the front in the original directive.

Karelian Front (01.09.1941 – 15.11.1944)
Formed 01.09.1941 after a Stavka directive of 23.08.1941 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-1):#179] from the northern wing of Northern Front when it was split in to Karelian Front and Leningrad Front. Disbanded 15.11.1944 after a Stavka directive 07.11.1944. The headquarters staff was send to the Far East and used to form the headquarters of Coastal Group of Far Eastern Front.15.11.1944.*

V. A. Frolov 01.09.1941 – 21.02.1944
K. A. Mereckov 21.02.1944 – 15.11.1944

General Frolov is appointed commander of the front in the original directive. A directive of 19.04.1944 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#76] appoints General Mereckov as commander of Karelian Front and demotes General Frolov to deputy commander.

(*) [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#245] of 09.11.1944? otherwise can’t find it.

Kursk Front (24.03.1943 – 27.03.1943)
Formed 24.03.1943 after a Stavka directive of 19.03.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#138] by renaming the headquarters staff of Reserve Front (II) [Perečen’ № 1.2]. The front was disbanded and the headquarters staff renamed Orlov Front on 28.03.1943 after a Stavka directive of 27.03.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#150].

М. А. Rejter 23.03.1943 – 27.03.1943

General Rejter was named commander in the original directive.

Leningrad Front (26.08.1941 – 09.05.1945)
Formed 27.08.1941 after a Stavka VGK directive of 23.08.1941 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-1):#179]* from the southern wing of Northern Front when it was split. The headquarters staff of Northern Front was renamed Leningrad Front [Perečen’ № 1.2].

L. A. Govorov 09.06.1942 – 9.5.1945

Hozin was demoted to commander 33rd Army (?) and General Govorov appointed commander of Leningrad Front in a directive of 08.06.1942 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-2):#336].

(*) This directive details the formation of Karelian Front and in a single line says the remainder of Northern Front is to become Leningrad Front.

Moscow Defensive Zone (02.12.1941 – 15.10.1943)
Created 02.12.1941 after a Stavka directive of the same day [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-1):#507] to control the forces dedicated to the defense of Moscow. The commander of the zone was also responsible for the construction of defensive works to protect the city. The Moscow Defensive Zone was disbanded on 15.10.1943 by order of the NKO SSSR.*

P. A. Artem'ev 02.12.1941 – 15.10.1943

General Artem’ev is named commander in the original directive.

(*) Which order?

North Caucasus (II) (25.01.1943 – 20.11.1943)
Formed 24.01.1943 after a Stavka directive of 24.01.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-2):#33] from Northern Group of Forces of Transcacausus Front. Elements of the headquarters staff was used to create the headquarters of the Independent Coastal Army on 20.11.1943 after a Stavka directive of 15.11.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-2):#33], the remainder was placed in Stavka Reserve and later disbanded.

I. I. Maslennikov 25.01.1943 – 13.05.1943
I. E. Petrov 13.05.1943 – 20.11.1943

Maslennikov is named commander in the original directive, he had been commander of the Northern Group of Forces of Transcacausus Front. General Petrov took over command of the Independent Coastal Army after the disbandment of the front.

Northwestern Front (22.06.1941 – 20.11.1943)
Formed from the staff and field forces of the Baltic Military District on 22.06.1941 [NKO SSSR order of 22.06.1941].* Disbanded on 20.11.1943 after a Stavka directive of 15.11.1943 with the headquarters staff placed in Stavka Reserve [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#384].

S. K. Timošenko 05.10.1942 – 14.03.1943
I. S. Konev 14.03.1943 – 23.06.1943
P. A. Kuročkin 23.06.1943 – 20.11.1943

The command change from General Konev to General Kuročkin is documented a Stavka directive of 23.06.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#259]. General Kuročkin became deputy commander of the 2nd Baltic Front when Northwestern Front was disbanded.

(*) Part of the pre-war mobilization plans.

Orlov Front (28.03.1943 - 29.03.1943)
Formed 27.03.1943 after a Stavka directive of 24.03.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#150] by renaming the headquarters of Kursk Front. Renamed Brânsk Front (III) on 29.03.1943 after a Stavka directive of 28.03.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#154].

M. A. Rejter 27.3.1943 – 28.3.1943

General Rejter was named commander of the front in the original directive.

Reserve Front (II) (13.03.1943 – 23.03.1943)
Formed 13.03.1943 after a Stavka directive of 11.03.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-2):#128] by renaming the headquarters of the Brânsk Front (II). The front was disbanded 23.03.1943 after a Stavka directive of 19.03.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#138] with the headquarters staff being renamed the headquarters of Kursk Front on 24.02.1943.

M. A. Rejter 12.03.1943 – 23.03.1943

General Rejter was named commander of the front in the original directive.

Reserve Front (III) (10.04.1943 – 15.04.1943)
Formed after a Stavka directive of 06.04.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#172]. The directive stated that the headquarters was to be built up around the headquarters of the 41st Army (?) and was to conform to štat 02/210. The directive also states that the formation of the front is to be complete by 30.04.1943. A directive of 13.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#174] says Reserve Front (III) is to be renamed Steppe Military District on 15.10.1943.

M. M. Popov 10.04.1943 – 15.04.1943

Popov is named commander of the front in the original directive.

South Front (II) (01.01.1943 – 20.10.1943)
Formed on 01.01.1943 after a Stavka directive of 30.12.1942 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-2):#700] by renaming headquarters staff of Stalingrad Front (II). Renamed 4th Ukrainian Front on 20.10.1943 after a Stavka directive of 16.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#364].

A. I. Eremenko 01.01.1943 – 02.02.1943
R. Â. Malinovskij 02.02.1943 – 22.03.1943
F. I. Tolbuhin 22.03.1943 – 20.10.1943

General Eremenko, who had been commander of Stalingrad Front (II), was named commander of South Front (II) in the original directive.

Southwestern Front (II) (25.10.1942 – 20.10.1943)
Formed on 25.10.1942 after a Stavka directive of 22 October 1942 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-2):#642]. The heaquarters staff was to be build around the headquarters staff of the 1st Guards Army (?). By 28.10.1942 the headquarters staff was to conform to štats 02/206, 02/209, 02/165a and 010/1-b and 30 October the rear area services were to be in order. Renamed 3rd Ukrainian Front on 20.10.1943 after a Stavka directive of 16.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#364].

N. F. Vatutin 25.10.1942 – 27.03.1943
R. Â. Malinovskij 27.03.1943 – 20.10.1943

A directive of 22.03.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#147] documents the command change from Vatutin to Malinovskij.

Steppe Front (10.07.1943 – 20.10.1943)
Created 10.07.1943 after a Stavka directive 09.07.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#271] by renaming the Steppe Military District headquarters. Was renamed 2nd Ukrainian Front on 20.10.1943 after a Stavka order of 16.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#364].

I. S. Konev 09.07.1943 – 20.10.1943

Transbajkal Front (15.09.1941 – 03.09.1945)
Formed 15.09.1942 after a Stavka directive of 14.09.1941* from the Transbajkal Military District. Disbanded 09.10.1945.

M. P. Kovalev 15.09.1941 – 12.07.1945
R. Â. Malinovskij 12.07.1945 – 03.09.1945

(*) Couldn’t find this one.

Transcacausus Front (II) (01.05.1942 - )
Created 15.05.1942 after a Stavka directive 28.04.1942 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-2):#245], which stated that the headquarters of the Transcacausus Military District (II) was to be renamed Transcacausus Front (II) on 01.05.1942. The headquarters staff was to conform to the organization of štat 02/241 by 15.05.42, that is the Military District headquarters was to conform to Front headquarters standard.

I. V. Tûlenev 15.05.1942* – 09.05.1945

The directive states that General Tûlenev was to command the new front.

(*) Tûlenev was command on this date if he had been commander of the Transcaucasus Military District (II).

1st Ukrainian Front (20.10.1943 – )
Formed 20.10.1943, after a Stavka directive of 16.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#364], by renaming the Voronež Front. Disbanded after the war.

N. F. Vatutin 20.10.1943 – 02.03.1944 (x)
G. K. Žukov 02.03.1944 – 24.05.1944
I. S. Konev 24.05.1944 – demobilization (E)

A Stavka directive of 15.05.1944 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#102] reorganized the commanders of the Ukrainian fronts in order to free up Marshal Žukov for other duties. Tolbuhin’s 4th Ukrainian Front was disbanded and was to assume command of the 3rd Ukrainian Front no later than 22.05.1944. General Malinovskij in turn was to take over command of the 2nd Ukrainian Front no later than 24.05.1944 and then General Konev was to assume command of 1st Ukrainian Front no later than 27.04.1944 thus releasing Žukov.

2nd Ukrainian Front (20.10.1943 – )
Formed 20.10.1943, after a Stavka directive 16.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#364], by renaming the Steppe Front. Disbanded after the war.

I. S. Konev 20.10.1943 – 21.05.1944
R. Â Malinovskij 21.05.1944 – demobilization (E)

The command change in May 1944 is documented in [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#102].

3rd Ukrainian Front (20.10.1943 – 09.05.1945)
Formed 20.10.1943, after a Stavka directive 16.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#364], by renaming the Southwestern Front (II). Disbanded after the war.

R. Â Malinovskij 20.10.1943 – 15.05.1944
F. I. Tolbuhin 15.05.1944 – demobilization (E)

4th Ukrainian Front (I) (20.10.1943 – 31.05.1944)
Formed 20.10.1943, after a Stavka directive 16.10.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#364], by renaming the Southern Front (II). On 31.05.1944, after a Stavka directive of 16.05.1944, the front was disbanded the headquarters staff and front support unit were placed in Stavka Reserve.

F. I. Tolbuhin 20.10.1943 – 15.05.1944

4th Ukrainian Front (II) (05.08.1944 – 11.05.1945)
Formed 05.08.1944 after a Stavka directive of 30.07.1944 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#364] the directive states the front is to be combat ready by 05.08.1944. Disbanded after the war.

I. E. Petrov 05.08.1944 – 26.03.1945
A. I. Eremenko 26.03.1945 – demobilization (E)

General Petrov is named front commander in the original directive. A directive of 24.03.1945 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#323] details the command change of the next day.

Volhov Front (II) (08.06.1942 – 15.02.1944)
The Vokhov Operational Group was renamed Volkhov Front (II) on 09.06.1942 after a Stavka directive of 08.06.1942 Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-2):#336]. The Front was disbanded on 15.02.1944 after Stavka directive of 13.02.1944 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#28]* with the field forces going to Leningrad Front and 2nd Baltic Front, while the HQ staff was placed in Stavka Reserve.

K. A. Mereckov 08.06.1942 – 15.02.1944

Mereckov was named commander of the front in the original directive.

(*) Some more details can be found in a directive of the next day [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#29].

Voronež Front (09.07.1942 – 20.10.1943)
Formed 09.07.1942 after a Stavka directive 07.07.1942 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-2):#387] through splitting off part of the troops of Brânsk Front (II). Renamed 1st Ukrainian Front 20 October 1943 (Stavka Directive 16 October 1943).

F. I. Golikov 22.10.1942 – 28.03.1943
N. F. Vatutin 28.03.1943 – 20.10.1943

A directive of 14.07.1942 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#418] appoint Vatutin as commander of Voronež and demotes Golikov to deputy commander. A directive of 22.10.1941 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#642] instructs Golikov to take over command of the front after Vatutin was ordered to take command of Southwestern Front (II). The original directive states that General Golikov is to assume command of the new front. A directive of 22.03.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-3):#147] instructs Vatutin to take command of Voronež front and General Golikov is to report to Stavka VGK.

Western Front (22.06.1942 – 19.04.1944)
Formed 22.06.1941 after a NKO SSSR order 22.06.1941* from the staff of the Western Special Military District. Western front was split in to the 2nd Belorussian Front (II) and renamed 3rd Belorussian Front between 12.04.1944 and 24.04.1944 after a Stavka directive of 12 April 1944 [Приказ СВГК СССР № 220076 от 12.04.44]. The headquarters staff of Western Front was renamed 3rd Belorussian Front by 19.04.1944.

D. G. Pavlov 22.06.1941 – 30.06.1941
A. I. Eremenko 30.06.1941 – 02.07.1941
S. K. Timošenko 02.07.1941 – 19.07.1941
A. I. Eremenko 19.07.1941 – 29.07.1941
S. K. Timošenko 30.07.1941 – 12.09.1941
I. S. Konev 12.09.1941 – 12.10.1941
G. K. Žukov 13.10.1941 – 26.08.1942
I. S. Konev 26.08.1942 – 27.02.1943
V. D. Sokolovskij 28.02.1943 – 15.04.1944
I. D. Černâhovskij 15.04.1944 – 19.04.1944

A Stavka order of 01.07.1941 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-1):#41] assigns Marshal Timošenko command of Western Front and in the same directive General Eremenko and Marshal Budennyi are assigned deputy commanders. A directive of 19.07.1941 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-1):#112] appointed Eremenko commander of Western Front. General Konev was appointed commander of Western Front in a directive of 11.09.1941 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-1):#253]. A directive of 10.10.1941 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-1):#367] appoints Marshal Žukov as commander of Western Front and demotes General Konev to its deputy commander. A directive of 26.08.1942 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-2):#529] relieves Žukov of his front command responsibilities. A directive of 27.02.1943 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-1):#105] relieves Konev of command of Western Front and appoints General Sokolovskij as his replacement. A Stavka directive of 12.04.1944 [Приказ СВГК СССР № 220076 от 12.04.44]** relieve General Sokolovskij of command because of the poor combat performance of his front and appoints General Černâhovskij as his replacement.

(*) This should have been part of the pre-war mobilization plans, with the directive just stating to implement these plans.
(**) Command of Western Front censured see the directive.

Groups of Forces

Black Sea Group of Forces, Transcacausus Front (II) (04.09.1943 – 16.03.1943)
North Cacausus Front (I) was renamed Black Sea Group of Forces, Transcacausus Front (II) on 04.09.1943. Disbanded 16.03.1943.
Costal Group of Forces
(20.04.1945 – 05.08.1945)

K. A. Mereckov (20.04.1945 – 05.08.1945)

Kurland Group of Forces (01.04.1945 – 09.05.1945)
Read [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#327] and maybe more for information on this (check directive to Leningrad Front).

Zemland Group of Forces (24.02.1945 – 03.04.1945)
1st Baltic Front was transformed into the Zemlandsk Operational Group on 24.02.1945 after a Stavka directive of 21.02.1945 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#307] under the command of the 3rd Baltic Front. A directive of 01.04.1945 [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#329] order its disbandment, which was to be complete by 03.04.45.

I. H. Bagramân (24.02.1945 – 03.04.1945)

After the groups disbandment Bagramân was to continue as deputy commander of 3rd Baltic Front.

Soviet Front Commanders


Apanasenko, I. R. (Апанасенко, И. Р.)
GA (?)

Far Eastern Front (06.22.1941 - 25.04.1943)

Artem’ev, P. A. (Артемьев, П. А.)
GL (?) GC (22.01.1942) GA (?)

Moscow Defensive Zone (02.12.1941 - 15.10.1943)

Bagramân, I. H. (Баграмян , И. Х.)
GA (12.08.1941), GL (27.12.1941), GC (27.08.1943), GA (17.11.1943)

1st Baltic Front (19.11.1943 - 24.02.1945)
Zemland Group of Forces (27.02.45 – 27.04.45)
3rd Belorussian Front (26.04.1945 – demobilization (E))

Černâhovskij, I. D. (Черняховский, И. Д.)
GC (?), GA (26.06.1944)

Western Front (15.04.1944 - 24.04.1944)
3rd Belorussian Front (24.04.1944 - 18.02.1945)

Eremenko, A. I. (Еременко, А. И.)
GC (?) GA (27.08.1943)

Kalinin Front (25.04. 1943 - 20.10.1943).
1st Baltic Front (20.10.1943 - 19.11.1943)
2nd Baltic Front (23.04.1944 - 04.02.1945)
4th Ukrainian Front (II) (26.03.1945 – demobilization (E))

Frolov, V. A. (Фролов, В. А.)
GL (?) GC (28.04.1943)

Karelian Front (01.09.1941 - 21.02.1944)

Golikov, F. I. (Голиков, Ф. И.)
GL (?) GC (19.01.1943)

Voronež Front (22.10.1942 - 28.3.1943)

Govorov, L. A. (Говоров, Л. А.)
GL (?) GC (15.01.1943) GA (17.11.1943) Marshal (18.06.1944)

Leningrad Front (09.06.1942 – demobilization (E))
2nd Baltic Front (09.02.1945 - 31.03.1945)

Konev, I. S. (Конев, И. С.)
GL (04.06.1940), GC (11.09.41), Marshal (20.02.1944)

Western Front (12.09.1941 - 12.10.1941)
Kalinin Front (19.10.1941 - 26.08.1942)
Western Front (26.08.1942 - 27.02.1943)
Northwestern Front (14.03.1943 - 22.06.1943)
Stalingrad Front (II) (??? – 20.10.1943)
2nd Ukrainian Front (20.10.1943 - 21.05.1944)
1st Ukrainian Front (24.05.1944 – demobilization (E))

Kovalev, M. P. (Ковалев, М. П.)
GC (07.05.1943)

Transbajkal Front (15.09.1941 - 12.07.1945)

Kozlov, D. T. (Козлов , Д. Т.)
GL (?) GA (26.08.1943)

Steppe Front (09.07.1943 - 20.10.1943)

Kuročkin, P. A. (Курочкин, П. А.)
GL (?) GC (28.08.1943)

Northwestern Front (23.08.1941 - 05.10.1942, 23.06.1943 - 20.11.1943)
2nd Belorussian Front (I) (24.02.1944 - 05.04.1944)

Malinovskij, R. Â (Малиновский, Р. Я.)
GC (30.01.1943 )* GA (28.04.1943) Marshal (10.09.1944)

Southern Front (II) (02.02.1943 - 22.03.1943)
North Cacausus Front (II) (24.01.1943 - 13.05.1943)
Southwestern Front (II) (27.03.1943 - 20.10.1943)
3rd Ukrainian Front (20.10.1943 - 15.05.1944)
2nd Ukrainian Front (21.05.1944 – demobilization (E))
Transbajkal Front (12.07.1945 – demobilization (J))

(*) Har also 12.02.1943 as an alternative date for promotion to Army General

Maslennikov, I. I. (Масленников, И. И.)
GL (?) GC (30.01.1943) GA (28.07.1944)

South Group of Forces, Transcacausus Front (II) (??? – 24.01.43)
North Cacausus Front (??? – 13.05.43)
3rd Baltic Front (21.04.1944 - 16.10.1944)

Mereckov, K. A. (Мерецков, К. А.)
GA (?) Marshal (26.10.1944)

Volhov Front (I) (17.12.1941 - 23.04.1942)
Volhov Front (II) (08.06.1942 - 15.02.1944)
Karelian Front (21.02.1944 - 15.11.1944)
Coastal Group of Forces, Far Eastern Front (20.04.1945 - 05.08.1945)
1st Far Eastern Front (05.08.1945 – demobilization (J))

Petrov, I. E. (Петров, И. Е.)
GL (?) GC (27.08.1943) GA (26.10.1944)

Black Sea Group of Forces, Transcacausus Front (II) (??? – 16.03.43)
North Cacausus (II) (13.05.1943 - 20.11.1943).
2nd Belorussian Front (II) (18.04.1944 - 06.06.1944)
4th Ukrainian Front (II) (05.08.1944 - 26.03.1945)

Was chief-of-staff for North Cacausus Front (II) until 13.05.1943.

Popov, M. M. (Попов , М. М.)
GM (?), GL (?), GC (23.04.43), GA (26.08.1943), GC (20.04.44)

Reserve Front (III) (10.04.1943 - 15.04.1943)
Brânsk Front (III) (05.06.1943 - 10.10.1943)
Baltic Front (10.10.1943 - 20.10.1943)
2nd Baltic Front (20.10.1943 - 23.04.1944, 04.02.1945 - 09.02.1945)

Purkaev, M. A. (Пуркаев, М. А.)
GL (?) GC (18.11.1942) GA (26.10.1944)

Kalinin Front (26.8.1942 - 25.04. 1943)
Far Eastern Front (25.04.1943 - 05.08.1945)
2nd Far Eastern Front (05.08.1945 - 03.09.1945)

Rejter, M.A. (Рейтер, М. А.)
GL (?) GC (30.01.1943)

Brânsk Front (II) (27.09.1942 - 12.03.1943)
Reserve Front (II) (12.03.1943 - 23.03.1943)
Kursk Front (23.03.1943 - 27.03.1943)
Orel Front (27.3.1943 - 28.3.1943)
Brânsk Front (III) (28.03.1943 - 05.06.1943)

Rokossovskij, K. K. (Рокоссовский, К. К.)
GL (?) GC (15.01.1943) GA (28.04.1943) Marshal (29.06.1944)

Central Front (II) (15.02.1943 - 20.10.1943)
Belorussian Front (I) (20.10.1943 - 24.02.1944)
1st Belorussian Front (I) (24.02.1944 - 05.04.1944)
Belorussian Front (II) (05.04.1944 - 16.04.1944)
1st Belorussian Front (II) (16.04.1944 - 16.11.1944)
2nd Belorussian Front (II) (17.11.1944 – demobilization (E))

Sokolovskij, V. D. (Соколовский, В. Д.)
GC (?) GA (27.08.1943)

Western Front (28.02.1943 - 15.04.1944)

Timošenko, S. K. (Тимошенко, С. К.)

Northwestern Front (05.10.1942 - 14.03.1943)

Tolbuhin, F. I. (Толбухин, Ф. И.)
Marshal (12.09.1944)

4th Ukrainian Front (I) (20.10.1943 - 15.05.1944).
3rd Ukrainian Front (15.05.1944 – demobilization (E))

Tûlenev, I. V. (Тюленев, И. В.)
GC (28.04.1943) GA (21.09.1943)

Transcacausus Front (II) (15.05.1942 - 09.05.1945)
Southern Front (II) (22.03.1943 - 20.10.1943)

Vasilevskij, A. M. (Василевский, А. М.)

coordinating 3rd Belorussian and 1st Baltic Front (17.02.45) [Russkij Arhiv 16 (5-4):#300]
3rd Belorussian Front (20.02.1945 - 26.04.1945)

Vatutin, N. F. (Ватутин, Н. Ф.)
GL (?) GC (07.12.1942) GA (13.02.1943)

Southwestern Front (II) (25.10.1942 - 27.03.1943)
Voronež Front (28.03.1943- 20.10.1943)
1st Ukrainian Front (20.10.1943 - 02.03.1944)

Zaharov, G. F. (Захаров, Г. Ф)
GL (?), GC (?) GA (28.07.1944)

2nd Belorussian Front (II) (06.06.1944 - 17.11.1944)

Žukov, G. K. (Жуков, Г. К.)

1st Ukrainian Front (02.03.1944 - 24.05.1944)
1st Belorussian Front (II) (16.11.1944 - 09.05.1945)

Art
Forum Staff
Posts: 7028
Joined: 04 Jun 2004, 20:49
Location: Moscow, Russia

Re: Soviet Front Commanders (a list)

#2

Post by Art » 26 May 2019, 09:33

Thanks for sharing it. I see that the list is far from complete. Some personalities (e.g. Fedyuninskiy, Khozin, Gordov, Ryabyshev, Kostenko) are missing.


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Jeff Leach
Host - Archive section
Posts: 1433
Joined: 19 Jan 2010, 10:08
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Re: Soviet Front Commanders (a list)

#3

Post by Jeff Leach » 26 May 2019, 09:53

Thanks for your input Art, I will never forget the help you gave so long ago.

My mistake - the title of the document is 'Soviet Front Commanders, April 1943 - May 1945'

There should be one for 1941 - 1945, if I can find it, I'll post it.

Art
Forum Staff
Posts: 7028
Joined: 04 Jun 2004, 20:49
Location: Moscow, Russia

Re: Soviet Front Commanders (a list)

#4

Post by Art » 26 May 2019, 11:12

Ok, now I've got it.

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taurus
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Posts: 151
Joined: 20 May 2016, 15:52
Location: RF

Re: Soviet Front Commanders (a list)

#5

Post by taurus » 28 May 2019, 15:57

Hello.
A more accurate list with dates is contained in the Encyclopedia "Great Patriotic War", 1985. p. 103-104
Best regards

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Jeff Leach
Host - Archive section
Posts: 1433
Joined: 19 Jan 2010, 10:08
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Re: Soviet Front Commanders (a list)

#6

Post by Jeff Leach » 29 May 2019, 08:03

taurus wrote:
28 May 2019, 15:57
Hello.
A more accurate list with dates is contained in the Encyclopedia "Great Patriotic War", 1985. p. 103-104
Probably not, the above list ties its information to the actual wartime documentation. Communist Era publications need to be treated with caution. They leave out, change or just plain falisfy some facts to better suit the political climate of the times.

In the document above, if dates differ from the 'official' dates, it is usually only by a few days. Most dates were changed only if wartime documents were found that gave the listed dates. If certain dates are questionable point them out and I will try and explain.

Again, the above information was an attempt to check how correct the information found on the Internet was compared to the primary sources. Encyclopedia "Great Patriotic War", 1985 is a secondary source.

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