This man turned 100 yesterday...

[Oleg Grigoryev]

His name is Stepan Popov in 1943 was he was in charge of an artillery division. He is probably the last divisional commander of WW II era who is still alive.

[Dan W.]

Thanks for the picture oleg. If you can share anymore information about this mans role in WWII it would be very interesting.

Regards,
Dan

[Penn44]

You looks in great shape for 100.


Penn44

[AHLF]

Was he also promoted to general during the war?

[Beppo Schmidt]

Any information about what exactly he did during the war, like what battles he was involved in, etc.? I agree, he looks good for 100.

[Oleg Grigoryev]

AHLF –you should know better http://wwii-soldat.narod.ru/popov.htm
Popov Stepan Efimovich -born December 25 1903.
In the Red Army since 1925. Finished Junior Commanders courses – served in artillery regiment having a rank deputy to the platoon commander but due to the lack of officers was in fact platoon commander. In 1930 finished 1st Leningrad Artillery College after that served in Byelorussia. In 1934 finished High Artillery Courses. In 1939 CO of 576 artillery regiment. Participated in battle of Smolensk, defense Tula (after breaking out of German encirclement) , defense of Moscow. May 1943 – put in charge of artillery of 36th guards corps – battle of Kursk, Gorodksk offensive, “Bagration”. September 1944 – became CO of 3rd Guards Breakthrough Artillery Division of High Command reserve . War in Europe ended for him at Kenigsberg. After that he also took part in the war against Japan. Cavalier of order of Lenin, 4 orders of Red Banner, 2 order of the Patriotic War – 1st grade, 2 orders of Suvorov 2nd grade, 2 orders of the Red Star, 8 personal “thank you” from Stalin.

[MoofOO231]

Woah interesting. He is a Real War Veteran.

[AHLF]

AHLF –you should know better http://wwii-soldat.narod.ru/popov.htm
Popov Stepan Efimovich -born December 25 1903.
In the Red Army since 1925. Finished Junior Commanders courses – served in artillery regiment having a rank deputy to the platoon commander but due to the lack of officers was in fact platoon commander. In 1930 finished 1st Leningrad Artillery College after that served in Byelorussia. In 1934 finished High Artillery Courses. In 1939 CO of 576 artillery regiment. Participated in battle of Smolensk, defense Tula (after breaking out of German encirclement) , defense of Moscow. May 1943 – put in charge of artillery of 36th guards corps – battle of Kursk, Gorodksk offensive, “Bagration”. September 1944 – became CO of 3rd Guards Breakthrough Artillery Division of High Command reserve . War in Europe ended for him at Kenigsberg. After that he also took part in the war against Japan. Cavalier of order of Lenin, 4 orders of Red Banner, 2 order of the Patriotic War – 1st grade, 2 orders of Suvorov 2nd grade, 2 orders of the Red Star, 8 personal “thank you” from Stalin.

Sorry, my miss...
So as I understand from the article, he was promoted to Major-general during wartime?

[genstab]

The website "The Generals of World War Two" lists Popov as a Major General in command of 3rd Guards Artillery Division in 1944-45. There you have it.

[AHLF]

He wasn't heavily promoted since...

[michael mills]

Both Molotov and Kaganovich lived until almost 100.

On the other side, so did Erich Koch. Reports from his Polish gaolers indicate that he was still running around in his 90s.

I guess longevity is simply a matter of the genes you inherit, not on whether you are a good guy or a bad guy.

[AHLF]

Erich Koch 1896-1986.(90 years).
Lazar Kaganovich 1893-1991(97 years).
V. M. Molotov 1890-1986 (96 years).