Georgy Zhukov, born into poverty in 1896, rose to become the commanding general of the Red Army during WWII, regarded as one of Russia's greatest military minds. Despite a harsh upbringing and early work as an apprentice furrier, Zhukov's military career advanced rapidly after being conscripted in WWI, earning him high honors. He played a pivotal role in pre-WWII conflicts against Japan, securing his reputation for leading armored offensives. During WWII, he became Stalin's favored general and played a significant role in the Soviet victory. Post-war, Zhukov faced political struggles, including demotion and accusations of disloyalty but was later rehabilitated under Brezhnev. He retired to write his memoirs, which became a popular account of the war from the Soviet perspective. Zhukov passed away in 1974, leaving behind a complex legacy as a military hero and a potential political reformer.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Georgy Zhukov was born into extreme poverty in 1896.
2. He was born in the Kaluga Province, roughly 80 miles from Moscow.
3. Zhukov was the youngest of three children, with an older sister named Maria and a younger brother named Alexei who died at the age of one.
4. At the age of nine, Zhukov was sent to work for his uncle Mikhail in Moscow as an apprentice furrier.
5. In 1920, Zhukov married Alexandra Dievna Zuikova, with whom he had two daughters, Era and Ella.
6. Zhukov had an affair with a woman named Maria Volkhova, resulting in an illegitimate child named Margarita.
7. Zhukov later divorced Alexandra and remarried Galina Alexandrovna Semyonova, with whom he had a daughter named Maria.
8. Zhukov was conscripted into the army during World War I and quickly rose through the ranks to become a corporal.
9. During World War I, Zhukov earned The Cross of St. George twice for bravery.
10. After the war, Zhukov joined the communist party and became a prominent military leader in the Soviet Union.
11. In 1939, Zhukov led the Soviet forces to victory against the Japanese at the Battle of Khalkhin Gol.
12. Zhukov became a favorite of Joseph Stalin and was appointed as the commander of the Soviet forces during World War II.
13. Zhukov led the Soviet forces to victory in several key battles, including the Battle of Berlin.
14. After the war, Zhukov was appointed as the Minister of Defense under Nikolai Bulganin.
15. Zhukov was a key player in the arrest of Lavrenty Beria, Stalin's security chief, in 1953.
16. Zhukov was removed as Minister of Defense in 1958 due to fears of his popularity and potential for a military coup.
17. Zhukov was allowed to publish his memoirs in 1969, which became a bestseller.
18. Zhukov died in 1974 at the age of 77 due to a heart attack.
19. Zhukov was given a state funeral led by Leonid Brezhnev and was buried in the Kremlin Wall.
20. Zhukov's legacy is still debated, but he is widely regarded as one of the greatest military minds of World War II and one of the greatest men of the Soviet Union.