Sokolovsky, Marshal Vasiliy

1897–1968

   Sokolovsky served as Chief of Staff of the Western Front under General KONEV from 1941 to 1943. He took part in the planning of Operation Kutuzov (the Battle of Kursk) and commanded the Western Front there. He led the Western Front to Smolensk which he captured on 25 September 1943. He was also involved in the campaigns at Lvov and the Vistula- Oder. From 1944 to 1945 Sokolovsky was Chief of Staff of the 1st Ukranian Front and was held responsible for this Army’s failure to advance north from the Pripet Marshes. He was nonetheless posted to serve as Marshal ZHUKOV’s Deputy Front Commander on the 1st Belorussian Front in its final assault on Berlin. After the war he was made Commander of the Soviet forces of occupation in Germany. He received an OBE from Great Britain.