Ivan Konev (28 Dec. 1897 - 21 May 1973)
Konev became commander of the 19th Army when Germany invaded the Soviet Union, fighting the Germans during the Soviet retreat. He was influential in the defence of Moscow and the counterattacks of 1941-2. He would later command the Soviet Western Front, North-Western Front and the 2nd Ukrainian Front. He commanded the southern flank of Soviet forces during the battle of Kursk.
After this, Konev led his troops through Ukraine, capturing major cities. As reward he was promoted to Marshal of the Soviet Union in February 1944. He was apparently favoured by Stalin himself. Konev later would lead his forces from Ukraine north to Belarus, then to Poland and Czechoslovakia. His forces later pushed through to Berlin, though Zhukov was given the honour of capturing the city. When the war ended, Konev’s armies had captured Prague.
For more information on Ivan Konev:
Beevor, Antony. Berlin: The Downfall 1945 (London: Penguin), 2007.
“Prominent Russians: Ivan Konev”, on: http://russiapedia.rt.com/prominent-russians/military/ivan-konev/ [last accessed 29/03/2012].
After this, Konev led his troops through Ukraine, capturing major cities. As reward he was promoted to Marshal of the Soviet Union in February 1944. He was apparently favoured by Stalin himself. Konev later would lead his forces from Ukraine north to Belarus, then to Poland and Czechoslovakia. His forces later pushed through to Berlin, though Zhukov was given the honour of capturing the city. When the war ended, Konev’s armies had captured Prague.
For more information on Ivan Konev:
Beevor, Antony. Berlin: The Downfall 1945 (London: Penguin), 2007.
“Prominent Russians: Ivan Konev”, on: http://russiapedia.rt.com/prominent-russians/military/ivan-konev/ [last accessed 29/03/2012].