Insignia in the brigade commander's buttonhole. Insignia and military ranks in the Red Army during the war

NOTES

Beginning composition in the ranks of military engineer 1st rank, quartermaster 1st rank, military doctor 1st rank, military lawyer 1st rank, as they wore three sleepers in their buttonholes until 1940, they remained with three sleepers. In fact, nothing has changed at all, because... They were already considered a step below the colonel. But if previously they had as many sleepers on their buttonholes as the colonel, now it turned out that they had all been demoted in rank. There were a lot of grievances, to the point that many of them arbitrarily attached the fourth sleeper.

The regimental commissars were pleased, because they now wore four sleepers and this distinguished them from quartermasters, engineers, and military doctors of the regimental level, that is, their more high status, equal to the regiment commander. But the battalion commissars were dissatisfied (especially those who were about to be awarded another rank) due to the fact that another one was wedged between their rank and the coveted rank of regimental commissar.

Middle and senior command personnel, middle and senior political personnel had additional insignia on their sleeves. The command staff wore various triangular braids that differed by rank. All political workers had the same ones in the form of a sewn-on star. The middle and senior commanding staff (lawyers, doctors, veterinarians, quartermasters, administrative staff, technical staff) did not have any marks on their sleeves.

Although wearing the emblems of the military branches in buttonholes was mandatory (except for political workers), there were significant difficulties in their production and supply to the troops. Expensive red copper was used for the emblems; emblems were stamped on machines, and there were not enough such machines in the country. Sewing emblems from golden thread was prohibited. Therefore, the overwhelming majority of Red Army soldiers and sergeants, and a significant part of the officers, did not have emblems in their buttonholes at all. To combat the shortage of insignia, they began to use cheaper materials for their production. But even these measures could not significantly correct the shortage of insignia.

By the decision of the State Defense Committee of October 9, 1942, the system of military commissars was eliminated in the army and navy, and all of them were assigned command ranks.
Moreover, titles are assigned one step lower. For example, if previously a junior political instructor was equal to a lieutenant, then he was given a new rank - junior lieutenant. The number of political positions was sharply reduced. Some of yesterday's political instructors and commissars were appointed deputy commanders for political affairs (from company and above), some were transferred to command positions. If previously a political instructor or commissar enjoyed equal power with the commander in a unit or unit, now they have become deputy commanders.

It is difficult to imagine the ocean of resentment among political workers over this decision of the State Defense Committee.
The wartime situation and the increased role of the Special Departments (NKVD) kept them from open discontent. Many of them had to change the comfortable position of a commander who is not responsible for anything, but an all-powerful commander, to the bitter fate of a commander responsible for everything and everyone; others had to come to terms with the fate of the second person in a regiment, battalion, company; places of an equal, or even superior, commander to the place of a subordinate. It is much easier to imagine the relief of commanders who have lost the obligation to constantly look back at the opinion of the commissar and are obliged to coordinate every step with him. Previously, you had to decide together and answer alone, but now you decide it yourself and answer it yourself.

Insignia of ranks of the Russian Army. XX century

Rank insignia of Red Army soldiers by rank
1941-42

The period under consideration covers the time from December 1940 to early January 1943.

There were no significant changes in rank insignia after November 1940 and until August 1941. After the start of the war, by order of NKO No. 253 of August 1, a number of changes were made in the uniform and insignia for all personnel of the Active Army and marching units (i.e., units formed and sent to the Active Army):

1. The wearing of sleeve chevrons for command personnel and sleeve stars for political workers is abolished.
2. Colored stripes on the generals’ marching uniforms are abolished.
3. Colored piping on trousers and tunics for middle and senior command personnel is abolished.
4. Colored buttonholes are replaced with khaki buttonholes without edges.
5. Red enamel insignia of ranks are replaced with green ones.
6. Golden emblems of military branches are painted green.
7. Golden stars on the buttonholes of generals are replaced with green ones.

For troops and military institutions not assigned to the Active Army, the rank insignia does not change.

From secondary sources (M.M. Khrenov et al. Military clothing Armed Forces of the USSR and Russia (1917-1990s)) it follows that the marching uniform with protective insignia for the infantry was adopted back in January (according to other sources, in February) 1941. However, the author was unable to find the corresponding order from the NGO .

From the author. An interesting feature is that since the summer of 1941, the abbreviation RKKA or the name “Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army” has almost never been found in army documents. The name "Red Army" is used everywhere. The abbreviation RKKA or the name "Workers' and Peasants' Red Army" is used mainly on special occasions.

This order was received ambiguously in the army. Political workers unanimously ignored the abolition of their sleeve stars, believing that the stars on the sleeves gave them more significance and influence among the personnel. This opinion was fully supported by the head of GlavPUR Mehlis.
They did not yet know then about Hitler’s OKW Directive No. 44822/41 of June 6, 1941, “Instructions for the Treatment of Political Commissars,” which ordered the destruction of captured commissars and political instructors. This Directive prescribed to recognize them among other prisoners precisely by the presence of sleeve stars.
Commander of the 9th Mechanized Corps, Major General K.K. Rokossovsky, having raised the corps on alert on the morning of June 22, simply prohibited the issuance of khaki buttonholes to sergeants and officers, believing that the visibility of commanders for their soldiers was much more important than their visibility to the enemy.

From the author. Judging by Rokossovsky's memoirs, such buttonholes in the case were prepared before the war. I can't explain these lines of memories in any way. But it is documented that they were introduced only on August 1. Perhaps there was a time shift in events in the marshal's memory. Or, indeed, a new marching uniform and insignia for it had been prepared since February 1941, and they were available in the warehouses of the 9th Corps.
If he really did not consider this measure of camouflage necessary, then one can only guess how many officers this opinion of Rokossovsky cost their lives. After all, the main task of snipers during battle is the destruction of enemy officers and signalmen. This is achieved by disrupting the enemy's control of the battle.
And for shooters there are no more noticeable signs of an officer than a cap with a colored band, colored buttonholes and shiny gold chevrons on the sleeves. All this is noticeable from a fairly large distance and without binoculars. And the sniper has an optical sight. And in 1941-42, Wehrmacht snipers knew how to shoot very well. The Germans are generally very fond of shooting sports and know a lot about shooting.

And one more thing. In general, we like to give assessments to our commanders either purely positive or clearly negative. But Zhukov, and Rokossovsky and Vasilevsky and others like them are ordinary people with all their advantages and disadvantages. Each of them had both major achievements and significant failures. All of them sometimes found excellent solutions and made serious mistakes. And to consider all of them or some of them as mediocrities because they did not find a winning solution in one operation or another, in my opinion, is dishonest. And not everything in this war depended only on the Soviet side.
War is to some extent reminiscent of a chess match, in which far from stupid players meet. And you don’t consider the grandmaster mediocrity, who defeated his opponent not with a score of 21:0, but with a score of 11:10.
Why do some allow themselves to consider the Soviet marshals idiots for defeating the Wehrmacht not in a border battle in the summer of 41, but only four years later? After all, on the other side of the front the troops were not led by kids in short pants. And the German generals had plenty of talent.
Still, Stalin’s generals outplayed Hitler’s. So who should be considered great commanders - those who lost the war, or those who won?

The NGO's order to switch to protective insignia was far from being fully implemented. The required quantity of such buttonholes, insignia and emblems was not prepared in the pre-war period. Although the clothing industry in August switched to sewing uniform items in accordance with this order, however, until the mobilization reserves of military clothing were used up, people conscripted into the army after the outbreak of the war continued to be dressed in uniforms with colored buttonholes and given red enamel insignia. Moreover, in the confusion of the first weeks of the war, no one could say where this or that mobilized team would be sent.

The production of protective insignia has lagged significantly behind and they only appeared en masse on uniforms late autumn 1941.

In the photo on the right: a typical example of wearing a military uniform in the first military autumn-winter. An overcoat with hastily sewn buttonholes of khaki color, on which there are no insignia at all. Under the overcoat you can see a tunic with pre-war colored buttonholes, an infantry emblem and a junior lieutenant's cube. But on the tunic buttonhole we see not a commander’s braid, but a black piping, which command personnel should not wear. On the hat with earflaps there is a red enamel star, i.e. pre-war model.

From the author. Another general of the tsarist army wrote that the attitude of soldiers and officers towards military uniforms is a true indicator of the morale of the army and the general state of affairs in it. The Great Patriotic War showed how true this remark is. By tracking photographs of the war from 41 to 45, we see how gradually the appearance Wehrmacht soldiers for the worse and vice versa, the appearance of the Red Army soldiers changed from dull and indifferent at 41 to dandy at 45.
Of course, in the hardest days of the battle near Moscow, it seemed that it was not a matter of how the soldiers were dressed. However, in the fall of 1942 in Stalingrad, under the same combat conditions, the Red Army soldiers and commanders looked much more decent. And the introduction of a new uniform and shoulder straps in 43 was clearly perceived as the fact that the Red Army was confidently marching towards Victory and should be dressed beautifully. And everyone watched their form much more carefully.

The author considered it necessary to show the various actually existing options for wearing rank insignia in 41-42.

1. Foreman. Red enamel triangles are attached to the protective overcoat buttonhole. The emblem of the military branch is missing. On the protective tunic buttonhole there are triangles attached in a protective color. The emblem is missing.

2- Senior Sergeant. Here, on the contrary, the overcoat insignia is shown correctly, and on the tunic the triangles are red enamel.

3- Sergeant. Here, khaki triangles are attached to the buttonholes of the 1940 model, and the artillery emblem is golden.

There are triangles cut from green fabric and sewn to buttonholes, cut from tin cans. Very often you can see in photographs of overcoats without buttonholes or any insignia at all.

It should be noted that in general, the emblems of the military branches on the buttonholes of private and junior command personnel were absent in the infantry and cavalry, since infantry emblems in the summer of 1940 were introduced only for middle and senior command personnel, and in the cavalry they were obviously never introduced at all.
In other branches of the military, emblems are quite rare. Most often in aviation and artillery.

4. Junior lieutenant of artillery, 5 - major of armored forces, 6 - command personnel with the rank of brigade commander (brigengineer, brigade doctor, brigade doctor, brigade lawyer), 7 - major general.

It should be noted that although with the introduction of general ranks the rank of brigade commander became history, however, the process of recertification of yesterday's brigade commanders was not completed by the beginning of the war. Moreover, in the turmoil of the first period of the war, brigade commanders called up from the reserve were not re-certified. So brigade commanders and brigade commissars met in the army until 1943.

By mid-1942, the discrepancy in insignia had decreased significantly. Obviously for the reasons that the newly issued uniform already, as a rule, had field buttonholes and khaki-colored insignia. The red enamel signs were gradually lost. The war led to a significant decrease in the number of career officers, who could still retain their pre-war insignia.

January 28, 1942 by order of NKO No. 23 for engineering and technical personnel (as the military-technical personnel of the Air Force is now called) Air Force The scale of ranks and, accordingly, the insignia of ranks change.

Instead of the existing junior military technician, ....... armored engineer, the following were introduced:

*technical lieutenant (2 squares),


*Major General of the Aviation Engineering Service (2 stars on a general's blue buttonhole), *Lieutenant General of the Aviation Engineering Service (3 stars on a general's blue buttonhole), *Colonel General of the Aviation Engineering Service (4 stars on a blue buttonhole) general's model).

The Air Force Engineering Staff emblem on the buttonholes (crossed French key and hammer) is being replaced by the newly introduced Air Force Engineering Staff emblem (1).

Accordingly, the insignia also changes.

Naturally, these insignia were not intended for the Active Army, but in aviation, in the overwhelming majority of cases, the Active Army continued to wear peacetime insignia.

Since January 42, generals of the aviation engineering service have had blue buttonholes with general's stars they had a black edging, and not a commander's gold braid (2).

The picture on the right shows:
1 - emblem of the engineering and technical staff of the Air Force,
2- buttonhole of a lieutenant general of the aviation engineering service,
3- buttonholes of an Air Force engineer-captain.

March 3, 1942 By decree of the State Defense Committee (announced by order of the NKO No. 68 of March 4), the scale of ranks and, accordingly, the insignia of ranks for the engineering and technical personnel of the artillery are changed. Instead of the existing junior military technician, ....... armored engineer, the following were introduced:
*technical lieutenant (2 squares),
*senior lieutenant technician (3 squares),
*engineer-captain (1 rectangle),
*major engineer (2 rectangles),
*engineer-lieutenant colonel (3 rectangles),
*engineer-colonel (4 rectangles),
*Major General of the Engineering and Artillery Service (2 stars on the general’s pattern buttonhole in black with red edging),
*Lieutenant General of the Engineering and Artillery Service (3 stars on the general’s pattern buttonhole in black with red edging),
*Colonel General of the Engineering and Artillery Service (4 stars on the general's pattern buttonhole in black with red edging).

On March 8, 1942, by order of NKO No. 71, a similar scale of ranks and similar insignia were introduced for the engineering and technical personnel of the armored forces. Only generals have the prefix “...tank engineering service.”

At the same time, the emblem of the military-technical personnel (crossed hammer and French key) still remains in the buttonholes.
Naturally, in the Active Army the buttonholes are green with green insignia and emblems.

From the author. It was only when the title of “Brigengineer” (1 diamond in the buttonhole) began to fade into history. In March for the engineering and technical staff of aviation, artillery and armored forces. In accordance with the new scale, brigade engineers were awarded the rank of colonel engineer. However, this was perceived by many as a reduction in rank. After all, a brigade engineer belonged to the highest command, and the new rank of engineer-colonel only to the senior. Everywhere they continued to wear their diamonds, and not the 4 sleepers they were now entitled to. Moreover, in other branches of the army the rank of brigade engineer was still retained in March 1942.

On March 30, by order of NKO No. 93, new ranks were introduced to replace the previous ones for the middle and senior command staff of the quartermaster service:
* lieutenant of the quartermaster service (2 squares),
*senior lieutenant of the quartermaster service (3 squares),
*captain of the quartermaster service (1 rectangle),
*Major of the Quartermaster Service (2 rectangles),
* Lieutenant Colonel of the Quartermaster Service (3 rectangles),
*Colonel of the Quartermaster Service (4 rectangles).

Let us recall that for the highest quartermaster staff, general ranks were introduced back in 1940, simultaneously with the introduction of general ranks for command personnel.

The last change in the insignia of 1942 can be considered a change in the names of the ranks of senior artillery commanders:
* engineer-captain - captain of the artillery and technical service,
*engineer major - major artillery technical service
*engineer-lieutenant colonel - lieutenant colonel of the artillery and technical service
*engineer-colonel - colonel of the artillery and technical service.

By the same order, they changed the emblems in their buttonholes - instead of the emblem of military-technical personnel (crossed hammer and French key), they must now wear artillery emblems (crossed cannons). At the same time, on everyday uniforms they are not golden, like those of the command staff, but silver.

1943 was approaching, in which these insignia would forever go down in history.

Sources and literature

1.Order of the USSR NGO No. 253 of August 1, 1941.
2.Order of the USSR NGO No. 23 dated January 28, 1942.
3.Order of the USSR NGO No. 68 dated March 4, 1942.
4.Order of the USSR NGO No. 71 dated March 8, 1942.
5.Order of the USSR NGO No. 93 dated March 30, 1942.
6.Order of the USSR NGO No. 168 dated May 28, 1942.
7.Order of the USSR NGO No. 278 dated September 14, 1942.
8. Website "deutschewaffe.narod.ru".
9.K.K.Rokossovsky. Soldier's duty. Moscow. Military publishing house 1988
10.G.K. Zhukov. Memories and reflections. APN. 1987
11.O.V. Kharitonov. Illustrated description of uniforms and insignia of the Red and Soviet Army (1918-1945). Artillery Historical Museum of the Main Artillery Directorate of the USSR Ministry of Defense. 1960
12. M.M. Khrenov and others. Military clothing of the Armed Forces of the USSR and Russia (1917-1990s). Military publishing house. Moscow. 1999

Shoulder straps in the Red Army 1943, 1944, 1945

(using the example of artillery shoulder straps)

On January 6, 1943, the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council (PVS) of the USSR “On the introduction of shoulder straps for the personnel of the Red Army” was signed, announced by NKO order No. 24 of January 10, 1943. Following this, on January 15, 1943, the USSR NKO order No. 25 “On the introduction of new insignia and changes in the uniform of the Red Army” (). In it, in particular, it was determined that field shoulder straps are worn by military personnel in active army and personnel of units being prepared to be sent to the front. Everyday shoulder straps are worn by military personnel of other units and institutions, as well as when wearing dress uniforms. That is, in the Red Army there were two types of shoulder straps: field and everyday. Differences in shoulder straps were also introduced for command and command personnel (see the regulations on command and command personnel) so that the commander could be distinguished from the chief.

It was ordered to switch to new insignia in the period from February 1 to February 15, 1943. Later, by order of the USSR NKO No. 80 dated February 14, 1943, this period was extended until March 15, 1943. By the beginning of the transition to summer uniforms, the Red Army was fully provided with new insignia.

In addition to the above-mentioned directive documents, later the Instruction of the Technical Committee of the Main Quartermaster Directorate of the Red Army (TK GIU KA) No. 732 01/08/1943 “Rules for the selection, attachment to uniforms and wearing of shoulder straps by Red Army personnel” was issued, as well as a whole range of technical specifications of the TC GIU KA. In addition, some technical documentation was adopted long before the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. For example, the Temporary Technical Specifications (TTU) of the TC SIU KA No. 0725, which contained a description of the emblems and insignia (stars) on shoulder straps, were published on December 10, 1942.

The dimensions of the shoulder straps were established:

  • Null– 13 cm (only for women’s uniforms)
  • First– 14 cm.
  • Second– 15 cm.
  • Third- 16 cm.
    The width is 6 cm, and the width of the shoulder straps of officers of justice, medical, veterinary and administrative services is 4 cm. The length of the sewn-in shoulder straps was set to 1 cm longer for each size.
    The width of the general's shoulder straps is 6.5 cm. The width of the shoulder straps of the generals of the medical, veterinary services and the highest command. composition of the military-legal service - 4.5 cm. (in 1958, a single width for such shoulder straps was established for all generals of the Soviet Army - 6.5 cm.)

Types of field shoulder straps according to manufacturing method:

  • Soft sewn shoulder straps( ) consisted of a field (top), lining (lining), lining and edging.
  • Soft removable shoulder straps( ), in addition to the above parts, they had a semi-flap, a semi-flap lining and a jumper.
  • Hard detachable shoulder straps( ) differed from soft ones in that during their manufacture, fabrics and shoulder straps were glued together with a paste consisting of 30% wheat flour and wood glue, as well as the presence of an additional lining made of electrical cardboard - pressed board, jacquard or calibrated, 0.5 - 1 mm thick .

— Coloring of field and everyday shoulder straps of the Red Army - .

— Military ranks of the USSR Armed Forces 1935-1945. (table of ranks) - .

Shoulder straps of junior command, command and rank and file of the Red Army
(privates, sergeants and sergeants)

FIELD EMAILS: The field of field shoulder straps was always khaki. The shoulder straps were edged (trimmed) along the edges, except for the bottom, with colored cloth edging according to the branches of the military or services. The stripes on the shoulder straps of junior command and command personnel were silk or semi-silk galloon. The patches were produced in various sizes: narrow (1 cm wide), medium (1.5 cm wide) and wide (3 cm wide). Junior command staff were entitled to burgundy-colored braid, and junior command staff – brown.

Ideally, the stripes should have been sewn onto shoulder straps in factories or in sewing workshops attached to military units. But often the servicemen themselves attached the stripes. In conditions of front-line shortages, stripes made from scrap materials were often used. It was common to use everyday (golden or silver) stripes on field shoulder straps and vice versa.

Field shoulder straps was supposed to be worn without emblems of military branches and stencils. On the shoulder straps there were uniform 20-mm iron buttons of a khaki color with a star in the center of which was a hammer and sickle.

This type of shoulder straps existed until December 1955, when double-sided shoulder straps were introduced. In the period from 1943 to 1955, the technology for manufacturing these shoulder straps changed several times. In particular, in 1947 and 1953 (TU 1947 and TU 1953)

Field shoulder straps of junior command personnel using the example of a senior artillery sergeant. The patch (galloon) is sewn on at the factory using a sewing machine. Iron buttons in khaki color.

EVERYDAY EMAILS: Everyday shoulder straps of junior commanders, junior commanders and enlisted personnel were edged (trimmed) along the edges, except for the bottom, with colored cloth edging, and also had a field of colored cloth according to the branch of service. The stripes on the shoulder straps of junior command and command personnel were silk or semi-silk galloon. The patches were produced in various sizes: narrow (1 cm wide), medium (1.5 cm wide) and wide (3 cm wide). The junior command staff was entitled to a golden-yellow galloon, and the junior command staff – silver.

Everyday shoulder straps had golden emblems for the branch of service and yellow stencils indicating the unit (formation). It is worth noting that stencils were used extremely rarely.

On the shoulder straps there were shaped golden brass 20-mm buttons with a star, in the center of which was a hammer and sickle.

This type of shoulder straps existed until December 1955, when double-sided shoulder straps were introduced. In the period from 1943 to 1955, the technology for manufacturing these shoulder straps changed several times. In particular in 1947 and 1953. In addition, since 1947, encryption was no longer applied to everyday shoulder straps.

Everyday shoulder straps of junior command personnel using the example of a senior artillery sergeant. The patch (braid) is sewn on by the soldier himself. There are no encryptions, as on most shoulder straps. Buttons: top is brass (respectively yellow-golden color), bottom is iron.

Shoulder straps of senior and middle command and command personnel of the Red Army
(officers)

FIELD EMAILS: The field of field shoulder straps was always khaki. The shoulder straps were edged (trimmed) along the edges, except the bottom, with colored cloth edging. One or two burgundy-colored gaps were sewn onto the shoulder strap for command personnel and brown for the commanding staff. In accordance with the assigned military rank, belonging to a branch of the military or service, insignia were placed on the shoulder straps.

The shoulder straps of the middle command personnel have one gap and silver-plated metal 13-mm stars.

The shoulder straps of senior officers have two gaps and silver-plated metal 20-mm stars.

On the shoulder straps of the command personnel, in addition to the infantry command personnel, silver-plated emblems were installed according to the branch of the army and service.

On the shoulder straps there are uniform 20-mm metal buttons of a khaki color with a star in the center of which is a hammer and sickle.

Field shoulder straps of middle command personnel using the example of ml. artillery lieutenant. The star denoting rank must be silver. In this case, the silver plating has worn off.

EVERYDAY EMAILS: The field of shoulder straps for command staff is made of golden silk or golden braid. The shoulder straps of the engineering and command staff, commissary, medical, veterinary, military-legal and administrative services are made of silver silk or silver braid. The shoulder straps were edged (trimmed) along the edges, except the bottom, with colored cloth edging. In accordance with the assigned military rank, belonging to a branch of the military or service, insignia were placed on the shoulder straps.

The shoulder straps of the middle command personnel have one gap and 13-mm gold metal stars.

The shoulder straps of the senior officers have two gaps and 20-mm gold metal stars.

On the shoulder straps of the command personnel, in addition to the infantry command personnel, golden emblems were installed according to the branch of the army and service.

The emblems and stars on the shoulder straps of the engineering and command personnel, quartermaster, administrative and medical services are gold plated. On the shoulder straps of military veterinary personnel, the stars are gold-plated, the emblems are silver-plated.

On the shoulder straps there are uniform golden 20-mm buttons with a star, in the center of which is a hammer and sickle.

The shoulder straps and insignia of the middle and senior command staff of the military legal service fully corresponded to the shoulder straps and insignia of the senior and middle command staff of the medical and veterinary services, but with their own emblems.

The shoulder straps of the military administrative personnel were exactly the same as the shoulder straps for the senior and mid-level command staff of the medical and veterinary services, but without emblems.

These shoulder straps existed until the end of 1946, when technical specifications TU TC GIU VS No. 1486 dated October 9, 1946 for officers of the Armed Forces, shoulder straps were installed with the top of the corner cut off, i.e. shoulder straps became hexagonal.

Everyday shoulder straps of middle command personnel using the example of the shoulder straps of an artillery captain. The button should be golden.

Shoulder straps of the highest command staff of the Red Army
(generals, marshals)

FIELD EMAILS: A field of shoulder straps made of specially woven silk braid on a cloth lining. The color of the shoulder straps is protective. Color of shoulder straps: generals, artillery generals, tank troops, medical and veterinary services, senior commanders. composition of the military legal service - red; aviation generals - blue; generals of technical troops and quartermaster service - crimson.

The stars on the shoulder straps were embroidered in silver, 22 mm in size. On the shoulder straps of generals of the medical and veterinary services and the highest command. members of the military legal service - gold, size 20 mm. The buttons on the shoulder straps with the coat of arms are gilded. On the uniforms of generals there is honey. services – gilded metal emblems; there is a breeze on the generals' uniforms. services - the same emblems, but silvered; on uniform of the highest beginning. members of the Supreme Legal Service - gilded metal emblems.

By order of the NKO of the USSR No. 79 dated February 14, 1943, shoulder straps were installed, including. and for the highest engineering and technical personnel of the signal troops, engineering, chemical, railway, topographic troops - to the generals of the engineering and technical service, according to the model established for the generals of the technical troops. From this order the highest beginning. The composition of the military legal service began to be called generals of justice.

EVERYDAY EMAPOLDS: Field of shoulder straps made of braid of a special weave: made of gold wire. And for generals of medical and veterinary services, the highest level. members of the military legal service - made of silver wire. Color of shoulder straps: generals, artillery generals, tank troops, medical and veterinary services, senior commanders. composition of the military legal service - red; aviation generals - blue; generals of technical troops and quartermaster service - crimson.

The stars on the shoulder straps were embroidered on a gold field - in silver, on a silver field - in gold. The buttons on the shoulder straps with the coat of arms are gilded. On the uniforms of generals there is honey. services – gilded metal emblems; there is a breeze on the generals' uniforms. services - the same emblems, but silvered; on uniform of the highest beginning. members of the Supreme Legal Service - gilded metal emblems.

By order of the NKO of the USSR No. 61 dated February 8, 1943, silver emblems were installed for artillery generals to wear on their shoulder straps.

By order of the NKO of the USSR No. 79 dated February 14, 1943, shoulder straps were installed, including. and for the highest engineering and technical personnel of the signal troops, engineering, chemical, railway, topographic troops - to the generals of the engineering and technical service, according to the model established for the generals of the technical troops. Probably from this order the highest beginning. The composition of the military legal service began to be called generals of justice.

These shoulder straps existed without fundamental changes until 1962, when by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 127 of May 12, sewn shoulder straps with a steel-colored field were installed on the ceremonial overcoats of generals.

An example of everyday and field shoulder straps of generals. Since 02/08/1943, artillery generals additionally had artillery emblems on their shoulder straps.

Literature:

  • Uniforms and insignia of the Red Army 1918-1945. AIM, Leningrad 1960
  • Shoulder straps of the Soviet Army 1943-1991. Evgeny Drig.
  • Color chart for field and everyday shoulder straps of the Red Army ()
  • Newspaper "Red Star" dated January 7, 1943 ()
  • Article by Alexander Sorokin “Field shoulder straps of soldiers, sergeants and officers of the Red Army, model 1943”
  • Website - http://www.rkka.ru

article code: 98653

It is "military ranks", the term " military ranks" will be used first along with the term '35 from about 1940, and then completely replace the old term.

The same Decree introduced insignia by military rank. From that moment on, wearing insignia according to service categories was prohibited. At the same time, the process of transition to personal ranks lasted until the fall of 1936. In addition, the People's Commissar of Defense issued an order establishing a new uniform and insignia by rank only on December 3, 1935. This gave rise to the general but erroneous opinion of historians that the titles in Red Army were introduced in December 1935.

On tunics, along the collar there is an edging of the same color as the field of the buttonholes (except for Red Army soldiers and junior command and command personnel). The same edging runs along the side of the overcoat of the highest command and command personnel, starting with the brigade commander and his equals.

Sometimes in sources you can find mention of the rank of “pompolitruk (deputy political instructor).” However, this is not

title, but a position achieved by the then head of the Main Political Directorate Red Army Mehlis L.Z. He considered that personnel are covered by political leadership only starting from the company level. And the platoon does not have a full-time political instructor. By order of NKO No. 19 of January 25, 1938. The position of assistant (deputy) political instructor was introduced in each platoon. Pompolitruks had to wear four triangles, just like foreman, but have commissar’s stars on the sleeves. However, they were unable to spread this practice everywhere in the army. First of all, due to the fact that among the junior command staff there were almost no members of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) or Komsomol members, and there was no one to fill these positions.

Military school cadets wore buttonholes rank and file, but they had a code on them indicating the school. For example, "LVIU" - Leningrad Military Engineering School. Colors of buttonholes according to the branch of the school's troops, coded yellow oil paint according to the stencil. There are encryptions embroidered with yellow silk thread.

In the photo on the right: in a casual jacket.

Combined arms generals (including infantry and cavalry) receive buttonholes red, generals of tank troops and artillery - black velvet, aviation generals - blue, all other generals are crimson. The emblems of the military branches are placed on the buttonholes of the generals of the military branches. Army generals and all combined arms generals (including infantry and cavalry) do not have emblems in their buttonholes.

The ranks of generals differ in the number of stars (golden metal with a diameter of 2 cm) in the buttonholes:
2 stars - ,
3 stars - lieutenant general ,
4 stars - Colonel General ,
5 stars - army general ,
1 big star in a wreath - marshal Soviet Union(the diameter of the star on uniform buttonholes is 4.4 cm, on overcoat buttonholes 5 cm).

Sleeves chevrons 9 cm wide. Made of galun 32 mm wide. At the bottom of the chevron there is a colored edging according to the branch of service, 3mm wide. Above the chevron is a gold embroidered star. Chevrons the army general and the marshal had some differences - the diameter of the star was larger.

1- tank troops, 2- lieutenant general of aviation, 3- colonel general of the quartermaster service, 4- army general , 5- marshal Soviet Union.

2On July 6, 1940, by order of NKO No. 226, additional ranks were introduced:
for senior command staff - lieutenant colonel ,
for military-political personnel - senior battalion commissar.

Change accordingly insignia . Lieutenant colonel and the senior battalion commissar each received three rectangles in their buttonhole, and Colonel and the regimental commissar, four rectangles each.

Four "sleepers" are worn only Colonel and regimental commissar.

The same order changes the appearance of the sleeve chevrons of middle and senior command personnel. Now chevrons gold ones of various widths, sewn onto a red flap, cut in the form of a chevron.

1st junior lieutenant ,
2nd Lieutenant,
3-senior lieutenant ,
4-captain,
5th major and lieutenant colonel ,
6th Colonel.

In the photo on the right: lieutenant colonel with insignia arr. 1940 The sleeves are clearly visible chevrons. You can also see three “sleepers” in the buttonholes. However, the emblems in the buttonholes are not visible. For that time, although wearing emblems for those who were supposed to was considered mandatory, their absence from buttonholes can be seen in many photographs. Moreover, more often among senior and senior command and control personnel. Apparently, this habit has been preserved from those times when emblems were generally optional.

Changes in ranks and insignia in 1940 culminated in a change in the names of the ranks of junior command and command personnel and the introduction of the rank corporal in the category of ordinary personnel. (NKO order No. 391 of November 2, 1940). Accordingly, the insignia ranks of private and junior command and command personnel.

Changes in ranks and insignia of private and junior command personnel.
A ribbed triangle of yellow metal was ordered to be attached to the corners of the buttonholes of Red Army soldiers and sergeants. This triangle did not carry any semantic load and served a purely decorative role. It should be noted that before the start of the war, these decorations were issued to the troops of the Moscow district, and partially in the Kiev, Leningrad and Western districts.

Rank insignia corporal made red fabric strips in red for all births

troops. On the tunic buttonhole the stripe was 5mm wide. and passed along the center buttonholes. On the overcoat buttonhole its width was 10mm and it went horizontally from corner to corner. When assigning sergeant ranks, this strip was not removed from the buttonholes. Obviously, with the introduction of new insignia, it became impossible to distinguish a corporal from a cadet of the regimental sergeant school. Red the triangle was hidden under golden metal, and the stripes were the same.

1st Red Army soldier (automotive units),
2nd corporal (artillery),
3rd junior sergeant(technical service in artillery, automobile or tank units),
4th sergeant (aviation),
5th senior sergeant (tank troops),
6th sergeant major (sapper units).

The sergeant major's buttonhole stood out among the buttonholes of the rest of the sergeants. Between the edge and the field buttonholes additionally there was a golden braid 3-4 mm wide. (the same as on the buttonholes of officers), but note that here this braid is sewn not instead of the piping, but after it. This seemed to emphasize the special status of the foreman.

A note regarding the technical service emblem for non-commissioned officers. These emblems were worn by sergeants of repair units that were part of mechanized units. They were also worn by tank driver mechanics, since in those days the standard ranks of tank driver mechanic and radio operator gunner were senior sergeant technical service. Let us recall that the commander of the medium tank was ml. lieutenant , heavy tank lieutenant. The gunner, or as this position was called “turret commander,” had the rank of sergeant major. And only the position of loader was a Red Army position.

These were the last changes in insignia before the Great Patriotic War.

Sources
1. Resolution of the Central Executive Committee and Council of People's Commissars of September 22, 1935. "On the introduction of personal military ranks for the commanding staff of the Red Army." Publishing department of NGOs of the USSR. Moscow. 1935
2. Order of NGOs of the USSR. No. 176 of December 3, 1935
3. Order of NGOs of the USSR. No. 19 of January 25, 1938
4. Order of NGOs of the USSR. No. 163 of August 20, 1937
5. Order of NGOs of the USSR. No. 87 dated April 5, 1940
6.Order of the USSR NGO No. 112 of May 8, 1940.
7. Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the SSR of May 7, 1940. "On the establishment of military ranks of the highest command staff of the Red Army."
8. Order of the NPO of the USSR No. 212 of July 13, 1940.
9. Order of the NPO of the USSR No. 226 of July 26, 1940
10. Order of NGOs of the USSR No. 391 of November 2, 1940

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Uniforms of the Red Army Headdresses of the Red Army Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia

We will have to start the story about the introduction of insignia in the Soviet army with some general issues. In addition, a short excursion into history will be useful. Russian state, so as not to formulate empty references to the past. The shoulder straps themselves represent a kind of product that is worn on the shoulders to indicate a position or rank, as well as the type of military service and service affiliation. This is done in several ways: attaching strips, sprockets, making gaps, chevrons.

On January 6, 1943, shoulder straps were introduced in the USSR for personnel of the Soviet Army. Initially, shoulder straps had a practical meaning. With their help, the belt of the cartridge bag was held on. Therefore, at first there was only one shoulder strap, on the left shoulder, since the cartridge bag was worn on the right side. In most of the world's navies, shoulder straps were not used, and rank was indicated by stripes on the sleeve; sailors did not wear a cartridge bag. In Russia shoulder straps

As a result of the adoption of two decrees on December 15, 1917, the Council of People's Commissars abolished all ranks and military ranks in the Russian army remaining from the previous regime.

The period of formation of the Red Army. The first insignia.

Thus, all soldiers of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, organized as a result of the order of January 15, 1918, no longer had any uniform military uniform, as well as special insignia. Nevertheless, in the same year, a breastplate was introduced for the soldiers of the Red Army, on which a star with a hammer and a plow framed by a wreath of oak leaves. For all headdresses of military personnel, an emblem was introduced - a red star with the image of a plow and a hammer.

In the very early period of the formation of the Red Army detachments, there was simply no need for any insignia, since the soldiers knew their immediate superiors and commanders very well. However, over time, with an increase in the scale of hostilities, the total number of troops, the lack of clear and clear insignia caused all more problems and all sorts of misunderstandings.

So, for example, one of the commanders of the Northern Front wrote in his memoirs that discipline in the units was very lame and the norm was rude responses from soldiers to their commanders like - “You need it, so go and fight ...” or “Here’s another commander who has turned up.” ..." When the commanders, in turn, wanted to impose penalties, the soldier simply answered - “who knew that this was the boss...”

In January 1918, the head of the 18th division, I.P. Uborevich, independently introduced his own insignia in subordinate units and wrote a letter for approval to the Revolutionary Military Council of the Army about the need to introduce similar insignia for the entire Red Army.

Introduction of uniforms and insignia.
Only in 1919, the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army introduced an approved uniform and clearly defined insignia for all command personnel.

By order of the Revolutionary Military Council of January 16, red stars and triangles under them were introduced on the sleeves for junior commanders, squares for mid-level commanders and diamonds for senior commanders. Buttonholes of different colors according to the branches of the military are also being introduced.


Red stars and triangles under them for junior commanders, squares for mid-level commanders and diamonds for senior commanders.
  1. Detached commander
  2. Assistant Platoon Leader
  3. Sergeant Major
  4. Platoon leader
  5. Company commander
  6. Battalion Commander
  7. Regimental commander
  8. Brigade commander
  9. Head of Division
  10. Army commander
  11. Front Commander

The famous helmet-shaped headdress was approved in April 1918. Overcoats for infantry and cavalry with characteristic tabs across the chest and flowers certain types troops.

According to the order of the RVSR 116, all insignia were sewn on the left sleeve, and in April 1920, sleeve insignia by branch of the military were introduced. For the infantry it was a crimson cloth diamond with a circle and diverging rays and a star. Under the star were rifles crossed with each other.

The design on the badge itself was exactly the same for all branches of the military. And only under the star there was an emblem for the corresponding type of troops. The signs differed only in the shape and colors of the fields. So, for the engineering troops it was a square made of black cloth, for cavalrymen - horseshoes made of blue cloth.

  1. Squad leader (cavalry).
  2. Commander of a battalion, division (artillery).
  3. Front commander.

According to Order RVSR 322, a completely new uniform is being introduced, which provides for a single cut for a helmet, tunic and overcoat. New distinctive signs are also being introduced.

The sleeve was fitted with a flap made of cloth according to the color of the troops. At the top of which was a red star with insignia. Below were signs of the military branches.

Combat commanders had red insignia. The administrative staff had signs blue. A metal star was attached to the headdresses.

In general, the uniform of the command staff did not differ significantly from the uniform of the Red Army soldiers.

Reform of 1924. Positions and titles.

During the reform of 1924, the Red Army switched to a strengthened version of the uniform. The chest flaps and sleeve marks were abolished. The buttonhole was sewn onto tunics and overcoats. For infantry units - crimson with black edging, for cavalry - blue with black, for artillery - black with red edging, engineering troops had black with blue edging. For the Air Force - blue with red edging.

Badges made of metal with red enamel were attached to the buttonholes. Diamonds for the senior command, rectangles for the senior, squares for the middle command and triangles for the junior. The buttonholes of ordinary Red Army soldiers indicated the numbers of their units.

The command staff was divided into junior, middle, senior, and senior. And it was further divided into fourteen job categories.

When appointed to a position, commanders were assigned a certain category with the index “K”. For example, the platoon commander had a K-3 category, the company commander K-5, and so on.

On September 22, 1935, personal ranks were introduced. For the Ground and Air Force, these are lieutenant, senior lieutenant, captain, major, colonel, brigade commander, division commander and corps commander. In addition, there were also army commanders of the first and second ranks.

- Military-political composition for all branches and types of troops - political commissar, senior political commissar, battalion commissar, regimental commissar, brigade commissar, division commissar, corps commissar, army commissar of the first and second ranks.

- For the technical command staff of the Ground and Air Force - military technician of the first and second ranks, military engineer of the first, second and third ranks, brigade engineer, divisional engineer, coring engineer, arming engineer.

- Administrative and economic staff - technical quartermaster of the first and second ranks, quartermaster of the first, second and third ranks, brigintendant, divintendant, corintendent, armintendant.

- Military doctors of all services and branches of the military - military paramedic, senior military paramedic, military doctor of the first, second and third ranks, brigade doctor, divisional doctor, corrologist, army doctor.

- For military lawyers - junior military lawyer, military lawyer, military lawyer of the first, second and third ranks, brigade lawyer, divisional military lawyer, military lawyer, military lawyer.

At the same time, the military rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union was introduced. It was awarded strictly personally and for special distinctions and merits. The first marshals were M. N. Tukhachevsky, V. K. Blyukher, K. E. Voroshilov, S. M. Budyonny, A. I. Egorov.

In September 1935, the People's Commissar of Defense was tasked with certifying the senior command staff of the Red Army and assigning the appropriate ranks.

The terms of stay in previous ranks were also established in case of successful completion of certifications. For lieutenants, art. for lieutenants - three years, for captains and majors - four years, for colonels - five years. For everyone who had a rank above brigade commander, no deadlines were established.

As a rule, promotion was accompanied by an increase in rank. All commanders who served the established terms, but did not receive another rank, could be retained in the same capacity for another two years. If such a commander could not earn further promotion, the issue of his transfer to the reserve and transfer to another service was decided.

The People's Commissar of Defense in special cases could assign ranks without observing any deadlines or length of service. He also awarded the rank of commander. The ranks of army commanders of the first and second ranks could only be awarded by the Central Executive Committee of the USSR and the Council of People's Commissars.

New uniform of 1935.

In December 1935, according to the order of NKO 176, a new uniform and new insignia were introduced.




Command staff. For the Marshal of the Soviet Union - red buttonholes with gold edging. Star embroidered with gold threads. Red triangle with a star on the sleeves.

The commander of the first rank had four diamonds and a star on his buttonholes. The color of the buttonholes corresponded to the branch of the army. The commander was supposed to have three diamonds and three squares on his sleeves. Division commander - two diamonds and two squares. And the brigade commander - one diamond with a square.

The colonels had 3 rectangles or, as they were also called, “sleepers.” The major has 2 rectangles, the captain has one. The senior lieutenant wore three cubes and a square, the lieutenant - respectively, two.

The military-political personnel were assigned crimson buttonholes with black edging. With the exception of the army commissar, everyone had stars with a hammer and sickle on their sleeves.

In the summer of 1937, with the resolution of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, the ranks of junior lieutenant, junior political instructor and junior military technician were introduced for junior commanders who had completed special, short-term courses.

A large golden star was embroidered by the Marshals of the Soviet Union. Just below are laurel wreaths with a hammer and sickle. The buttonholes of an army general had five stars, a colonel general had four, a lieutenant general had three, and a major general had two.

Until 1943.

In this form, the insignia existed until January 1943. It was then that they were introduced into Soviet army shoulder straps and the cut of the uniform has changed significantly.

To maximize the strengthening of the engineering, medical and quartermaster staff, the State Defense Committee introduced unified personal ranks at the beginning of 1943. The engineering and technical staff of the Air Force, artillery and armored forces - lieutenant technician, senior lieutenant technician, engineer captain, major engineer, lieutenant colonel engineer, colonel engineer, major general of the aviation engineering service.

By decision of the State Defense Committee, all command and control personnel were completely recertified.

The decree of the USSR PVS also established the ranks of marshals of aviation, artillery, armored forces and chief marshal for the same types of troops. As a result, in 1943, a unified rank system began to exist in the USSR army for all command personnel.