Generalissimo of the Soviet Union
Encyclopedia
Generalissimus of the Soviet Union
was a military rank created on June 27, 1945 and granted to Joseph Stalin
following World War II
. It was the highest military rank
in the Soviet Union
, and Stalin was the only person ever to hold it. It was created following the tradition of the Russian imperial army.
According to Stalin biographer Robert Service
, Stalin regretted allowing himself the ostentatious military title, and asked Winston Churchill
to continue to refer to him as a marshal
instead.
The insignia for the North Korea
n rank of Dae Wonsu
is heavily influenced by the Generalissimus insignia designed for, but never actually used by, Stalin.
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
was a military rank created on June 27, 1945 and granted to Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was the highest military rank
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, and Stalin was the only person ever to hold it. It was created following the tradition of the Russian imperial army.
According to Stalin biographer Robert Service
Robert Service
Robert Service may refer to:* Robert W. Service , poet* Robert Service , , British historian* Robert Edward Service, United States Ambassador to Paraguay, 1994–1997...
, Stalin regretted allowing himself the ostentatious military title, and asked Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
to continue to refer to him as a marshal
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Marshal of the Soviet Union was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. ....
instead.
The insignia for the North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n rank of Dae Wonsu
Dae Wonsu
Dae wonsu is the highest possible military rank of North Korea and is intended to be held solely by the nation’s commander-in-chief. The rank is senior to that of wonsu...
is heavily influenced by the Generalissimus insignia designed for, but never actually used by, Stalin.
See also
- GeneralissimoGeneralissimoGeneralissimo and Generalissimus are military ranks of the highest degree, superior to Field Marshal and other five-star ranks.-Usage:...
- Military ranks of the Soviet UnionMilitary ranks of the Soviet UnionThe military ranks of the Soviet Union were those introduced after the October Revolution of 1917. At that time the Imperial Russian Table of Ranks was abolished, as were the privileges of the pre-Soviet Russian nobility....
- List of Soviet Marshals
- List of Russian Field Marshals