GPW Soviet Diplomatic Ranks / Tunics

[DougD]

I just thought I would throw a basic guide up to WWII Soviet Diplomatic uniforms and ranks.

This first chart shows the 1943-1947 shouldboard ranks. What would be the "Marshal of the USSR" rank was only held by Molotov and only as of 1945. It was Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR. Before then the highest rank would what we would call in the army a branch marshal; one large star and no state seal (see jpeg below).

The next on that level (4,3,2,1 star) would what we would say are generals for lack of a better term. Officers are on the bottom row.

The boards are quite a bit narrower then are army type boards, and are backed in red on the back. The crossed leaf insignia could be either metal or embroidered.

DD