M1943 Special Tunic for NKGB Commissars

[deValcourt]

Originally Posted by DougD

Due to fading, the outlines of the two orders (see previous posts) were easy to see; a Lenin and Red Banner worked perfectly. Nice to know what he was awarded.

DougD

Beautiful tunic in every respect. And yes, it would be a "crown jewel" for a State Security collector like myself.

As for the state security aspect, though I'm happy I guessed correctly about the Lenin, ;) I am surprised that there were no other badges on this tunic. Becoming a Commissar of the NKGB one would think he had to be with one of the previous branches of State Security (NKVD, OGPU). I'm again guessing he was probably a soldier or security officer because of the Red Banner - though I know it was possible to earn one without being in the military (later, they were often given to KGB agents for successful important missions and in the 1970s onward the Order of the October Revolution was another often used option). So the lack of security awards makes me wonder if this fellow was a political appointment by or from the CPSU. My knowledge of pre-KGB/MVD organs is basic and I'm always learning. So if anyone could shed some light on what the commissars' function(s) in the NKGB were and how they came to have that position, I would certainly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Phillip

[DougD]

Phillip,

The NKGB handled foreign intelligence, counter-intelligence inside the USSR, and some high level protection of top Soviet leadership (such as Commissar Vlasik protecting Stalin). They also handled codes, the protection of the Kremlin, etc.

It's possible this Commissar 3rd Rank was appointed, but I think he probably worked his way through the NKVD.

DougD

[deValcourt]

Thanks Doug. :thumbsup But I still don't understand what position a "Commissar" would be equivalent to outside of the intelligence community. Above a colonel but below a general? Or, one of the highest ranking generals? I'm just trying to place this title in the perspective of later KGB officers (Chief Deputy, Director, assistant director, etc).:confused:

Thanks again,
Phillip

[DougD]

Hi Phillip,

Figure it this way: Army rank then NKGB rank:

One star> Major General= Commissar of State Security 4th Rank
Two stars>Lt.General=Commissar of State Security 3rd Rank
Three stars>Col.General=Commissar of State Security 2nd Rank
Four stars>General of the Army=Commissar of State Security 1st Rank

So, for the example of the tunic I posted, he would be a Commissar of State Security 3rd Rank; had he been in the Red Army, he would have been a Lt.General.

DougD

[DougD]

Phillip,

As for roles, Commissar of State Security 3rd Rank (like an army Lt.General) Pavel Fitin is a good example. He was head of Foreign Intel. during the war, and is featured in a good book called "What Stalin Knew: The Enigma of Barbarossa" by David Murphy. It is an interesting read and gives a very good feel for what Fitin's role was, at least in the days leading up to the war. Note that in the photo he wears the 'special' NKGB tunic.

DougD

[deValcourt]

Thank you Doug for all the information. As I'm sure you know, once the KGB was finally formed, they went to military ranks and that is why I was confused about the pecking order in state security before and during the GPW. As for the book you mentioned, I will try to find it and give it a read. Do you have the ISBN number by chance?

Phillip

[DougD]

Hi Phillip,

It seems in 1945 these special Commissar ranks were replaced by the army like ranks, thus making the ranks and special uniform short lived.

the book #s are:

# ISBN-10: 030011981X
# ISBN-13: 978-0300119817

DougD

[deValcourt]

Very much appreciated Doug.
Phillip

[DougD]

Phillip,

No problem, it is a good read.

Also, if you are interested, pick up:

Stalin's Secret War: Soviet Counterintelligence Against the Nazis
By Robert Stephan

# ISBN-10: 0700612793
# ISBN-13: 978-0700612796


DougD

[deValcourt]

Doug,
The Robert Stephan's book seems to be a hot item. Many places online are sold out and it is apparently being used as a textbook in some universities/colleges. I hope somebody is teaching Soviet Union history other than a few of my collegues. I went into an Albertson's grocery store this afternoon wearing a t-shirt with CCCP across the top of the Soviet "gerb" and got mostly puzzled looks from teens (and a few rolling eyes from their parents). The kids are trying to figure out what new band "CCCP" is, I guess.:laff
As soon as I finish Oleg Kalugin's semi-insightful and very egoistic self-promotional The First Directorate I'll more actively seek both books out. By the by, Kalugin's book is not so much about sharing any new knowledge about the former KGB, but about trying to wash the blood off his hands. But, I very seldom stop reading a book once I've started.
P.