Captured Red Army Generals 1941

[DougD]

An interesting photo showing two Red Army Generals in their M1940 uniforms after having been captured by the German Army.

In the center of the photo is Major General P.G. Pondelin, head of 12th Army. He was held throughout the war, and later put on trial and shot in 1950.

The major general on the left is N.K. Kirilov, head of the 13th Rifle Corps. Arrested and put on trial after the war, he too was shot in 1950.

[Ser-g]

why were they shot and by who?

i take that in 1950 they would have been shot by there own soviet army?

[Commissar]

Most likely, was that not a common practice for the Soviet Armed Forces to perform on their captured officers and soldiers?

[DougD]

If it was felt they had worked with the Germans, then yes, after trial they would often be shot. These two Generals were returned to the Soviets in 1945, but not shot until 1950; I am sure that the security services complied a file on what these generals did after capture and then held them accountable.

[deValcourt]

Compiled? More like sat around and "created a file" to keep Uncle Joe happy. Stalin was still alive, the Korean War was just starting and examples had to be made.:thumbsdown Yes, I am fascinated by how security services worked and failed in the Soviet Union and elsewhere, but I don't have to like their actions. Doug, the more I read...
Phillip

[DougD]

Here is another shot of what I believe to be the same two captured Red Army Generals. This is a much higher resolution photo. Interesting in that it shows the contrasting moods of the Red Army generals and the German officers.

[deValcourt]

Certainly looks like them - right down (or up?) to their caps. The photo looks like a propaganda piece and of course the Russian generals would know that. It is also interesting that the one on the left looked directly at the camera and the one on the right appears to be trying to ignore the photographer.

The Nazi's being infamous for their treatment and feelings of racial superiority over Russians and the Slavic people in general would naturally be considerably more joyous than their captives.

In all, a really great photo and a good catch.:thumbsup

Phillip

[ekclete]

Here is another shot of what I believe to be the same two captured Red Army Generals. This is a much higher resolution photo. Interesting in that it shows the contrasting moods of the Red Army generals and the German officers.

I like the differences in the two Soviet generals' visors: One with a cap badge and one without, One with a gold cord and one with a vinyl cord, even the crowns on the caps is different and it looks like the brims are a bit different as well (but not positive on that). Nice picture showing how things can just be different in reality then the regulation specs. Thanks Clete

[Commissar]

Hey thats true, I didn't even notice the cap strap or anything like that until they were pointed out, but Im surprised that he is lacking the cockade.
As for the shapes, they are kind of different, but maybe that is just an angle thing? I dont know.

[DougD]

Look very closely at the hat without the badge and you can see where it had been...not rare for these generals cap badges to come off.

DougD