Shoulder straps in the Red Army 1943, 1944, 1945

(on the example of shoulder straps of artillerymen)

On January 6, 1943, the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet (PVS) of the USSR "On the introduction of shoulder straps for the personnel of the Red Army" was signed, announced by order of the NPO No. 24 of 10.01.1943. 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 epaulettes are worn by servicemen in the active army and personnel of units being prepared for dispatch to the front. Everyday shoulder straps are worn by servicemen of other units and institutions, as well as when wearing full dress uniforms. That is, in the Red Army there were two types of shoulder straps: field and everyday. Also, differences in shoulder straps were introduced for the command and command staff (see the regulation on the command and command staff), so that it was possible to distinguish the commander from the chief.

It was instructed to switch to new insignia in the period from February 1 to February 15, 1943. Later, by order of the NPO of the USSR 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 directive documents mentioned above, later came the Instruction of the Technical Committee of the Main Quartermaster Directorate of the Red Army (TK GIU KA) No. 732 on January 8, 1943. a number of technical conditions of the TC SMI KA. In addition, some technical documentation was adopted long before the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. So, for example, the Temporary Specifications (VTU) of the TK GIU KA No. 0725, in which there was a description of emblems and insignia (asterisks) on shoulder straps, were published on December 10, 1942.

The dimensions of the shoulder straps were set:

• Null- 13 cm (only for women's uniforms)
• The first- 14 cm.
• Second- 15 cm.
• Third- 16 cm.
  Width - 6 cm, and the width of the shoulder straps of officers of justice, medical, veterinary and administrative services - 4 cm. The length of the sewn-in shoulder straps was set 1 cm longer for each size.
  The width of the generals' shoulder straps is 6.5 cm. The width of the shoulder straps of the generals of the medical, veterinary services and the higher beginning. composition of century-jur. 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.)

Varieties of field shoulder straps according to the method of manufacture:

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

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

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

Shoulder straps of junior command, commanding and enlisted personnel of the Red Army
(private, sergeant and foreman)

FIELD SHAPES: The field of field shoulder straps has always been khaki. Shoulder straps were edged (sheathed) 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 the junior command and command staff were silk or semi-silk galloon. Patches were produced in various sizes: narrow (1 cm wide), medium (1.5 cm wide) and wide (3 cm wide). The junior commanding staff relied on a burgundy galloon, and the junior commanding staff - brown.

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

Field epaulettes were supposed to be worn without emblems of military branches and stencils. Uniformed iron 20-mm buttons of a protective color with a star, in the center of which there was a sickle and a hammer, were placed on shoulder straps.

This type of shoulder strap 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 epaulettes of junior officers on the example of a senior sergeant of artillery. The patch (galoon) is sewn in the factory on sewing machine. Buttons iron protective color.

CASUAL SHAPES: Everyday shoulder straps of the junior command, junior commanding and rank and file were edged (sheathed) along the edges, except for the bottom, with colored cloth piping, and also had a field of colored cloth according to the type of troops. The stripes on the shoulder straps of the junior command and command staff were silk or semi-silk galloon. Patches were produced in various sizes: narrow (1 cm wide), medium (1.5 cm wide) and wide (3 cm wide). The junior commanding staff relied on a gold-yellow galloon, and the junior commanding staff - silver.

Everyday epaulettes were given golden emblems according to the type of troops and yellow stencils denoting a unit (compound). It should be noted that stencils were used extremely rarely.

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

This type of shoulder strap 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 has ceased to be applied to everyday shoulder straps.

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

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

FIELD SHAPES: The field of field shoulder straps has always been khaki. Shoulder straps were edged (sheathed) along the edges, except for the bottom, with colored cloth piping. On the field of shoulder straps, one or two gaps were sewn in burgundy for command staff and brown for commanding staff. According to the assigned military rank, belonging to the branch of service or service, insignia were placed on the field of shoulder straps.

On the shoulder straps of the middle command staff - one clearance and silver-plated metal 13-mm stars.

On the shoulder straps of the senior command staff there are two gaps and silver-plated metal 20-mm stars.

On the shoulder straps of the commanding staff, in addition to the commanding staff of the infantry, silver-plated emblems were installed according to the type of troops, services.

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

Field epaulettes of the middle command staff on the example of ml. artillery lieutenant. The rank star must be silver. In this case, the silver plating has worn off.

CASUAL SHAPES: The field of epaulettes of the command staff is made of golden silk or golden galloon. The field of epaulettes of the engineering and command staff, the quartermaster, medical, veterinary, military legal and administrative services is made of silver silk or silver galloon. Shoulder straps were edged (sheathed) along the edges, except for the bottom, with colored cloth piping. According to the assigned military rank, belonging to the branch of service or service, insignia were placed on the field of shoulder straps.

On the shoulder straps of the middle command staff there is one clearance and metal golden 13-mm stars.

On the shoulder straps of the senior command staff there are two gaps and metal golden 20-mm stars.

On the shoulder straps of the commanding staff, in addition to the commanding staff of the infantry, golden emblems were installed according to the type of troops, services.

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

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

The shoulder straps and insignia of the middle and senior commanding 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 staff were exactly the same as the shoulder straps for the senior and middle commanding staff of the medical and veterinary services, but without emblems.

These epaulettes lasted until the end of 1946, when the technical specifications of TU TK GIU VS No. 1486 dated October 9, 1946 for officers of the Armed Forces established epaulettes with a cut corner top, i.e. shoulder straps became hexagonal.

Everyday shoulder straps of the middle command staff on the example of the shoulder straps of an artillery captain. The button should be gold.

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

FIELD SHAPES: A field of epaulettes made of silk galloon of special weaving on a cloth lining. The color of the field of shoulder straps is protective. The color of the shoulder straps: combined arms generals, generals of artillery, tank troops, medical and veterinary services, higher beginning. the composition of the military legal service - red; aviation generals - blue; generals of the technical troops and quartermaster service - crimson.

Stars on shoulder straps were embroidered with silver 22 mm in size. On the shoulder straps of the generals of the medical, veterinary service and higher beginning. composition of the military legal service - gold, 20 mm in size. Buttons on shoulder straps with coat of arms are gilded. On the shoulder straps of generals honey. services - gilded metal emblems; on the shoulder straps of the generals blows. services - the same emblems, but silver plated; on the shoulder straps of the higher beginning. composition of the senior legal service - gilded metal emblems.

By order of the NPO of the USSR No. 79 dated February 14, 1943, shoulder straps were installed, incl. and for the higher engineering and technical staff of the communications troops, engineering, chemical, railway, topographic troops - to the generals of the engineering and technical service, according to the model established by the generals of the technical troops. From this order, the highest chief. the composition of the military legal service began to be called the generals of justice.

EVERYDAY epaulettes: A field of epaulettes made of galloon of special weaving: from gold drag. And for the generals of the medical and veterinary services, the highest beginning. composition of the military legal service - from silver drawing. The color of the shoulder straps: combined arms generals, generals of artillery, tank troops, medical and veterinary services, higher beginning. the composition of the military legal service - red; aviation generals - blue; generals of the technical troops and quartermaster service - crimson.

Asterisks on shoulder straps were embroidered on a golden field - in silver, on a silver field - in gold. Buttons on shoulder straps with coat of arms are gilded. On the shoulder straps of generals honey. services - gilded metal emblems; on the shoulder straps of the generals blows. services - the same emblems, but silver plated; on the shoulder straps of the higher beginning. composition of the senior legal service - gilded metal emblems.

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

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

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

An example of everyday and field epaulettes of generals. Since February 8, 1943, generals of artillery had additional artillery emblems on shoulder straps.

Literature:

• Uniform and insignia of the Red Army 1918-1945. AIM, Leningrad 1960
• Shoulder straps of the Soviet Army 1943-1991 Eugene Drig.
• Color table for field and everyday shoulder straps of the Red Army ()
• The newspaper "Red Star" of January 7, 1943 ()
• Article by Alexander Sorokin "Field shoulder straps of soldiers, sergeants and officers of the Red Army, sample 1943"
• Website - http://www.rkka.ru

article code: 98653

The period under consideration covers the time from September 1935 to May (November) 1940.

Despite the introduction in 1924 of a disguised system of military ranks, the need to introduce a full-fledged system of personal ranks was obvious. The leader of the country, I. V. Stalin, understood that the introduction of ranks would increase not only the responsibility of command personnel, but also authority and self-respect; raise the authority of the army among the population, raise the prestige of military service. In addition, the system of personal ranks facilitated the work of the personnel bodies of the army, made it possible to develop a clear set of requirements and criteria for the assignment of each rank, systematized official correspondence, and would be a significant incentive for official zeal. However, part of the senior command staff (Budyonny, Voroshilov, Timoshenko, Mekhlis, Kulik) resisted the introduction of new ranks. They hated the very word "general". This resistance was reflected in the ranks of the senior command staff.

By the decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR of September 22, 1935, the division of military personnel into categories (K1, ..., K14) is canceled and personal military ranks are established for all military personnel. The process of transition to personal ranks took the whole autumn until December 1935. In addition, rank insignia were introduced only in December 1935. This gave rise to the general opinion of historians that the ranks in the Red Army were introduced in December 1935.

Private and junior officers also received personal ranks in 1935, which, however, sounded like job titles. This feature of naming ranks has given rise to a widespread mistake by many historians who claim that in 1935 privates and junior officers did not receive ranks. However, the Charter of the internal service of the Red Army in 1937 in Art. 14 p. 10 lists the ranks of ordinary and junior command and command staff.

It should, however, be noted a negative point in the new system of titles. The military personnel were divided into:

• 1) Command staff.
• 2) Commanding staff:
• a) military-political composition;
• b) military-technical staff;
• c) military-economic and administrative staff;
• d) military medical staff;
• e) military veterinary staff;
• e) military-legal structure.
• 3) Junior command and command staff.
• 4) Ordinary composition.

Each roster had its own ranks, which complicated the system. It was possible to partially get rid of several rank scales only in 1943, and the remnants were eliminated as early as the mid-eighties.

P.S. All ranks and names, terminology and spelling (!) Are verified according to the original - "Charter of the internal service of the Red Army (UVS-37)" Edition 1938 Military publishing house.

Private, junior command and command staff of the ground and air forces

Command staff of the ground and air forces

* The title "Junior Lieutenant" was introduced on 08/05/1937.

The military-political composition of all military branches

The title of "Junior political instructor" was introduced on 08/05/1937. It was equated to the rank of "lieutenant" (namely, to a lieutenant, but not to a junior lieutenant!).

Military-technical composition of the ground and air forces

Category	Rank
Average military-technical composition	Junior military engineer*
	Military technician 2nd rank
	Military technician 1st rank
Senior military technical staff	Military engineer 3rd rank
	Military engineer 2nd rank
	Military engineer 1st rank
The highest military-technical staff	Brigadier
	Diving Engineer
	Core engineer
	arming engineer

* The title "Junior military engineer" was introduced on 08/05/1937, corresponding to the title of "junior lieutenant". Persons with higher technical education upon entering the army, the technical staff was immediately awarded the title "Military engineer of the 3rd rank".

Military-economic and administrative, military-medical, military-veterinary and military-legal staff of all military branches

Category	Military economic and administrative staff	Military medical staff	Military veterinary staff	Military legal composition
Average	Quartermaster 2nd rank	military paramedic	Military Feldsher	Junior military lawyer
	Quartermaster 1st rank	Senior military assistant	Senior military paramedic	military lawyer
Older	Quartermaster 3rd rank	Military doctor 3rd rank	Military doctor of the 3rd rank	Military lawyer 3rd rank
	Quartermaster 2nd rank	Military doctor 2nd rank	Military veterinarian of the 2nd rank	Military lawyer 2nd rank
	Quartermaster 1st rank	Military doctor 1st rank	Military doctor of the 1st rank	Military lawyer 1st rank
Higher	brigintendant	Brigvrach	brigvetvrach	Brigvoenyurist
	Divintendant	Divvrach	Divveterinarian	Divvoenyurist
	corintendent	Korvrach	Corvette doctor	Korvoenyurist
	Armintendant	Armdoctor	Armveterinarian	Arms military lawyer

Persons who have higher education upon admission or conscription into the army, the title "Quartermaster of the 3rd rank" was immediately awarded; higher medical education upon admission or conscription into the army, the title of “Military doctor of the 3rd rank” was immediately awarded (equal to the title of “captain”); higher veterinary education upon admission or conscription into the army was immediately awarded the title of "Veterinarian of the 3rd rank"; higher legal education upon admission or conscription into the army was immediately awarded the title of "Military lawyer of the 3rd rank"

The appearance of the general ranks of the Red Army in 1940

In 1940, general ranks appeared in the Red Army, which was a continuation of the process of returning to the system of personal military ranks openly begun in 1935, and in a disguised form since May 1924 (the introduction of the so-called "service categories").

After much debate and thought, the system of general ranks of the Red Army was introduced by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 7, 1940. However, they were introduced only for command personnel. The commanding staff (military-political, military-technical, military-medical, military-veterinary, legal, administrative and quartermaster staff) remained with the same ranks, which will be changed only in 1943. However, the commissars will receive the rank of general in the fall of 1942, when the institution of military commissars will be abolished.

Ranks for a soldier determine his official position and legal status, that is, his rights, powers and duties. Military ranks provide for the principle of seniority and subordination. Ranks are assigned to the military in accordance with their professional training, position in the service, official law, length of service, and merit.

The meaning of military ranks

Ranks for the military are one of the important motivators for military service, personnel placement and their most effective use. The presence of ranks in the army establishes relations of seniority and subordination between military personnel. A specific military rank gives a soldier the right to certain monetary allowances and material support, to receive certain benefits.

You can determine the rank of a military man by insignia. They are shoulder straps, buttonholes and chevrons.

The introduction of ranks in the Red Army

Since the creation of the Red Army (decoding of the abbreviation: Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army), it became necessary to introduce military ranks. Since 1918, with the development and strengthening of the Red Army in the troops, the names of military ranks and insignia have changed several times. Only in 1939-1940. they were finally established, and these ranks of the Red Army did not change until 1943.

The first ranks and insignia of their distinction in the Red Army

In December 1917, the new government by its decree abolished military ranks in the army. And it was decided to form a new type of army. A decree to this effect was adopted at the beginning of 1918.

In the initial period in the Red Army, the commanders were elected. But in the context of the intensifying Civil War, the formation of the armed forces of the young republic began on the principle of conscription. In this situation, it became urgently necessary to move away from the principle of elected commanders.

It was decided to restore the principle of unity of command in the army and introduce military ranks in the troops. The first to strengthen discipline in their units, military ranks were established by the head of division No. 18, IP Uborevich.

He was warmly supported by the founder of the Red Army, chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic, Lev Davidovich Trotsky. It took almost a year to develop and approve a unified military uniform and insignia for the command staff of the army. The first military ranks and the Red Army were based on the positions held. And so that the position of a serviceman was visible, they approved the signs sewn on the sleeves (rhombuses, squares and triangles).

Military positions and signs from 1918 to 1924

Military rank		Signs on sleeves	Occupied job title
	Red Army man	Without signs
	and equated	star and triangle	Commander branches
Pomkomplatoon	Pomkomplatoon and equated	Star and two triangles	Platoon Commander Assistant
foreman	Sergeant Major and equivalents	Star and three triangles	Company foreman
Platoon Commander	platoon commander and equated to it		Commander
	equated	Star and two squares	company commander, squadron commander
	equated	Star and three squares	Battalion commander
Regiment commander	Regiment commander, pomkombriga equated to them	Star and four squares	Regiment commander
	Brigade commander, pomnachdiv and equated to them	star and rhombus	brigade commander
	Nachdiv and equated to them	Star and two diamonds	division chief
commander	Commander, pomkomfront, pomkomokrug and equated to them	Star and three diamonds	Army commander
Komfronta		Star and four diamonds	front commander

All distinguishing signs, in accordance with the order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic No. 116, were sewn on the left sleeves of clothing. A little later, the RVSR approves a new military uniform, uniform for the entire Red Army: an overcoat, a tunic and a headdress (“Budenovka”). In general, the clothes of an ordinary Red Army soldier and command personnel did not differ significantly. Only insignia indicated the position held.

Unification of military clothing and signs since 1924

During the years of the Civil War, the established uniform in the Red Army was used along with the uniforms of the tsarist army, civilian clothes and other items of clothing stylized as military cut.

At the end of the Civil War, a gradual transition of the entire army to uniform uniforms began. It was decided to reduce the cost of production of military uniforms, to eliminate unnecessary elements. In May 1924, military uniforms received summer cotton caps and summer tunic shirts without breast colored flaps, but with two patch pockets on the chest. Almost all items of military clothing have undergone changes.

It was established that rectangular cloth buttonholes were sewn onto the collars of tunics and tunics, corresponding to the color of the military branches with a fringing of a different shade. The size of the buttonholes was determined to be 12.5 cm by 5.5 cm. The buttonholes sewn onto the collar of overcoats resembled a rhombus in shape with unequal sides of 13 cm by 12.5 cm.

On the buttonholes, along with insignia by category, emblems were attached to the specialty of a military man. Emblems should not exceed 3 x 3 cm in size.

The introduction of service categories for military personnel

Order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR No. 807 from the middle of 1924 abolished sleeve valves with signs indicating the position held by the military, and introduced buttonholes with signs corresponding to the assigned category and corresponding emblems indicating the specialty of military personnel. Subsequently, additional orders (No. 850 and No. 862) supplemented these innovations. Categories have been developed and approved. All military personnel were divided into four compositions:

• junior commanding officer;
• middle command-and-command;
• senior commanding officer;
• the highest commanding officer.

Categories by positions held in the Red Army

Each group, in turn, was divided into categories.

1. Junior commanding and command staff:

• squad leader, boatswain - K-1;
• foreman of the company, assistant platoon commander, star boatsman, foreman of the warhead, deputy commander of the warhead, chief boatsman - K-2;

2. Average commanding and command staff:

• warhead commander, platoon commander, assistant commander of the 4th rank cor-la - K-3;
• assistant company commander, senior officer of the cor-la 4 rank - K-4;
• chief comrade of a commander of a ship of the third rank, commander of a corporal of the 4th rank, commander of a squadron (company) - K-5;
• commander of a separate company, assistant commander of a battalion, commander of a cor-la of the third rank, senior commander of a cor-la of the 2nd rank - K-6.

3. Senior commanding and command staff:

• com-r cor-la 2 ranks, com-r battalion - K-7;
• assistant commander of the regiment, senior commander of the cor-la of the 1st rank - K-8;
• regiment commander, assistant brigade commander, commander of the cor-la 1st rank - K-9;

4. The highest commanding and command staff:

• brigade commander, assistant division commander, ship brigade commander - K-10;
• division commander, corps assistant commander, squadron commander - K-11;
• corps commander, assistant army commander, flotilla commander - K-12;
• commander of the army, assistant commander of the front, assistant commander of the military district, commander of the fleet, commander-in-chief of the naval forces of the republic - K-13;
• commander of the fronts, commander of the military district - K-14.

The introduction of individual ranks for military personnel

The Council of People's Commissars in 1935, by its decree, announces the next reform in the armed forces of the USSR, specifying the ranks and signs in the Red Army. Personal ranks are established for military personnel.

The highest rank is established - Marshal. A distinctive sign for marshals was a large star on the buttonholes. Simultaneously with the establishment of new military ranks, the command and command staff of the Armed Forces is divided into the following areas of official activity:

1. Command.

2. Military-political.

3. Commander, which, in turn, was divided into:

• economic and administrative;
• technical;
• medical;
• veterinary;
• legal.

The ratio of ranks of command, administrative and political compositions

The distinctive signs on the main have not been changed. Belonging to a particular service or branch of the military indicated the color of the buttonholes and emblems. The command staff of all levels sewed a chevron in the form of a corner on the sleeves. The distinctive signs of various ranks on the buttonholes were rhombuses for the higher composition, rectangles for the senior composition, squares for the middle composition and triangles for the junior composition. An ordinary soldier on his buttonhole did not have insignia.

Signs of personal ranks of all military personnel proceeded from previous ranks. So, for example, two "head over heels" of a lieutenant on their buttonholes had a junior political instructor, a military technician of the second rank, a junior military officer, etc. The indicated ranks of the Red Army existed until 1943. In 1943, they moved away from the "bulky" military ranks. So, for example, instead of the title of "military paramedic", the title of "lieutenant of the medical service" was introduced.

In 1940, continuing the process of assigning personal military ranks, the government of the USSR approved the ranks for junior and senior command levels. The ranks of lieutenant colonels and generals were legalized.

Military rank insignia in 1941

She met the aggression of Nazi Germany in 1941, having the following military insignia on her military uniform:

Military ranks of the Red Army	Signs
	On the buttonhole	On the sleeve
Red Army man	Missing	Missing
corporal	One yellow gap in the middle of the buttonhole
Lance Sergeant	1 triangle	Missing
	2 triangles
Staff Sergeant	3 triangles
foreman	4 triangles
Ensign	one square	Top square red 10 mm, 1 square yellow galloon 4 mm, 3 mm red edging at the bottom
Lieutenant	2 squares	2 squares of yellow galloon 4 mm, red clearance between them 7 mm, 3 mm red edging at the bottom
Senior Lieutenant	three squares	3 squares of yellow galloon 4 mm, red gaps between them by 5 mm, 3 mm red edging at the bottom
	Rectangle	2 squares of yellow galloon 6 mm, red clearance between them 10 mm, 3 mm red edging at the bottom
	rectangle
Lieutenant colonel	rectangle	2 yellow galloon squares: upper 6 mm, lower 10 mm, red clearance between them 10 mm, 3 mm red edging at the bottom
Colonel	rectangle	3 yellow galloon squares: upper and middle 6mm, lower 10mm, red gaps between them by 7mm, 3mm red edging at the bottom
Major General	2 small yellow stars
Lieutenant General	3 small yellow stars	Small yellow star, one square of yellow galloon 32 mm, 3 mm edging at the bottom
Colonel General	4 small yellow stars	Small yellow star, one square of yellow galloon 32 mm, 3 mm edging at the bottom
Army General	5 small yellow stars	Large yellow star, one 32 mm yellow gallon square, 10 mm red square above the galloon
Marshal Soviet Union	A large yellow star above an oak leaf square	Large two squares of yellow galloon on a red field. Oak branches between galloons. Below is a red edging.

The above distinguishing marks and ranks of the Red Army did not change until 1943.

The ratio of the ranks of the NKVD and the Red Army

In the pre-war years, the NK of Internal Affairs consisted of several main directorates (GU): the GU of state security, the GU of internal security and border troops, the Main Directorate of the Workers' and Peasants' Militia, and others.

In parts of the internal security and military positions and ranks were, as in the Red Army. And in the police, state security, due to the specifics of the tasks performed, there were special ranks. If we correlate, for example, special ranks in the state security agencies with army ranks, then we get the following: a state security sergeant was equated with a lieutenant of the Red Army, a state security captain was equated with a colonel, and so on.

Conclusion

Thus, from the very formation of the Republic of Soviets, the troops of the Red Army have always been in the field of special attention of the country's top leadership. Not only were weapons and equipment improved, but the clothing provision of military personnel was also improved. The photographs show that the Red Army soldier of 1941 is strikingly different in clothing and equipment from the Red Army soldier of 1918. But the military ranks of the Red Army themselves until 1943 changed several times.

And in 1943, as a result of fundamental reforms, the abbreviation of the Red Army (decoding: Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army) became a thing of the past. The concept of "Soviet Army" (SA) came into use.

In the Red Army, two types of buttonholes were used: everyday ("colored") and field ("protective"). There were also differences in the buttonholes of the commanding and commanding staff, so that it was possible to distinguish the commander from the chief.

Field buttonholes were introduced by order of the NCO of the USSR No. 253 of August 1, 1941, which abolished the wearing of colored insignia for all categories of military personnel. It was ordered to switch to buttonholes, emblems and insignia of a completely green camouflage color.

However, in the conditions of war and the rapid increase in the size of the army, protective buttonholes and insignia were received mainly by military personnel mobilized from the reserve. For them, in peacetime, a uniform with wartime insignia was prepared. The rest switched to new signs whenever possible. A number of military leaders opposed the transition to wartime insignia. For example, the commander of the 9th Mechanized Corps of the Kyiv Special Military District, Lieutenant General Rokossovsky K.K. by his order, he categorically forbade all commanders to change their insignia to field ones, believing that the Red Army should see their commanders in battle.

Difficulties in supply led to the fact that the troops simultaneously encountered both those and other insignia in various combinations (red cubes and sleepers on field buttonholes, field cubes and sleepers on colored buttonholes, etc.). This position lasted until the transition of the army to shoulder straps in the winter-spring of 1943, and in the rear districts until the middle of summer and even autumn of 1943.

Since the field buttonholes were completely protective in color for all categories of military personnel and differed only in the number of insignia, it makes no sense to analyze them in detail. Next, everyday buttonholes will be described in more detail.

Everyday buttonholes were introduced back in 1922. Since then, they have been constantly upgraded until 1940. With the outbreak of war, modernization was stopped because. single-color field buttonholes were introduced, which, along with colored everyday ones, existed until the replacement of buttonholes with shoulder straps.

The color of the buttonhole field corresponded to the type of troops. Rectangular buttonholes were edged (sheathed) with colored piping on three sides. Diamond-shaped buttonholes were edged on the two upper sides.

Buttonhole sizes:

• Buttonholes for gymnasts and jackets - in the form of a parallelogram, 32.5 mm wide with piping, about 10 cm long.
• Buttonholes for overcoats - diamond-shaped, 11 cm along the larger diagonal and 8.5-9 cm - at a smaller one. One upper (edged) side had a length from corner to corner of 6.5 cm.
• The general's buttonholes are diamond-shaped, the length from corner to corner is 11 cm, the width from corner to corner is 7.5 cm, the length of the edged side is 6.1 cm, the width of the buttonhole edging with a cantle is 2.5 mm. The buttonholes on the general's overcoats were slightly larger - the length from corner to corner was 11.5 cm (13.5 cm - for the Marshal of the Soviet Union), the width from corner to corner was 8.5 cm, the length of the edged side was 6.5 cm, the width of the border buttonholes with a cantle of 2.5 mm.

Buttonhole sewing:

by folding the non-piped edge under the collar

the unedged edge of the buttonhole was sewn into the collar

right on the edge of the collar

Military ranks of the USSR Armed Forces 1935-1945 -

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Buttonholes of ordinary and junior officers of the Red Army

(private, sergeant and foreman)

SHOOTS FOR GYMNASTIOROTS AND FRENCH - in the form of a parallelogram. The color of the buttonhole field corresponded to the type of troops. Colored piping on three sides.

OVERCOAT buttonholes - rhomboid. Colored edging on upper sides. The color of the buttonhole field corresponded to the type of troops.

For military officers with the rank of foreman, in addition to the colored edging, a 3-mm golden lace was also sewn on the same sides where the colored edging went. But not instead of a colored piping like that of officers, but in addition to it.

Insignia - equilateral metal triangles covered with red enamel. Triangle side 10 mm.

The buttonholes from the corporal to the foreman also relied on: a golden equilateral triangle, side length 20 mm; a longitudinal strip of 5 mm (on overcoat buttonholes 10 mm) of red edging (the color of the edging is the same for all military branches).

The emblems of the military branch were supposed to be applied with yellow paint, but this rule was very rarely followed. As a result, one can see the private and junior command personnel either without emblems at all, or with metal emblems laid down for the officer corps.

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In 1940, in connection with the change in the scale of ranks of the Red Army, the insignia of the ranks of junior command and command personnel also changed. By order of the NPO of the USSR No. 391 dated November 2, 1940, personal ranks were established for ordinary and junior command and command staff: Red Army soldier, corporal, junior sergeant, sergeant, senior sergeant and foreman.

By the same order, new insignia were introduced for them, to which it was ordered to switch from January 1, 1941. Until that time, the junior command and command staff did not have personal ranks, but were named and wore insignia according to their positions.

Buttonholes of senior and middle officers of the Red Army

(officers)

SHOOTS FOR GYMNASTIOROTS AND FRENCH - in the form of a parallelogram. The color of the buttonhole field corresponded to the type of troops. A 5 mm golden galunchik was sewn along the three upper corners instead of a colored piping.

OVERCOAT buttonholes - rhomboid. The color of the buttonhole field corresponded to the type of troops. A 5mm golden lace was sewn to the two upper sides instead of a colored edging.

Insignia:

From a junior lieutenant to a senior lieutenant, they wore equilateral metal cubes ("kubari") covered with red enamel. The side of the cube is 10mm.
from captain to colonel - they wore metal rectangles ("sleepers") covered with red enamel. The size of the sleeper is 16x7mm.

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In 1940, the scale of ranks for senior command and command staff changed somewhat. On July 26, 1940, by order of the NCO of the USSR No. 226, the ranks of "lieutenant colonel" and "senior battalion commissar" were introduced, and in connection with this, the insignia of the senior command and command personnel were changed.

The buttonholes of the middle and senior political, technical, administrative, veterinary staff, and justice bodies had, like those of privates, colored edging.

In addition to the insignia by rank in the buttonholes, it was determined to wear the emblems of the military branches established by order of the NPO of the USSR No. 33 of March 10, 1936. The emblems were metallic gold. Political workers do not have any emblems, the rest wear the emblems of their branches of service. The insignia are cubes and sleepers, like those of the command staff.

Insignia in buttonholes:
A. Average command and command staff:
1 cube - junior lieutenant, junior military engineer.
2 dice - lieutenant, junior political officer, military technician of the 2nd rank, quartermaster technician of the 2nd rank, military assistant, junior military officer.
3 dice - senior lieutenant, political instructor, military engineer of the 1st rank, quartermaster technician of the 1st rank, senior military assistant, military lawyer.

B. Senior command and command staff:
1 sleeper - captain, senior political officer, military engineer, quartermaster, military doctor, senior military lawyer.
2 sleepers - major, battalion commissar, military engineer of the 2nd rank, quartermaster of the 2nd rank, military doctor of the 2nd rank, military officer of the 2nd rank.
3 sleepers - lieutenant colonel, senior battalion commissar, military engineer of the 1st rank, quartermaster of the 1st rank, military doctor of the 1st rank, military officer of the 1st rank.
4 sleepers - colonel, regimental commissar.

Note - There is an interesting point here. The commanding staff in the ranks of a military engineer of the 1st rank, a quartermaster of the 1st rank, a military doctor of the 1st rank, a military officer of the 1st rank, as they wore three sleepers in their buttonholes until 1940, they remained with three sleepers. In fact, absolutely nothing has changed, because. they had previously been considered a step below the colonel. But if earlier they had as many sleepers on their buttonholes as the colonel, now it turned out that they were all, as it were, lowered 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 in this they differed from the quartermasters, engineers, military doctors of the regimental level, that is, their higher status, equal to the commander of the regiment, was clearly emphasized. But the battalion commissars were unhappy (especially those who were about to be awarded the next rank) due to the fact that another one was wedged between their rank and the coveted rank of regimental commissar.

The middle and senior command staff, the middle and senior political staff had additional insignia on the sleeves. The command staff in the form of various triangular galloons differing in 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 signs on their sleeves.

Although the wearing of emblems of military branches in buttonholes was mandatory (except for political workers, infantry and cavalry for whom emblems did not exist), there were significant difficulties in their manufacture and supply of 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 from the golden thread of emblems was forbidden. Therefore, the vast majority of Red Army soldiers and sergeants, and a significant part of the officers, had no emblems in their buttonholes at all. In order to combat the shortage of insignia, they began to use cheaper materials for their manufacture. But even these measures could not significantly improve the lack of insignia.

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

Obviously, it is difficult to imagine an ocean of resentment among political workers by this decision of the State Defense Committee. Only the wartime situation and the increased role of the Special Departments (NKVD) perhaps kept them from openly displaying discontent. Many of them had to change the comfortable position of a non-responsible, but all-powerful chief to the bitter lot of a commander responsible for everything and everything, others to come to terms with the fate of a 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, who are obliged to coordinate every step with him. Previously, you had to decide together, and answer alone, but now you have decided, and you yourself answer.

Buttonholes of the highest command staff of the Red Army

(generals, marshals)

UNIFORM AND FOR THE TUIT (sizes sewn on) - diamond-shaped, length from corner to corner 11 cm, width from corner to corner 7.5 cm, length of the edged side 6.1 cm, width of the edging of the buttonholes with a cantle 2.5 mm. The generals of artillery and ABTV have a field of black buttonholes.

OVERCOAT buttonholes - diamond-shaped, length from corner to corner 11.5 cm (13.5 cm - for the Marshal of the Soviet Union), width from corner to corner 8.5 cm, length of the edged side 6.5 cm, width of the edging of the buttonholes with a cantle 2, 5 mm. The generals of artillery and ABTV have a field of black buttonholes.

Insignia - Asterisks for the buttonholes of generals were made of gilded brass of the correct pointed shape with a diameter of 2 cm with ribbed rays. In field buttonholes, stars painted in green color(protective 4BO).

The star on the buttonholes of the Marshal of the Soviet Union: on the overcoat buttonholes, the diameter is 5 cm, on the buttonholes of the uniform and tunic, the diameter is 4.4 cm. The star of the Marshal of the Soviet Union had the correct pointed shape and was embroidered with gilded threads. The embroidery is solid convex, all outer edges are bordered with perpendicular embroidery with thin threads. In the lower part of the buttonhole, two laurel branches were embroidered with gold threads, on the crosshairs of which a sickle and a hammer were embroidered with gold.

On July 13, 1940, by Order of the NPO of the USSR No. 212, in accordance with, uniforms and insignia were established on buttonholes and sleeves for generals.

For the highest commanding staff, the insignia remains the same - rhombuses in number from two to four with the same rank names.

Literature:

Uniform and insignia of the Red Army 1918-1945. AIM, Leningrad 1960

• Insignia of the ranks of the military personnel of the Red Army 1940-1942. Author - Yu.Veremeev.
• Insignia of the commanding and commanding staff of the armed forces on 06/22/41. ()
• Uniform of the Russian Air Force. Volume II, Part 1 (1935-1955)

The era, a couple of decades long, which begins after the Bolsheviks came to power, marked itself with numerous changes in the life of the former Empire. The reorganization of practically all structures of peaceful and military activities turned out to be a rather lengthy and contentious process. In addition, from the course of history, we know that immediately after the revolution, Russia was swept by a bloody Civil War in which there was no intervention. It is hard to imagine that initially the ranks of the workers' and peasants' Red Army were volunteers.

The archive of documents can provide information about the formation of regular armed forces, despite the fact that the USSR, as a republic, was formed much later. It is possible that it is for this reason that the ranks in the army of the USSR until 1943 are of a certain unsystematic nature. However, in order to answer the question of what military ranks existed in the Red Army during the period of this era, it is enough to trace the chronology of events in the military department.

Introduction of insignia

All servicemen of the newly formed Red Army in 1918 received a badge. He was considered a symbol of the Red Army. In a frame of oak leaves there was a star, a plow and a hammer. Headdresses were also decorated with a similar emblem. With a single form, everything was much more complicated. Naturally, with such a beginning, there can be no talk of any insignia. It turns out that some officer military ranks and shoulder straps in the USSR were immediately abolished, and until 1943 they were considered a symbol of the overthrown autocracy.

At first, the absence of insignia had practically no effect on the combat effectiveness of the units, since in the few detachments the soldiers knew the commanders with their own eyes. The deployment of hostilities entailed an increase in the number of personnel and, as a result, led to the formation of confusion in the relations between commanders and subordinates. The general violation of discipline was often justified by the fact that the soldiers referred to the lack of differences between commanders and the general contingent.

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There are cases when the commanders of individual units introduced military ranks and the corresponding insignia. It could not last so long, especially in war conditions, therefore, since 1919, uniforms and special signs have been approved for the entire officer corps.

• Junior commanders had stars with triangles on their sleeves.
• In the middle, triangles were replaced by squares.
• A rhombus was considered a sign of the highest command staff.

Thus, a certain hierarchy begins to form in the army units. The lowest rank endowed with command authority is the separated commander. The rank above is the assistant platoon commander. Next in seniority is the foreman, and then the unit commanders. The highest command staff is represented by the division chief, the commander of the army and the front.

In the same period, the Revolutionary Military Council also approved a headdress - a helmet. The overcoats of the Red Army were endowed with transverse straps. We know from a lot of movies that they were solid colors: red or blue. But in fact, it was possible to determine the type of troops and the rank of commander from them.

Similar badges were worn:

• squad leader (type of troops - cavalry);
• division commander (type of troops - artillery);
• front commander.

Since 1920, the type of troops could be identified by the sleeve insignia. For example, the infantry wore a sign in the form of a crimson diamond with a star and rays, and below were two crossed rifles. The engineering troops were distinguished by a black square, and the cavalrymen by a blue horseshoe. Although the ranks in the Red Army until 1943 excluded the word "officer", but the unit commanders performed all its functions.

According to the new order, a helmet and a tunic were brought to the standard. On the sleeve of the greatcoat there was a star and a sign that differed in color for different types of troops. The command staff wore a red badge. Otherwise, the uniform was the same as that of ordinary military men.

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New ranks in the Red Army

The next stage, in which the ranks in the Soviet army before 1943 underwent some changes, begins in 1924. As a badge of distinction, a buttonhole is used, which is attached to a tunic or overcoat. The pilots had blue buttonholes, framed by a red edging. Infantry are crimson with black, and artillery are blue with black piping.

The Council of People's Commissars approved metal signs - rhombuses, rectangles, squares and triangles. In parallel with this, similar transformations are taking place in the structure of the GPU and the NKVD. Special services officers wore valves and buttonholes, only different in color from military samples.

The entire command staff of the army is represented by the junior, middle, senior and higher levels. The subdivision of each link into categories according to positions made it possible to manage the entire structure more flexibly. At this stage, instead of the rank, a category was assigned, which was denoted by the letter "K" and supplemented with a numerical index, and in 1935 the ranks of lieutenant, major and colonel were added to the brigade commander, divisional commander and commander.

Everyone knows that the gradual introduction of officer ranks did not allow military epaulets to be worn until 1943, when, by Stalin's decree, the army structure began to return to the channel created by Russian Empire, in the meantime, epaulettes are in every possible way criticized by Soviet soldiers and their commanders.

Political life in the army played an important role, especially considering that Soviet society is based on high degree ideology. To conduct work, such positions as a political instructor, regimental commissar, divisional commissar, and corps commissar were introduced.

Ground forces and air force troops with the beginning of the reform receive the rank of military technician and military engineer. In the ACHH, the quartermaster, brigintendant and corintendent are listed. Official titles are assigned to doctors. The most important innovation is the establishment of the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union.

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