LEADERS AND HEROES

MARSHAL KONSTANTIN ROKOSSOVSKY

“THE GERMAN ARMY IS A MACHINE – AND MACHINES CAN BE BROKEN” 1896-1968 POLAND

Konstantin Rokossovsky began his military career as an outstanding Red Army cavalry officer, twice honoured with the Order of the Red Banner. An innovative thinker, he went on to study at the Frunze Military Academy. In the military purges of 1937, Rokossovsky’s Polish origins aroused suspicion and he was arrested. He refused to sign a confession that he knew was false, despite beatings and mock executions, and was released three years later.

Rokossovsky’s World War II record was exceptional. In 1941 he bravely led the 16th Army in its heroic defence of Moscow. The following year, as commander of the Don Front, he