NEW SOVIET MA'S IN SATELLITES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000300020007-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 24, 1998
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: August 12, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

UO"M
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I~SC4 Briefing 12 August 1954
NEW SOVIET MA'S IN SATELLITES
I. With the arrival of Col. Gen. A.P. Beloborodov as Soviet
Military Attache to Czechoslovakia, the USSE, has com-
pleted the replacement of its MA's in all the East
European Satellites.
a. Replacement has occurred since mid-1953.
b. Pattern of military backgrounds has emerged among
new appointees.
II. In general, new appointees have more distinguished combat
records than their predecessors.
a. All commanded corps or higher during World War II,
whereas mostcf predecessors had commanded units no
larger than. division.
b. Five are of Soviet two-star rank (Lieutenant General),
following a, trend toward the upgrading of these posts
evident since 1950.
C. Czechoslovakia is still accorded the highest-ranking
Soviet MA, a three-star Colonel General. This has
been true since 1950.
d. All but one of the new appointees hold the Order of
the Gold Star, with accompanying title "Hero of the
Soviet Union," the highest Soviet decoration.
III. The new appointees are:
a.. Czechoslovakia (July 54), Col. Gen. A.P. Beloborodov,
twice Hero of Soviet Union (HSU)
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b. Poland (April 54), Lt. Gen. V.R. Vashkevich
c. Rumania (Dec 53), Lt. Gen. D.I. Smirnov, HSU
d. Bulgaria (Dec 53), Lt. Gen. M.N. Zavodovski, HSU
e. Hungary (Nov 53), Lt. Gen. M.F. Tikhonov, HSU
f. Albania (Sept 53), Lt. Gen. A.I. Rodimtsev, HSU.
IV. Soviet MA's in the Satellites are responsible for general
supervision and training of individual Satellite armed
forces. Recent appointments of highly competent pro-
fessional officers signifies new phase in Satellite
military development, with emphasis on improving combat
efficiency.
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Background
General officer ranks, Soviet ground forces: On Duty:
Marshal of the Soviet Union (large star with
national insignia)
12*
Marshal of a. branch of service (large star with
branch insignia)
8
General of the Army (four stars)
19
Colonel General (three stars)
appr
145
Lieutenant General (two stars)
appr
975
Major General (one star)
appr
4200
* This total includes Marshal K.K. Rokossovski, who is a
Marshal of the Soviet Union as well as Marshal of Poland
and Polish Defense Minister.
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Background
This title is conferred upon recipients of the Order of
the Gold Star.
The Gold Star, which is worn on the left breast above
all other decorations, has the highest order of precedence
of any Soviet award and can be conferred only by the Supreme
Soviet of the USSR.
It is awarded to individuals, both civilian and military,
who have accomplished outstanding feats contributing to the
honor and material development of the USSR.
Regulations adopted in World War II prescribe that the
recipient of the Gold Star shall have a bust of kimself
placed in his native town; two or more awards of this order
entitle him to a full-length statue.
During World War II, 10,940 men from all branches of
service were awarded the Order of the Gold Star.
About 100 were awarded it twice, and three received it
three times--Marshal G.K. Zhukov and the two top air aces.
The total contrasts with the 431 Congressional Medals
of Honor awarded by the US for service in World War II.
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