Ranks and rank insignia of the Soviet Army 1943–1955

The period 1943 to 1955 was characterised by quit a number of further changes in the armed forces of the Soviet Union. Among others, it was related to military ranks, distinction insignia, and uniforms.

Changes

In conjunction to the permanent increase of the person strength of the Soviet armed forces, the service branches and arms were formed per orders of the People' Commissariat of Defence: Artillery, Air Force, Air defence Forces, signals corps, Corps of Engineers and the armored corps. In the area of combat support, major units up to command level were established as well. This process was characterized by demands pertaining to well qualified command staff, complemented to the adequate rank structure. The Soviet state – and party administration responded to the appropriate challenges by introduction of additional top ranks, as well as by returning to the traditional Russian rank insignia.

Equivalent to the General of the branch in the Nazi-Wehrmacht and in the Imperial Russian Army a new rank group on OF9-level[1] named Marshal … / Chief Marshal … with adding of the branch was introduced. In this context, the turn back to traditional rank insignia, e.g. shoulder straps or epaulettes, remained without any alternative.[2]

Already in January 1943, the ranks Marshal of the Air Force, – artillery, and – armored corps came into existence.[3] In October 1943 it was followed by the additional ranks Marshal of the communication´s troops, and – engeneer troops, completed by the appropriate Chief Marshal ranks.[4]

See also

Generalissimus of the Soviet Union

The most top rank Generalissimus of the Soviet Union (Russian: Генерали́ссимус Сове́тского Сою́за) was disposed in October 1943, as individual grade to Stalin, the communist states and party chief, in its function as supreme commander on all Soviet armed forces. The promotion to this rank ways limited explicitly to war times. The instruction was conveyed by order to the front commanders in chief, June 26, 1945.[5]

Ranks and distinction insignia for the land forces and Air Force

The introduction of new distinction insignia to the officer corps of the Red Army came by order of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet", from January 6, 1943.[6] Selected were two versions of shoulder straps or epaulettes, one for everyday uniforms and the second for field utilisation (broad 6 cm, length 14 to 16 cm, depending on body index). To January 15, 1943 the introduction of new uniforms was decided.[7]

Corps colours

Corps colours, agreed and disposed in 1935, remained in use. However, slight changes tock place as well. The padding of the new introduced shoulder straps was made from wool cloth, designed in branches of service specific basic corps colours and piping. The commanding staff wore silver – or gold stars and characteristic metallic troop´s badges.

Corps colour enlisted men and NCOs OR1[8] to OR8

The shoulder board padding indicated the appropriate corps colour of service branch, cops or special appointment, and the border piping was coloured as well.

Corps colours officers OF1 to OF5
[1]
Corps colours officers OF6 to OF9
Any other insignia

On shoulder straps to ranks OR1 – OR6 there were the numbering of the regiments coated on, and the emblem of the armed service, branch, special troop, or appointment. To commanders of battle units or task forces it was gold coloured, for the rest then design was on silver. In line to the renaming of the ranks – e.g. from "Red army soldier" to "Soldat" (OR1) – the change to the new rank insignia tock place.

Shoulder straps everyday utilisation

In line to the introduction of shoulder straps and epaulettes, the rigorous negation to any former Russian military tradition was given up.

Enlisted men and non-commissioned officers

Enlisted men and NCOs
Shoulder strap to
service uniform
basic
Rank designation Rjadovoj Jeferejtor Mladshji sershant Sershant Starschi sershant Starshina
(Рядовой) (Ефрейтор) (Мл. сержант) (Сержант) (Ст. сержант) (Старшина)
Emblem
Corps colour infantry
mot. rifles		 Air Force Cavalry Armored corps Medical troops,
veterinarian service		 Technical
troops
NATO-equivalent OR-1 OR-2 OR-4 OR-6 OR-7 OR-8

Officer up to General army

Designation Officers & commanding staff Higher commanders & commander in chief
Shoulder strap to
service uniform
basic
Rank designation Mladschij ltjtenant Lejtenant Starshij lejtenant Kapitan Major Podpolkovnik Polkovnik General-major General-lieutenant General-polkovnik Genral armii
(Младший лейтенант) (Лейтенант) (Старший лейтенант) (Капитан) (Майор) (Подполковник) (Полковник) (Генерал-майор) (Генерал-лейтенант) (Генерал-полковник) (Генерал аpмии)
Emblem
Corps colour Аrtillery Intendantur
service		 Air Force Armored troops Cavalry Теchincal troops Infantry
motorised rifles		 Army
(generic)		 Air Force Army
(generic)
NATO-equivalent OF-1 OF-2 OF-3 OF-4 OF-5 OF-6 OF-7 OF-8 OF-9

Marshal ... up to Generalissimus

Designation Marshal of the branch & Chief marshal of the branch until Marshal of the Soviet Union Generalissimus
Shoulder strap to
service uniform
basic
Rank designation Marshal
of the
artillery		 Marshal
of the
aviation		 Marshal
of the
armored
troops		 Marshal
of the
signal
truppe		 Marshal
of the
engineer
troops		 Chief marshal of the ... Marshal of the
Soviet Union		 Generalissimus
(version without reference)
Emblem
NATO-euivalent OF-9 OF-9 OF-10

Shoulder straps field uniform

Shoulder strap Strashij sershant

Shoulder straps to field uniforms, standardized to all service ranches, were wool cloth made  khaki coloured. The piping indicated the service branch matching corps colour.

Colours of the rank piping (on shoulder strap)

This specific shoulder strap design was used in the Red Army 1943 until 1946, as well as in the Soviet Army 1946 to 1955. In the time after form and design have been changed.

Enlisted men and NCOs

Private – and non-commissioned officers ranks (infantry, motorised rifles)
Shoulder straps
to
fiel uniform
Rank designation Rjadovoj Jeferejtor Mladsij sershant Sershant Starshij sershant Starshina
NATO-equivalent OR-1 OR-2 OR-4 OR-6 OR-7 OR-8

Officers until General army

Designation Officers & Commanders Higher commanders & commander in chief
Shoulder straps
to
fiel uniform
Rank designation Mladshij lejtenant Lejtenant Starshij lejtenant Kapitan Major Podpolkownik Polkownik General-major General-lejtenant Genral-polkovnik General armii
NATO-equivalent OF-1 OF-2 OF-3 OF-4 OF-5 OF-6 OF-7 OF-8 OF-9

Marshal … to Generalissimus

Designation Marshal of the … (branch) Chief marshal of the … (branch) Marshal
of the Soviet Union		 Generalissimus
of the Soviet Union
Shoulder strap
to
field uniform
Rank designation Marshal
of the
artillery		 …
of the
aviation		 …
of the
armored
troops		 …
of the
signal
troops		 …
of the
engineer
troops		 …
of the
artillery		 Chief marshal
of the
aviation		 …
of the
armored
troops		 …
of the
signal
troops		 …
of the
engineer
troops		 Marshal of the Soviet Union Generalissimus of the Soviet union
NATO-equivalent OF-9 OF-9 OF-10

Ranks and rank insignia of the Soviet Navy

By decision of the "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet" from February 15, 1943 on "distinction insignia to the Soviet Navy" the introduction of shoulder straps and epaulettes took effect, marking the debut of Imperial Russian Navy style insignia to the Soviet Navy.[9]As the Navy also had coastal services, ground ranks similar to the Red Army were introduced with their respective insignia to be used by the coastal service personnel. These ranks were also used by the Navy's medical corps.

Officers and Flag officers (naval service)

Designation Officers & commanders Flag officers & commander in chief
Shoulder strap
to
service uniform
Sleeve insignia
on
uniform jacket
Rank designation Junior Lieutenant Lieutenant Senior lieutenant Kapitan-lejtenant Kapitan 3rd rank Kapitan 2nd rank Kapitan 1st rank Kontr-admiral Vize-admiral Admiral Admiral flota Admiral flota Sovjetskovo Sojusa
NATO-equivalent OF-1 OF-2 OF-3 OF-4 OF-5 OF-6 OF-7 OF-8 OF-9 OF-10

Naval ratings (naval service)

Designation Junior ratings Senior ratings
Shoulder strap
to
service uniform
Rank designation Seaman Senior Seaman Petty officer 2nd Class Petty Officer 1st class Chief Petty Officer Midshipman
NATO-equivalent OR-1 OR-4 OR-5 OR-6 OR-7 OR-8

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The abbreviation "OF" stands for de: "Offizier / en: officer / fr: officier / ru: офицер"
  2. ↑ Disposal of the "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet" from January 6, 1943 … on introduction of new "distinction insignia of the Red Army", in case of shoulder straps.
  3. ↑ By a decree of the "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet" from January 16, 1943 onward, the introduction of new ranks of Marshal of the Air Force, Marshal of the artillery, and Marshal of the armored corps began.
  4. ↑ Through a decision of the "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet" on October 9, 1943 … cam the introduction of the ranks Marshal of the communications troops, and Marshal of the engineer troops, as well as the introduction of the rank class Chief Marsall of the branch.
  5. ↑ Disposal of the "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet" from June 26, 1945 … on introduction of the top ranks Generalissimus of the Soviet Union.
  6. ↑ Disposal of the "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet" from January 6, 1943 … on introduction of new distinction insignia to Red Army staff.
  7. ↑ Disposal of the "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet" from January 15, 1943 … on introduction of new uniforms to the Red Army.
  8. ↑ The abbreviation "OR" stand for "other ranks"
  9. ↑ Decree of the "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet" from February 15, 1943 … "on introduction of shoulder straps to the Soviet Navy.