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Vladimir Kurasov | |
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 Kurasov, 1950s | |
| Native name | Владимир Васильевич Курасов |
| Born | July 19 [O.S. July 7] 1897 Saint Petersburg,Russian Empire |
| Died | November 30, 1973(1973-11-30) (aged 76) Moscow,Soviet Union |
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| Rank | Army General |
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Vladimir Vasilyevich Kurasov (Russian:Владимир Васильевич Курасов; July 7(19), 1897 – November 30, 1973) was aSoviet military leader,Chief of Staff ofKalinin Front (renamed as1st Baltic Front) during World War II, reaching service rank ofArmy General,Hero of the Soviet Union.
Kurasov was born on July 19, 1897, inSaint Petersburg, the son of an office worker. He graduated from an eight-year technical school and became a factory worker before being drafted into theImperial Russian Army in 1915 duringWorld War I. In 1916 he graduated fromTelavi School ofPraporshchiks and was sent to the front. Kurasov served on theWestern Front as a platoon commander, and reached the rank ofpodporuchik by time the Imperial Army disintegrated.[1]
Since 1918 joined theRed Army. During theRussian Civil War he commanded a company and a detachment of sea-mans. Took the defense ofPetrograd against the troops ofNorthwestern FrontWhite Army headed byGeneralNikolai Yudenich in 1919.
In 1921 he graduated from the Military Pedagogical Institute (which became theLenin Military-Political Academy). In 1921–1929, he commanded a training company in the Petrograd Commanding course, then was an instructor of tactics at Oranienbaum commanding course, in the third Joint International course, the Leningrad Infantry School. Became the member ofSoviet Communist Party since 1928.
In 1932 he graduated from theMikhail Frunze Military Academy. Since 1932, he served in the headquarters of theBelorussian Military District. Since 1935 as chief of staff of16th Rifle Corps.
In 1936–1938, he was the students of first session ofGeneral Staff Academy, and retained in the academy as a senior instructor of tactics. Since 1940, was Head of department, lately was the Deputy Chief of Operational Department of theSoviet General Staff.
In the early months of theGreat Patriotic War,Colonel Kurasov worked at the General Staff. He was promoted toMajor General on October 28, 1941. On December 25, 1941, he was appointed Chief of Staff of4th Shock Army (at the same time,Colonel GeneralYeremenko was appointed as the Army Commander) belonging toNorthwestern Front and transferred to theKalinin Front on January 22, 1942. During theToropets–Kholm Offensive in January–February 1942, the Army troops moved nearly 300 kilometers in less than a month, an unprecedented result for the entire Soviet offensive phase of theBattle of Moscow. Since March 1942, Kurasov was appointed as Commanding General of the4th Shock Army, which was at a relatively quiet sector of the Kalinin Front. Kurasov was promoted to the rank ofLieutenant General on May 21, 1942.
From April 1943, Kurasov became Chief of Staff of Kalinin Front (on October 12, 1943, renamed as the1st Baltic Front). He played a prominent role in the development and implementation ofSmolensk, Nevel, Gorodok operations in 1943. In the course of theBelarusian strategic operation in 1944 troops of1st Baltic Front brilliantly conducted theVitebsk-Orsha andPolotsk frontline operations. He was promoted toColonel General on June 28, 1944. During the fall of 1944 again he again reportedly demonstrated excellent leadership in theBaltic Offensive in the direction ofRiga andMemel.
Beginning in January 1945 the Front's troops participated in theEast Prussian Offensive, as well as an independently conducted front-line operation to eliminate the GermanMemel bridgehead and liberate the city ofMemel (Klaipėda). In February 1945, due to reduced length of the war front, 1st Baltic Front was abolished and re-formed as theSamland Group, belonging to3rd Belorussian Front. Kurasov was appointed chief of staff of the group. In April 1945, troops of the group began theSamland operation, which defeated the Germans on the Samland Peninsula, in conjunction with theBaltic Fleet landing troops on theVistula Spit.
In June 1945, Kurasov was appointed as Chief of Staff of theSoviet Military Administration in Germany, then as Deputy Chief of theCentral Group of Forces in Austria. In 1946–1949, he served as Chief Commander ofCentral Group of Forces in Austria. He was promoted toArmy General on 12 November 1948.
In the years 1949–1956 Kurasov was the Chief ofGeneral Staff Military Academy. Since 1956 Kurasov was Deputy Chief ofGeneral Staff, charged with Military Scientific Research, and concurrently Head of the Military Science Department of the General Staff. In 1961, Kurasov was again appointed as Chief of General Staff Military Academy, became professor in 1963. Since 1963, Kurasov was a candidate for the leadership in theWarsaw Pact unified command.
In April 1968 Kurasov was appointed military inspector-adviser in the General Inspectors Group of theSoviet Ministry of Defense (a position held by senior generals on semi-retirement). He died on November 30, 1973, in Moscow and was buried in theNovodevichy cemetery.[1]
Hero of the Soviet Union, Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on May 7, 1965, for his "able leadership of troops, the personal courage in the struggle against the Nazi invaders, and to mark the 20 anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War "
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