Pavel Rotmistrov

Infobox Military Person
name=Pavel Rotmistrov
lived=1901-1982
placeofbirth=
placeofdeath=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance=Soviet Union
serviceyears=
rank=Chief Marshal of Armoured Troops
commands=3rd Guards Tank Corps
5th Guards Tank Army
unit=
battles=Operation Uranus
Battle of Kursk
Operation Polkovodets Rumyantsev
Battle of the Lower Dnepr
Operation Bagration
awards=Hero of the Soviet Union
laterwork=Deputy Commander of the mechanized forces of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany
Assistant Minister of Defense of the Soviet Union

Chief Marshal of Armoured Troops Pavel Rotmistrov ( _ru. Павел Алексеевич Ротмистров) (06 July 1901 – 06 April 1982) was a commander of armoured troops in the Red Army during and following World War II.

Pre-War

Rotmistrov joined the Red Army in 1919, and served during the Russian Civil War when he was involved in the suppression of the Kronstadt Rebellion, and the Polish Soviet War. He commanded a platoon and later rifle company in 31st Rifle Regiment of 11th Rifle Division. In 1928 he entered Frunze Military Academy. From 1937 to 1940 he was an instructor at the Moscow Higher Military Academy. In May 1941 he became Chief of Staff of the 3rd Mechanised Corps.

econd World War

He commanded 5th Guards Tank Army in the Battle of Kursk, and in Operation Bagration. He was removed from command following Bagration, and became deputy head of armoured troops at the General Staff. It is possible that the high losses incurred by 5th Guards Tank Army in the Battle of Minsk led to his removal from command. It is notable that he never held an active unit command again.He was promoted to general colonel in October 1943 and became the first Marshal of Armoured Troops in February 1944.

Post-War

Following the war he commanded the mechanized forces of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany, and he became a Deputy to the Supreme Soviet and an assistant minister of defense.He became the first Chief Marshal of Armoured Troops on 28 April 1962.

External links

* [http://www.generals.dk/general/Rotmistrov/Pavel_Alekseevich/Soviet_Union.html Biography on Generals.dk]
* [http://www.hrono.ru/biograf/bio_r/rotmistrov.html Biography]