STERN Grigory Mikhailovich

Stern Grigory Mikhailovich (24.7.1900, place Smela Cherkassky County Kiev province - 28/10/1941, Kuibyshev), military leader, Colonel-General (1940), Hero of the Soviet Union (29/8/1939). The son of a physician. Education has received advanced training higher nachsostava at the Frunze Military Academy (1926), at the military faculty of the Frunze Military Academy (1929). In March 1919 joined the Red Army and was soon in the RCP (b). In August. 1919 - December. 1920 Commissioner Regiment, Brigade 46 th Infantry Division. In the 1921-23 Commissioner of the regiment, division headquarters, corps. In the 1923-25 Commissioner 2 nd Turkestan Cavalry Brigade and the commander of special purpose parts of Khorezm group of troops. Active participant in the struggle with Bassmachis and their "accomplices", led punitive expeditions. Since 1925, Commissioner 7 th Cavalry Division. In 1929-36 was at the disposal of the People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs (since 1934 - People's Commissar for Defense) USSR. Since 1936 the commander of the 7 th Cavalry Division. In 1937-38 the Chief Military Adviser to the revolutionary government of Spain. In 1937 was elected to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Since early May 1938. Staff of the Far Eastern Front. In August. 1938, commanding a 39-m Rifle Corps, Stern has been managing (under the overall command VK. Blucher) generally unsuccessful actions of Soviet troops in the battles against the Japanese at Lake Hassan. In August. 1938 replaced fallen into disgrace Blucher, as commander of 1-second special of the Far Eastern Army. Since 1939 member of the Central Committee of the CPSU (b). In August. 1939 head of the front group (Mongolian troops, the 1 st and 2 nd Far Eastern Army) in Khalkhin-Goal. His duties primarily consisted of coordination and the organization of supply of the warring parts. 30/8/1930 Pravda wrote about him: "The outstanding military leader, a gifted student Comrade. Voroshilov. One of the great military leaders of our party - he is a model of courageous Bolshevik military leader of troops ". During the Russo-Finnish War, commanded the 8 th Army. His actions were extremely unfortunate: were surrounded and were almost completely destroyed by 18 th Infantry Division and 34 th Light Armored Brigade, the Army has not made any progress. Vyanv.-Apr. 1941 Commander of the Far Eastern Front. In April. 1941 unexpectedly transferred to Moscow early. Defense Office of the Red Army. May 15 German transport aircraft, air defense unnoticed, flew on the route Bialystok - Minsk - Smolensk - Moscow, where he landed. This led to a wave of arrests among the leaders of Defense and Air Force. 7/6/1941 arrested and Stern. During the investigation found that since 1931 was a participant in the conspiracy in the Red Army and Germany's spy. Shot without trial by order L.P. Beria. He was posthumously rehabilitated.