Shoulder straps and ranks of the Soviet army after 1943. Why did Stalin need to switch to shoulder straps instead of buttonholes at the very height of the war - A little bit of good stuff

70 years ago, shoulder straps were introduced in the Soviet Union for the personnel of the Soviet Army. Shoulder straps and stripes in the navy were abolished in Soviet Russia after the October Revolution of 1917 by decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR (they were considered a symbol of inequality).

Shoulder straps appeared in the Russian army at the end of the 17th century. Initially they had a practical meaning. They were first introduced by Tsar Peter Alekseevich in 1696, then they served as a strap that kept the gun belt or cartridge pouch from slipping off the shoulder. Therefore, shoulder straps were an attribute of uniform only for lower ranks, since officers were not armed with guns. In 1762, an attempt was made to use shoulder straps as a means of distinguishing military personnel from different regiments and distinguishing soldiers and officers. To solve this problem, each regiment was given shoulder straps of different weaving from a harness cord, and to separate soldiers and officers, the weaving of shoulder straps in the same regiment was different. However, since there was no single standard, the shoulder straps performed the task of the insignia poorly.

Under Emperor Pavel Petrovich, only soldiers began to wear shoulder straps again, and again only for a practical purpose: to keep the ammunition on their shoulders. Tsar Alexander I returned the function of rank insignia to shoulder straps. However, they were not introduced in all branches of the military; in infantry regiments, shoulder straps were introduced on both shoulders, in cavalry regiments - only on the left. In addition, back then, shoulder straps did not indicate rank, but membership in a particular regiment. The number on the shoulder strap indicated the number of the regiment in the Russian Imperial Army, and the color of the shoulder strap showed the number of the regiment in the division: red indicated the first regiment, blue the second, white the third, and dark green the fourth. Yellow color indicated the army (non-guards) grenadier units, as well as the Akhtyrsky, Mitavsky Hussars and the Finnish, Primorsky, Arkhangelsk, Astrakhan and Kinburn Dragoon regiments. To distinguish lower ranks from officers, officers' shoulder straps were first lined with gold or silver braid, and a few years later epaulettes were introduced for officers.

Since 1827, officers and generals began to be designated by the number of stars on their epaulettes: warrant officers had one star each; for second lieutenants, majors and major generals - two; for lieutenants, lieutenant colonels and lieutenant generals - three; staff captains have four. Captains, colonels and full generals did not have stars on their epaulettes. In 1843, insignia were also established on the shoulder straps of lower ranks. So, the corporals got one stripe; for non-commissioned officers - two; senior non-commissioned officer - three. Sergeant majors received a transverse stripe 2.5 centimeters wide on their shoulder straps, and ensigns received exactly the same stripe, but located longitudinally.

Since 1854, instead of epaulettes, shoulder straps were introduced for officers; epaulettes were reserved only for ceremonial uniforms. Since November 1855, shoulder straps for officers became hexagonal, and for soldiers - pentagonal. Officer's shoulder straps were made by hand: pieces of gold and silver (less often) braid were sewn onto a colored base, from under which the field of the shoulder strap was visible. Stars were sewn on, gold stars on the silver shoulder strap, silver stars on the gold shoulder strap, the same size (11 mm in diameter) for all officers and generals. The field of shoulder straps showed the number of the regiment in the division or the branch of service: the first and second regiments in the division are red, the third and fourth are blue, the grenadier formations are yellow, the rifle units are crimson, etc. After this, there were no revolutionary changes until October 1917 of the year. Only in 1914, in addition to gold and silver shoulder straps, field shoulder straps were first established for the active army. The field shoulder straps were khaki (protective color), the stars on them were oxidized metal, the gaps were indicated by dark brown or yellow stripes. However, this innovation was not popular among officers who considered such shoulder straps unsightly.

It should also be noted that officials of some civil departments, in particular engineers, railway workers and the police, had shoulder straps. After the February Revolution of 1917, in the summer of 1917, black shoulder straps with white gaps appeared in shock formations.

On November 23, 1917, at a meeting of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, the Decree on the abolition of estates and civil ranks was approved, and shoulder straps were also abolished along with them. True, they remained in the white armies until 1920. Therefore, in Soviet propaganda, shoulder straps became a symbol of counter-revolutionary, white officers for a long period of time. The word “golden chasers” has actually become a dirty word. In the Red Army, military personnel were initially allocated only by position. For insignia, stripes were established on the sleeves in the form of geometric shapes (triangles, squares and rhombuses), as well as on the sides of the overcoat; they indicated rank and affiliation with the branch of the military. After the Civil War and until 1943, insignia in the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army remained in the form of collar buttonholes and sleeve chevrons.

In 1935, personal military ranks were established in the Red Army. Some of them corresponded to the royal ones - colonel, lieutenant colonel, captain. Others were taken from the ranks of the former Russian Imperial Navy - lieutenant and senior lieutenant. The ranks that corresponded to the previous generals were retained from the previous service categories - brigade commander (brigade commander), division commander (divisional commander), corps commander, army commander of the 2nd and 1st ranks. The rank of major, which had been abolished under Emperor Alexander III, was restored. The insignia has remained virtually unchanged in appearance compared to the 1924 models. In addition, the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union was established; it was no longer marked with diamonds, but with one large star on the collar flap. On August 5, 1937, the rank of junior lieutenant appeared in the army (he was distinguished by one kubar). On September 1, 1939, the rank of lieutenant colonel was introduced; now three sleepers corresponded to a lieutenant colonel, not a colonel. The colonel now received four sleepers.

On May 7, 1940, the ranks of general were established. The major general, as in the times of the Russian Empire, had two stars, but they were located not on the shoulder straps, but on the collar flaps. The lieutenant general was given three stars. This is where the similarity with the royal ranks ended - instead of a full general, the lieutenant general was followed by the rank of colonel general (was taken from the German army), he had four stars. Next to the colonel general, the general of the army (borrowing from the French armed forces), had five stars.

On January 6, 1943, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, shoulder straps were introduced in the Red Army. By order of the NKO of the USSR No. 25 of January 15, 1943, the decree was announced in the army. In the Navy, shoulder straps were introduced by order of the People's Commissariat of the Navy No. 51 of February 15, 1943. On February 8, 1943, shoulder straps were established in the People's Commissariats of Internal Affairs and State Security. On May 28, 1943, shoulder straps were introduced at the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs. On September 4, 1943, shoulder straps were established in the People's Commissariat of Railways, and on October 8, 1943, in the USSR Prosecutor's Office. Soviet shoulder straps were similar to the tsarist ones, but there were some differences. Thus, army officer's shoulder straps were pentagonal, not hexagonal; the colors of the gaps showed the type of troops, and not the number of the regiment in the division; the clearance was a single whole with the shoulder strap field; color edgings were introduced according to the type of troops; the stars on the shoulder straps were metal, silver and gold, they differed in size for senior and junior ranks; ranks were designated by a different number of stars than in the imperial army; shoulder straps without stars were not restored. Soviet officer shoulder straps were 5 mm wider than the tsarist ones and did not have encryption. Junior lieutenant, major and major general received one star each; lieutenant, lieutenant colonel and lieutenant general - two each; senior lieutenant, colonel and colonel general - three each; captain and general of the army - four each. For junior officers, the shoulder straps had one gap and from one to four silver-plated stars (13 mm in diameter), for senior officers, the shoulder straps had two gaps and from one to three stars (20 mm). Military doctors and lawyers had stars with a diameter of 18 mm.

Badges for junior commanders were also restored. The corporal received one stripe, the junior sergeant - two, the sergeant - three. Senior sergeants received the former wide sergeant major's badge, and senior sergeants received the so-called shoulder straps. "hammer".

Field and everyday shoulder straps were introduced for the Red Army. According to the assigned military rank, belonging to any branch of the military (service), insignia and emblems were placed on the shoulder straps. For senior officers, the stars were initially attached not to the gaps, but to a field of braid nearby. Field shoulder straps were distinguished by a khaki-colored field with one or two gaps sewn to it. On three sides, the shoulder straps had piping according to the color of the branch of service. Clearances were introduced: for aviation - blue, for doctors, lawyers and quartermasters - brown, for everyone else - red. For everyday shoulder straps, the field was made of galloon or golden silk. Silver braid was approved for everyday shoulder straps of engineering, quartermaster, medical, legal and veterinary services.

There was a rule according to which gilded stars were worn on silver shoulder straps, and silver stars were worn on gilded shoulder straps. Only veterinarians were an exception - they wore silver stars on silver shoulder straps. The width of the shoulder straps was 6 cm, and for officers of military justice, veterinary and medical services - 4 cm. The color of the shoulder strap edging depended on the type of troops (service): in the infantry - crimson, in aviation - blue, in the cavalry - dark blue, in technical for the troops - black, for doctors - green. On all shoulder straps, one uniform gilded button with a star, with a sickle and hammer in the center was introduced; in the Navy - a silver button with an anchor.

The shoulder straps of the generals, unlike those of officers and soldiers, were hexagonal. General's shoulder straps were gold with silver stars. The only exceptions were shoulder straps for generals of justice, medical and veterinary services. They received narrow silver shoulder straps with gold stars. Unlike the army, naval officer's shoulder straps, like the general's, were hexagonal. Otherwise, naval officer's shoulder straps were similar to army ones. However, the color of the piping was determined: for officers of the naval, engineering (ship and coastal) services - black; for naval aviation and aviation engineering services - blue; quartermaster - raspberry; for everyone else, including justice officers - red. The command and ship personnel did not have emblems on their shoulder straps.

Application. Order of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR
January 15, 1943 No. 25
“On the introduction of new insignia
and about changes in the uniform of the Red Army"

In accordance with the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of January 6, 1943 “On the introduction of new insignia for the personnel of the Red Army,” -

I ORDER:

1. Establish the wearing of shoulder straps:

Field - military personnel in the Active Army and personnel of units preparing to be sent to the front,

Everyday - by military personnel of other units and institutions of the Red Army, as well as when wearing full dress uniform.

2. All members of the Red Army should switch to new insignia - shoulder straps in the period from February 1 to February 15, 1943.

3. Make changes to the uniform of the Red Army personnel, according to the description.

4. Put into effect the “Rules for wearing uniforms by personnel of the Red Army.”

5. Allow the wearing of the existing uniform with new insignia until the next issue of uniforms, in accordance with the current deadlines and supply standards.

6. Unit commanders and garrison commanders must strictly monitor compliance with the uniform and correct wearing of the new insignia.

People's Commissar of Defense

I. Stalin.

In January 1943, at the height of the war, reform took place in the Red Army. Soviet soldiers and officers put on shoulder straps and changed ranks. Officers appeared in the army again. Like in the tsarist army.
1
Strange decree

On January 10, 1943, by order of NKO No. 24, it was announced that the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated January 6, 1943 “On the introduction of shoulder straps for Red Army personnel” was adopted.
This document, and this decision itself - to undertake serious military reform in the midst of war - have, of course, their own history. This is what we want to tell you. Why did Stalin return the shoulder straps that served as a symbol of the White Army to the Red Army? How was this decree received? For what purpose was the military reform carried out?
2
Propaganda reaction

It’s interesting how fascist propaganda greeted the return of shoulder straps. German greyhound writers immediately began to see in this step the weakness of Stalin, who made concessions out of fear. The Germans wrote that there are rumors that Stalin will change the name of the army to Russian.
They thus treated this as a forced and hasty decision, although the reality was completely different. The introduction of shoulder straps was part of the planned reform program of the Soviet Union.
3
How it happened

Let me just say: the idea has been brewing for a long time. Back in 1935, the rank of “Marshal of the Soviet Union” was introduced in the Red Army, and in 1940 the ranks of general and admiral were introduced. This can be considered an important milestone on the path to shoulder straps.
By 1941, samples of the new uniform and shoulder straps were ready. In May 1942, the decree was approved by the Main Political Directorate of the Red Army. Temporary technical specifications (TTU) of the TC SIU KA No. 0725, which contained a description of the emblems and insignia (stars) on the shoulder straps, were published on December 10, 1942.
The Red Army needed a bright turning point victory. Stalingrad became such a victory. When it became clear that Paulus’s 6th Army would not have much time left, the project was approved by the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) on October 23, 1942.
According to the order, it was necessary to switch to shoulder straps within half a month - from February 1 to 15, 1943, however, even on the Kursk Bulge in July of this year, some pilots and tank crews, as can be seen in the photographs, wore not shoulder straps, but old buttonholes.
4
How the shoulder straps were changed

The introduction of shoulder straps was met with mixed reactions. It is known that, for example, Georgy Zhukov did not like shoulder straps. Many Soviet military leaders went through the Civil War - and their memory remembered the “golden chasers”.
It must be said that, of course, Stalin’s shoulder straps were not a copy of the tsarist ones. Here there was a different system for designating ranks, as well as the ranks themselves. Instead of a second lieutenant, there was now a lieutenant, a staff captain became a captain, and instead of a captain, a major. On the shoulder straps of the army of the Russian Empire, ranks were indicated only by small stars. Stalin was the first to introduce big stars for senior officers. Field marshals in the tsarist army wore shoulder straps with two crossed batons on a zigzag braid. After the introduction of shoulder straps in 1943, the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union began to be symbolized by a large star and the coat of arms of the USSR.
4
Officers

Order No. 1 of March 1, 1917 “On the democratization of the former army and navy” equalized the rights of soldiers and officers. Soon the very word “officer” began to be perceived as counter-revolutionary.
Only in the May Day order of the People's Commissar of Defense in 1942 did it appear again. At the beginning of 1943, with the introduction of shoulder straps in the Red Army, the word officer officially fell out of favor. The commanders from the platoon commander to the brigade commander began to be called differently.
5
Why?

It is not entirely correct to consider the introduction of shoulder straps to be the personal initiative of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Shoulder straps were introduced by decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The Chairman of the Presidium was Mikhail Ivanovich Kalinin. This was a planned reform, preparation for it took almost ten years.
There is a version that Stalin introduced shoulder straps almost out of nostalgia. In March 1918, Stalin acted as extraordinary commissar for the shipment of grain in Tsaritsyn and there he met the strange “red general” Andrei Evgenievich Snesarev, who refused on principle to remove the general’s shoulder straps and aiguillettes of the General Staff. Stalin remembered the proud officer.
But this can hardly be called a historically based version. Most likely, the introduction of shoulder straps was caused by objective reasons:
1) Ideological (epaulettes have been an element of the uniform of the Russian army since the time of Peter the Great, and appealing to the names of the great Russian commanders was one of the methods of instilling patriotism)
2) Nominative. The war will end sooner or later. It was short-sighted to come to Berlin as “commanders” and “brigade commanders” - an approximate unification with the ranks of the allied countries was needed.
3) The victory in the Battle of Stalingrad turned the tide of the war. Changes in uniforms helped to invigorate the army.
When the decree was adopted, articles about it immediately appeared in the newspapers. And they emphasize the symbolism of introducing shoulder straps precisely from the position of the inextricable connection of Russian victories.

Why did they change the uniforms of the Red Army soldiers in 1943? February 25th, 2018

In January 1943, at the height of the war, reform took place in the Red Army. Soviet soldiers and officers took off their buttonholes and put on shoulder straps, changed ranks and changed uniforms. I can imagine how much work had to be done, sewing uniforms, to change all this in the shortest possible time in an army with a huge number of mobilized people, in an army that is waging a stubborn war.

Why at this time? Why not after the end of the war in a calm environment?

In February 1943, the appearance of Soviet military personnel changed radically. In the trenches on the front line and on the streets of rear cities, commanders appeared with shoulder straps strikingly similar to those worn by tsarist officers. The usual "lapel" insignia disappeared. The form itself has been updated. In a short time, the logistics services produced several million new sets, which quickly replaced the old “democratic” tunics. According to the order, it was necessary to switch to shoulder straps within half a month - from February 1 to 15, 1943, however, even on the Kursk Bulge in July of this year, some pilots and tank crews, as can be seen in the photographs, wore not shoulder straps, but old buttonholes.

The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, which changed the very system of insignia in the Red Army and other power structures of the Soviet Union, was signed on January 6, 1943. However, the fundamental decision was made, naturally, by Joseph Stalin earlier, back in 1942.

Stalin was well aware that some high-ranking commanders might react coolly to his idea - many of them had fought during the Civil War, the “golden chasers” were perceived as enemies, and for decades they could not forget about the White Terror and their dead loved ones. What was it anyway? After all, it’s clearly not a simple whim!

In the memoirs of the head of the Main Quartermaster Directorate of the Red Army, General Andrei Khrulev, one can find references to how in 1942 he went through various versions of the uniform, took it to Stalin for approval, and the Supreme Commander, in turn, jokingly told Kalinin that Khrulev “offers the old mode". Kalinin, responding to the leader’s jokes, noted that young people no longer remember the old regime, and a uniform that appeals to young people can be useful in the fight against fascism...

Here, by the way, is the propaganda reaction:

Of course, one of the “smiths of victory” Andrei Khrulev can be trusted. And since he described the procedure for taking a new form in exactly this way, then this is most likely what happened. But wasn't Stalin playing for the audience? How could Kalinin know that young people would “like” the new uniform? Why didn’t they come up with something fundamentally new “for young people”, but returned in the main points to historical patterns? Why did you go to such serious expense?

The reason that lies on the surface is Stalin’s recreation of the “red version” of the officer “class” on the basis of the corps of commanders. The expediency of this step was dictated by considerations of the effectiveness of troop control. Shortly before this, unity of command was introduced in the army, the institution of military commissars was eliminated, and political instructors were integrated into a unified system of command and control, as a result of which they lost equal status with unit commanders. The presence of stars on shoulder straps has become a kind of symbol of officer power. By the way, the word “officer” itself was also returned to official circulation from the end of 1942 - in particular, during holiday congratulations (although it would only be recorded in the main regulatory documents only after the war). But hypothetically, if we were guided only by the principles of strengthening unity of command, it was still possible to come up with something completely new for commanders. This means that Stalin deliberately recreated the old.

In 1935-1940, the USSR authorities introduced marshal and general ranks into the army. And the idea of replacing the uniform has been discussed since 1941. And the fundamental decision on its “concept” was made back in 1942.

The rank system developed in 1942 and introduced in 1943 resembled the tsarist one, but did not duplicate it 100%. The second lieutenant was replaced by a lieutenant (the rank was used in the navy before the Revolution). The staff captain disappeared from the new Soviet “table of ranks” in principle; he was replaced by “just” a captain, who “moved” from senior officers to junior ones. And the senior officers themselves received special “enlarged” stars.

In general, two types of shoulder straps were introduced: field and everyday. Field ones - khaki and with cloth piping in the color corresponding to the type of military service. As for everyday ones, for junior and senior officers (middle and senior commanders) they were made of golden silk or gold braid (engineers, quartermasters and doctors received silver ones). On the shoulder straps of the average command staff there was one gap, and the stars were ordinary. On the shoulder straps of the eldest, there were already two gaps, and the stars, as mentioned above, became larger.

Private and junior military personnel wore everyday shoulder straps made entirely of cloth, the color corresponding to the branch of service.

This was a planned reform, preparation for it took almost ten years. Shoulder straps have been an element of the uniform of the Russian army since the time of Peter the Great, and appealing to the names of the great Russian commanders was one of the methods of instilling patriotism. The victory in the Battle of Stalingrad turned the tide of the war. Changes in uniforms helped to invigorate the army. In addition, it was clear that the war would end sooner or later. It was short-sighted to come to Berlin as “commanders” and “brigade commanders” - an approximate unification with the ranks of the allied countries was needed.

Also, in 1943, the requirements for the behavior and appearance of soldiers and officers were tightened. Manifestations of external laxity and indiscipline are being punished even more harshly than before. Military personnel “in uniform” were prohibited from walking around populated areas with sacks and bales, visiting markets, riding on the steps of public transport, walking unshaven, wearing wrinkled clothes and unclean shoes.

The military became a model of behavior in society, which naturally led to an increase in the authority of the army. People in uniform not only defeated the Nazis on all fronts, but also set the standard for the entire country in matters of everyday life.

The media eagerly began to discuss the newly adopted decree, emphasizing the symbolism of the introduction of shoulder straps precisely from the position of the inextricable connection of Russian victories.

sources

Strange decree

This document, and this decision itself - to undertake serious military reform in the midst of war - have, of course, their own history. This is what we want to tell you. Why did Stalin return the shoulder straps that served as a symbol of the White Army to the Red Army? How was this decree received? For what purpose was the military reform carried out?

Propaganda reaction

How it happened

By 1941, samples of the new uniform and shoulder straps were ready. In May 1942, the decree was approved by the Main Political Directorate of the Red Army. Temporary technical specifications (TTU) of the TC SIU KA No. 0725, which contained a description of the emblems and insignia (stars) on the shoulder straps, were published on December 10, 1942.

The Red Army needed a bright turning point victory. Stalingrad became such a victory. When it became clear that Paulus’s 6th Army would not have much time left, the project was approved by the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) on October 23, 1942.

According to the order, it was necessary to switch to shoulder straps within half a month - from February 1 to 15, 1943, however, even on the Kursk Bulge in July of this year, some pilots and tank crews, as can be seen in the photographs, wore not shoulder straps, but old buttonholes.

How the shoulder straps were changed

It must be said that, of course, Stalin’s shoulder straps were not a copy of the tsarist ones. Here there was a different system for designating ranks, as well as the ranks themselves. Instead of a second lieutenant, there was now a lieutenant, a staff captain became a captain, and instead of a captain, a major. On the shoulder straps of the army of the Russian Empire, ranks were indicated only by small stars. Stalin was the first to introduce big stars for senior officers. Field marshals in the tsarist army wore shoulder straps with two crossed batons on a zigzag braid. After the introduction of shoulder straps in 1943, the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union began to be symbolized by a large star and the coat of arms of the USSR.

Only in the May Day order of the People's Commissar of Defense in 1942 did it appear again. At the beginning of 1943, with the introduction of shoulder straps in the Red Army, the word officer officially fell out of favor. The commanders from the platoon commander to the brigade commander began to be called differently.

There is a version that Stalin introduced shoulder straps almost out of nostalgia. In March 1918, Stalin acted as extraordinary commissar for the shipment of grain in Tsaritsyn and there he met the strange “red general” Andrei Evgenievich Snesarev, who refused on principle to remove the general’s shoulder straps and aiguillettes of the General Staff. Stalin remembered the proud officer.

But this can hardly be called a historically based version. Most likely, the introduction of shoulder straps was caused by objective reasons:

1) Ideological (epaulettes have been an element of the uniform of the Russian army since the time of Peter the Great, and appealing to the names of the great Russian commanders was one of the methods of instilling patriotism)

2) Nominative. The war will end sooner or later. It was short-sighted to come to Berlin as “commanders” and “brigade commanders” - an approximate unification with the ranks of the allied countries was needed.

3) The victory in the Battle of Stalingrad turned the tide of the war. Changes in uniforms helped to invigorate the army.

When the decree was adopted, articles about it immediately appeared in the newspapers. And they emphasize the symbolism of introducing shoulder straps precisely from the position of the inextricable connection of Russian victories.

"Strange" decree"
On January 10, 1943, by order of NKO No. 24, it was announced that the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 01/06/1943 “On the introduction of shoulder straps for the personnel of the Red Army” was adopted. This document, and this decision itself - to undertake serious military reform in the midst of war - have, of course, their own history. This is what we want to tell you. Why did Stalin return the shoulder straps that served as a symbol of the White Army to the Red Army? How was this decree received? For what purpose was the military reform carried out?

Enemy propaganda reaction
It’s interesting how fascist propaganda greeted the return of shoulder straps. German greyhound writers immediately began to see in this step the weakness of Stalin, who made concessions out of fear. The Germans wrote that there are rumors that Stalin will change the name of the army to Russian.

They thus treated this as a forced and hasty decision, although the reality was completely different. The introduction of shoulder straps was part of the planned reform program of the Soviet Union.

How it happened
Let me just say: the idea has been brewing for a long time. Back in 1935, the rank of “Marshal of the Soviet Union” was introduced in the Red Army, and in 1940 the ranks of general and admiral were introduced. This can be considered an important milestone on the path to shoulder straps. By 1941, samples of the new uniform and shoulder straps were ready. In May 1942, the decree was approved by the Main Political Directorate of the Red Army. Temporary technical specifications (TTU) TC SIU KA No. 0725, which described the emblems and insignia (stars) on shoulder straps, were published on December 10, 1942. The Red Army needed a bright turning point victory. Stalingrad became such a victory. When it became clear that Paulus’s 6th Army would not have much time left, the project was approved by the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) on October 23, 1942. According to the order, it was necessary to switch to shoulder straps within half a month - from February 1 to 15, 1943, however, even on the Kursk Bulge in July of this year, some pilots and tank crews, as can be seen in the photographs, wore not shoulder straps, but old buttonholes.

How the shoulder straps were changed

Samples of shoulder straps for 1943.

The introduction of shoulder straps was met with mixed reactions. It is known that, for example, Georgy Zhukov did not like shoulder straps. Many Soviet military leaders went through the Civil War - and their memory remembered the “golden chasers”. It must be said that, of course, Stalin’s shoulder straps were not a copy of the tsarist ones. Here there was a different system for designating ranks, as well as the ranks themselves. Instead of a second lieutenant, there was now a lieutenant, a staff captain became a captain, and instead of a captain, a major. On the shoulder straps of the army of the Russian Empire, ranks were indicated only by small stars. Stalin was the first to introduce big stars for senior officers. Field marshals in the tsarist army wore shoulder straps with two crossed batons on a zigzag braid. After the introduction of shoulder straps in 1943, the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union began to be symbolized by a large star and the coat of arms of the USSR.

Officers
Order No. 1 of March 1, 1917 “On the democratization of the former army and navy” equalized the rights of soldiers and officers. Soon the very word “officer” began to be perceived as counter-revolutionary. Only in the May Day order of the People's Commissar of Defense in 1942 did it appear again. At the beginning of 1943, with the introduction of shoulder straps in the Red Army, the word officer officially fell out of favor. The commanders from the platoon commander to the brigade commander began to be called differently.

Why?
It is not entirely correct to consider the introduction of shoulder straps to be the personal initiative of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Shoulder straps were introduced by decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The Chairman of the Presidium was Mikhail Ivanovich Kalinin. This was a planned reform, preparation for it took almost ten years. There is a version that Stalin introduced shoulder straps almost out of nostalgia. In March 1918, Stalin acted as extraordinary commissar for the shipment of grain in Tsaritsyn and there he met the strange “red general” Andrei Evgenievich Snesarev, who refused on principle to remove the general’s shoulder straps and aiguillettes of the General Staff. Stalin remembered the proud officer. But this can hardly be called a historically based version. Most likely, the introduction of shoulder straps was caused by objective reasons: 1) Ideological (epaulets have been an element of the uniform of the Russian army since the time of Peter the Great, and appealing to the names of the great Russian commanders was one of the methods of instilling patriotism) 2) Nominative. The war will end sooner or later. It was short-sighted to come to Berlin as “commanders” and “brigade commanders” - an approximate unification with the ranks of the allied countries was needed. 3) The victory in the Battle of Stalingrad turned the tide of the war. Changes in uniforms helped to invigorate the army. When the decree was adopted, articles about it immediately appeared in the newspapers. And they emphasize the symbolism of introducing shoulder straps precisely from the position of the inextricable connection of Russian victories.