Sokolovsky, Vasily (1897–1968)

Soviet general in World War II. Chief of staff to the West Front Army from 1941, he took command of it 1943, led it in the counteroffensive after the Battle of Kursk and liberated Smolensk. His progress then slowed and he was removed from command and became chief of staff to the 1st Ukrainian Front. In 1945 he became deputy commander of 1st Belorussian Front for the attack on Berlin, captured the Führerbunker, and verified Hitler's corpse from dental records. After the war he became commander-in-chief of Soviet Forces in Germany.