Vasilevsky, Alexandr M (1895–1977)

Soviet general, Marshal of the Soviet Union. Appointed Chief of Staff 1942 he was responsible for planning most major Soviet operations of World War II, including the Stalingrad counteroffensive and the defence of the Kursk salient. In March 1945 he took command of the 3rd Belorussian Front when its commander was killed and completed the conquest of eastern Prussia and the Baltic states. He was appointed commander-in-chief Far East May 1945, and planned and executed the invasion of Manchuria, Korea, and the Kurile and Sakhalin islands of Japan.