Mikhail Nikolayevich Tukhachevsky

Mikhail Tukhachevsky, hero of the Russian Civil War and the USSR's preeminent military leader, was born in Slednevo, Russia, on 4th February, 1893. He graduated from the Alekzanderskoe Military Academy in 1914. Tukhachevsky fought in the Russian Army during the First World War. After the October Revolution he joined the Bolsheviks. Tukhachevsky became an officer in the Red Army and was given responsibility of defending Moscow in 1918. Leon Trotsky gave Tukhachevsky command of the 5th Army in 1920 and he managed to capture Siberia from Alexander Kolchak. He also helped defeat General Anton Denikin in the Crimea in 1920. Tukhachevsky fought in Poland and helped suppress the risings of Tambov and Kronstadt in 1921. Tukhachevsky served as chief of staff (1925-28) and as deputy commissar for defence. He wrote several books on modern warfare and in 1931 was given a leading role in reforming the Red Army. In 1935 Tukhachevsky was made a marshal of the Soviet Union. However, Stalin became convinced that the leaders of the Red Army were involved in a plot to overthrow him. In June, 1937, Tukhachevsky and seven other top commanders were arrested. Mikhail Tukhachevsky was found guilty and executed on 11th June, 1937. This was during the Stalin's Great Purges.