Nikolai Kuznetsov (admiral) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nikolai Kuznetsov
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| Native name |
Никола́й Гера́симович Кузнецо́в
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| Birth name | Nikolay Gerasimovich Kuznetsov |
| Born | 24 July 1904 Medvedki, Velikoustyuzhsky Uyezd, Vologda Governorate, Russian Empire (now in Kotlassky District of Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia). |
| Died | 6 December 1974 (aged 70) Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Buried |
Novodevichy Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  Soviet Union |
| Branch/Service |  Soviet Navy |
| Years of service | 1919–1956 |
| Rank | Admiral of the fleet of the Soviet Union |
| Commands held | Soviet Navy Soviet Pacific Fleet |
| Battles/wars | Spanish Civil War Winter War World War II |
| Awards | Hero of the Soviet Union |
| Other work | Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1924–1956) |
Nikolay Gerasimovich Kuznetsov (Russian: Никола́й Гера́симович Кузнецо́в; 24 July 1904 – 6 December 1974) was a very important Soviet naval officer. He became an Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union. He was in charge of the Navy during the Winter War and World War II.
Today, the N. G. Kuznetsov Naval Academy and the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov are named after him. This shows how important he was to the navy.
Contents
Biography
Nikolay Kuznetsov was born in 1904 in a small village called Medvedki, in what is now Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia. His family were farmers.
In 1919, when he was only 15, Kuznetsov joined the Northern Dvina Naval Flotilla. He added two years to his age so he would be old enough to join. In 1924, he became a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
After finishing the Frunze Higher Naval School in 1926, Kuznetsov served on the cruiser Chervona Ukraina. He started as a watch officer. In 1932, he studied naval tactics at the Naval College. He chose to work on a ship instead of a desk job.
Kuznetsov became the second-in-command on the cruiser Krasnyi Kavkaz. He quickly earned a promotion. In 1934, he became the commander of the Chervona Ukraina. Under his leadership, the ship became a great example of discipline.
Important Roles and Challenges
From 1936 to 1937, Kuznetsov worked as a naval advisor in Spain. He saw the Spanish Civil War happening and strongly disliked fascism.
When he returned home in 1938, he was promoted to flag officer. He was given command of the Pacific Fleet. During this time, many military officers were being arrested and punished by Stalin. This period was known as the Great Purge. Kuznetsov bravely tried to protect his officers, saving many lives.
In 1939, when he was just 34 years old, Kuznetsov became the People's Commissar (Minister) of the Navy. He held this very important job throughout World War II. He also helped bring back the Naval Engineering faculty to Leningrad. This helped train engineers for building naval bases.
Kuznetsov made a very important decision at the start of World War II. By June 21, 1941, he was sure that war with Nazi Germany was coming. Other Soviet leaders had ordered that no one should react to German actions.
However, the Navy was a separate ministry. This meant Kuznetsov could make his own decisions. Early on June 22, he ordered all Soviet fleets to be ready for battle. Just a few hours later, Germany attacked the Soviet Union. Because of Kuznetsov's quick thinking, the Soviet Navy was the only part of the military ready for the attack. This saved many ships and lives.
During the war, Kuznetsov focused on protecting the Caucasus region from German invasion. The Black Sea was a key area for the Soviet Navy. He also improved how the Soviets carried out amphibious assaults. In 1944, he was given the new rank of Admiral of the Fleet. He also received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. In 1945, his rank was made equal to a Marshal of the Soviet Union. He also helped the Soviet Navy during the war against Japan in the Far East.
Challenges and Comebacks
After the war, Kuznetsov continued to serve as Deputy Minister of the USSR Armed Forces. But in 1947, Stalin removed him from his job. In 1948, he and other admirals were put on trial. Kuznetsov was demoted to vice-admiral.
In 1951, Stalin brought Kuznetsov back to lead the Navy as Minister. His military rank was given back to him after Stalin died in 1953. In 1955, he became the Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces. He was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union and received the Marshal's Star.
However, he soon had disagreements with the new Defense Minister, Marshal Zhukov. In December 1955, Kuznetsov was removed from his job again. This happened after the battleship Novorossiysk sank. He was blamed for the loss. In 1956, he was demoted to vice-admiral again and forced to retire. He was even told he could not work with the navy anymore.
Retirement and Lasting Impact
During his retirement, Kuznetsov wrote many articles and books. He wrote about the war and about Stalin's actions. He believed that "the state must be ruled by law." His writings were very important.
Many years later, in 1988, Kuznetsov's rank was officially restored. This happened after many naval veterans asked for it. Today, Nikolay Kuznetsov is seen as one of the most important figures in the history of the Soviet and Russian Navy. The Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov is named in his honor.
Death
Nikolay Kuznetsov passed away on December 6, 1974, in Moscow. He was 70 years old. He was buried with full military honors at the Novodevichy Cemetery.
Important Ranks and Awards
Ranks Held
Nikolay Kuznetsov held many ranks during his long career in the navy:
- Enlisted seaman (1919)
- Naval cadet (1923)
- Assistant ship commander (1926)
- Ship commander (1926–1929)
- Captain 1st Rank (1937)
- Flag Officer 2nd Rank (1938)
- Fleet Flag Officer 2nd Rank (1939)
- Admiral (1940)
- Admiral of the Fleet (1944)
- Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union (1945, 1955)
- Rear Admiral (demoted, 1948)
- Vice-Admiral (demoted, 1951, 1956)
- Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union (restored posthumously, 1988)
Honors and Awards
Kuznetsov received many awards for his service:
- Hero of the Soviet Union (1945)
- Order of Lenin, four times
- Order of the Red Banner, three times
- Two Orders of Ushakov, 1st class
- Order of the Red Star
- Medal "For Battle Merit"
- Order of the Badge of Honour
- Medal "For the Defence of Moscow"
- Medal "For the Defence of the Caucasus"
- Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"
- Medal "For the Victory over Japan"
- Various Jubilee Medals for military service anniversaries
- Marshal's Star (1955)
- Honorary weapon – a sword with the Soviet emblem (1932)
He also received awards from other countries like Mongolia, North Korea, Poland, and Yugoslavia.
Quotes
"My whole life has been the Soviet Navy. I made my choice when young and have never regretted it."
See also
- Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier
- Admiral Kuznetsov
- Marko Voinovich
- Marko Ivelich
- Matija Zmajević
- Nikolai Dimitrievich Dabić
