Pictured: A copy of Order #227 , ‘Not One Step Back,’ which was decreed by Stalin on 28 July 1942. The message was read to units of soldiers on the Bryansk Front, dated 29 July 1942. This document belonged to the Deputy Chief of the Hospital GLR-1951 for Political Affairs, Battalion Commissar Major L. S. Keller. When consistently conducting research on a historical figure, one sometimes discovers misinformation and mythology attributed to the person. Unfortunately, such misre

Pictured: (L-R) An envelope with a description of Marshal V. I. Chuikov’s book, Army of Mass Heroism; the book’s cover art; and a matchbox cover ad for the book from 1960. English translation of the Ukrainian envelope verbiage: The illustrated book of memoirs of Marshal of the Soviet Union V.I. Chuikov “Army of Mass Heroism” is an exciting story of the former commander about the heroic battles near Stalingrad and within the city in the unforgettable [year of] 1942. The explo

Pictured: Lieutenant-General V. I. Chuikov with his soldiers in Stalingrad on the banks of the Volga, late 1942 or early 1943. Famous wartime journalist Henry Shapiro interviewed Commander Lieutenant-General Chuikov during the Battle for Stalingrad in late December 1942. Although the encirclement of the Germans took place in November, the fighting was still fierce in the city and the interview had to be conducted by telegraph from the 62nd Army's HQ. Vasily Ivanovich shared a

Pictured: Colonel-General V. I. Chuikov briefing the 8th Guards Army, Poland. Emotional intelligence describes the ability of a person to control their own emotions to navigate triggers appropriately. It is a desired character trait for team members in organizations, especially for leaders, because others observe such behaviors for emulation. A leader’s actions and attitudes impact their followers and set an example of acceptable conduct. Leaders who are emotionally intellig

Pictured: Handwritten letter from Lieutenant-General V. I. Chuikov to his wife; Cover art for a book commemorating the 62nd Army and the Battle for Stalingrad; title page for the book featuring authors A. D. Stupov and V. L. Kokunov. The text of Chuikov’s letter dated 16 July 1943 reads: “Hello my dear Valechka! My greetings and kisses to you. Hugs and kisses to Nelichka and Rina. This letter will be sent using hand delivery by Comrade Stupov, who is going to Moscow to comple

Pictured: Commander of the 8th Guards Army, Colonel-General V.I. Chuikov with soldiers and commanders, 1944 One year after the massive Red Army victory at Stalingrad, the war waged on and Chuikov’s 8th Guards were in the thick of the offensive. After clearing the Germans out of Russia, the 8th Guards Army pushed through Ukraine to liberate towns and villages. Vasily Ivanovich was promoted to Colonel-General in 1943, and there was a strong bond of trust and comradery with his

Pictured: L. Z. Mekhlis, Komkor V. I. Chuikov, and Red Star journalist and chief editor D. I. Ortenberg in Finland during the Winter War of 1939-1940; A diploma signed by Chuikov (lower left-hand side). The citation text reads in part, “Comrade Seregin Vasily Vasilyevich, the Military Council of the 9th Army commemorates your valor, courage shown in the fight against the Finnish White Guards, declares gratitude to you and rewards you for hours.” Western leadership theories te

Pictured: (left to right) L. Z. Mekhlis, Komkor V. I. Chuikov, and Red Star journalist and chief editor D. I. Ortenberg in Finland during the Winter War of 1939-1940. In considering topics for my blog on Marshal Chuikov’s authentic leadership practice, life, and work, I began to research Red Army Commissar of the First Rank Lev Mekhlis and his actions during the Russo-Finnish War and beyond. Known as "Stalin's Grand Inquisitor ," Mekhlis was famously photographed with Komkor