Admiral of the Fleet of the USSR Kuznetsov

[DougD]

While it is well known that the highest rank in the Red Army was ?Marshal of the USSR? . However, less well known was the naval rank ?Admiral of the Fleet of the USSR?, often refered to as a naval marshal.

The only admiral in the Red Navy who held this rank during WWII was Admiral Kuznetsov. In 1943 he, as head of the navy, he was awarded the rank of ?Admiral Flota Sovetkaya Soyuz? (ok, my Russian might be a bit off).

However, unlike marshals of the USSR, Kuznetsov was givenno new rank insignia. He had to make due with a regular admirals uniform, but with four stars. After protesting this lack of recognition, Admiral Kuznetsov was given a more appropriate set of rank insignia.

The first item he had made to celebrate this new rank insignia was a long frock coat; this was an odd joice as the Red Navy did not use frock coats! It has the four stripes of a fleet admiral, and the new ?naval marshals? shoulderboard insignia. The collar rank insignia follows that found on the admirals M1943 parade uniform, but on a much larger scale.


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[DougD]

Victory Parade Kuznetsov

In in 1945, in preperation for the Victory Parade, Admiral of the Fleet Kuznetsov had a unique uniform made to reflect his status. The basic cut of the uniform is that of an Admirals M1945 ?Victory Parade? uniform, but with unique insignia. The collar and cuffs have heavy leaf embrioidery much like a Marshals M1945 tunic. The hat has an extra set of leaves around the cap badge, thus differing it from a regular admirals hat.

Because Kuznetsov was disgraced quite soon after the war, and demoted to Vice-Admiral, he probably did not use this uniform again after the months right after the war. In fact, most photos of the era show him in a M1945 uniform of a vice admiral. Also, it meant that museums were not clamoring for his items. Most of the M1945 marshals uniforms went to the Central Armed Forces Museum in Moscow. The M1945 uniform of Admiral Kuznetsov remained with his family for over 50 years, where it was well taken care of. Later, he was reassigned to his full fleet admiral rank, though after this uniform style was phased out of service.


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[DougD]

Here is a close up of the shoulderboard for an Admiral of the Fleet of the USSR. Note the super heavy collar embroidery.

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[DougD]

The ornate cuffs of the uniform.


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[Gene]

Excellent uniform and info!

[DougD]

Kuznetsov

Later in life, postwar shot of Kuznetsov.

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[Rick Research]

He was, almost certainly, the "luckiest" commander in the Soviet forces: demoted, reinstated, demoted, reinstated.... yet miraculously never shot.