Identity, Units of Soviet Officers in Photos?

[scook17]

This is interesting. I have several pictures, but have no idea how to identify the rank. Could you please let me know what rank the following people are, and more importantly how you determine this. Thanks.

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Kind Regards,
Shane Cook.

[Rick Research]

Soviet uniforms are fascinating... constant changes: sometimes it is possible (especially if you've got the original clothing in hand to check stamps etc) to date something undated to within an 18 month transition period, just by a combination of this-tab with that-board or button types, or piping colors.

Top photo: M1949 air force dress (bullion collar tab edging) tunic, can't tell his exact rank since the entire boards aren't showing, and there is what appears to be TWO stars on the single center stripe on his right (our left) board, as opposed to only one showing on his left. One star = Junior Lt, but a single one higher up from two "fore and aft" near the shoulder would be Senior Lt, and two upper in single line over 2 back to front would be a Captain. The smallest rim of what may be air crew wings show on his right breast. This style tunic was worn until 1955. Less than 10 years of service, since no Military Merit Medal.

Middle: the 2 piece officer's cap star and small round visor mean this was probably a hat made in the mid 1930s. Wartime (see my hat threads) have a squared "duckbill," which got even bigger in 1947. His five sided (2 sides "roof peak" at button end) rather than 6 sided boards indicate pre-1947: this narrow width, two center stripes, large single star, and no branch device = Major of Administrative Service (paymaster etc). Lack of shuny reflection shows he's wearing the less common "silk" embroidered type boards, rtaher than metallic thread type. Since he's wearing a Defense of the Caucasus Medal, but no Victory Over Germany Medal, this may date the photo to 1944-46.

Bottom: M1945 dress tunic for junior (one collar tab bar) officers from rank of Jr Lt to Captain. He has the 2 "fore and aft" stars of a Lieutenant (what we would call a 2nd Lt, there being no Western equivalent for the Soviet Junior Lt-- "3rd Lt"?). Six sided boards (3 sides at button end) = post 1947, artillery branch devices. 1948 Military Jubilee Medal, so can't date before then. This style tunic was worn by officers until 1955. He should NOT be wearing a shoulder strap with his leather belt on his full dress uniform!

There are a number of good uniform books out there, but still many gaps in information, especially for non-Armed Forces organizations.