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.


DD