Why leather jackets became the uniform of the NKVD fighters. Children's uniform of the executioners of the NKVD Form of the NKVD during the war

Information about the author of the article
Major of the Internal Troops Vlasenko Valery Timofeevich. Born in 1949. Served in the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR for 22 years, then served in the police. Total length of service 35 years. Was on business trips in Nagorno-Karabakh, Chechnya.

First you need to recall what the internal troops of the NKVD were like by 1937.

In 1937, the Main Directorate of the Border and Internal Guard (GUPVO NKVD) was renamed the Main Directorate of the Border and Internal Troops of the NKVD of the USSR.

On February 2, 1939, the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR adopted the Decree "On the reorganization of the management of the border and internal troops", according to which the Main Directorate of the Border and Internal Troops of the NKVD of the USSR was divided into six main departments:
- Main Directorate of Border Troops of the NKVD of the USSR;
- Main Directorate of the troops of the NKVD of the USSR for the protection of railway facilities;
- Main Directorate of the troops of the NKVD of the USSR for the protection of especially important industrial enterprises;
- Main Directorate of the escort troops of the NKVD of the USSR;
- Main Directorate of Military Supply of the NKVD of the USSR;
- The main military construction department of the NKVD of the USSR.

November 20, 1939 By order of the NKVD of the USSR, the "Regulations on the escort troops of the NKVD of the USSR" were introduced. They carried out the tasks of escorting detainees, carried out external protection of individual prisons. This Regulation provided for the tasks of war time associated with the escort and protection of prisoners of war.
I should note that the escort troops carried out their functions interspersed with the paramilitary guards of the GULAG (VOHR GULAG NKVD). Some places of detention were guarded by fighters of convoy units, others by VOKhR.

Below we will talk about the uniform and insignia:
-troops of the NKVD SSR for the protection of especially important industrial enterprises,
-troops of the NKVD for the protection of railway facilities,
-convoy troops of the NKVD.

In addition, before the start and in the first weeks of the war, several rifle divisions of the internal troops of the NKVD were formed, the states of which, number, weapons hardly differed from the rifle divisions of the Red Army. These divisions took part in the battles at the front along with the divisions of the Red Army.

Note. The uniform and insignia of the border troops of the NKVD did not differ in any way from other troops of the NKVD, except that the field of buttonholes was not maroon with a crimson edging, but green with a crimson edging. Also, the caps had other colors. Therefore, the article will not say anything about the border troops. The reader only needs to keep in mind these differences between the border guards.

In the figure, the military personnel of the NKVD troops in the form of 1937. On the left is a Red Army soldier in summer uniform, in the center is an infantry lieutenant of the NKVD troops in winter uniform, on the right is a senior political instructor of the NKVD troops in a jacket.

So, below we will talk about the uniform and insignia:
- infantry units and formations of the internal troops of the NKVD,
- parts and divisions of the NKVD SSR for the protection of especially important industrial enterprises,
-parts and divisions of the NKVD for the protection of railway facilities,
-convoy units and divisions of the NKVD.

For all these units and formations, the uniform and insignia are exactly the same, and almost completely, with the exception of some elements and colors of the buttonholes, coincide with the uniform of the Red Army.
For brevity in the text, we will refer to them as "NKVD troops".

It should be noted that if in the NKVD troops all military personnel wore ranks and insignia identical to those of the army, then NKVD employees (various kinds of departments, institutions, etc.) wore ranks with the prefix either "... internal service", or ".... state security." For example, "captain of the internal service", "sergeant of state security". This means that an employee has this title only while he works in the NKVD system and his title, so to speak, "for internal use." But a soldier of the NKVD troops retains his rank in all cases in the same way as a soldier of the Red Army. Simply put, the difference between a lieutenant of the Red Army and a lieutenant of the NKVD troops is only that one is subordinate to the NPO, and the second to the NKVD.

By a decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR of July 10, 1937, the personnel of the NKVD troops were transferred to the system of insignia adopted in the Red Army.

In pursuance of this decree of the NKVD of the USSR, on July 15, 1937, order No. 278 was issued, according to which the following changes were introduced in the uniform:

A cap with a light blue crown instead of blue;
- with the former color of the tunic, the collar and cuffs of the sleeves were sheathed with crimson piping;
- instead of a jacket, a jacket made of khaki woolen fabric with chest patch pockets and six buttons-clasps was introduced, on the collar and cuffs of the sleeves - raspberry edging;
- the loose trousers were now also khaki, not dark blue.

The color of the buttonholes and the edging remained the same (maroon field and raspberry edging), only the longitudinal strip in the center disappeared.
The buttonholes of the maroon color of the military personnel of the middle, senior and senior command staff did not have a colored edging, but were sheathed along the edge with a narrow golden galloon (width 3 mm.), Similar to the Red Army
The buttonholes of the maroon color of the middle, senior and senior commanding staff (political, technical, administrative, economic, medical, veterinary staff, justice) had, like those of the junior commanding and commanding staff and privates, crimson edging.

The size of the buttonholes on the tunic and overcoat has slightly decreased compared to 1933:
buttonholes on the tunic had the shape of a parallelogram 10 cm long and 3.25 cm high;
the buttonholes for the overcoat had the shape of a rhombus with rounded concave upper sides, with a buttonhole height of 11 cm and a width of 8.5 cm.

Insignia for junior command and command personnel from one to four triangles 1x1 cm in size made of copper covered with dark red enamel.
Insignia for the middle command and commanding staff: two or three squares (colloquially referred to as "cubes" or "head over heels"), 1x1 cm in size, made of copper covered with dark red enamel.
Signs of the senior command and command staff from one to three rectangles (commonly referred to as "sleepers") made of copper measuring 1.6x0.7 cm, covered with dark red enamel.
The insignia for the highest command and command staff consisted of rhombuses 1.7 cm high and 0.8 cm wide made of copper covered with dark red enamel; from one to four diamonds.

Wearing the emblems of the military branches and services in the buttonholes was mandatory for everyone, except for the political composition.

In the Red Army, things were somewhat different. The main types of troops - the infantry and cavalry had no emblems at all. Emblems differed from the main branches of the military specialists - tankers, signalmen, artillerymen, etc.

Besides:
* the middle, senior and senior command staff of the NKVD troops on the sleeves above the cuff (cuff) wore chevrons in ranks similar to those adopted in the Red Army,
* the military-political composition of the NKVD troops wore commissar stars on their sleeves above the cuff (one star, regardless of rank),
* the rest of the middle, senior and senior commanding staff (technical, medical, veterinary, quartermaster (administrative and economic), legal) of the NKVD troops did not have any signs on their sleeves.

From the author. The color of the buttonholes and the insignia of the servicemen of the internal troops of the NKVD and the employees of the NKVD bodies (and the state security bodies that were part of the NKVD system) were completely the same. The difference was that all servicemen of the NKVD troops wore emblems, including the main units - infantry and cavalry. But the employees of the NKVD and state security agencies did not wear emblems. None. Like commissars in the army. But the state security officers wore on both sleeves above the elbow the sign of the GB model 1935.

Emblems for the branches of the NKVD troops were established as follows:

Here you should pay attention to the following points:
1. Emblems in buttonholes are worn by all ordinary, command and command personnel, except for the military-political composition.
2. The entire military-technical staff in all branches of the armed forces wears a single emblem "engineer-technical staff".
3. The emblem of doctors is golden, veterinarians is silver. All others are golden.
4. The emblem of the cavalry is not worn the way it will be worn in the Red Army cavalry when it is introduced there in 1943. In the cavalry of the NKVD troops, the emblem is with the hilts of checkers up, and in the cavalry of the Red Army, with the hilts of checkers down.
5. The famous emblem of the infantry in the NKVD troops was introduced in July 1937, and in the Red Army in July 1940.
6. The images of the emblems are taken from a secondary source and I could neither accurately date it nor refer to the document from which it was taken. Therefore, errors are not excluded here.

Note from Yu.G. Veremeev I have not been able to find a single directive document of the government or NGOs, which introduced this emblem for the infantry of the Red Army. The only document is NCO Order No. 226 dated 26.7.1940, where the infantry emblem is simply shown in the drawings of the new insignia as already existing. I tend to think that the NPO simply borrowed this emblem from the NKVD.

And I also ask you to pay attention - the commanders of the infantry of the NKVD and the commanders of the infantry of the Red Army wore almost the same buttonholes and exactly the same insignia (cubes, sleepers, rhombuses). It is usually possible to distinguish between the crimson (RKKA) and maroon (NKVD troops) color of buttonholes only if you see them at the same time. And in black and white photographs of that time it is completely impossible to distinguish. A golden galunchik along the edge of the buttonholes was worn in both departments. Thus, if there is no exact dating of the photograph, it is absolutely impossible to determine who is in the picture - the infantry commander of the NKVD troops or the infantry commander of the Red Army. Therefore, the presence in the photographs of this emblem in the buttonholes of literally everyone is misleading as to whether these emblems were in the Red Army or not.

The insignia of the ranks of private and junior command and command staff since 1937:

1. Red Army soldier. Infantry troops of the NKVD.
2. Separated commander. Cavalry troops of the NKVD.
3. Junior platoon commander. Automotive parts and subdivisions of the NKVD troops.
Note. The same emblem was worn by all car drivers in all parts of the NKVD troops.
4. Petty officer. Infantry troops of the NKVD.

From the author. Pay attention - these are military ranks of the junior commanding staff of the NKVD troops, and not positions, as many believe. The fact that these titles sound similar to positions should not mislead anyone. For example, the title of "junior platoon commander" was held by a serviceman, who usually held the positions of "assistant platoon commander" or "commander of an independent (not part of a platoon) squad", or "gun commander", "commander of the ammunition squad".
For comparison, after all, with the introduction of personal military ranks in 1935, the highest commanding officers received titles very similar to the titles of the positions - brigade commander, division commander, commander, commander.

The insignia of the ranks of the middle command and command staff since 1937:

Command structure:
1. Junior lieutenant. Infantry troops of the NKVD.
2. Lieutenant. Cavalry troops of the NKVD.
3. Senior lieutenant. Armored units of the NKVD troops.

Notes:
The rank of junior lieutenant was introduced on 08/20/1937. decision of the Council of People's Commissars
The buttonholes do not have a colored edging, but are sheathed with a narrow gold galloon (3mm.)

Below are examples of commanding ranks:
4. Junior military technician.
Note - the buttonholes have a raspberry edging, the emblem of the military-technical staff is obligatory in the buttonhole, there are no sleeve insignia.
The rank of junior military technician was introduced by a decree of the Council of People's Commissars on 08/20/1937.
Military technician of the 2nd rank had two dice, military engineer of the 1st rank had 3 dice.

5. Military assistant.
Note - the buttonholes have a raspberry edging, the emblem of the medical service is obligatory in the buttonhole (veterinarians have the emblem of the veterinary service), there are no sleeve insignia.
senior military assistant - 3 dice

6. Politician.
Note - the buttonholes have a crimson edging, there are no emblems in the buttonholes, the sleeve patch is a commissar star.
On August 20, 1937, by a decree of the Council of People's Commissars, the rank of junior political instructor was introduced (2 cubes in buttonholes).

Rank insignia for senior command and command personnel since 1937:

Senior command staff:
1.Captain. Infantry troops of the NKVD.
2. Major. Infantry troops of the NKVD.
3.Colonel. Cavalry troops of the NKVD.

Below are examples of buttonholes for senior officers:

4. Military engineer 3rd rank. Automobile parts of the NKVD troops.
Notes: Emblem is inaccurate. As a general rule, all servicemen of the military technical staff were supposed to wear the emblem of the engineering staff, but this rule was often violated,
A military engineer of the 2nd rank had 2 sleepers, and a military engineer of the 1st rank had 3 sleepers.

5. Military doctor 2nd rank.
A military doctor of the 3rd rank had 1 sleeper, and a military doctor of the 1st rank had 3 sleepers.
The same goes for veterinarians.

6. Regimental commissar.
The senior political instructor had 1 sleeper in his buttonholes, the battalion commissar had 2 sleepers.

The insignia of the ranks of the highest command and command staff since 1937:

Command structure:
1. Brigade commander,
2nd division commander,
3-Comcor.
Note. In the NKVD troops, the highest rank was commander.

Below are examples of buttonholes of the commanding staff:

4. Team engineer.
Note. The military-technical staff had only two ranks - briging engineer and division engineer. Accordingly - one or two rhombuses.
5. Divvoenvrach.
The military medical staff had two ranks - brigvrach and divvrach. The military veterinary staff is a brigveter and a veterinarian.
6. Corps commissioner.
Note. The highest military-political composition, unlike the rest of the commanding staff, had not two ranks, but three. In addition to the brigade commissar, divisional commissar, there was also the rank of corps commissar (this is not a mistake - it was "corps" and not "corps").
Naturally, the highest military and economic staff had the ranks of brigintendant and divintendant, and the military legal staff of brigvoenyurist and divinvoenyurist.

1940

In 1940, the scale of ranks for the highest and senior command and command staff changed somewhat.
By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated May 7, 1940, new military ranks are introduced for the top command staff of the Red Army to replace the ranks of divisional commander, commander, commander.

Accordingly, these changes are reflected in the troops of the NKVD.

However, ranks are not changed automatically, but by appropriate orders. As a rule, new titles were assigned to:
Komdivu - Major General,
Komkoru - lieutenant general.

Yesterday's brigade commanders, in the order of re-certification, were assigned either the rank of colonel or major general, depending on the position. However, this process dragged on and by the time the war began, there were still several brigade commanders in the NKVD troops, who still wore one rhombus in their buttonholes.

With regard to brigade commissars, the then head of the Main Political Directorate of the Red Army achieved a decision according to which the title of "brigade commissar" was no longer awarded, but the existing brigade commissars retained their rank and insignia until they were awarded the next rank (divisional commissar). Thus, some brigade commissars carried their rank until the complete abolition of the political worker rank scale in the fall of 1942.

In accordance with the changes in ranks, new insignia are introduced. For the higher command staff of the NKVD troops (as in the Red Army), the shape of the buttonholes now becomes the same on the overcoat, on the service jacket and tunic. The field of buttonholes is maroon, the stars are metallic or embroidered in golden color. Along the upper edge of the buttonholes is a commander's gold lace 3 mm wide. The generals of the NKVD troops did not have emblems in their buttonholes.
The sleeves are similar to the chevrons of the generals of the Red Army. and major generals and lieutenant generals wear the same chevrons.

For the rest of the senior commanding staff, there were no changes in the insignia in comparison with 1937. They continued to wear their rhombuses in the buttonholes of the previous form.

From the author. Please note that the brigade level in 1940 was abolished only for the command and military-political staff. The ranks of brig-engineer, brigintendant, brig-doctor, brig-veterinarian, brig-military officer and their insignia were retained.

On July 26, 1940, by order of the NCO of the USSR No. 226, the ranks of "lieutenant colonel" and "senior battalion commissar" were introduced, and in connection with this, the insignia of the senior command and command personnel were changed. now three sleepers are worn by a lieutenant colonel and a senior battalion commissar, and a colonel and a regimental commissar each wear four sleepers.
On August 5, 1940, by order of the NKVD of the USSR No. 642, the order of the NPO of the USSR No. 226 of July 26, 1940 on changing the insignia was distributed to the NKVD troops.

From Yu.G. Veremeev There is an interesting point here. The commanding staff in the ranks of a military engineer of the 1st rank, a quartermaster of the 1st rank, a military doctor of the 1st rank, a military doctor of the 1st rank, a military officer of the 1st rank, both wore three sleepers in their buttonholes until 1940, and remained with three sleepers. In fact, absolutely nothing has changed, because. they had previously been considered a step below the colonel. But if earlier they had as many sleepers on their buttonholes as the colonel, now it turned out that they were all, as it were, lowered in rank. There were a lot of grievances, to the point that many of them arbitrarily attached the fourth sleeper. The regimental commissars were pleased, because they now wore four sleepers and in this they differed from the quartermasters, engineers, military doctors of the regimental level, i.e. their higher status, equal to the commander of the regiment, was clearly emphasized. On the other hand, the battalion commissars were dissatisfied (especially those who were about to be awarded the next rank) due to the fact that between their rank and the coveted title of regimental commissar another one popped up.

Insignia of the middle and senior command staff of the NKVD troops from July 1940:
1. Junior lieutenant. Infantry.
2. Lieutenant. Cavalry.
3. Senior lieutenant. Armored units.
4.Captain. Infantry.
5. Major. Infantry.
6. Lieutenant colonel. Cavalry.
7.Colonel.Infantry.

For the middle and senior commanding staff, with the exception of the military-political staff (3 sleepers for the senior battalion commissar, and 4 sleepers for the regimental commissar), the insignia did not change in 1940.

From the author. Pay attention to the change of sleeve patches. Now these are gold galloons sewn onto a red cloth chevron. The number and width of galloons depend on the rank. Major and lieutenant colonel have the same sleeve insignia.

And yet, these signs can only be called chevrons. Chevron means "corner" in French. Hence, only a patch in the form of an angle can be called a chevron. Moreover, it does not matter where this patch is attached - on the sleeve, shoulder strap, headdress or on the chest. All other signs that do not have the shape of an angle are simply called stripes. Unfortunately, the general flagrant illiteracy in uniforms led to the fact that in post-Soviet times, any sleeve patches began to be called chevrons. Unfortunately, this illiteracy has also penetrated into normative office documents.

In November 1940, the names of the ranks of the junior command and command staff of the Red Army and, accordingly, the NKVD troops were radically changed. These ranks in the Red Army were announced by order of the NPO No. 391 of November 2, 1940, and for the troops of the NKVD and by order of the NKVD of November 5, 1940.

Naturally, the insignia also change.

For the newly introduced rank "Corporal", the insignia was a horizontal red stripe on an overcoat buttonhole 1 cm wide, on a tunic 5 mm. In addition to triangles, the same strip on the buttonholes is also worn by all other junior command and command personnel.
The foreman additionally received gold 3rd trim on the buttonholes. galunchik, however, unlike the middle and senior command staff, this galunchik was placed not instead of a raspberry edging, but between it and the buttonhole field.

Insignia and ranks of private and junior command and command staff:
1. Red Army soldier. Infantry troops of the NKVD.
2. Corporal. Infantry troops of the NKVD.
3. Junior sergeant. Infantry troops of the NKVD.
4. Sgt. Cavalry troops of the NKVD.
5. Senior sergeant. Automobile divisions and units of the NKVD troops. The same emblem was worn by all car drivers in all parts of the NKVD troops,
6. Foreman. Cavalry troops of the NKVD.

From the author. It is worth focusing on the fact that the word "foreman" has always existed in our armed forces in two meanings - foreman as a military rank, and foreman as a position (foreman of a company, foreman of a squadron, foreman of an artillery division). And the position of foreman of the unit did not have to be occupied by a soldier with the rank of foreman. He could have the rank of senior sergeant or sergeant. But a soldier with the rank of foreman necessarily holds the position of foreman of a company or an equal position (for example, head of a radio station, head of a canteen). And even higher. For example, the position of commander of a platoon of support. During the war years, with a shortage of officers, commanders of combat platoons, and even companies, were often appointed from among the sergeants. And usually they were given the rank of foreman.

Rank insignia of the 1940 model were worn by the NKVD troops until the introduction of a new uniform and insignia (epaulettes) in the winter of 1943.
With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War in August 1941 (Order of the NKO of the USSR No. 253 of 1.8.1941), green field buttonholes without piping and without laces were introduced in the Army. Triangles, cubes, sleepers also acquired a green color. However, in parts not related to active army, pre-war insignia were retained.
Thus, in the NKVD troops, field insignia were actually switched to only in the rifle divisions of the NKVD troops, who fought at the front along with the divisions of the Red Army.

It is impossible at all to distinguish a serviceman of an NKVD rifle division from a serviceman of the Red Army when both wear the same field insignia.

Note by Veremeev Yu.G. This is where the confusion expands with the famous emblem of the infantry (crossed rifles against the background of the target). If in the infantry of the NKVD troops this emblem was introduced back in 1937 and was mandatory for everyone to wear, then in the infantry of the Red Army it appeared only in July 1940 (and in some strange way - the order of the NPO on its introduction is unknown, and in the order of the NPO No. 226 July 1940, it is only painted on the buttonholes of the Red Army infantry). The servicemen of the NKVD troops, in order to emphasize (considering service in the NKVD more honorable than in the Red Army) that they were from the NKVD system, and not from the NPO, sought to maintain their emblems even when their rifle division was removed from the subordination of the NKVD and transferred to the Red Army .

Part 2.
Organs and internal troops of the NKVD 1935-1937.

Let me remind you that the Internal Troops have undergone numerous reorganizations, renamings, etc. over the years of their existence.

With the creation immediately after the October Revolution of 1917 of the Council of People's Commissars (SNK), the People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs of the Russian Republic (NKVD) was immediately created as one of the thirteen people's commissariats.

Then it became known as the NKVD of the RSFSR.

Then, as the union republics were formed, the NKVD of the union republics were added in parallel.

It was not until 1934 that a single allied People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs of the USSR was formed.

So, 06/10/1934. The People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs of the USSR (NKVD) was formed, which included the former troops of the Cheka-GPU-OGPU.

The uniform of the employees of the NKVD, the military personnel of the border and internal guards remained the same (adopted back in 1924): a khaki shirt or French shirt, blue trousers, colored caps, a cavalry overcoat.

Insignia by position (red enamel rhombuses, rectangles, squares and triangles) were placed on buttonholes: maroon with raspberry piping - for the bodies and troops of the NKVD and green - for the border guard.

A similar uniform was also worn by employees of other structures that were part of the NKVD system:
- Main Directorate of Correctional Labor Camps, Labor Settlements and Places of Detention (GULAG),
- Main Directorate of Fire Protection (GUPO),
- Administrative and Economic Department (AHU) and its divisions.

From the author. During that period of the life of the Soviet state, a peculiar fashion for wearing military or paramilitary uniforms developed. All senior officials, starting with Stalin, wore a paramilitary jacket, a Stalinist cap, and boots. Remember, for example, the film "Volga-Volga".
In addition, many departments acquired their own uniforms and insignia - the police, firefighters, OSOAVIAKHIM (the predecessor of DOSAAF), in particular, the merchant sea and river fleet, civil Aviation and even employees of urban electric transport. All these uniforms, to one degree or another, were based on the uniform of the Red Army.

This introduced a certain confusion and confusion, and therefore, by the Decree of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks No. ПЗЗ / 95 dated September 10, 1935, all organizations, institutions and individuals were Absolutely forbidden wearing uniforms and insignia similar to the Red Army (with the exception of military personnel of the border and internal guards of the NKVD, recruited by conscription).

Let me remind you that at this time a very peculiar period in the life of the Soviet state begins and the role of the NKVD in the life of the country increases significantly.

Note by Veremeev Yu.G. The catchphrase is "the revolution always devours its children." A common stage in the process of revolutionary change of power of any kind (be it a bourgeois, democratic, socialist or Nazi revolution) in any country - those who together stood at the head of the revolutionary forces in the initial period, now begin to share power And each of them believes that in he should now be the head of the country. An acute political struggle begins, in which any means of ousting, isolating, eliminating or destroying (including physical) rivals in power are used. In addition, in the country in such a period there are quite a lot of those who considered themselves offended by positions, and their revolutionary merits were not appreciated. It is from them that the head of the opposition draws personnel, while those who are at the helm of power use the apparatus of law and order to suppress the opposition (police, militia, gendarmerie, bodies state security, SS, etc.). Naturally, this apparatus is endowed with special powers during such a period.

And if not Stalin, but Kirov, Trotsky, Bukharin, or someone else were in power, nothing would have happened otherwise. This is the dialectic of any revolution. So it was during the bourgeois revolution of the middle of the 17th century in England, so it was during the revolutions of the late 18th century in France, so it was after the Nazis came to power in 1933. In today's Russia, this stage is still ahead.

Most of those who scold the VChK-GPU-NKVD consider and try to convince everyone that the actions of the employees of these bodies in the thirties were a manifestation of personal malice, personal negative qualities, or even worse - the desire of the "bodies" to generally stand at the head of the state, crushing a party for himself (as N.S. Khrushchev claimed).
However, in reality, the "organs" were just an instrument of internecine struggle among the tops of the party and state leadership. For example, an ax can be in the hands of a carpenter and in the hands of a murderer. But an ax - it is an ax, in all cases it remains just a tool.

People's Commissar G.G. Yagoda felt the "taste of power" and, apparently, decided to distinguish his employees with new uniforms and insignia. The leadership of the NKVD immediately developed a vigorous activity regarding the introduction of new uniforms. The People's Commissar in letters to I.V. Stalin put forward many projects of uniforms and insignia.

On October 4, 1935, the Politburo approved the drafts of new uniforms. It was decided to make the uniform for the bodies and troops of the NKVD uniform, and not as diverse as Yagoda suggested.

On November 27, 1935, by order No. 399 for the NKVD troops, a new uniform and insignia of the personnel of the Internal Guard were announced.

Due to the low capabilities of the country's clothing industry, it was impossible to quickly change into new uniforms for all employees of subdivisions, bodies and units of the NKVD troops. Therefore, the command staff of the internal security (decision of the Politburo of 11/29/1935) was allowed until 10/1/1937 to wear old-style uniforms with new insignia and buttonholes before the expiration of the period: - a shirt with piping, according to the assigned rank; - cloak without fringing; - overcoat without edging.

The timing of the transition to wearing new insignia and buttonholes was determined: for the command staff of organs and troops - as they were assigned special and military ranks, and for ordinary and junior command personnel of the NKVD troops - from 1.III.1936.

Outfit by order No. 399 dated 11/27/1935.

1. Hats:
a) The main headgear of the organs and troops of the NKVD was the cap of the Red Army of the 1935 model. The cap was sewn from wool fabric colors traditional for the NKVD: - cornflower blue crown and maroon band - for internal troops; Crimson piping was sewn on top of the band and crown on all types of caps. The cap had a slightly expanded black lacquered fiber visor, above which a lacquered black sliding chin strap was attached to two small uniform buttons. The highest, senior and middle command personnel wore a cap all year round, and ordinary and junior command personnel - only in the summer. In the summer, out of order, with a white uniform, the commanding officers could wear a white cap with a white fabric visor and chin strap.
b) For wearing in the field, the command staff of the ground units of the NKVD troops was equipped with a khaki woolen cap. The pilots of the NKVD troops were assigned a dark blue wool cap, which was worn on a par with a cap with a dark blue jacket or shirt. The rank and file of all branches of the armed forces wore a khaki cotton cap with a marching uniform. Raspberry piping was sewn into the seams of the cap and sides of all caps of the command staff, and a cloth five-pointed star made of instrument cloth with a diameter of 3 cm was sewn onto the front seam.
c) For servicemen of the NKVD troops serving in areas with a hot climate, a khaki-colored cotton helmet with a five-pointed star made of instrument cloth with a diameter of 7.5 cm was introduced.
d) As a winter headdress were introduced-
* to command personnel: a hat made of gray or brown fur, with a top (cap) made of dark gray woolen fabric - worn only with a coat with a fastened fur collar.
* to the rank and file: a winter helmet - "Budyonovka" made of dark gray semi-coarse cloth with a five-pointed star made of instrument cloth with a diameter of 8 cm in the front of the cap.

Appliance cloth:
- maroon - for internal protection and air units;
- light green - for the border guard.

On the band of the caps and over the cloth stars on the helmets there was a red enamel five-pointed Red Army star of the established pattern, 3.4 cm in diameter with gilded outer edges and a hammer and sickle in its center. On caps, by order, only cloth stars were worn.

2. Outerwear.

Instead of the overcoat adopted in the Red Army for the command staff (except for the junior ones) of the organs and troops of the NKVD, a double-breasted raglan raincoat coat made of dark gray woolen fabric, with 4 large uniform buttons, with a turn-down collar, was introduced as outerwear. In winter, a fur lining and a collar were fastened to the coat in the color of the fur of a Finn hat. The collar of the coat of the highest command staff of the NKVD troops was edged with crimson cloth.

Note: In addition to the outerwear established by orders, command personnel were allowed to wear raincoats, coats and jackets made of black or dark brown leather, with and without insignia, outside the ranks.

In the photo: on the left, a major of the NKVD troops in a raincoat with a fur collar and a Finnish hat. The insignia are located on the sleeve. On the right is a colonel of the NKVD troops in a coat. (reconstruction).

For uniforms of the command staff, metal buttons of a special type were introduced without a side, with a convex image of a straight five-pointed star with a hammer and sickle, with a diameter of: small - 17 mm and large - 28 mm; for the highest command staff - golden; for senior and middle - silver; for outerwear of the entire command staff - oxidized, dark gray. Often used and ordinary army buttons. Buttons of ordinary and junior command personnel - the existing Red Army sample, black

The rank and file, as well as the junior command and command staff, were left with the former single-breasted overcoat of the Red Army model made of semi-coarse gray overcoat cloth, with a fastener on hooks.

3. Uniform.

The uniform of the internal troops of the NKVD consisted of the following items:
a) For middle, senior and senior command staff:
- cloth tunic of dark khaki color with two chest patch pockets;
-cloth dark blue harem pants with raspberry piping;
- summer tunic made of light cotton fabric of khaki color with two chest patch pockets;
- summer harem pants made of light khaki cotton fabric, without piping;
b) For junior commanders and rank and file:
- gymnast made of light cotton fabric of khaki color with two chest patch pockets;
- bloomers made of light cotton fabric of a protective color, without piping;

4. Equipment.

For the command staff, army equipment of a single sample made of brown leather with white metal fittings was installed. To carry weapons, a holster was worn on the waist belt on the right side. When wearing a jacket, a hanging holster was worn, attached by trench coats to the waist belt. The rank and file and junior command staff wore a brown or natural waist belt, with a metal single-pin buckle.

In the pictures: on the left is the captain of the internal troops of the NKVD, on the right is a Red Army soldier of the internal troops of the NKVD.

For the command staff of the departments and institutions of the NKVD troops with trousers such as breeches, leggings were worn with chrome boots made of black or dark leather Brown, or black chrome boots, for the command staff of combat units and schools - black chrome or ash boots, and out of order - boots with leggings. With trousers loose (out of order), the entire command staff wore chrome boots or low shoes made of black or brown leather. The rank and file and junior command personnel were assigned to wear cowhide boots with windings or black cowhide boots.

From the author. I would like to emphasize once again that this article describes the uniform and insignia only of the Internal Troops of the NKVD, which had nothing to do with the protection of places of detention (GULAG), or with the state security agencies (GB), or with the police. The main tasks of the internal troops were the protection of important state facilities and military support for the internal integrity and security of the state. Of course, since the internal troops belonged to the NKVD system, their uniforms and insignia were very similar to the uniforms and insignia of other NKVD structures.
Similar, but nothing more.
In addition, the system of ranks of the internal troops practically coincided with the ranks adopted in the Red Army, while the ranks in state security, the protection of places of detention and the police differed very significantly.

Insignia of the Internal Troops of the NKVD.

On March 1, 1936, insignia of a completely new type were introduced, which differed sharply from the previously existing ones, as well as from the insignia of the Red Army. And not by positions, but by personal ranks.

They existed for a relatively short time - from 1.III.1936 to 1937, therefore they are little known.

The insignia was a combination of lavalier insignia and sleeve stars.

From the author. In the Soviet state, stars as the main insignia first appeared precisely in the NKVD (on buttonholes). The insignia of the military ranks of the Red Army at that time were geometric figures- "diamonds", "sleepers", "kubari", "triangles". We will see stars in the Red Army, and then only on the buttonholes of the highest command staff of the Red Army with the introduction of general ranks in 1940. And only in 43 they will appear on the shoulder straps of officers of the Red Army.

I would like to recall that at that time in the Internal Troops (as in the Red Army) the command and command staff was divided into:
1. command staff,
2. commanding staff:
a) military-political composition,
b) - military-economic and administrative staff
c) - military-technical staff
d) - military medical staff,
e) - military veterinary staff,
e) - military-legal structure.

Once again from the author. Within the NKVD system, several rank scales existed in parallel:
* the scale of ranks of the internal troops of the NKVD,
* scale of ranks of state security officers,
* militia rank scale,
* the scale of insignia for the positions of employees and the protection of places of detention,
* the scale of ranks of firemen.

Moreover, the insignia were often very similar, differing only in the color of the buttonholes and insignia. In black and white photographs of that time, it is sometimes impossible to determine who it is - a serviceman, an employee of the State Security or the police.

In the picture on the right (reconstruction) is a colonel of the internal troops of the NKVD. Note that three stars in the buttonholes, but without golden triangles at the bottom of the buttonholes, were also worn by the captain of state security. However, it does not follow from this that the captain of the GB is equal to the colonel of the VV. These are too different scales of ranks, even in terms of the number of ranks.

First, let's understand the difference between special And military ranks.

So, "employees" names of persons with special titles, "military personnel"- having military ranks.

Let's think about the names. What is an "employee" (a variant of the concept - an employee) and how does it differ from a military man?
Employee this is a person who, of his own free will, enters a job in any institution, including the NKVD, and leaves of his own free will. It is subject to the provisions of the Labor Code, but not to the provisions of military law.
Serviceman, no matter how he entered the military service (by conscription or voluntarily), he is obliged to serve the term established by law in those positions and in those areas where he was sent. He has no right to refuse to perform his duties and quit at will. His service is governed exclusively by military law.

It is this fundamental difference that leaves a certain imprint on the performance of official duties.

The internal troops of the NKVD are a purely military organization (one might say just military units, only subordinate not to the People's Commissariat of Defense, but to the People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs), while the organs of the NKVD are a semi-civilian organization. Discipline, diligence and order in a military organization are many times higher than in a semi-civilian one. They serve in the Internal Troops, but they work in the organs.

In the NKVD system of that time (and even now in the Ministry of Internal Affairs) there were both military and special ranks.

All those who served in the Internal Troops were considered and are considered military personnel and have army military ranks. When they are discharged from service, they are registered with the district military registration and enlistment office on a par with army servicemen and their ranks are taken into account as well as the ranks of the military personnel of the Moscow Region.

But all the rest who served in the "organs" (state security, police, firefighters, various business executives) were assigned special ranks - with the prefix "state security", "police", "internal service". For example - lieutenant of state security, police captain, major of internal service.

Special ranks are not equated to military ranks at all. And although many of them wear army uniforms, in fact they have nothing to do with the army or the troops of the NKVD (MVD). For example, the current Interior Minister Nurgaliyev wears the uniform of an army general, although he does not serve in the army or internal troops.

For example, a man served in the army, retired with the rank of "corporal", after which he went to work in the Ministry of Internal Affairs in administrative and economic bodies. He was given a special rank, he works for many years, gets a promotion and finally leaves with the special rank of "colonel of the internal service."
So, upon arrival at the district military registration and enlistment office for military registration, he will be recorded as a corporal, and not as a colonel, since his military (military) rank is corporal. A special rank for the military registration and enlistment office does not matter.

Another example. The officer served under the contract, retired from the army, enters the militia (police). In the police, he is unconditionally, in the order of recertification, assigned a special rank of militia (police) corresponding to his military rank (i.e., confirmed).
But the other way around won't work.
Suppose that a lieutenant from the VV retired from the troops, joined the police, rose to the rank of police major, and then decided to return to the Internal Troops. He can only be recruited as a lieutenant.

This is how military ranks dominate in the Russian state since the time of Peter I.

Military ranks for internal security servicemen of the NKVD of the USSR (internal troops) were introduced by the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars No. 2250 of October 7, 1935 and announced by order of the People's Commissar of Internal Affairs No. 319 of October 10, 1935.

Command structure:

	military rank
Enlisted personnel	Red Army man
Junior command and command staff	Separated Commander
	Junior platoon commander
	foreman
Candidate for the title
Average command staff	Lieutenant
Average command staff	Senior Lieutenant
Senior command staff	Captain
	Major
	Colonel
Top command staff	brigade commander
	Divisional commander
	Comcor

Military-political composition:

Military economic and administrative staff:

	military rank
Average military-economic and administrative staff	Quartermaster 2nd rank
Average military-economic and administrative staff	Quartermaster 1st rank
Senior military and administrative staff	Quartermaster 3rd rank
	Quartermaster 2nd rank
	Quartermaster 1st rank
The highest military-economic and administrative staff	brigintendant
The highest military-economic and administrative staff	Divintendant

Military-technical composition:

	military rank
Average military-technical composition	Military technician 2nd rank
Average military-technical composition	Military technician 1st rank
Senior military technical staff	Military engineer 3rd rank
	Military engineer 2nd rank
	Military engineer 1st rank
The highest military-technical staff	Brigadier
The highest military-technical staff	Diving Engineer

Military medical staff:

Military veterinary staff:

Military legal composition:

	military rank
Average military-legal structure	Junior military officer
Average military-legal structure	Military lawyer
Senior military legal staff	Military 3rd rank
	Military 2nd rank
	Military 1st rank
Supreme military legal staff	Brigvoenyurist
Supreme military legal staff	Divvoenyurist

Stars of various colors in buttonholes and sleeve insignia served as insignia for military ranks.

Let's start with the insignia.

In the picture: from left to right: sleeve insignia of the middle command staff, senior command staff, senior command staff, military-political staff.

The average command staff wore on both sleeves above the cuff (above the cuff) two or three so-called. "truncated triangles" embroidered with red silk thread, depending on the rank.

The senior command staff wore red stars on both sleeves above the cuff (above the cuff), embroidered with red silk with a silver edging, according to the rank (how many stars are in the buttonholes, so many are on the sleeves).

The senior command staff wore red stars on both sleeves above the cuff (above the cuff), embroidered with red silk with golden edging, according to the rank (how many stars are in the buttonholes, so many are on the sleeves) ..

The military-political composition on both sleeves above the cuff (above the cuff) wore one star, regardless of rank. These stars were completely similar to the stars of the political composition of the Red Army, i.e. a red star with a golden hammer and sickle embroidered inside it.

The military-economic and administrative, military-technical, military-medical, military-veterinary and military-legal staff did not have sleeve insignia by rank.

The main means of distinguishing the ranks of the internal troops (internal security) of the NKVD were buttonholes.

Buttonholes arr. 1935 were cloth flaps in the shape of a parallelogram, 10 cm long and 3.3 cm wide.
The color of the buttonholes remained traditional - maroon. The buttonholes were sheathed with crimson piping 0.25 cm wide.

Along the middle part of the field on the buttonholes, a longitudinal strip (clearance) was sewn from a soutache cord 0.3-0.35 cm wide:
- golden color - for the highest command staff;
- silver color - for senior and middle command staff;
- raspberry color - for ordinary and junior command personnel.

At the front unedged edge of the buttonholes were placed:
*the command staff has equilateral triangles (side 3 cm): golden (galoon or metal)
* for the military and administrative staff dark blue (fabric or metal enameled)

On the buttonholes of the military-political, military-medical, military-veterinary, military-technical and military-legal staff of the troops of the NKVD of the USSR, the wearing of triangles was not established.

The commanding staff (military-technical, military-medical, military-veterinary, military-legal) of the specialized services of the NKVD troops at the edged edge of the buttonholes, according to their specialty, wore emblems of white or yellow metal, which were located like those of the Red Army specialists .. Moreover, before the introduction in 1936, the new emblems of the Red Army (Order of the NPO No. 33 of 03/10/1936) used the emblems of the Red Army arr. 1922 (Order of the RVSR No. 322 of January 31, 1922).

In the picture on the left:
1 Major of the Internal Troops,
2nd quartermaster 2nd rank,
3rd military engineer 2nd rank,
4-battalion commissar (a political worker's star on the sleeve),
5th military doctor 2nd rank,
6-military veterinarian of the 2nd rank.

Rank insignia:

*Private and junior command and command staff - metal red enamel squares with silver-plated sides, which had the shape of a chevron. The squares were placed on the buttonholes in one row on a longitudinal strip with the top to the unedged end of the buttonhole. The top of the inner corner of the first square was located at a distance of 4 cm from the edged end of the buttonhole, the distance between the squares was 0.3 cm. The squares had a height of 2.6 cm, the width of the side sections was 0.7 cm. enamel 0.4 cm. The Red Army wore clean buttonholes with a longitudinal strip, without insignia.

The Red Army men and junior commanders did not wear emblems or insignia of the command and military personnel in their buttonholes.

1-foreman,
2nd junior commander platoon,
3-separated commander,
4-Red Army.

"Candidate for the rank" - it was an intermediate step between the junior and middle command staff.

This title existed in the internal troops of the NKVD for a very not for long. Already in April of the 37th, by order of the NKVD of the USSR No. 169 of 04/21/1937, it was abolished as unnecessary.

In the picture on the left: the insignia of the candidate for the title.

From the author. In fact, any rank should be correlated with a certain position or a group of approximately equal positions. And it is normal practice when a soldier with a certain rank is promoted, and then, making sure that he is able to perform new duties for himself, he is assigned the next rank. And the title of candidate for the title (which in itself is a tautology) means that the person is no longer a foreman, but not yet an officer (let me express myself in a modern concept for simplicity of presentation). And what to do if you decide that the candidate is not worthy of an officer's rank. It’s easy with the foreman - they returned to the foreman’s position and that’s all. And what about the candidate? His rank is higher than that of a foreman, but he cannot be an officer.
Obviously, this duality of the situation prompted the authorities to abandon this title.

*Medium command and command staff - wore metal red enamel so-called. "truncated
triangles" with silver-plated sides.

1 lieutenant,
2nd senior lieutenant,
3-political instructor (on the sleeve is the star of a political worker),
4-technician quartermaster rank 2,
5-technician quartermaster of the 1st rank,
6 military technician 2nd rank,
7th military engineer 1st rank,
8-military paramedic 2 ranks,
9th military paramedic of the 1st rank.

It should be noted that if physicians wore their emblems, which were determined by them back in 1922 and had not changed by 1935, then the emblems of veterinarians and technicians are shown here in 1936. It is not completely clear what emblems the commanding staff wore in the buttonholes of the 1935 model, and wore them in general. It should also be noted that until July 1940, the military-political staff in buttonholes did not wear any emblems at all. Both in the NKVD and in the Red Army, they distinguished themselves with commissar stars on their sleeves.

* The senior command and command staff wore silver gaps and metal silver stars with a diameter of 13 mm in their buttonholes.

1- colonel,
2 major,
3-captain,
4th regimental commissar
5 battalion commissar,
6-senior political instructor,
7th quartermaster 1st rank,
8th quartermaster 2nd rank,
9th quartermaster 3rd rank,
10- military engineer 1st rank,
11-military engineer 2nd rank,
12-military engineer 2nd rank,
13th military doctor of the 1st rank,
14-military veterinarian of the 2nd rank,
15-military doctor of the 3rd rank.

Note. Persons with a higher education and entering the military service in the Red Army or the internal troops of the NKVD in the positions of commanding (but only commanding!) Staff immediately receive the rank of senior commanding staff, bypassing all lower ranks. That is, a young man who graduated from a medical institute immediately receives the title of a military doctor of the 3rd rank, a young man who graduated from a technical university - a military engineer of the 3rd rank. Graduate of the Institute of National Economy - Quartermaster of the 3rd rank.

* The highest command and command staff wore golden gaps and golden metal stars with a diameter of 13 mm in their buttonholes.

The highest rank in the internal troops of the NKVD was established as "commander of the 2nd rank." However, it was never assigned to anyone and remained purely nominal. In the figure on the right, the insignia of the commander of the 2nd rank.

1-comcor,
2nd division commander,
3 brigade commander,
4-corps commissioner,
5th divisional commissar,
6 brigade commissar,
7-divintendent,
8 brigintendant,
9th division engineer,
10-brigengineer,
11-divvrach
12 brig veterinarian.

I repeat that these insignia existed in the Internal Guard for a very short time - from October 1935 to July 1937. Many servicemen of the VV did not even have time to put them on, since they switched to new insignia not at once, but as they were awarded ranks. And it was not a mechanical process. For each serviceman, the issue of conferring a particular rank was decided individually in the course of certification. And the junior command staff generally switched to new insignia only in March 1936.

At the same time, I considered it necessary to describe in detail these insignia and form, so that the reader does not get confused when he sees a photograph with strange, very rare buttonholes. For the same purpose, and also so that the reader can discern the differences in signs, in the appendices I give the insignia of the personnel of the NKVD and the GULAG NKVD

Sources and literature

1. Magazine "Tseikhgauz" No. 1 - 1991
2. Materials of the Central Museum of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR
3. M.I. Shcherbak. "Your military uniform." Main Political Directorate VV. Moscow. 1986
4. J. Rutkiewicz, W. N. Kulikow. Wojska NKWD 1917-1945, Barwa i Broh, Lampart, Warszawa 1998.
5. V. Voronov, A. Shishkin "NKVD of the USSR: structure, leadership, uniforms, insignia 1934-1937." - Moscow. LLC Publishing House "Russian Intelligence". 2005
6. L. Turner. The history of the Russian uniform. Soviet militia 1918-1991. Exclusive. Saint Petersburg. 1995

In January 1943, the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR was issued on the introduction of new insignia in the Red Army - shoulder straps. As the Decree determined, shoulder straps were intended to determine the military rank and belonging of a serviceman to one or another branch of the military. It should be noted that at the same time the uniform of the Red Army itself was changed.

Naturally, the uniform of the NKVD troops was also changed, which by this time differed from the uniform of the Red Army only in the colors of the buttonholes and caps (I do not mean the field uniform, which did not differ at all).

As early as January 1942, a radical, albeit gradual, change in the scales of the ranks of the commanding staff began. The names of the ranks of the middle, senior and senior staff become the same as the ranks of the command staff, but with a prefix indicating the type of service (for example, major engineer, lieutenant technician, major general of the engineering and artillery service, colonel of the medical service, etc.). P.) .

Accordingly, the insignia on shoulder straps in all services were unified, and it became possible to clearly define and compare the official position of military personnel of different types of service.
The rank of "captain" is moved to the category of junior officers.
The use of the word "officer" is officially introduced.

On January 15, 1943, the People's Commissar of Defense issues order No. 25, which specifies the shape, colors, sizes of shoulder straps, and insignia on shoulder straps.

By order of the NKVD No. 126 of February 18, 1943, the order of the People's Commissar of Defense No. 25 of January 15, 1943 was duplicated. Shoulder straps are now being introduced into the NKVD.

The very system of distinguishing ranks through shoulder straps was borrowed from the army of pre-revolutionary Russia. The dimensions and shape of the shoulder straps largely repeated the shoulder straps of the tsarist army, however, the number and size of the stars, the colors of the stripes were different, and they denoted other ranks.

At the same time, the new system was affected by the influence of the Wehrmacht's epaulette system (colored piping according to the types of troops around the epaulettes of privates and sergeants).

The color of piping and gaps for officers of the Internal Troops and employees of state security agencies was set to be single - cornflower blue.

But in order to be able to distinguish the military personnel of the NKVD troops from the employees of the NKVD and state security bodies, as before, it was prescribed for all military personnel of the NKVD troops to wear emblems of the military branches on shoulder straps. The state security officers did not wear any emblems.

All sleeve patches, including the sleeve badge of state security, are completely cancelled.

On the new form, buttonholes lose their functional purpose (rank distinction) and become mainly a decorative element and only partially indicate the official position of a serviceman.

On overcoats, the former diamond-shaped buttonholes, which covered the entire corner of the collar, were replaced with parallelogram-shaped buttonholes. The size of the buttonholes was the same as in the Red Army. On everyday overcoats, buttonholes for internal troops have a maroon-colored field with cornflower blue piping. A golden button is placed at the top of the buttonhole. On the field buttonholes of the greatcoats, the field is of a protective color, the piping is cornflower blue.

On ceremonial uniforms in the internal troops, maroon buttonholes without piping. Here, in addition to their decorative role, they indicate the category of military personnel.
The Red Army men have clean buttonholes, sergeants have a longitudinal stripe of bason yellow color(command staff) or white (commanding staff). Junior officers have one bar embroidered with gold and silver thread in their buttonholes, senior officers have two.

The parade uniform of soldiers and sergeants of the NKVD troops is not single-breasted, as in the Red Army, but double-breasted. In addition, the trousers for the dress uniform are blue, like those of officers, but without piping (in the Red Army, dress trousers are the same color as the uniform).

The same order determines that two types of shoulder straps are introduced for privates and sergeants - everyday and field. Everyday epaulettes are designed for dress uniforms and everyday field uniforms in the event that it is used as everyday. Field epaulettes are designed for everyday field uniforms, if it is used as a field uniform.

Field shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants internal troops were made of khaki-colored cloth with cornflower blue piping. No emblems and numbers of regiments were supposed to be on field shoulder straps. Rank stripes made of silk lace (braid) for officers in burgundy color; for non-combatant, technical, medical, veterinary, quartermaster - brown.
The field shoulder straps of ordinary and junior command and command staff were pentagonal, had a length of 14-16 cm and a width of 6 cm. colors.

1-Red Army; 2-corporal; 3-Junior sergeant; 4-Sergeant, 5- Senior Sergeant (commanding staff), 6 - Sergeant Major.

Everyday shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants of the internal troops. They are made of maroon-colored cloth with cornflower blue piping. On shoulder straps, the number of the regiment is applied with paint on a stencil (which, incidentally, was not carried out everywhere).
Emblems by type of troops are placed in the middle part of the epaulette.
All badges are metal in golden color (but badges of the veterinary service are silvery).
To distinguish between ranks on shoulder straps, transverse stripes are located in their upper part. These patches come in three sizes; narrow 1 cm wide, wide 3 cm wide, and for the longitudinal stripe of foremen 1.5 cm wide.
The color of the stripes is yellow for command personnel and grayish-white for technical sergeants, rear personnel, medical and veterinary services and non-combatant personnel.
Patches are made in a factory way from silk lace (braid).
Cadets of the command schools of the internal troops have trim on three sides of the epaulette of gold galloon, and cadets of the only rear school - of silver galloon.

1-Red Army (rifle units); 2-corporal (artillery); 3-Junior sergeant (armored units), 4-Sergeant (cavalry); 5-Senior sergeant (rifle units); 6-Foreman (automotive units and subdivisions); 7-Cadet.

Shoulder straps are attached to the tunic with a longitudinal strap sewn at the bottom of the epaulette, and running along the reverse side of the epaulet and threaded into a transverse patch on the shoulder of the tunic and fastened to a button sewn at the collar. The upper end of the epaulette is fastened to the same button. There were also combined everyday-field shoulder straps, which, on the one hand, were field, and on the other, everyday. If necessary, shoulder straps were simply turned over with the required side up.

Field epaulettes for middle and senior command and command staff(junior and senior officers) - pentagonal, had a length of 14-16 cm, and a width of 6 cm. The color of the edging is cornflower blue.
Shoulder straps of doctors and military officers were somewhat narrower - 4 cm.
Rank insignia in the form of five-pointed stars in size (diameter of the circumscribed circle) - 13 mm for junior officers and 20 mm for senior officers.
The color of the stars for officers of the command staff is silver, for officers of the commanding staff - golden.
The color of the gaps for the command staff is cornflower blue, for the officers of the commanding staff - brown. Clearance width 5 mm.
All emblems are gold-coloured metal and are located 10 mm below the button. Green buttons. Field shoulder straps were intended to be worn on summer and winter field uniforms.

1-colonel (cavalry units of the NKVD VV)),
2-lieutenant colonel (armored units of the NKVD VV),
3rd Major (rifle units of the NKVD VV),
4-colonel (technical service of the NKVD VV),
5-captain (rifle units of the NKVD).
6th senior lieutenant (cavalry units of the NKVD VV).
7th Lieutenant (VV NKVD Artillery).
8th junior lieutenant (armored units of the NKVD).
9th lieutenant (technical service of the NKVD VV).

Field shoulder straps were intended to be worn on summer and winter field uniforms.

Everyday shoulder straps for middle and senior command and command staff(junior and senior officers) had the same dimensions as the field officers, but were trimmed with galloon with gaps woven into them. They were also worn in dress uniforms.
For the command staff, the galloon is gold, the stars and emblems are silver.
For the commanding staff, the galloon is silver, the emblems and stars are golden.

The button for all is copper or brass yellow. The gaps on everyday shoulder straps for all officers of the internal troops are cornflower blue, as is the edging of shoulder straps.

Shoulder straps of the command staff:

1-colonel (rifle units of the NKVD VV)),
2-lieutenant colonel (cavalry units of the NKVD VV),
3rd major (armored units of the NKVD VV),
4-captain (cavalry units of the NKVD).
5th senior lieutenant (armored units of the NKVD VV).
6-lieutenant (cavalry VV NKVD).
8th junior lieutenant (rifle units of the NKVD VV).

Note. The same epaulettes were worn in the NKVD bodies (state security officers, officers of the internal service). But there shoulder straps were worn without any emblems. But in the NKVD explosives, emblems were required.

Note by Veremeev Yu.G. In general, where did this name "gaps" come from, which are called longitudinal narrow stripes on officer shoulder straps?
The thing is that in 1854, when galloon shoulder straps were introduced for officers, it was decided that the shoulder strap itself remains the same as that of the lower ranks, but two wide so-called. "harness" lace with one gap between them. It turns out the epaulette of a chief officer. Stars are then attached to the shoulder strap according to the rank of the officer. In this interval, the shoulder strap field is visible. Hence the term "clearance".
In order to get a staff officer's shoulder strap, one wide galloon (harness) and two narrow galloons (the so-called "headquarters officer galloons") were sewn along its length. It turned out two gaps - clearance.
On the shoulder straps of the marching uniform, this gap was indicated by a narrow dark orange ribbon. With timefactories began to produce galloon, which combined the former harness and staff officer galloons and gaps.

When in 1943 they began to make officer gold epaulettes, the galloon was woven with a width equal to the width of the epaulette without piping. A colored narrow strip (one for the galloon of junior officers, two for senior officers) was woven into the galloon itself, making up one with it, but the term "clearance" remained.

Shoulder straps of the commanding staff (examples):
1-engineer-colonel,
2nd lieutenant of the quartermaster service,
3rd lieutenant of medical service.

The officers of the veterinary service have a silver emblem.

By the way, in 1943 there were galloons of officer epaulettes with a different weave pattern. It is obvious that the patterns of weaving shoulder straps of the tsarist army (in which there were more than 20 different patterns of galloon) were taken as the basis, different factories produced galloon with different patterns, there was a process of searching for a single pattern of galloon, which approximately ended only by 1955.

I would like to draw the attention of uniformitarians lovers to two more not very noticeable, but very significant details.
The first is the location of the stars on the shoulder straps of the colonel and lieutenant colonel. The stars are not located in the gaps, but are shifted to the edge of the shoulder strap. Approximately so the stars were worn on the shoulder straps of the tsarist army, placing them on the sides of the encryption. But the fact is that in the tsarist army all the stars were the same size - 11 mm (1/4 inch), and they were perfectly placed between the clearance and the edge of the shoulder strap. And the stars of the 1943 model of the year for senior officers were much larger in size - 20 mm, and when placed between the clearance and the edge of the shoulder strap, the sharp ends of the stars often went beyond the edge of the shoulder strap and clung to anything - for example, to the lining of the overcoat.
These stars will move into the gaps only around 1947. Apparently, the displacement of stars into gaps was at first largely spontaneous, and later standardized.

And the second - emblems until the beginning of the sixties were made of brass and, accordingly, either gilded or silvered. Since the early sixties, they began to be made of white metal, which was anodized to give a golden color (if necessary).

All epaulettes were attached to the uniform with a longitudinal loop sewn on the back of the epaulette. These epaulettes were designed to be worn on everyday and dress uniforms.

Shoulder straps of the generals of the Internal Troops.

Unlike the army, there were few generals in the Internal Troops. During the Great Patriotic War, even the commanders of the Internal Troops of the NKVD did not rise in ranks higher than "major general":
- A.I. Gulyev (1941-1942)
- I.S.Sheredega (1942-1944).

And only A.N. Apollonov, who commanded the explosives in 1944-1946, rose to the rank of "colonel general".
The shoulder straps of the generals of the VV differed from the army generals only in the color of the edging of the shoulder straps (cornflower blue), adopted at that time in the Internal Troops.

Shoulder straps are known only for everyday use. There is no information about field shoulder straps for the generals of the Internal Troops.

In the picture on the left:
1. Major General of the Internal Troops.
2. Lieutenant General of the Internal Troops.
3. Colonel-General of the Internal Troops.

In subsequent years, the uniform and insignia of the Internal Troops more and more approached the army.
In 1955, with the abolition of colored edging on the shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants of the Soviet Army, cornflower blue edging also left the shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants of the VV.

In 1970, with the introduction of a new uniform in the Soviet Army, a similar one was adopted for the Internal Troops. The cornflower blue color finally and completely disappears from uniforms and insignia of explosives. It remains the main color of the KGB military personnel. Already in the early fifties, this department completely separated from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and became completely independent.

Since that time, it is possible to distinguish an officer of the VV from an army officer only by the maroon color of the gaps on the shoulder straps, and the same maroon color of the buttonholes, edges on the uniform, and the soldiers and sergeants by the maroon color of the shoulder straps and the letters VV on the shoulder straps.

From the author. Only a person who subtly distinguishes colors and shades can distinguish the maroon color of an explosive from the red army, or when an officer of the explosives and an army (motorized rifleman) are standing side by side. It was in the 70s and 80s that the civilian population often gave rise to the erroneous opinion that all the "Red Riders" were the Internal Troops, and the "Black Riders" were the Soviet Army. Moreover, only motorized riflemen wore red shoulder straps in the SA, and most of the Army (tankers, artillerymen, rocketmen, engineers, chemists, signalmen, ...) wore black shoulder straps.

Sources and literature

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MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE UNION OF THE SSR RULES FOR THE WEARING OF MILITARY UNIFORM CLOTHES BY THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY SERVICE SERVICES Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR 250 Section I. MAIN PROVISIONS Section II. CLOTHING FORM OF SOVIET ARMY SERVICEMEN. Chapter 1. Uniform of marshals and generals of the Soviet Army Chapter 2. Uniform of officers, ensigns and servicemen of the long-term service of the Soviet Army Chapter 3. Uniform

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE UNION OF THE SSR RULES FOR THE WEARING OF MILITARY UNIFORM CLOTHES BY THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY SERVICE SERVICES Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR 250 Section I. MAIN PROVISIONS Section II. CLOTHING FORM OF SOVIET ARMY SERVICEMEN. Chapter 1 Soviet Union, generals of the army, marshals of the military branches and generals of the Soviet Army Chapter 2. Uniform of officers, warrant officers and military personnel

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE UNION OF THE SSR RULES FOR WEARING THE MILITARY UNIFORM OF CLOTHING BY MILITARY PERSONNEL OF THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR 191 Section I. GENERAL PROVISIONS Section II. MILITARY UNIFORM Chapter 1. Uniform of the Marshals of the Soviet Union, marshals of the military branches and generals of the Soviet Army Chapter 2. Uniform of officers and sergeants of the long-term service of the Soviet Army Chapter 3. Uniform of female officers

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE UNION OF THE SSR RULES OF WEARING THE MILITARY UNIFORM OF CLOTHES BY THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY SERVICE PERSONNEL IN PEACETIME I. GENERAL PROVISIONS II. MILITARY UNIFORM Clothing uniform for marshals of the Soviet Union, marshals of military branches and generals of the Soviet Army Clothing uniform for admirals and generals Navy The uniform of the officers of the Soviet Army The uniform of the female officers of the Soviet Army

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE USSR RULES FOR THE WEARING OF MILITARY UNIFORM CLOTHING BY SERGEANTS, STARSHIN, SOLDIERS, SAILORS, cadets AND PUPILS OF THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY IN PEACETIME Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR. General provisions. The uniform of sergeants of long-term service. The uniform of sergeants of conscripts and soldiers of extra-conscripts and conscripts. The uniform of cadets of military schools. The uniform of pupils of Suvorov

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE USSR RULES FOR WEARING MILITARY UNIFORM MARSHALS OF THE SOVIET UNION, ADMIRALS OF THE FLEET OF THE SOVIET UNION, MARSHALS, GENERALS, ADMIRALS AND OFFICERS OF THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY FOR PEACE TIME Order Minister of Defense of the USSR. General provisions. Uniform of marshals of the Soviet Union, marshals of military branches and generals of the ground forces Uniform of marshals and generals of the air force Uniform of clothing

THE NAVY MINISTRY OF THE UNION OF THE SSR RULES FOR THE WEARING OF THE NAVY UNIFORM, ORDERS AND MEDALS BY MILITARY SERVICES OF THE NAVY FORCES. NAVY PUBLISHING HOUSE OF THE NAVY MINISTRY OF THE UNION OF THE SSR. Moscow-1952 Order of the Naval Minister of the USSR Chapter I General provisions Chapter II Types of naval uniforms and their application Chapter III On wearing items of naval uniforms Chapter IV Wearing sportswear and civilian clothes

Continuity and innovation in modern military heraldry The first official military heraldic sign is established on January 27, 1997 by Presidential Russian Federation the emblem of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the form of a golden double-headed eagle with outstretched wings, holding a sword in its paws, as the most common symbol of the armed defense of the Fatherland, and a wreath, a symbol of special importance, significance and honor of military labor. This emblem was established to mark the belonging

The military uniform of the Soviet army uniforms and equipment of the military personnel of the Soviet army, formerly called the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army and the Red Army, as well as the Rules for their wearing in the period from 1918 to 1991, established by the highest government bodies for the personnel of the Soviet Army. Article 1

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Oleg Volkov, senior lieutenant of the reserve, former commander of the T-55 tank, gunner of the 1st class We have been waiting for her for so long. Three long years. They have been waiting since the very moment when they changed their civilian clothes for soldiers' uniforms. All this time, she came to us in dreams, in between exercises, shooting at ranges, studying equipment, outfits, drills and other numerous army duties. We are Russians, Tatars, Bashkirs, Uzbeks, Moldavians, Ukrainians,

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FITTING, ASSEMBLY AND SAVING THE UNIFIED TRAVELING EQUIPMENT OF THE COMMANDER STAFF OF THE RKKA RVS USSR Order 183 1932 1. General Provisions overcoats and warm overalls leather uniforms, fur clothing b with waist and shoulder straps in three sizes 1

MAIN Quartermaster's Directorate of the Red Army INSTRUCTIONS FOR LAYING, FITTING, ASSEMBLY AND PUTTING ON THE EQUIPMENT OF THE RED ARMY INFANTRY FIGHTER MILITARY ISSUES NKO USSR - 1941 CONTENTS I. General provisions II. Types of equipment and composition set III. Fitting Equipment IV. Packing equipment V. Making an overcoat roll VI. Assembly of equipment VII. The order of putting on equipment VIII. Instructions for the use of equipment IX.

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1 The uniform of the junior command, junior commanding and enlisted personnel of the Red Army Air Force, 1936. Summer casual wear 1. Pilot cap 2. Roll-up overcoat 3. Gymnast 4. Summer harem pants 5. Boots or boots with leggings 6. Waist belt Winter casual wear 1. Dark cloth helmet gray color 2. Overcoat 3. Tunic 4. Cloth trousers

Each army has its own system of military ranks. Moreover, rank systems are not something fixed, set once and for all. Some titles are canceled, others are introduced. Those who are in any way seriously interested in the art of war, science, need to know not only the entire system of military ranks of a particular army, but also to know how the ranks of different armies correlate, which ranks of one army correspond to the ranks of another army. There is a lot of confusion in the existing literature on these issues,

Private 1939 Private Infantry 1939 At the start of World War II, the Soviet Union had the largest army in Europe, estimated at 1.8 million. Providing such a mass of people with uniforms and equipment was a truly daunting task, and therefore state factories could only maintain tried and tested methods that guaranteed a steady supply. As a result, most Soviet soldiers wore uniforms,

Lieutenant 1941 Air Force Lieutenant 1941 This fighter pilot is wearing a pre-war leather flight coat and flight helmet. Pay attention to the insignia on the buttonholes. Junior officers wore red enamel squares lieutenant two squares and a propeller emblem with wings. By the time the Germans invaded the territory of the USSR, the Red Army Air Forces were undergoing a painful reorganization, the commanders were trying to find

Sailor 1939 Sailor Navy 1939 The uniform of the Navy of the USSR as a whole did not differ much from the clothing of sailors in other countries, although it had two distinctive features. Firstly, only in the Soviet Navy did the foremen wear a traditional uniform with a cap, and secondly, blue and black colors were combined in a naval uniform. The officers wore a black uniform, which included a cap, tunic with a white shirt and black

Front-line soldier Corporal 1 in the uniform of the 1943 model. The insignia from the buttonholes were transferred to shoulder straps. The SSH-40 helmet became widespread since 1942. Around the same time, submachine guns began to enter the troops in massive quantities. This corporal is armed with a 7.62 mm Shpagin submachine gun - PPSh-41 - with a 71-round drum magazine. Spare magazines in pouches on the waist belt next to the pouch for three hand grenades. In 1944, along with the drum

Military uniforms are called clothes established by rules or special decrees, the wearing of which is mandatory for any military unit and for each branch of the military. The form symbolizes the function of its bearer and his belonging to the organization. The stable phrase honor of the uniform means military or corporate honor in general. Even in the Roman army, soldiers were given the same weapons and armor. In the Middle Ages, it was customary to depict the coat of arms of a city, kingdom or feudal lord on shields,

In the North Caucasus, three types of Cossack units Terek, Kuban and Don were stationed and carried out military service. In 1936 By order of the NKO USSR 67, a special dress uniform was established for these units. For the Terek and Kuban Cossacks, it consisted of a kubanka, a beshmet, a Circassian coat with a hood, a cloak, bloomers and Caucasian boots. The Don Cossacks wore a papakha, kazakin, harem pants and boots as a weekend outfit.

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Types of fabrics used for sewing uniforms of the Red Army. Name, article Composition of fabric Color Application Diagonal merino art. 1408 khaki wool, steel, dark and light blue uniforms, tunics and breeches of generals Gabardine merino art. 1311 khaki wool, steel, dark and light blue uniforms, tunics and breeches of generals

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Summer outfit Red Army for the period 1940-1943. SUMMER GYMNASTERIOR OF THE COMMAND AND COMMANDING STAFF OF THE RED ARMY Introduced by order of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR 005 of February 1, 1941 The summer tunic is made of a khaki cotton fabric with a turn-down collar fastened with one hook. At the ends of the collar, khaki buttonholes with insignia are sewn on. The gymnast has a chest strap with a clasp

Winter uniform of the Red Army 1940-1945 OVERCOAT Introduced by order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR 733 of December 18, 1926. Single-breasted overcoat made of gray overcoat. Turn-down collar. Clasp hidden on five hooks. Welt pockets without flaps. Sleeves with stitched straight cuffs. At the back, the pleat ends with a slit. The strap is fastened to the posts with two buttons. Overcoat for command and command staff introduced by order of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR

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TABLE OF RANKS OF THE USSR MILITARY SERVICE 1935-1945 1935 1 By the Decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR of September 22, 1935, on the introduction of personal military ranks of the commanding staff of the Red Army and on the approval of the regulation on the service of the command and command staff of the Red Army for the military personnel of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army, command and special military ranks of the commanding composition Military ranks of command and command staff of land and air

By order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic 572 of April 3, 1920, sleeve insignia of the Red Army were introduced. A detailed analysis of the history of stripes and chevrons of the Red Army of all periods in the material of the Military Pro. Introduction of sleeve insignia of the Red Army stages, features, symbols Distinctive insignia of the sleeve type are used to identify servicemen of certain branches of the armed forces. To better understand the specifics of the sleeve insignia of the Red Army and the chevrons of the Red Army, we recommend

Black Death is how German soldiers during World War II called the Soviet marines, dressed in black pea jackets. And the Germans perceived the incomprehensible battle cry of the polundra as fall under. When the marines were dressed in combined arms uniforms, the fighters kept the vests and peakless caps and went on the attack wide open and in demons, biting the ribbons in their teeth. Let the enemies see who they're dealing with. History of the Marine Corps Already in the second half of the 16th century, as part of the crews of ships

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Metal helmets, widely used in the armies of the world long before our era, to XVIII century have lost their protective value due to the massive proliferation of firearms. By the period of the Napoleonic Wars in European armies, they were used as protective equipment mainly in heavy cavalry. Throughout the 19th century, military headdresses protected their wearers at best from cold, heat or rain. Returning to service steel helmets, or

The abundance of uniforms and equipment accepted for supply in the Red Army led to the fact that tankers, even within the same military unit or unit, could be equipped in different ways. The commanders of light tanks of the Red Army and the Wehrmacht shown in the photo look like thousands of tankers looked on the first day of the war. If possible, the most common variants of uniforms and equipment are indicated in the descriptions, but, of course, the material cannot claim to be exhaustive.

The image shows two infantrymen of the Red Army, a Red Army soldier on June 22, 1941 and a victorious sergeant on May 9, 1945. Even from the photo you can see how the uniforms and equipment were simplified over time, something turned out to be too expensive to manufacture in wartime, something did not take root, something the soldiers did not like and was removed from the supply. A individual elements equipment, on the contrary, was spied on by the enemy or taken as a trophy. It's not all about item placement

Afghan slang name used by some military personnel for the name of a set of field summer winter uniforms for military personnel Armed Forces USSR, and later the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the CIS countries. The field one was later used as an everyday military uniform due to poor supply of the military personnel of the Soviet Army and the Navy of the USSR, marines, coastal missile and artillery troops and the Air Force of the fleet, which was used in the initial period in SAVO and OKSVA

Until the end of the 70s, the field uniform of the KGB PV was not much different from the one that was in the land Soviet Army. Unless green shoulder straps and buttonholes, and more frequent and widespread use of KLMK summer camouflage suit. At the end of the 70s, in terms of the development and implementation of a special field uniform, some changes took place, which resulted in the appearance of summer and winter field suits with a hitherto unusual cut. 1.

In 1985, by Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR 145-84g, a new field uniform was introduced, the same for all categories of military personnel, which received the common name Afghan, the first to receive units and subunits located on the territory of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. In 1988 In 1988, by Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense 250 of 03/04/88, soldiers, sergeants and cadets without a tunic in a green shirt are introduced to wear a dress uniform. From left to right

From left to right Summer parade of marshals and generals except for the Air Force - for formation. The winter parade of marshals and generals, except for the Air Force, is out of order. Summer parade of marshals and generals of the Air Force - for building and out of order. Summer ceremonial dress of marshals and generals in the Air Force blue cap and trousers. Summer casual marshals and generals - loose trousers out of order. Summer field marshals and generals

Official insignia of the military personnel of the Red Army 1919-1921. With the coming of the RCP b to power in November 1917, the new leaders of the country, relying on the thesis of Karl Marx about replacing the regular army with the general armament of the working people, began active work to eliminate the imperial army of Russia. In particular, on December 16, 1917, all military ranks were abolished by the decrees of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars On the elective beginning and organization of power in the army and On the equalization of the rights of all military personnel.

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Insignia and buttonholes of the Red Army 1924-1943 The Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army was abbreviated as the Red Army, the term Soviet Army SA appeared later, the beginning of World War II, oddly enough, was met in a military uniform of the 1925 model. The People's Commissariat of Defense, by its order of December 3, 1935, introduced new uniforms and insignia. The old official ranks were partially preserved for the military-political, military-technical.

PERSONAL MILITARY RANKS OF THE MILITARY SERVANTS 1935-1945 PERSONAL MILITARY RANKS OF THE MILITARY SERVICES OF THE LAND AND SEA FORCES OF THE RKKA 1935-1940 Introduced by resolutions of the Council of People's Commissars 2590 for the ground and air forces of the Red Army and Naval Forces of the Red Army of September 22, 1935. Declared by order of the People's Commissar of Defense 144 of September 26, 1935. Private and command staff Political composition

On January 6, 1943, shoulder straps for the personnel of the Soviet Army were introduced in the USSR. Initially, shoulder straps had a practical meaning. With their help, the belt of the cartridge bag was held. Therefore, at first there was only one shoulder strap, on the left shoulder, since the cartridge bag was worn on the right side. In most of the fleets of the world, shoulder straps were not used, and the rank was indicated by stripes on the sleeve, the sailors did not wear a cartridge bag. In Russia, shoulder straps

Uniforms of the Red Army Headwear of the Red Army Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch

This attribute of military equipment has earned a worthy place among others, thanks to its simplicity, unpretentiousness and, most importantly, complete irreplaceability. The name helmet itself comes from the French casque or from the Spanish casco skull, helmet. According to encyclopedias, this term refers to a leather or metal headgear used to protect the head by the military and other categories of persons operating in dangerous conditions by miners,

Name From a Bogatyr to a Frunzevka There is a version in journalism that the Budyonovka was developed back in the First World War in such helmets, the Russians supposedly had to go through the victory parade in Berlin. However, no confirmed evidence of this has been found. But according to the documents, the history of the competition for the development of uniforms for the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army is well traced. The competition was announced on May 7, 1918, and on December 18, the Republican Revolutionary Military Council approved a sample of a winter headgear - a helmet,

June 3, 1946 in accordance with the decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, signed by I. V. Stalin, the Airborne Forces were withdrawn from the Air Force and subordinated directly to the Ministry of the Armed Forces of the USSR. Paratroopers at the November 1951 parade in Moscow. A sleeve badge is visible on the right sleeve of those marching in the first rank. The resolution ordered the head of the Logistics of the USSR Armed Forces, together with the commander of the Airborne Forces, to prepare proposals

Emblem Airborne Troops- in the form of a parachute surrounded by two aircraft - known to all. It became the basis for the subsequent development of the entire symbolism of the units and formations of the Airborne Forces. This sign is not only an expression of the serviceman's belonging to the winged infantry, but also a kind of symbol of the spiritual unity of all paratroopers. But few people know the name of the author of the emblem. And this was the work of Zinaida Ivanovna Bocharova, a beautiful, smart, hardworking girl who worked as a leading draftsman at the headquarters of the Airborne

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FITTING, ASSEMBLY AND SAVING THE UNIFIED TRAVELING EQUIPMENT OF THE COMMANDER STAFF OF THE RKKA RVS USSR Order 183 1932 1. General Provisions overcoats and warm overalls leather uniforms, fur clothes b with waist and shoulder straps in three sizes 1 height namely 1 Equipment

From buttonholes to epaulettes P. Lipatov Uniforms and insignia of the ground troops of the Red Army, internal troops of the NKVD and border troops during the Great Patriotic War The Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army of the Red Army entered World War II in the uniform of the 1935 model. At about the same time, they acquired the usual us the appearance of Wehrmacht soldiers. In 1935, by order of the People's Commissariat of Defense of December 3, new uniforms and insignia were introduced for the entire personnel of the Red Army.

The Soviet system of insignia is unique. This practice is not found in the armies of other countries of the world, and it was, perhaps, the only innovation of the communist government; otherwise, the order was copied from the rules of army insignia of tsarist Russia. The insignia of the first two decades of the existence of the Red Army were buttonholes, which were later replaced by shoulder straps. The rank was determined by the shape of the triangles, squares, rhombuses under the star,

They do not emit a warlike roar, they do not sparkle with a polished surface, they are not decorated with chased coats of arms and plumes, and quite often they are generally hidden under jackets. However, today, without this armor, unsightly in appearance, it is simply unthinkable to send soldiers into battle or ensure the safety of VIPs. Body armor is clothing that prevents bullets from entering the body and therefore protects a person from being shot. It is made from materials that scatter

In the last century, during the Soviet Union, there was a higher rank of generalissimo. However, this title was not awarded to any person during the entire existence of the Soviet Union, except for Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin. The proletarian people themselves asked for this man to be awarded the highest military rank for all his services to the Motherland. This happened after the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany in the 45th year. Soon that the working people asked for such an honor

We will have to start the story about the introduction of insignia in the Soviet army with some general questions. In addition, a short digression into the history of the Russian state will be useful in order not to formulate empty references to the past. The shoulder straps themselves are a kind of product that is worn on the shoulders in order to indicate the position or rank, as well as the type of troops and service affiliation. This is carried out in several ways by fastening straps, stars, making gaps, chevrons.

The era, a couple of decades long, which begins after the Bolsheviks came to power, marked itself with numerous changes in the life of the former Empire. The reorganization of practically all structures of peaceful and military activities turned out to be a rather lengthy and contentious process. In addition, from the course of history, we know that immediately after the revolution, Russia was swept by a bloody civil war, in which there was intervention. It is hard to imagine that the original rows

The entire period of the existence of the USSR can be divided into several stages according to various epoch-making events. As a rule, changes in the political life of the state lead to a number of cardinal changes, including in the army. The pre-war period, which is limited to 1935-1940, went down in history as the birth of the Soviet Union, and special attention should be paid not only to the state of the material part of the armed forces, but also to the organization of the hierarchy in management. Prior to the beginning of this period, there was

Even during the Second World War, detachments of marines instilled fear in German soldiers. Since then, the second name black death or black devils has been attached to the latter, indicating the inevitable reprisal against those who encroach on the integrity of the state. Perhaps this nickname is somehow connected with the fact that the infantryman wore a black pea coat. Only one thing is known for certain if the enemy is afraid, then this is already the lion's share of victory, and, as you know, the motto is considered a symbol of the marines

Considering all the stages of the creation of the Russian armed forces, it is necessary to delve deeply into history, and although during the time of the principalities we are not talking about the Russian empire, and even more so about the regular army, the emergence of such a thing as defense capability begins precisely from this era. In the XIII century, Rus' was represented by separate principalities. Although their military squads were armed with swords, axes, spears, sabers and bows, they could not serve as a reliable defense against extraneous encroachments. United army

Even before the First World War, a uniform appeared in the Russian army, consisting of a protective color of trousers, a shirt-tunic, an overcoat and boots. We have seen her more than once in films about the Civil and Great Patriotic Wars. Soviet uniform from World War II. Since then, several uniform reforms have been carried out, but they mainly affected only the dress uniform. The edgings, shoulder straps, buttonholes changed in uniforms, and the field uniform remained practically unchanged.

Organs and internal troops of the NKVD 1935-1937. Let me remind you that the Internal Troops have undergone numerous reorganizations, renamings, etc. over the years of their existence. With the creation immediately after the October 1917 coup of the Council of People's Commissars, the Council of People's Commissars was immediately created as one of the thirteen people's commissariats, the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs of the Russian Republic of the NKVD. Then it became known as the NKVD of the RSFSR. Then, as the union republics formed, they added

The Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army of the Red Army entered the Second World War in the uniform of the 1935 model. At about the same time, Wehrmacht soldiers acquired their familiar appearance. In 1935, by order of the People's Commissariat of Defense of December 3, new uniforms and insignia were introduced for the entire personnel of the Red Army. The former official ranks by category were abolished, personal old ones were established for commanders, while they were partly preserved for military-political, military-technical,

In the Red Army, two types of buttonholes were used - everyday color and field protective. There were also differences in the buttonholes of the commanding and commanding staff, so that it was possible to distinguish the commander from the chief. Field buttonholes were introduced by order of the USSR NKO 253 of August 1, 1941, which abolished the wearing of colored insignia for all categories of military personnel. It was ordered to switch to buttonholes, emblems and insignia of a completely green camouflage color.

Soviet mountain gunners in ambush. Caucasus. 1943 Based on considerable combat experience gained during the Great Patriotic War, the Main Directorate of Combat Training of the Main Directorate of Combat Training of the GUBP of the Ground Forces of the Red Army undertook a fundamental solution to the issues of providing the latest weapons and equipment to the Soviet infantry. In the summer of 1945, a meeting was held in Moscow to discuss all the problems facing combined arms commanders. At this meeting, presentations were made by

Different kinds small arms and bladed weapons that were in service with partisans Trophy weapons of partisans Various independent alterations of copies of Soviet and captured weapons Actions of partisans behind enemy lines, damage to power lines, posting propaganda leaflets, reconnaissance, destruction of traitors. Ambushes behind enemy lines, destruction of enemy columns and manpower Undermining bridges and railways, methods

As a result of the adoption of two decrees on December 15, 1917, the Council of People's Commissars abolished all the ranks and military ranks in the Russian army that remained from the previous regime. The period of the formation of the Red Army. First insignia. Thus, all the soldiers of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army organized as a result of the order of January 15, 1918 no longer had any uniform military uniform, as well as special insignia. Nevertheless, in the same year, a badge was introduced for the fighters of the Red Army

Insignia of the Red Army, 1917-24 1. Patch of the infantry, 1920-24. 2. Armband of the Red Guard, 1917. 3. Sleeve patch of the Kalmyk cavalry units of the South-Eastern Front, 1919-20. 4. Breastplate of the Red Army, 1918-22. 5. Patch of the escort guards of the Republic, 1922-23. 6. Sleeve insignia of the internal troops of the OGPU, 1923-24. 7. Patch of armored parts Eastern Front, 1918-19. 8. Commander's sleeve patch

On the basis of the adopted norms, in a secret mode, a detailed regulation was being prepared on the supply of clothing equipment to the army leading fighting. On June 30, 1941, hastily finalized in connection with the unexpected German attack on the USSR, this information was announced by the chief quartermaster's circular for the information of the entire Red Army. However, at that moment the question was not of supplying the front, but of saving front-line supplies from those areas where the troops were retreating. The beginning of the war was

The uniform of the Red Army 1918-1945 is the fruit of the joint efforts of a group of enthusiastic artists, collectors, and researchers who devote all their free time and money to one common idea. Recreating the realities of the era that troubles their hearts provides an opportunity to get closer to a true perception of the central event of the 20th century of the Second World War, which undoubtedly continues to have a serious impact on modern life. Decades of deliberate misrepresentation experienced by our people

We continue to talk about the uniform of the Red Army. This publication will focus on the period 1943-1945, that is, the very height of the Great Patriotic War, paid attention to the changes in the form of the Soviet soldier that occurred in 1943. Senior sergeant of the Air Force with his father, who is a major. Winter and summer uniforms, 1943 and later. The winter tunic looks neat and clean, the summer one is dirty

In the early days. following the Great October Socialist Revolution of 1917, the Bolsheviks began to form armed detachments from the proletarians of manual labor, sailors of the tsarist fleet and deserters of the Imperial Russian army. These detachments became known as the Red Guard. February 23, 1918 is considered the official date of the creation of the Red Army. Until 1946, the armed forces were officially called the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army. Red Army, since 1946 the Soviet Army.

Commanders Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov Born on February 12, 1900 in Serebryanye Prudy, near Venev, Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov was the son of a peasant. From the age of 12, he worked as an apprentice saddler, and when he was 18, he joined the Red Army. In 1918, during the civil war, he participated in the defense of Tsaritsyn later - Stalingrad, and in 1919 joined the CPSU b and was appointed regiment commander. In 1925, Chuikov graduated from the Military Academy. M.V. Frunze, then participated

Organs and internal troops of the NKVD 1935-1937.

Let me remind you that the Internal Troops have undergone numerous reorganizations, renamings, etc. over the years of their existence.

Then it became known as the NKVD of the RSFSR.

Then, as the union republics were formed, the NKVD of the union republics were added in parallel.

It was not until 1934 that a single allied People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs of the USSR was formed.

So, 06/10/1934. The People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs of the USSR (NKVD) was formed, which included the former troops of the Cheka-GPU-OGPU.

The uniform of the employees of the NKVD, the military personnel of the border and internal guards remained the same (adopted back in 1924): a shirt or a French shirt of color khaki, blue harem pants, colored caps, cavalry overcoat.

This introduced a certain confusion and confusion, and therefore, by the Decree of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks No. ПЗЗ / 95 dated September 10, 1935, all organizations, institutions and individuals were Absolutely forbidden wearing uniforms and insignia similar to Red Army(with the exception of military personnel of the border and internal guards of the NKVD, recruited by conscription).

Let me remind you that at this time a very peculiar period in the life of the Soviet state begins and the role of the NKVD in the life of the country increases significantly.

Note by Veremeev Yu.G. The catchphrase is "the revolution always devours its children." A common stage in the process of revolutionary change of power of any kind (be it a bourgeois, democratic, socialist or Nazi revolution) in any country - those who together stood at the head of the revolutionary forces in the initial period, now begin to share power And each of them believes that in he should now be the head of the country. An acute political struggle begins, in which any means of ousting, isolating, eliminating or destroying (including physical) rivals in power are used. In addition, in the country in such a period there are quite a lot of those who considered themselves offended by positions, and their revolutionary merits were not appreciated. It is from them that the head of the opposition draws personnel, while those who are at the helm of power use the apparatus of law and order to suppress the opposition ( police, police, gendarmerie, state security agencies, SS, etc.). Naturally, this apparatus is endowed with special powers during such a period.

However, in reality, the "organs" were just an instrument of internecine struggle among the tops of the party and state leadership. For example, an ax can be in the hands of a carpenter and in the hands of a murderer. But an ax - it is an ax, in all cases it remains just a tool.

On October 4, 1935, the Politburo approved the drafts of new uniforms. It was decided to make the uniform for the bodies and troops of the NKVD uniform, and not as diverse as Yagoda suggested.

On November 27, 1935, by order No. 399, a new dress And insignia personnel of the Internal Guard.

Due to the low capabilities of the country's clothing industry, it was impossible to quickly change into new uniforms for all employees of subdivisions, bodies and units of the NKVD troops. Therefore, the commanding staff of the internal guard (decision of the Politburo of 11/29/1935) was allowed to wear until 10/1/1937 before the expiration of the term socks with new insignia and buttonholes, old-style uniforms: - a shirt with a fringing, according to the assigned rank; - cloak without edging; - overcoat without edging.

Uniforms by order No. 399 of 11/27/1935.

a) The main headdress of the organs and troops of the NKVD was cap Red Army sample 1935. The cap was sewn from woolen fabric in traditional colors for the NKVD: - cornflower-blue crown and maroon band - for internal troops; Crimson piping was sewn on top of the band and crown on all types of caps. The cap had a little extended black a lacquered fiber visor, above which a lacquered one was attached on two small uniform buttons black retractable chin belt. The highest, senior and middle command personnel wore a cap all year round, and Private and junior command staff - only in summer time. In the summer, out of order, with a white uniform, the commanding officers could wear a white cap with a white fabric visor and chin strap.

b) For wearing in the field, the command staff of the ground units of the NKVD troops was equipped with a woolen cap colors khaki. The pilots of the NKVD troops were assigned a woolen cap dark blue, which was worn on a par with a cap with a dark blue jacket or shirt. Enlisted personnel of all branches of the armed forces wore a cotton cap of the color khaki with marching attire. Raspberry piping was sewn into the seams of the cap and sides of all caps of the command staff, and a cloth five-pointed star made of instrument cloth with a diameter of 3 cm was sewn onto the front seam.

c) For the military personnel of the NKVD troops serving in areas with a hot climate, a cotton helmet colors khaki with a five-pointed star made of instrument cloth with a diameter of 7.5 cm.

d) As a winter headdress were introduced-

* to command personnel: a finca hat made of gray or brown fur, with a top (cap) made of dark gray woolen fabric - worn only when coat with fastened fur collar.

Krapovoe - for internal security and air units;

Light green - for the border guard.

Instead of the overcoat adopted in the Red Army for the command staff (except for the junior ones) of the organs and troops of the NKVD, a double-breasted coat-cloak was introduced as outerwear " raglan" made of dark gray woolen fabric, on 4 large uniform buttons, with a turn-down collar. winter time to coat the fur lining and collar were fastened in the color of the fur of the Finnish hat. The collar of the coat of the highest command staff of the NKVD troops was edged with crimson cloth.

The uniform of the internal troops of the NKVD consisted of the following items:

a) For middle, senior and senior command staff:

Cloth tunic of dark khaki color with two chest patch pockets;

Cloth dark blue trousers with raspberry piping;

For the command staff, an army equipment a single sample of brown leather with white metal fittings. For carrying weapons on the belt belt worn on the right side holster. When wearing a jacket, a pendant was worn holster, attached by trainers to the waist belt. Enlisted personnel and the junior command staff wore a belt belt brown or natural color, with metal single-pin buckle.

For the command staff of departments and institutions of the NKVD troops, breeches were worn with trousers leggings with chrome boots in black or dark brown leather, or black chrome boots, for the command staff of combat units and schools - black chrome or barren boots, and out of order - boots with leggings. With trousers loose (out of order), the entire command staff wore chrome boots or low shoes black or brown leather. The rank and file and junior command personnel were assigned to wear ash boots with windings or ash boot black color.

But all the rest who served in the "organs" (state security, police, firefighters, various business executives) were assigned special ranks - with the prefix "state security", "police", "internal service". For example - lieutenant state security, captain militia, major of internal service .

Special ranks are not equated to military ranks at all. And although many of them wear army uniforms, in fact, neither the army nor the NKVD troops ( MIA) are unrelated. For example, the current Interior Minister Nurgaliyev wears the uniform of an army general, although he does not serve in the army or internal troops.

For example, a man served in the army, retired to the reserve with the rank of "corporal", after that he went to work in MIA to the administrative authorities. He was given a special rank, he works for many years, gets a promotion and eventually leaves with the special rank of "colonel of the internal service."

So, upon arrival at the district military registration and enlistment office for military registration, he will be recorded as a corporal, and not as a colonel, since his military (military) rank corporal. A special rank for the military registration and enlistment office does not matter.

Another example. The officer served under the contract, retired from the army, enters the militia (police). In the police, he is unconditionally, in the order of re-certification, assigned a special militia rank ( police) corresponding to his military rank (i.e. confirm).

But the other way around won't work.

Command structure: military rank Private composition Krasnoarmeyets Junior command and command staff Separated commander Junior platoon commander foreman Candidate for the title of Middle Commander Lieutenant Senior Lieutenant Senior command staff Captain Major Colonel The highest command staff Kombrig Komdiv Komkor

Military-political composition: military rank Intermediate military-political staff Political instructor Senior military-political staff Senior political officer Battalion commissar Regimental commissar Higher military-political staff Brigadier commissar Divisional commissar Corps commissar

Military economic and administrative staff:

military rank Secondary military and administrative staff Quartermaster 2nd rank Technician 1st rank Senior military and administrative staff 3rd rank Quartermaster 2nd rank Quartermaster 1st rank Quartermaster Highest military and economic and administrative staff Brigintendant Divintendant

Military-technical composition: military rank Medium military technical staff Military technician 2nd rank Military technician 1st rank Senior military technical staff Military engineer 3rd rank Military engineer 2nd rank Military engineer 1st rank Highest military technical staff

Military medical staff

military rank Middle military medical staff Military paramedic Senior military paramedic Senior military medical staff Military doctor 3rd rank Military doctor 2nd rank Military doctor 1st rank Highest military medical staff Brigvrach Divvrach

Military veterinary staff: military rank Intermediate military veterinary staff Military veterinary assistant Senior military veterinary assistant Senior military veterinary staff 3rd rank military veterinarian 2nd rank military veterinarian 1st rank military veterinarian Higher military veterinary staff Brigveterinarian Divveterinarian

Military legal composition: military rank Intermediate military legal staff Junior military jurist Military jurist Senior military jurist staff 3rd rank military jurist 2nd rank military jurist 1st rank military jurist Higher rank military jurist Brigade military jurist Divvoenyurist

Stars of various colors in buttonholes and sleeve insignia served as insignia for military ranks.

Let's start with the insignia.

In the picture: from left to right: sleeve insignia of the middle command staff, senior command staff, senior command staff, military-political staff.

The average command staff wore on both sleeves above the cuff (above the cuff) two or three so-called. "truncated triangles" embroidered with red silk thread, depending on the rank.

The military-political composition on both sleeves above the cuff (above the cuff) wore one star, regardless of rank. These stars were completely similar to the stars of the political staff Red Army, i.e. a red star with a golden hammer and sickle embroidered inside it.

The military-economic and administrative, military-technical, military-medical, military-veterinary and military-legal staff did not have sleeve insignia by rank.

The main means of distinguishing the ranks of the internal troops (internal security) of the NKVD were buttonholes .

4 - Red Army soldier.

"Candidate for the rank" - it was an intermediate step between the junior and middle command staff.

This title did not last long in the internal troops of the NKVD. Already in April of the 37th, by order of the NKVD of the USSR No. 169 of 04/21/1937, it was abolished as unnecessary.

3 - political instructor (on the sleeve is the star of a political worker),

4 - quartermaster technician 2nd rank,

5 -technician quartermaster 1st rank,

6 military engineer 2nd rank,

7 - military engineer of the 1st rank,

8 - military paramedic 2 ranks,

9 - military paramedic of the 1st rank.

* The senior command and command staff wore silver gaps and metal silver stars with a diameter of 13 mm in their buttonholes.

2 -major,

3 -captain,

4 - regimental commissar

5 - battalion commissar

6 - senior political officer,

7 - quartermaster 1st rank,

8 - quartermaster 2nd rank,

9 - Quartermaster of the 3rd rank,

10 - military engineer 1st rank,

11 - military engineer 2nd rank,

12 - military engineer 2nd rank,

13 - military doctor of the 1st rank,

14 - military veterinarian of the 2nd rank,

15 - military doctor 3rd rank.

Note. Persons with a higher education and entering the military service in the Red Army or the internal troops of the NKVD in the positions of commanding (but only commanding!) Staff immediately receive the rank of senior commanding staff, bypassing all lower ranks. That is, a young man who graduated medical institute, immediately receives the title of military doctor of the 3rd rank, a young man who graduated from a technical university - a military engineer of the 3rd rank. Graduate of the Institute of National Economy - Quartermaster of the 3rd rank.

* The highest command and command staff wore golden gaps and golden metal stars with a diameter of 13 mm in their buttonholes.

The highest rank in the internal troops of the NKVD was established as "commander of the 2nd rank." However, it was never assigned to anyone and remained purely nominal.

The figure shows the insignia of the commander of the 2nd rank.

1 - commander,

2 - divisional commander,

3 - brigade commander,

4 - corps commissioner,

5 - Divisional Commissioner

6 - Brigadier Commissar

7 - divintendant,

8 - brigintendant,

9 -diving engineer,

10 -briefing engineer,

11 - doctor

12 -brigveter.

These insignia existed in the Internal Guard for a very short time - from October 1935 to July 1937. Many servicemen of the VV did not even have time to put them on, since they switched to new insignia not at once, but as they were awarded ranks. And it was not a mechanical process. For each serviceman, the issue of conferring a particular rank was decided individually in the course of certification. And the junior command staff generally switched to new insignia only in March 1936.

Internal Troops of the NKVD 1937-1942

First you need to recall what the internal troops of the NKVD were like by 1937.

In 1937, the Main Directorate of the Border and Internal Guard (GUPVO NKVD) was renamed the Main Directorate of the Border and Internal Troops of the NKVD of the USSR.

Main Directorate of the Border Troops of the NKVD of the USSR;

Main Directorate of the troops of the NKVD of the USSR for the protection of railway facilities;

Main Directorate of the troops of the NKVD of the USSR for the protection of especially important industrial enterprises;

Main Directorate of the escort troops of the NKVD of the USSR;

Main Directorate of Military Supply of the NKVD of the USSR;

The main military construction department of the NKVD of the USSR.

I should note that the escort troops carried out their functions interspersed with the paramilitary guards of the GULAG (VOHR GULAG NKVD). Some places of detention were guarded by fighters of convoy units, others by VOKhR.

Below we will talk about the uniform and insignia:

Troops of the NKVD SSR for the protection of especially important industrial enterprises,

Troops of the NKVD for the protection of railway facilities,

Convoy troops of the NKVD.

Yesterday's brigade commanders, in the order of recertification, were assigned, depending on the position, either rank of colonel or major general. However, this process dragged on and by the time the war began, there were still several brigade commanders in the NKVD troops, who still wore one rhombus in their buttonholes.

With regard to brigade commissars, the then head of the Main Political Directorate of the Red Army achieved a decision according to which the title of "brigade commissar" was no longer awarded, but the existing brigade commissars retained their rank and insignia until they were awarded the next rank (divisional commissar). Thus, some brigade commissars wore their rank until the complete abolition of the scale of ranks of political workers autumn 1942.

In accordance with the changes in titles, new insignia. For the higher command staff of the NKVD troops (as in the Red Army), the shape of the buttonholes now becomes the same on the overcoat, on the service jacket and tunic. The field of buttonholes is maroon, the stars are metallic or embroidered in golden color. Along the upper edge of the buttonholes is a commander's gold lace 3 mm wide. The generals of the NKVD troops did not have emblems in their buttonholes.

The sleeves are similar to the chevrons of the generals of the Red Army. and major generals and lieutenant generals wear the same chevrons .

For the rest of the senior commanding staff, there were no changes in the insignia in comparison with 1937. They continued to wear their rhombuses in the buttonholes of the previous form.

Insignia of the middle and senior command staff of the NKVD troops from July 1940:

For the newly introduced rank" corporal"The sign of distinction was a horizontal stripe of red color on an overcoat buttonhole 1 cm wide, on a tunic 5 mm. Apart from triangles, all other junior command and command personnel have the same strip on buttonholes.

Insignia and ranks of private and junior command and command staff:

1 .Red Army soldier. Infantry troops of the NKVD.

2 .Corporal. Infantry troops of the NKVD.

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War in August 1941 (Order of the NKO of the USSR No. 253 of 1.8.1941), green field buttonholes without piping and without laces were introduced in the Army. Triangles, cubes, sleepers also purchased green color. However, in units not related to the active army, pre-war insignia .

Thus, in the NKVD troops, field insignia were actually switched to only in the rifle divisions of the NKVD troops, who fought at the front along with the divisions of the Red Army.

It is impossible at all to distinguish a serviceman of an NKVD rifle division from a serviceman of the Red Army when both wear the same field insignia.

Shoulder straps command staff:

1 Colonel (rifle units of the NKVD VV)),

2 - lieutenant colonel (cavalry units of the NKVD VV),

3 Major (armored units of the NKVD VV),

4 -captain (cavalry units of the NKVD).

5 - senior lieutenant (armored units of the NKVD).

6 Lieutenant (cavalry VV NKVD).

8 - junior lieutenant (rifle units of the NKVD).

Shoulder straps commanding staff (examples):

1 - engineer-colonel,

2 - lieutenant of the quartermaster service,

3 - lieutenant of the medical service.

The officers of the veterinary service have a silver emblem.

By the way, in 1943 there were galloons of officer epaulettes with a different weave pattern. It is obvious that the patterns of weaving shoulder straps of the tsarist army (in which there were over 20 different patterns of galloon) were taken as the basis, different factories produced galloon with different drawings, there was a process of searching for a single galloon pattern, which approximately ended only by 1955.

I would like to draw the attention of uniformitarians lovers to two more not very noticeable, but very significant details.

The first is the location of the stars on the shoulder straps of the colonel and lieutenant colonel. The stars are not located in the gaps, but are shifted to the edge of the shoulder strap. Approximately so the stars were worn on the shoulder straps of the tsarist army, placing them on the sides of the encryption. But the fact is that in the tsarist army all the stars were the same size -11 mm (1/4 inch), and they were perfectly placed between the clearance and the edge of the shoulder strap. And the stars of the 1943 model of the year for senior officers were much larger in size -20 mm, and when placed between the clearance and the edge of the shoulder strap, the sharp ends of the stars often went beyond the edge of the shoulder strap and clung to anything - for example, to the lining of the overcoat.

These stars will move into the gaps only around 1947. Apparently, the displacement of stars into gaps was at first largely spontaneous, and later standardized.

All epaulettes were attached to the uniform with a longitudinal loop sewn on the back of the epaulette. These epaulettes were designed to be worn on everyday and dress uniforms.

Shoulder straps Generals of the Internal Troops.

A.I. Gulyev (1941-1942)

I.S. Sheredega (1942-1944).

And only A.N. Apollonov, who commanded the explosives in 1944-1946, rose to the rank of "colonel general".

Shoulder straps VV generals differed from army generals only in the color of the edging of shoulder straps (cornflower blue), adopted at that time in the Internal Troops.

Shoulder straps are known only for everyday use. There is no information about field shoulder straps for the generals of the Internal Troops.

In the picture on the left:

1 .Major General of the Internal Troops.

2 .Lieutenant General of the Internal Troops.

3 .Colonel-General of the Internal Troops.

In subsequent years, the uniform and insignia of the Internal Troops more and more approached the army.

In 1955, with the abolition of colored edging on the shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants of the Soviet Army, cornflower blue edging also left the shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants of the VV.

In 1970, with the introduction of a new uniform in the Soviet Army, a similar one was adopted for the Internal Troops. The cornflower blue color finally and completely disappears from uniforms and insignia of explosives. It remains the main color of the KGB military personnel. This department is already in the early fifties completely separated from MIA and becomes completely independent.

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