USSR Commanders

Fyodor Ivanovich Tolbukhin

Commander of Infantry Operations

Description

BIOGRAPHY

During World War II, the Red Army defeated Germans in eight capital cities: Berlin, Belgrade, Budapest, Bucharest, Warsaw, Vienna, Prague, and Sofia. Three of these, the capitals of Romania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, were captured by the 3rd Ukrainian Front under the command of Fedor Ivanovich Tolbukhin. In cooperation with the 2nd Ukrainian Front, he also liberated the capitals of Austria and Hungary.

But his youth did not seem like one of a future Hero of the Soviet Union. Fedor Ivanovich was born in the village of Androniki, Yaroslavl governorate, in 1894. His uncle helped him move to Saint Petersburg, where he graduated from a commercial academy and began work as an accountant. Upon the death of his uncle and the looming threat of war, a new life began for Tolbukhin. He joined military service, serving with division staff as a motorcyclist. He later completed accelerated officer courses and returned to the battlefield, where those officers who managed to survive were rapidly promoted. In the summer of 1916, he took part in the legendary Brusilov Offensive. He finished the war as a staff captain.

After the revolution, he led a local military commissariat, completed staff service courses, and took part in a number of Civil War battles, during which he was recognized with a number of decorations. He then completed higher academic courses at the Frunze Military Academy and extension courses for commanders and ultimately graduated from the operations department of the Frunze Military Academy.

Tolbukhin built a reputation as a hasteless and prudent man, who never let himself lose his temper and always strived for learning. In June 1940, upon the introduction of general officer ranks to the Red Army, he was promoted to the rank of major general.

EFFECTIVENESS ON THE BATTLEFIELD

“Dig yourself deep,” General Tolbukhin would advise his soldiers. “Mother earth will save you from everything: from fire to bad weather.” This commander prefers to use infantry units: paratroopers, AT infantry, and snipers. Under his command, infantry units are better protected and have improved combat skills. When defending, he relies on machine gun pillboxes, mortars, and antitank hedgehogs.

Specializations

  • Light Vehicles
  • Anti-Tank Infantry
  • Assault Infantry
  • Snipers
  • Paratrooper Squad
  • Large Smoke Screen
  • MG Nest
  • Mortar
  • Obstruction

Talents

  • Paratrooper Squad
    A squad of assault paratroopers will land in a random location on the map.
    Paratrooper Squad: Supply Points required: less by 2
    • Paratrooper Squad
  • Large Smoke Screen
    Prevents attacks within a certain range.
    Large Smoke Screen: Supply Points required: less by 1
    • Large Smoke Screen
  • Proponent of Frontline Medicine
    The commander sets up a field hospital, which gives soldiers careful medical exams before sending them into battle. This has a positive effect on the health of all infantry units.
    Anti-Tank Infantry, Assault Infantry, Infantry: +30% Construction Quality (Vehicles) / Endurance (Infantry)
    • Anti-Tank Infantry
    • Assault Infantry
    • Snipers
  • Battle Hardened
    Experienced soldiers who can provide high-density fire in a given sector are the backbone of anti-tank infantry. Light vehicles receive a chance of damaging enemy optics.
    Anti-Tank Infantry: -40% Reload time
    Light Vehicle: +20% Chance to damage optics
    • Anti-Tank Infantry
    • Light Vehicles
  • Sports Shooter
    This Commander's constant checks on operational readiness greatly affect the shooting range of snipers and anti-tank infantry.
    Anti-Tank Infantry, Infantry: +10 Aimed shot range from entrenched position; +10 Shot range
    • Anti-Tank Infantry
    • Snipers
  • Optimizer
    Bunkers are equipped with supports to stabilize anti-tank weapons, increasing their armour-piercing ability and the damage they deal.
    MG Nest: +25% Damage to vehicles; +20% Armour penetration
    • MG Nest
  • Spare No Bullets!
    Extra ammo supplied in good time provides a high rate of fire from bunkers and mortars.
    MG Nest: -40% Reload time
    Mortar: -40% Reload time
    • MG Nest
    • Mortar
  • Improvised Construction
    Anti-tank obstructions are reinforced by railroad rails, giving them extra strength and making them able to sustain more damage.
    Obstruction: +60% Construction Quality (Vehicles) / Endurance (Infantry)
    • Obstruction