Zhukov joined the Red Army in 1918 and made his name during the Second World War as an outstanding Royal Artillery commander, helping in the defence of Leningrad and Moscow? and planning the relief of Stalingrad. He was responsible for the tank victory at Kursk, the breakthrough in Byelorussia and the final offensive leading to the capture of Berlin. After the war he was Commander in Chief of the Soviet Zone of Occupation and later Minister of Defence 1955-57 when he fell from grace and abruptly retired.
