Konstantin Rokossovsky

“I have no Suvorov, but Rokossovsky is my Bagration.”

“Rokossovsky was an imposing figure, tall, very good-looking, and well dressed; I understand he was a bachelor and was much admired by ladies.”

“He was tall, blond and handsome, every inch the dashing half-Polish cavalry officer.”

“Rokossovsky was a different type of general from Zhukov. Although a good soldier, he was not exceptionally brilliant.”

“The policy of large-scale repression against military cadres led also to undermined military discipline, because for several years officers of all ranks and even soldiers in Party and Komsomol cells were taught to “unmask” their superiors as hidden enemies.”

“I am a citizen of the Soviet Union and I think sharp measures need to be taken against anti-Soviet forces that are trying to make their way into the leadership. In addition, it is vitally important to maintain the lines of communication with Germany through Poland.”

“I have been placed under surveillance, and I can't take a step without it being known to the Polish minister of internal affairs.”

“The troops of the Don Front at 4pm on February 2nd, 1943 completed the rout and destruction of the encircled group of enemy forces in Stalingrad. Twenty-two divisions have been destroyed or taken prisoner.”

“In Russia, they say I'm a Pole, in Poland they call me Russian.”

“The German army is a machine, and machines can be broken!”

“Has a strong will. Decisive and firm. Often demonstrates initiative and skillfully applies it. Disciplined. Demanding and persistent in his demands. A somewhat ungracious and not sufficiently sympathetic person. Rather stubborn. Painfully proud. In professional terms well trained. Broadly experienced as a military leader... Absolutely cannot be used in staff or teaching jobs because constitutionally he hates them.”