Andrey Andreyevich Vlasov

Andrey Andreyevich Vlasov (Власов Андрей Андреевич) became known during the second World War as the leader of the Russian Liberation Movement - a group of soldiers of the Soviet Union supporting the German side against the Stalinist system.

Early years

A. A. Vlasov was born in Lomakino in the Nizhny Novgorod Region September 1st, 1900 as the son of a peasant family.
He went to a priest school and seminary as a student without means.
In 1918, he attended the Moscow Institute of Agriculture, and in 1920, he joined the Red Army. He quickly rose through the ranks and fought on the socialist side at the southern front of the Russian Civil War in the 1920s.
From 1922, he carries out staff assignments and receives theoretical military training. In 1929, he graduates from the "Vystrel" higher command courses of the Red Army. In 1930, he joins the communist party. After attending the Frunze Military Academy, he is appointed as the commander of the 11th infantry regiment in 1935 and the commander of the 99th division in 1937. This division is commended for its high standard in 1940, and Vlasov is awarded the Order of Lenin for his efforts. While critical of Vlasov's later decisions, the autobiography of the later general secretary of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev makes mention of Vlasov's abilities as a military commander.

The 2nd world war

After the beginning of the 2nd world war, Vlasov is appointed as the head of the 37th Army.
He is commended for his efforts in the Defense of Kiev, and on the personal initiative of Stalin, he is called in to assist in the Defense of Moscow. As a result, Vlasov is awarded the Order of the Red Banner and the rank of Lieutenant General, and his picture is featured in Pravda as one of the Heroes of the Defense of Moscow.
In March 1942, Vlasov is appointed 2nd in command of the Volkhov front. This front is under pressure from the German Wehrmacht, and a group of armies are called together to repel the invaders. The 2nd Shock Army is under pressure, and Vlasov takes charge of it.
However, the resources are sparse, and the headquarters in Moscow are inflexible and inattentive to the needs of the army. The army is defeated, and Vlasov hides in the occupied countryside for while. He is betrayed in a village, where he hides, and is captured by the Germans.

In captivity

Vlasov is interrogated by various German officers, most notable the Riga German interpreter [Wilfried Strik-Strikfeldt]]. During these interrogations, Vlasov indicates a frustration with the Soviet leadership's careless treatment of its citizens and soldiers.
The German propaganda had put great effort into securing the cooperation of the peoples of the Soviet Union by various efforts like dropping leaflets over the occupied areas proclaiming Adolf Hitler a liberator, not an invader. Confronted with a Soviet war hero from the people, plans were soon being drawn up for giving Vlasov a visible role in the Anti-Soviet propaganda.