Ministry Of Defence (National)
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE 229/97
George Robertson, Secretary of State for Defence, today sent a personal message to the widow of Marshal Konev - one of only three Soviet commanders to receive British honours for their contribution during the Second World War - on what would have been his one hundredth birthday. In Moscow on 4 November, Mr Robertson personally presented a posthumous Knighthood to Konev's widow, Antonina Vasilyevna Koneva.
Mr Robertson said:
"It is a great honour to write to you on this day in celebration of the birth of your late husband, Marshal Ivan Stepanovich Konev, exactly one hundred years ago.
"As I said when we met in Moscow, Marshal Konev is rightly honoured as one of the greatest military commanders of the century. His contribution to the cause of the Allies during the Great Patriotic War was of immense importance to us all. At a time when relations between our two countries - including military relations - are growing ever closer, it is fitting that we should remember and honour a man who made such an historic contribution to our common cause more than 50 years ago.
I have fond memories of our meeting in Moscow, at which I was honoured to present you with your husband's award as an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. I am sure that you and your family will be celebrating this special day with pride. May I wish you and all your family a happy and peaceful New Year."
Note to Editors
Marshal Konev commanded the Steppe Front at the decisive Battle of Kursk in 1943, which was the major turning point of the war in Russia. Konev's forces played a leading role in the remainder of the war and were the first to make contact with Omar Bradley's 12th US Army Group pushing from the West on 25 April 1945. The Marshal's troops then shared the honour of the capture of Berlin with those of his great rival, Marshal Zhukov, on 2 May 1945.
Marshal Konev was honoured by King George VIS, but was unable to receive his decoration before the onset of the Cold War. After a distinguished post-war career, he died in 1973, aged 75.
Only two other Soviet Marshals were awarded British honours at the end of the war - Marshals Zhukov and Rokossovsky - though a number of lesser honours were given to members from all ranks of the Red Army.
ENDS
