11. Vlasov Went From Acclaimed Hero to Reviled Jerk When He Sided With the Nazis
Vlasov was a mechanized corps commander in the Ukraine when the Nazis invaded the USSR in 1941. He was one of the few generals who managed to get their units to safety, as he successfully fought his corps out of multiple encirclements. Vlasov’s skill and aggressiveness brought him to Stalin’s attention, who summoned him in November, 1941, and promoted him to command an army in Moscow’s defenses. Vlasov and his army played a key role in keeping the Germans out of Moscow, and in January 1942, he spearheaded a counteroffensive that pushed the Germans 100 miles from the Soviet capital.
Vlasov earned decorations and acclaim, plus the admiration of Stalin, who promoted him to deputy commander of the Volkhov Front, 300 miles northwest of Moscow. Later, Vlasov was put in charge of the 2nd Shock Army after its commander fell ill. His army got cut off and encircled as it advanced towards Leningrad, however, and was destroyed in June 1942. Vlasov escaped temporarily, but was captured ten days later. In captivity, he agreed to switch sides. Taken to Berlin, he and other Soviet traitors began drafting plans for a Russian provisional government and for recruiting a Soviet turncoat army.