Zhukov was the dominant figure in the Red Army during World War II even though his actual job title varied from day to day. Serving as a senior General Staff representative from the Stavka Zhukov moved from one critical sector to the next serving as advisor coordinator & de facto front commander as required. There is no doubt that Zhukov played a critical role in salvaging the critical situation in the fall of 1941 & leading the Red Army to an amazing reversal of fortunes in 1942-43 & eventual victory in 1944-45. He was instrumental in the initial defence of Leningrad before moving to Moscow to stem the German advance & lead the counterattack in the winter of 1941. In 1942-43 he was responsible for Operation Uranus that cut off the German 6. Armee in Stalingrad & led the defence of the Kursk Pocket against Mansteins attacks. His was the voice of reason & patience that convinced Stalin to let the Germans expend themselves at Kursk before launching the Soviet offensive that drove the Germans back hundreds of miles & almost broke the German Army inthe Ukraine. Without him Kursk would never have been fought as a defensive battle by the Russians. In 1944 he led the massive Soviet Operation Bagration that destroyed the German Heeresgruppe Mitte & continued on in command of front through to the end of the war which saw him become the first post-war Soviet commander in East Germany. However Zhukovs methods were brutal & contributed to massive Soviet casualties while he continued to keep his hand in political affairs as well. As the most recognized Soviet soldier of World War II Zhukovs post-war fall from grace was equally precipitous & it was not until the fall of the Soviet Union that he was awarded his reputation was restored.