Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Semyon Timoshenko
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
Semyon Timoshenko
For Students
Germany invades Poland, September 1, 1939, using 45 German divisions and aerial attack. By September 20, only Warsaw held out, but final surrender came on September 29.
Pop Quiz: 17 Things to Know About World War II
Quizzes
U.S. marines raising the American flag over Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, in February 1945
World War II Quiz
Related Questions
Read Next
Communism - mosaic hammer and sickle with star on the Pavilion of Ukraine at the All Russia Exhibition Centre (also known as VDNKh) in Moscow. Communist symbol of the former Soviet Union. USSR
Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse?
Operation Barbarossa, German troops in Russia, 1941. Nazi German soldiers in action against the Red Army (Soviet Union) at an along the frontlines in the early days of the German invasion of the Soviet Union, 1941. World War II, WWII
75th Anniversary of Operation Barbarossa
People celebrate in Times Square in New York City, New York on V-E Day (Victory in Europe), May 8, 1945.
70th Anniversary of V-E Day
Landing craft (American) of World War II. Normandy invasion, WWII, D-Day, infographic. SPOTLIGHT VERSION.
Types of Landing Craft of World War II Infographic
Flag of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, 1922-1991. USSR, Soviet Union.
25th Anniversary of the End of the Soviet Union
Discover
Orange basketball on black background and with low key lighting. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society
The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time
Colorful winter sunset
What's the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?
The impeachment trial of Pres. Andrew Johnson, illustration from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, March 28, 1868.
What If the President Is Impeached?
King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)
9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes
Stylish light blue jeans on wooden background, closeup of inset pocket
Why Do Jeans Have That Tiny Pocket?
Indian hijras participate in a religious procession in Gandhinagar, India, some 30 kilometers from Ahmedabad, on March 22, 2017. Hijra is a term used in South Asia which refers to transgender individuals who are born male. (gender identity, gender expression)
6 Cultures That Recognize More than Two Genders
The Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. (Civil War, Pennsylvania)
9 Worst Generals in History
Semyon Timoshenko
Semyon Timoshenko Semyon Timoshenko, 1944.

Semyon Timoshenko

Soviet general
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History
Quick Facts
In full:
Semyon Konstantinovich Timoshenko
Born:
February 18 [February 6, Old Style], 1895, Furmanka, Ukraine, Russian Empire
Died:
March 31, 1970, Moscow, Russia, U.S.S.R. (aged 75)

Semyon Timoshenko (born February 18 [February 6, Old Style], 1895, Furmanka, Ukraine, Russian Empire—died March 31, 1970, Moscow, Russia, U.S.S.R.) was a Soviet general who helped the Red Army withstand German forces during the early part of World War II.

Having fought in World War I and the Russian Civil War, Timoshenko held several regional military commands during the 1930s. In January 1940 during the Russo-Finnish War, he was placed in command of faltering Soviet forces, and by March he had forced the Finns to sue for peace. Named a marshal of the Soviet Union and commissar for defense in May 1940, he worked to upgrade military training and tactical planning as well as to improve Soviet forces’ preparedness for a defense against German invasion. He held a succession of important commands during World War II.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.