And Marshal Zhukov won his initial fame in the Soviet Far East against the Japanese in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, where his innovative use of tactics beat back the Japanese. Those same tactics in an upgraded form proved vital in beating back the Germans from 1943 on, and Stalin—despite his disdain for Zhukov—had to rely on this General right to the end of World War II.
Trivia fact: what was Zhukov’s favorite beverage? (Other than vodka). It was Coca-Cola! The Coke company made a special clear version that came in nondescript bottles and was capped with a red star bottle cap, so as not to be seen drinking a decadent capitalist product.
CC