German Tarasov

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German Fyodorovich Tarasov (Georgian Фёдорович Тарасов) was a Red Army major general during World War II. Born 29 March 1906 in Mokrousovo, Tobolsk Governorate, he joined the Red Army in 1925 after studying in Tyumen and at the Ulyanovsk Military School. He rose through the NKVD Border Troops, studied at the Frunze Military Academy (1934–1937), and served in border units before World War II.

After the German invasion in 1941, Tarasov commanded the 249th Rifle Division, which fought in the Vyazma and Kalinin Defensive Operations and the Toropets–Kholm Offensive. The division later became the 16th Guards Rifle Division and received the Order of Lenin in February 1942; Tarasov was also awarded the Order of Lenin.

Tarasov then commanded the 41st Army in 1942 but was relieved after the Operation Mars battles. He led the 70th Army, formed from NKVD troops, and later the 24th Army (which became the 4th Guards Army) with several deputy commands through 1943–1944. He briefly commanded the 53rd Army in December 1943 when its commander was wounded.

Tarasov was killed on 19 October 1944 during the Battle of Debrecen near Kisújszállás and was buried in Kotovsk, Odessa Oblast.

Awards: Order of Lenin (twice), Order of the Red Banner, Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 1st class, Order of the Patriotic War 1st class, and two Orders of the Red Star.