In Constantine Pleshakov´s book Stalin´s folly a June 1941 purge with about 300 persons
( officers and other highly ranked civilians ) were arrested among them 22 bearers of the highest military declaration in the country the golden star of a hero of the SU.

Anyone got info who these were and what possibly made Stalin do this so soon after the last purge?

__________________

In June 1941 before or after the 22nd?

I don't think Stalin cared a hoot how many decorations a purgee had, and besides 300 is nothing.

More details about the book, please?

__________________

Before 22nd. Anyway, I just thought that it was interesting that another group of top leaders were removed from their positions just before Barbarossa so that´s why I thought this might be important.

I did finish the book a couple of days ago so I will tell more little details later. The book is a great one in telling about the Soviet troop movements in the first 10 days once Barbarossa begun. I never actually realized, as the book says, the the Soviet troops were so situated in "bridgeheads" towards central Europe so that if they attacked they were dangerously deep into German controlled territory. Then again if Germans attacked the bridgeheads would be easy to cut off from the main troops.

__________________

Kai, you're opening a can of worms with your second paragraph ...

__________________

I´m trying to stay far from any other suggestions ( this time at least ) except that the troops were vulnerable for a German offensive, Za. I recommend the book , like mentioned, for excellent description for the battles of the first 10 days on the Soviet side.

__________________