Background
Vladimir Vasilievich Smirnov was born on July 4, 1849 in Vyazma, Smolensk, Russian Federation.
Vladimir Vasilievich Smirnov was born on July 4, 1849 in Vyazma, Smolensk, Russian Federation.
Vladimir Vasilievich graduated from Polotsk Cadet Corps (1865), 1st Pavlovsk Military School (1867) and Nicholas General Staff Academy (1874).
Vladimir Vasilievich began his military service in 1865 in the Moscow Regiment. Since 1877, an aide at the headquarters of the Odessa Military District. Member of the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. Since 1891, the brigade commander. Since 1894, the chief of staff of the 9th Army Corps. In 1894-1898, the chairman of the commission for the re-examination of recruits. Since 1901, the head of the 18th Infantry Division, since 1906 - the commander of the 2nd Siberian, since 1908 - the 20th Army Corps. Member of the 1st World War (since 1914 - commander of the 2nd Army). In 1917, he temporarily commanded the Western Front.