Kirill Meretskov vs Tan Zheng

Meretskov was arrested during the Great Purge and imprisoned. He was released in 1938 after confessing to fabricated charges, and was reinstated to the military, though his reputation was damaged.

Meretskov commanded the 7th Army during the Winter War against Finland. His forces failed to break the Mannerheim Line initially, leading to heavy Soviet casualties and his temporary relief from command.

Meretskov commanded the Volkhov Front in the Leningrad

Meretskov commanded the 1st Far Eastern Front in the Soviet invasion of Manchuria. His forces broke through Japanese defenses in the mountains and advanced into central Manchuria, contributing to Japan's surrender.

Tan Zheng served as political commissar of the Fourth Field Army during the final stages of the Chinese Civil War. He worked alongside Lin Biao to maintain troop morale and political loyalty, contributing to the Communist victory in southern China.

Tan Zheng was appointed Director of the General Political Department of the People's Liberation Army. He oversaw political indoctrination and ideological education within the military, strengthening Party control over the armed forces.

Tan Zheng was purged during the Cultural Revolution, accused of being a 'counter-revolutionary revisionist'. He was removed from his positions and subjected to public criticism and imprisonment, suffering severe persecution until his rehabilitation in the 1970s.