Semyon Budyonny vs Yonai Mitsumasa

Budyonny organized and commanded the 1st Cavalry Army (Konarmiya) during the Russian Civil War. This mobile force became a key instrument for the Bolsheviks, defeating White Army forces in Ukraine and Poland.

Budyonny's 1st Cavalry Army fought in the Polish-Soviet War. His forces were defeated at the Battle of Komar

Budyonny was appointed Deputy People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR. This position placed him in the high command during the early stages of World War II, though his cavalry-focused tactics were increasingly outdated.

Budyonny commanded the Southwestern Front during the German encirclement of Kiev. He failed to secure permission to withdraw, resulting in the loss of over 600,000 Soviet troops captured. This was one of the largest encirclements in history.

As Prime Minister in 1940, Yonai Mitsumasa opposed signing the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy, arguing it would lead to war with the United States and Britain. His resistance delayed the alliance but ultimately failed, and he was forced to resign.

Yonai resigned as Prime Minister in July 1940 after the army forced his hand over the Tripartite Pact. His resignation cleared the way for the pro-Axis cabinet of Konoe Fumimaro, which signed the pact in September 1940.

Yonai Mitsumasa became Prime Minister in January 1940, succeeding Abe Nobuyuki. His cabinet pursued a neutral foreign policy and sought to avoid war, but faced intense pressure from the military to align with Germany.

After Japan's surrender, Yonai served as Deputy Prime Minister in the Higashikuni and Shidehara cabinets from 1945 to 1946. He oversaw the demobilization of the Japanese military and cooperated with the Allied occupation authorities.