new provisional Austrian government in order to prepare democratic elections. On 27 April, Renner was appointed provisional government leader, at Tolbukhin's authority, which renders the latter an important role in the foundation of a new Austrian republic that had been integrated into the Third Reich (1938-1945). Tolbukhin gave the go-ahead at the location, for this important step towards an independent Austria in the formation of the Second Republic (1945-present). After the war, Tolbukhin was commander-in-chief of the Southern Group of Forces, which comprised the Balkan region. In January 1947, Tolbukhin was made the commander of the Transcaucasus Military District, a post he held until his death on October 17, 1949, due to complication from diabetes. Tolbukhin is generally regarded as one of the finest Soviet generals of World War II. Meticulous, careful, and not overly ambitious like some Soviet commanders, Tolbukhin was well respected by fellow commanders and also his men, especially since he had a dedication to keeping casualty rates low. Tolbukhin was the recipient of numerous awards and medals including the highest Soviet medal and rank, the Order of Victory and Hero of the Soviet Union, respectively. Tolbukhin was also People's Hero of Yugoslavia, whose capital Belgrade he liberated. The urn containing his ashes is buried in the Kremlin Wall Necropolis, and there is a monument to him in his native Yaroslavl. Honours and awards Hero of the Soviet Union (7 May 1965, posthumously) Order of Victory (№ 9–26 April 1945) Two Orders of Lenin (incl. 19 March 1944, 21 February 1945) Order of Red Banner, three times (18 October 1922, 3 November 1944) Order of Suvorov, 1st class, twice (28 January 1943, 16 May 1944) Order of Kutuzov, 1st class (17 September 1943) Order of the Red Star (22 February 1938) Order of St. Anna, 3rd class Order of St. Stanislaus, 3rd class Order of the People's Hero (Yugoslavia, 31 May 1945) Hero of the People's Republic of Bulgaria (1979, posthumous) Order of Bravery (Bulgaria) Order of Georgi Dimitrov (Bulgaria) Order of the "Hungarian freedom" Grand Cross of the Order of "The Republic of Hungary" Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour (France) Honorary Citizen of Sofia and Belgrade To the Valiant Soldier of the Karelian Front Medal "For the Defence of Stalingrad" Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" Medal "For the Capture of Budapest" Medal "For the Capture of Vienna"