From Homo Ludens I learned of this article telling of Stalin's ape-man soldiers.

Moscow archives show that in the mid-1920s Russia's top animal breeding scientist, Ilya Ivanov, was ordered to turn his skills from horse and animal work to the quest for a super-warrior.

According to Moscow newspapers, Stalin told the scientist: "I want a new invincible human being, insensitive to pain, resistant and indifferent about the quality of food they eat."

Don't we all. In the immortal words of Bart Simpson: "God Schmod. I want my monkey-man!"